This hotel is somewhat unique on the Kenyan coast. It is more formal and glamorous than the laid back tropical hotels more commonly found on these beaches. The intercontinental hotel features wall- to-wall carpeting, elevators, and an indoor piano lounge. Men arrive in business suits-it is not a place to wander around with sandy feet.

It has been well decorated-tastefully and with an eye to quality. The lobby is impressive with its high, huge atrium, marble floors, and fountains. There are 192 rooms on four floors. The carpeted rooms are comfortable, and are equipped with every modern convenience: telephone, color TV, minibar, and air conditioning.

You are reminded that you are at the beach when you open the sliding doors onto your private balcony which is angled to give you a good view of the wonderful pool below and a glimpse of the sea.

The large pool has water flowing over the edges and a swim-up bar. It is set in lovely grounds filled with gardens and palm trees bordering the beach.

Accommodations at the Intercon Mombasa Kenya

In addition to the standard rooms there are two presidential suites, one executive, and six junior suites. Best Sea Views: Standard rooms #340-343, 312-315,411, and 439.

Other offerings

Many restaurants, conference facilities, banquet halls, a casino, and a sports center with health spa.

Oyster Bay Beach Hotel

Perched on a rocky cliff, this new hotel of 35 suites overlooks an attractive lagoon- shaped pool and the ocean beyond. The beach here is very small. An elaborate jetty for water sports is under construction.

The hotels clean modern architecture is dazzling white next to dark rock, bougainvillea color, and blue-green sea. Curving balconies provide a large shaded terrace with a sea view for each suite. There is Lamu- Style furniture, and sitting rooms have fans. Bedrooms have air conditioning and nice private bathrooms with bidet. Two bedrooms per suite are possible.

The dinning room is on a terrace above the pool, seafood grill is in the planning, and there is 24-hour room service. The pool is surrounded by rock gardens with a waterfall and swim-up bar. Resort activities are planned.

Le Soleil Beach Club

This is a modern condominium-style complex which operates as an all- inclusive beach club. It is built on a narrow plot with most of the rooms set back quite a distance from the ocean. Le Soleil is a family resort with standard rooms, suites, and three bedroom villas. There are equipped Kitchens for self catering and a choice of restaurants.

The large pool has a swim-up bar. The rooms were less spacious or well furnished than expected. Included in the club membership price are water-sports, games, entertainment, meals and local drinks.

Club Sun n Sand

This is a sprawling thatched resort with tall palms and lots of bougainvillea. It has become Kenyas largest all inclusive club where food, local beverages, water sports and games are included in the price. There is a choice of three specialty restaurants, a supervised mini-club for children and nightly entertainment. Deep sea fishing and motorized water sports are available at an extra charge.

The hotel caters to large package tours (queues for meals), has a conference centre for 200, and offers many sports activities. There are two pools, one is sea water. Accommodations are in small cottages with thatched roofs and air conditioning. Some have nice sea views. The hotel looks tropical and exotic.

Thousand Palms

This is a very ordinary package-tour hotel. The public toilets were dirty when we visited.

Whispering Palms Hotel

This hotel is rather a hodge-podge with heavy concrete structures as well as thatch. There are three small pools, pays-as-you-go sports. It caters to package tours and has a cut-rate atmosphere.

Robert is a travel expert to Kenya and the East African region. He is a director to Landmark safaris ltd. At Landmark, we let you tailor your own Kenya water or animal safari-the way you want it! See your Africa safari planner here: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/planner