Review: Severin Sea Lodge – Mombasa, Kenya

I spent two nights at the Severin Sea Lodge on Bamburi Beach in Mombasa, Kenya. In terms of resorts in Mombasa, it does not get much better than this. I enjoyed my stay.

Severin Sea Lodge Review – Mombasa, Kenya

Rates run from $50-$150 per night, depending on the time of year. My rate was closer to $125, including breakfast.

Check-In

I arrived (after some drama at immigration) at just after 9:30 am and was welcomed with a glass of fruit juice in the lobby.

My colleagues had already arrived the night before and I had just a few minutes to drop my bags before the day’s activities began.

Room

I was assigned room 173, on the second floor of a circular building with four semi-circular guest rooms and a thatched roof.

Although I was alone, my room had a double bed and a twin bed, each with a mosquito net (mosquito were bad…).

The room also featured a wardrobe, desk, and patio overlooking one of the hotel pools below and the Indian Ocean beyond it.

Coffee (powered) and tea along with a hot water kettle and bottled water were provided.

Air conditioning worked well (and was necessary).

The bathroom was not fancy, but included a toilet, single sink, and shower.

Pools

The resort had two pools, both outdoors, including one near the beach and one in the middle of the property that included a poolside bar.

Table tennis was also available.

Beach

Perhaps due to jetlag (though it was not bad on this trip), I tended to rise before sunrise and took a walk on the beach, which was beautiful, particularly in the tranquility of the morning.

Fitness Center

While it was not a large one, I appreciated the fitness center, which I used on my second and third mornings. The TechnoGym equipment was sufficient for short but intense workouts.

I was hoping for a sauna or steam room in the changing room, but just found a shower.

Spa

Massages were available in Kenbali Spa (open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm).

Food + Drink

Full-board and half-board packages are available, though my room just came with breakfast.

Kisima Buffet Restaurant

I had breakfast here each morning and dinner here one evening. The breakfast buffet was solid, with eggs made to order as well as a variety of fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, and hot dishes.

Black coffee and tea was included, but a cappuccino cost a couple bucks extra.

There is both indoor and outdoor and seating available. I had dinner here the last night and rather than use the buffet, I enjoyed a fresh green salad followed by fish with calamari and chips (French Fries).

Safari Restaurant

On the other side of the lobby the Safari Restaurant offers a la carte dining.

Bars

The hotel also has three bars including Swing Bar, Kisima Pool Bar, and Safari Bar.

Library

Adjacent to the lobby was a small library where you could help yourself to a variety of books.

Honest Service

Finally, I want to commend the very kind service here. Every member of staff was kind and gracious, but I want to pinpoint one particular act of kindness. My friend sent some laundry down to be washed. He left money in his pocket…400 Kenyan Schillings, which is about $3.

That’s not much money, but is the sort of thing that could easily be “lost” while laundering the clothes. Instead, the gentleman who cleaned his room left the money on his bed with the following note:

Interesting that he signed it “Room Boy,” which is a very dated term.

CONCLUSION

There are no Western chain hotels in Mombasa and if you asked me what the best resort was, I could not tell you since I’ve only stayed in one. But I liked it well enough that I will be returning to the Severin Sea Lodge later this year, a tranquil oasis from the hustle and bustle of Mombasa.

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