The amazing smell from the coffee bar is what redefines the “little paradise” that has joined the chain of luxurious hotels in Shanzu area which boast of its renowned white sandy beach.
At Kilua Resort, a new hotel in Mombasa there is a coffee bar which fills the air with a unique aroma. The amazing smell from the coffee bar is what redefines the “little paradise” that has joined the chain of luxurious hotels in Shanzu area which boast of its renowned white sandy beach.
Perhaps, the incredible fragrance of the coffee adds flavour to the name of Kilua — a pleasantly scented flower found at the Coast. To ensure the Kilua (annonaceae flower) maintains its sweet smell, owners of the multimillion lavish hotel decided alcohol would not be part of its beverages.
“We decided to have a coffee and a juice bar near the swimming pool. We believe people can still enjoy themselves without alcohol,” says Michael Patrick, the hotel’s operation manager.
Situated 13 kilometres from Mombasa city, Kilua was designed by an international architect firm, Eronat Engineering Bureau based in Dubai. It has 73 furnished and serviced apartments. “People buy the apartments and hand them over to the management which runs them as hotel rooms,” said Mr Patrick. The apartments have been developed into a cascading design which subdivides them into one, two and three bedrooms. The have two gyms for women and one for both genders.
“The take-up has been good and we are remaining with 27 apartments that are yet to be sold,” he said.
Most of the buyers use them as holiday homes or earn rental income from them. A one bedroom costs Sh19 million, while a two-bedroom goes for Sh27 million and Sh35million for three bedrooms.
Sam Ikwaye, the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers coast branch boss said hotel apartments is a concept that is picking up fast in Coast which has recorded an increase in number of tourists.
“The rental apartments style of business is now the fastest growing segment of the market,” he said, adding that such serviced hotel apartments add bed capacity in the region.
“The industry is growing because of the sense of privacy that the apartments give holidaymakers,” he added.
