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Asha Boutique Hotel
Asha Boutique Hotel
Asha Boutique Hotel

About Asha Boutique Hotel

Asha Boutique Hotel, formerly Diani Blue and Asha Cottage, is a small, owner-managed, guesthouse with just ...

... six rooms, all of which face onto the small, landscaped pool area. It concentrates on providing a very personal, low-key service to guests who actively want to avoid large resort hotels but still want to be in the heart of Diani Beach.

With a high staff to guest ratio, Asha Boutique Hotel achieves high levels of personal attention, offset by relatively modest accommodation and meals. One of the most appealing and personable properties on Diani Beach, guests will feel most at home if they are solos or couples. However, its affordability, size and appeal to the local market mean that it needs to be booked well in advance.

Our view

With a high staff to guest ratio, Asha Boutique Hotel achieves high levels of personal attention, offset by relatively modest accommodation and meals. One of the most appealing and personable properties on Diani Beach, guests will feel most at home if they are solos or couples. However, its affordability, size and appeal to the local market mean that it needs to be booked well in advance.

Jessica Plumb

Jessica Plumb

Kenya expert

Accommodation

6 rooms

Children

Best for 12+

Open

All year

Activities

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Boat trip

Scuba-diving

Scuba-diving

Snorkelling

Snorkelling

Watersports

Watersports

Traveller reviews of Asha Boutique Hotel

8 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


95%
8 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
6
Good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Family McEfromMaidenhead

Arrived 30 Jul 2022, 6 nights

"Beautiful. The location on the beach was stunning"

"Beautiful. The location on the beach was stunning …" Read Family McE’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs MfromWeymouth

Arrived 30 Jul 2019, 6 nights

"Right on the beach - great location"

"Peace, quiet and tranquility...very friendly...great place to relax and unwind. …" Read Mr & Mrs M’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

FamilyfromSurrey

Arrived 26 Aug 2015, 3 nights

"Great place to relax, excellent service"

"The staff were waiting to welcome us with a drink and a short talk about Diani Blue …" Read Family’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

The B familyfromLeics.

Arrived 16 Feb 2014, 6 nights

"Asha Cottage review"

"The evening meals by candlelight around the pool area were fabulous. …" Read The B family’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs SfromWimborne

Arrived 7 Oct 2013, 4 nights

"Peaceful oasis at Asha Cottage"

"A lovely quiet place to relax after a hectic safari. The whole experience …" Read Mr & Mrs S’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Ms SfromSheffield

Arrived 28 Aug 2013, 3 nights

"Asha Cottage review"

"Your road transfers (apart from Driftwood to Satao) were excellent - organisation …" Read Ms S’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Dr CfromLondon

Arrived 23 Jul 2013, 6 nights

"Asha Cottage"

"Location - beautifully landscaped, easy access to local shops, the dinkiest …" Read Dr C’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr T & Ms CfromCheshire

Arrived 8 Jul 2013, 7 nights

"Relaxing Stay at Asha Cottage"

"We had a very enjoyable stay at Asha Cottage despite it being quiet in the …" Read Mr T & Ms C’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

See all Asha Boutique Hotel reviews

Asha Boutique Hotel: Our full report

Asha Boutique Hotel, formerly Diani Blue and Asha Cottage, is a small, owner-managed, guesthouse with just ...

... six rooms, all of which face onto the small, landscaped pool area. It concentrates on providing a very personal, low-key service to guests who actively want to avoid large resort hotels but still want to be in the heart of Diani Beach.

The plot isn't huge, so the rooms are quite close together. Rather than detracting from your privacy, however, this lends quite an intimate and cosy feel. The emphasis here is on a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, good value and the feeling that you are a guest in someone's home.

The access to Asha Boutique Hotel is along a paved access road from the main Diani Beach road, and runs down a gentle hill towards the sea. Tropical gardens and a small footbridge across a stream lead to the property's main areas. From here you look straight out across the pool and beyond to the beach and ocean, though it's somewhat screened from people on the beach by vegetation and low palms.

The main building houses a simple reception lounge and veranda area, the covered dining terrace and a rather quaint, air-conditioned library and darts room, with a bar. This area, along with the pool and gardens, is exclusive to guests staying at Asha Boutique Hotel.

Outside, past the free-form pool, there is a small restaurant, Asha Bistro, which serves as the main outdoor dining and drinks terrace, shaded by low coconut palms and sunshades. The restaurant was opened up to the public in 2021 and this has now become a popular lunch spot with a great atmosphere. Breakfast is often served around little tables tucked into various hideaways in the gardens.

Five of the rooms are positioned around the pool: two in the main house and three in the guest wing alongside the pool. These rooms are all of a similar standard, have both a pool view and a sea view (or at least a view in the direction of the sea), and feature pretty Swahili-style furniture and modern, glass-and-wood bathrooms. The sixth room, Alrhabah, is tucked at the back, slightly away from the pool. There's a safe and hairdryer in every room, plus filtered water, air conditioning, and a cellphone for guests' use. Toiletries included in the bathrooms are sourced from a special eco-friendly line in Nairobi. While not exactly palacial, the rooms certainly have their charm, although they did feel a little on the dark side at times.

  • Room 1: Closest to the beach, and located in the guest wing, this is usually taken by honeymooners and can accommodate a third bed (a day bed is already in the room). It has a slightly private, sandy, 'patio' area.
  • Room 2: Right behind room 1, this has a king-sized bed and a single day bed.
  • Room 3: The final room in the 'guest wing' has two single beds plus an extra day bed in the room. The singles can be prepared as a king-sized bed with no discomfort. Rooms 2 and 3 are next to each other so work well for families.
  • Room 4: Set in the main house, on the veranda, it has a good through breeze. The spare single day bed is best used for a child – three adults is a bit tight – but this room works well for honeymooners too.
  • Room 4: This is the only proper twin room but as it is in the main house it is generally the last room to be booked, primarily because its door is across from the kitchen door. This room can be made a double.
  • Room 6: More towards the back of the house, and used as a family room, there is one king-sized bed and one day bed, but can also accommodate a second day bed. The room has wicker furniture rather than Swahili and a slightly smaller bathroom than the other rooms.
Most of the activities at Asha Boutique Hotel are outsourced to local operators and other businesses – details of what can easily be offered are listed on cards in the bedrooms. Options include: dining out; diving (they use the excellent Diani Marine, a nearby dive base); kayaking; all-day dhow and snorkelling trips to Wasini Island and Kisite Marine Park (again, they use an excellent local operator, Pilli Pipa); and more adventurous watersports with H2O Extreme. For local snorkelling trips on the reef opposite, they use their own boat, masks and snorkels, and guests are guided by local staff. They are usually happy to accompany guests into the sea, where they can point out different species and essentially act as a marine wildlife guide. There's a small charge for the snorkelling trips, which depart at various times depending on the tides.

The guesthouse also has a wellbeing centre, Asha Wellness, with a professional masseuse, where various treatments are on offer, including an aromatherapy full body massage (Ksh3,000 for one hour).

Geographics

Location
Kenya Coast, Kenya
Ideal length of stay
4 or more nights
Directions
There are scheduled flights to Diani Beach/Ukunda airport, which is 10 minutes away by car. If you're transferring to or from Mombasa, the Likoni ferry crossing, linking Mombasa Island with the south coast mainland can sometimes add significantly to journey times, especially at rush hours. For Mombasa airport, allow two hours.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Half Board
Food quality
Asha Boutique Hotel tries to buy fresh produce such as seafood and salads locally. They rebranded their restaurant Asha Bistro in 2021 and this serves an a la carte menu which includes fresh seafood and homemade pizzas. While we did not have a chance to eat here on our most recent visit, on previous stays we found the food to be reasonably good, but not standout.

A continental a la carte breakfast – fruit, pastries (a different one every day – eg muffins), juices, toast and home-baked bread – is standard, and full cooked breakfasts are available at no extra cost. Breakfast is available from 7.30am until 9.30am.

Lunch is served at any time at the Asha Bistro and various salads are available as chef's specials, plus standard options such as pizza, burgers and pasta if you want something heartier.

The three-course a la carte dinner is a full menu of three courses, which varies on the day depending on what is fresh and seasonal. Friday is usually BBQ night. You can head to the restaurant for dinner 7.30pm-9.00pm.

A jug of filtered and purified drinking water is provided in each room in lieu of bottled water, in order to cut down on plastic bottles. This is made with a dehumidifier that provides 25 litres of drinking water a day.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Yes, but there are no phones in the rooms. Very relaxed and so will be very flexible.
Drinks included
Drinks are excluded, but are reasonably priced: sodas around Ksh70 (US$1), beers Ksh250 (US$3), bottle of wine from Ksh2,000 (US$24).

Special interests

Beach holidays
One of Asha's main natural attractions is its broad white beach frontage and often crystal-clear sea – great for beach holidays. Relax on the beachfront terrace, have a drink or a meal, lie in the sun or take a snorkelling trip in the hotel’s boat.
See ideas for Beach holidays in Kenya

Children

Attitude towards children
Ideally children should not be not under the age of 12 years, but there are no hard and fast rules.
Property’s age restrictions
None
Special activities & services
None
Equipment
None
Notes
Fine for older teenagers

Communications

Power supply notes
There is a back up generator for 24 hour power.
Communications
WiFi is available throughout the property.
TV & radio
No
Water supply
Mains
Water supply notes
The bathrooms are plumbed in. Water is supplied from the mains as well as transported in.

Sustainability

Asha Boutique Hotel sustainability

Eyes for Africa – social initiatives

A shining beacon when it comes to social investment, Diani Blue supports Eyes for Africa, a British based charity devoted to preventing blindness in Africa. The main mission of the project is to reduce the socio-economic negative impact of avoidable blindness, thus improving the status of in neighbouring areas and to help in the rehabilitation and social inclusion of those irreversibly blind or severely visually impaired to realise their full potential. The clinic receives 20,000 patients and performs over 1,200 cataract operations each year.

However, the clinic is only the centre of a much bigger Community Based Programme (CBP) which is responsible for increasing awareness of eye health in local communities. The CBP help abolish preconceived considerations that prevent people from reaching care by training people in the community on primary eye care and referral. Eye screenings in remote villages with no transport infrastructure are performed regularly awareness and screening programmes were introduced in local schools, teaching basic eye health, testing the children’s sight and giving them the knowledge to go out to reach other people in the community who need our services.

Another magnificent dedication is shown by the Asha Cottage Educational Fund, which provides support to local parents by covering their children’s tuition fees and school costs. Diani Blue also supports The Diani Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy, to help children have access to medical, occupational and physiotherapy treatments. Furthermore, all guests with leftover sun cream are encouraged to leave it at Diani Blue. This simple gesture would help save lives, as the sunscreen would be given to albino children which have a high risk of skin cancer.

See more great sustainability projects in Kenya

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
Diani Blue has a first aid kit but no in-house first aider. The excellent Diani Beach Hospital is a two-minute drive down the road. In a major emergency, the hospital would assist and flying doctors would come to Diani Beach airport, five minutes' drive away.
Dangerous animals
Low Risk
Security measures
Night security guards are stationed at the front by the road and at the back by the beach. During the day they have one by the beach only.
Fire safety
Sand buckets are set around the property.

Activities

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

    Boat trip

  • Scuba-diving

    Scuba-diving

  • Snorkelling

    Snorkelling

  • Watersports

    Watersports

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Asha Boutique Hotel offers a full laundry service at an additional cost, around US$1-5 per item.
Money
Depending on what they have available, currency can be exchanged, using the rate of the day off the internet. No cash-back on debit cards.
Accepted payment on location
Cash payments may be made in euros, pounds sterling, US dollars and Kenyan shillings. Prices are all in Kenyan shillings.
Visa, Mastercard and AMEX are accepted with no surcharge, but note that guests cannot pay for transfers or taxi services by card – as they are not Diani Blue’s services. No travellers' cheques.

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Asha Boutique Hotel's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Asha Boutique Hotel.


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When to go to Kenya Coast

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Asha Boutique Hotel in Kenya Coast


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Kenya in January

Clear, hot days and warm nights make this high season a popular time for safaris and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling as water clarity is excellent and gets better as the dry season progresses. Most lodges and tented camps treat January after the New Year week is over, as mid-season, making it a good compromise in terms of value for money with reasonably reliable, dry weather and some greenery left in the landscape.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in January, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, January is the second driest month of the year
  • Elephants dig waterholes in the dry riverbed in the Samburu reserve.
  • Wildebeest and many antelope have their calving season, to February.
  • Migrant birds are seen in huge numbers, especially in the Rift Valley.
  • Sea water clarity around the coral reefs generally good.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in January

Kenya in February

With the short dry season well established, the grass grazed down and wildlife gathering close to water points, this is still a good time for a safari. Good water clarity in the Indian Ocean's coastal waters makes for excellent diving and snorkelling conditions.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in February, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, February is the driest month of the year.
  • It’s sometimes possible to swim with whale sharks at Diani Beach.
  • Migrant birds are still seen everywhere, especially near water.
  • This is usually peak calving season for wildebeest and many antelopes.
  • This month is often the hottest of the year, especially on the coast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in February

Kenya in March

Hot, increasingly humid weather – with good diving and snorkelling conditions at the start of the month – gives way to rains and lower accommodation costs. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in March, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and predicting the seasons since the beginning of this century has been difficult.

March is the month when – traditionally – intensely hot conditions build up until a cloudburst finally happens at the end of the month or in early April, to relieve the humidity. As ever, regional variations across the country can greatly impact on visitors' experiences.

  • Sea-water clarity is best for diving before the long rains start.
  • Visitor numbers are low, though the Easter holidays can be busier.
  • Night skies can be scintillatingly clear in early March.
  • Cropped down savannah grasses can make it easier to see the wildlife.
  • Temperartures climb high, especially at lower elevations.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in March

Kenya in April

April sees the full onset of the southeast monsoon wind or kusi, which heralds the long rains. Temperatures drop soon after the rains are established and you’ll often have facilities largely to yourself in this more affordable low season, sometimes known as the "green season". The bush quickly springs to life, with greenery sprouting almost before your eyes. While you're likely to get a fair number of heavy showers, the breaks in the rain can yield sparklingly clear conditions.

With the dust settled and bright sun piercing the clouds, conditions can be sublime for photography, especially first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon with another storm brewing. You may be lucky, or you may find conditions very wet and muddy.

  • A wet month, the coast often gets more than 300mm (12in) of rain.
  • Sunny spells can provide great light for photography.
  • Buffalo and zebra calving season often happens in this month.
  • Baby crocodiles hatch, for example on Central Island in Lake Turkana.
  • Palearctic migrant birds gather to fly north to breeding grounds.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in April

Kenya in May

While game viewing can be trickier as vegetation runs riot, between the cloudbursts the colours and light are great for photography at this time of year. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in May, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and while it's reasonable to expect heavy rains in many parts during this month, especially on the coast, the rains don't always come evenly or in some areas come at all.

In an El Niño year, the so-called long rains that normally are established across much of the country by May can be meagre, to the despair of farmers. On the other hand in a La Niña year, the long rains can bring floods. On the coast, the monsoon winds make the climate much more predictable, with heavy rains common throughout this month.

  • Frogs breed in the ponds in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest near Watamu.
  • Wildebeest, impala and other grazers are in rut (the breeding season).
  • Kilimanjaro looks its best as heavy rain falls as snow on the summit.
  • There's a sharp peek of rainfall on the coast with many rainy days.
  • Accommodation prices are uniformly low, while some camps close.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in May

Kenya in June

The rains give way to cloudy, cooler weather, often making for comfortable conditions by the end of the month, especially in the highlands. Starting from mid-June or the beginning of July and running until the end of October, this is the high season, and accordingly has higher accommodation rates and – at least until early September – higher numbers of visitors.

While the early part of June can often be rainy on the coast, it can be a great time to go on safari, with fresh greenery, many young animals and good photographic conditions with clear air.

  • The Taru Desert, inland from the coast, is carpeted with flowers.
  • The Lake Turkana Cultural Festival is held in Loiyangalani.
  • Madaraka Day (commemorating self rule) is 1 June.
  • The annual Lewa marathon runs a course through the wildlife.
  • The Diani Rules "sports" event rips up the rulebook at Diani Beach.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in June

Kenya in July

Kenya’s “winter" season sets in (winter is a misnomer but locals feel the change), and the highlands can be rather grey. Skies are often cloudy and the days can be surprisingly cool, with an average daytime high in many highland safari areas of 15-20°C and night-time temperatures dropping below 10°C in Nairobi and the highlands. Lower parts of the country and the coast are usually warm and dry, typically reaching highs of around 25°C with lows in the high teens.

As this is the start of the high season, coinciding with the usual arrival of the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, July is a busy month. Ask your Expert Africa specialist to advise on how to avoid the crowds, which is not that difficult to do.

  • The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara in July.
  • Simbi Lake (Kisumu) and Crater Lake (Naivasha) can attract flamingoes.
  • Watersports start to pick up and some surfing is possible at Malindi.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms are a common feature in the Maasai Mara.
  • The sea can be choppy along the coast, making diving difficult.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in July

Kenya in August

The Great Migration fills the plains of the Maasai Mara, and school’s out, so the park roads are full of tourists – ask your Expert Africa specialist for advice on crowd avoidance tactics. Choose a private conservancy rather than a public national park or national reserve for quieter conditions.

Like July, August is generally mild and relatively dry in the safari areas, but it can be very chilly in the highlands, even in the middle of the day, and hail occasionally falls above altitudes of around 2,400m (8,000ft). Nairobi can be disappointingly overcast, with low cloud.

  • Apart from Christmas holidays, this is the busiest month of the year.
  • Late August sees peak wildebeest drama at the Mara River crossings.
  • Coastal winds are good for kite- and wind-surfing.
  • Few mosquitoes are around at this generally dry time of year.
  • The annual Camel Derby takes place in the Samburu capital, Maralal.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in August

Kenya in September

The skies clearing of cloud signals the start of hot, dry weather with little chance of rain – and, after the first few days of the month, far fewer visitors – making the latter part of September a good time for a quieter safari. While early September is often good for dramatic migration crossings along the Mara River, you might consider deliberately postponing your trip until later in the month, when the migration can still be very impressive and visitor numbers fewer.

If tourist surges are somewhat predictable, however, the patterns of the wildebeest migration are more volatile, and like all of Expert Africa's climate and weather assessments, they are based on accumulated years of experience rather than guaranteed certainty.

  • This is still high season, with prices to match.
  • Many river crossings take place on the Mara river in both directions.
  • Natural bush fires flush out insects and small animals for predators.
  • The Rift Valley Music Festival takes place by Lake Naivasha.
  • With school holidays over by early September, late-month is quieter.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in September

Kenya in October

Still hot, mostly dry and not too busy, this is many people’s preferred month for a safari, and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling. The wildebeest and zebra herds of the great migration are often still to be seen, though in dwindling numbers. The swamps of Amboseli attract thirsty wildlife including large herds of elephants.

While we wouldn't expect much rain across most of the country this month, the climate has become so unpredictable that you can never say never, and the possibiity of the short rains – usually associated with November to mid-December, starting early, can't be discounted.

  • This month sees the tail end of the great migration in the Mara.
  • Palearctic migrant birds start to arrive, staying until March.
  • Turtle nests hatch at Watamu, until November.
  • Amboseli elephants focus on the swamps for their daily water.
  • The Indian Ocean monsoon winds turn from southeast to northeast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

Kenya in November

The northeast monsoon wind or kaskazi heralds the start of the “short rains", usually some time in the second half of the month. From November to mid-December, this is the low season, and accordingly has lower accommodation rates and lower visitor numbers. Across most of the country you can expect warm, somewhat cloudy weather, with occasional heavy showers and localised flooding.

Expert Africa bases its description of the climate in November, like the other months of the year, on the records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable: some years the short rains don't come at all, or don't reach every part of the country. In an El Niño year, the November short rains can be very heavy, but in a La Niña year, they can fail completely.

  • Swimming with dolphins in Lamu can be done from now until April.
  • Birders gather at Ngulia in Tsavo West to ring Palearctic migrants.
  • The Lamu Cultural Festival takes over the town and Lamu Creek.
  • Agricultural shows often take place regional market towns.
  • This is low season, so camps can be great value, with special offers.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in November

Kenya in December

In a typical December, the rains usually finish by middle of the month, leaving the landscape looking its best, under clear blue skies, and heralding the start of the second peak tourist season from around 20 December to the first week of January. Our assessment of the likely weather in December, like the other months of the year, is based on climate records, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

Christmas can sometimes be wet, but most years the rains have finished a week or two earlier, with the festive season ushering in the perfect combination of clear skies and sunshine by day and starry nights.

  • Christmas and New Year are busy, with the lodges and camps full.
  • Rates are highest after 24 Dec, with supplements on public holidays.
  • Republic Day and Independence day are celebrated on 12 December.
  • Good kite- and wind-surfing restarts, with strong northeasterly winds.
  • Mango season begins, providing excitement for primates and elephants.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in December

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