LalaGalu ★★★★

"The kind of amazing that sneaks up on you."

Coco-De-Ville ★★★

Mzima Beach Residences - Diani Beach ★★★★

"It was the best weekend in Diani Beach Kenya – a reminder of this little beach town in the sun at its most open, vibrant and welcoming. After two days immersed in The B.A.G, eating too much food, drinking coconut water, bumping into old friends from the city, and skanking to Amapiano, Afrobeats, reggae and dancehall, I was left smiling at an event that has culturally crossed the YouTube screens into a music odyssey of big tune selections, dazzling 'baddies', premium ambience, and a lavish experience powered by Hennessy. It was a celebration of contemporary East African youth culture. Saturday belonged to nostalgia. The triumphant intro of DJ Lyta's "Hot Grabba" nostalgic intro announced the live set recording on Saturday night, day one of the festival. That unmistakable introduction.For many Kenyans, the opening seconds of DJ Lyta's Hot Grabba mixes are instantly recognisable. They belong to an era when reggae and dancehall mixtapes were passed from phone to phone, burned onto CDs and played in matatus, hostels and barbershops across the country. Diani-based DJ Scrappie had masterfully opened the party with his impeccable, high-energy selections after some technical hitches with the sound and power. DJ Lyta has been a voice of Reggae and Dancehall since the early 2010s – a procession of millennials and Gen Z crowds pay respect to his "Hot Grabba" mix series.  In 2023, Lyta reflected on the impact of Hot Grabba Vol. 2, released in May 2013:  "This Mix Hot Grabba Vol 2 Changed My Life... I duplicated CD copies and took them to the streets and the rest is history."  More than a decade later, that history still resonates. Flanked by a bevy of beauties, DJ Lyta, who was announced weeks earlier as the headline act for the opening night, lived up to expectations making the foundations of the stage tremble with classic Caribbean dancehall. Afrobeats, Kenya's rebel Arbantone and Gengetone sounds dominated his set. Classic Caribbean dancehall blended with Afrobeats, Gengetone and Arbantone in a set that constantly shifted between generations. Every pull-up drew louder cheers. Every reload became another shared memory. Songs people hadn't heard in years suddenly returned with every lyric intact. The brutally fashionable crowd grinds and dances all night long with Lyta putting a packed crowd on the sand through its paces. Each corner offered another pocket of intimacy, joy and community. This night instilled camaraderie within friend groups, especially in the quieter moments. Groups wandered between the bars, the beachfront and the dancefloor. The best events create memories on stage; the greatest ones create them between strangers. Meanwhile, DJ Malaika was on point veering off into mixing Afropop, Bongo and Kenyan party anthems into a crowd-pleasing, spectacular morning dash toward a Diani Galu Beach sunrise set. As dawn approached, DJ Malaika guided the remaining crowd.Sunday unfolded differently. Where Saturday celebrated nostalgia, Sunday celebrated"

Queens Chateau Boutique Villa ★★★

Upani in Diani with Complimentary Cook ★★★★

"We had a wonderful experience at Upani in Diani. The place is beautiful, peaceful, clean, and well maintained. It is in a great location, with very good proximity to the beach. The staff were warm, welcoming, and very helpful throughout our stay. It is a lovely place for anyone looking for a relaxing and comfortable stay in Diani. We truly enjoyed our time there and would happily recommend Upani. Definitely deserving of 5 stars!"

Grand Amber Villa ★★★

Blue Marlin Beach Hotel ★★★

"Popped in for a coffee. Outstanding location, great staff, nice owner too. The coffee was excellent. I am aiming to go back for a meal. One thing that lets this place down is the attitude to litter. You can see plastic bottle tops on the ground. They need to clean it up a bit more."

Al Mahali Villas ★★★★

"We traveled together as two couples and initially stayed at the neighboring Neptune Paradise. During that first week, we discovered Al Mahali Villas and, after some friendly contact, were even able to view one of the villas. For our second week, we booked one of the larger villas with three bedrooms – ideal for up to six people. The resort is in a quiet location, very green and well-maintained, with direct access to the beach. The private pool is also beautifully designed and we used it regularly. Overall, we felt very comfortable there – you have peace and quiet while still having enough options for self-catering. The daily cleaning service deserves special mention; it not only cleaned but also did the dishes and made the beds. An evening turndown service was also included. The staff were always friendly, helpful, and professional – especially Veronica, who took care of everything. The villa itself is tastefully furnished and adequately equipped. However, there are some minor structural flaws that should be addressed at some point – including… Initially, our air conditioning wasn't reliable, the water pressure in the shower was a bit weak at times, and there were a few areas where improvements could be made. None of this was serious, but it was noticeable (from a Western perspective). The kitchen was well-equipped enough for self-catering. There are supermarkets and delivery services nearby. A chef can also be booked through management (around $20 USD per day), but we didn't use this service. The complex also has its own restaurant, which looked promising, but was a bit pricey compared to other beachfront restaurants – so we didn't try it. Overall, a very pleasant place to stay with good service and a peaceful atmosphere. Self-catering is easy, the location is fantastic, and we were very impressed with the whole package. We would definitely come back."

Lantana Galu Beach ★★★★

"Location - 5/5 Prime spot on Galu Beach, the best stretch of beach in Kenya. Steps from the ocean with easy access to everything you need. Atmosphere - 5/5 Peaceful and tranquil throughout. The pool and restaurant areas are beautifully expansive, with different sections to choose from, whether you want to be by the beach or tucked away to relax. Rooms - 5/5 Spacious, immaculately clean, and perfectly styled for the coastal setting. Everything works as it should and the space feels premium without being overdone. Value - 5/5 Outstanding value for what you get. This is hands down the best hotel on Galu Beach, and the quality-to-price ratio is hard to beat. Cleanliness - 5/5 Spotless throughout our stay. Clear attention to detail in maintenance and upkeep. Noise level - 5/5 Quiet and serene. You get the ocean sounds without any disturbance from other guests or operations. Service - 5/5 The team is genuinely helpful and responsive. We had a minor AC issue that was sorted within minutes - no fuss, just efficient problem-solving. They also noticed it was my birthday during our stay and surprised us with a cake - that kind of personal touch really stands out. Amenities - 5/5 Everything you need for a proper beach getaway. Well-maintained facilities and thoughtful touches throughout. Had a great time here with friends. Highly recommend for anyone looking for quality beachfront accommodation in Kenya."