This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines open now

User menu
Driftwood Beach Club
Driftwood Beach Club
Driftwood Beach Club
Driftwood Beach Club

Driftwood Beach Club


3°14’10.4"S 40°7’39.0"E

Reviews of Driftwood Beach Club

Wildlife sightings and reviews

3 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Driftwood Beach Club and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

Showing 1-3 of 3
Duration
Arrival date
Mr & Mrs C
Amberley

"Driftwood Beach Club review"

4 nights Arrived 23 Feb 2014
"I had stayed at Driftwood with my wife in 1992. To my relief it has remained totally unchanged with the exception of IT and Air Con in the lodges!

For me a perfect set up. Individual cabins under thatched roofs, not too many, surrounded by palms and sand and a short walk to the recption areas, a relaxing bar area and restaurant. It is still very much in the tradition of what it was originally set up as in Fifties, as a Beach Club for locals and expats to unwind and relax and talk but rarely for large scale tour operations; there is even a very serviceable squash court for the athletic!

I loved it. The cabins were excellently appointed within large comfortable beds and efficient loo and shower areas. Each has small veranda with chairs and tables for an dawn ( and what dawns!) coffee or a G and T before supper after sunset. The food was first class and the service throughout efficient and friendly.

The lovely sandy beaches stretch for miles either way and when walkimng you were really not pestered just smile and walk on, indeed none came near the Club since we had security keeping careful watch.

I walked alone through the Malindi Markets after a tuk-tuk of ten minutes. full of life and colour and, though only the white face there, many smiles in response to 'Jambo'. To be enjoyed alone though perhaps best with a local guide to ,pave the way..

One highlight was a dhow trip with two amiable rogues Feisal and J ( name unpronounceable). Left at five pm returned two hours after sunset in pitch black under the stars; a four hour trip not as planned ''two hours. OK?''. Simply perfect including wading back to the shore afterwards in sea the feel of warm milk!

As a place to stay and relax, you could not fault Driftwood. With the walks and the lively town of Malindi to visit it was for me, perfect after the game lodges in the Noboisho Conservancy and the prospect of a return to England in March!." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Dr B & Mr S
London

"Drifting through Malindi"

4 nights Arrived 3 Nov 2013
"We were aware that this is not the same kind of accommodation as the previous two lodges, but the rooms were good. We had asked for a 'sea view', but the view from our first room (29) was partially covered with other huts in front of us. We managed to change hut for the second night (25) and we were then in the front row, hearing the waves crash on the sand and able to walk straight out into the sand to watch the sun rise from the Indian Ocean in the morning. It was nice that the staff were able to accommodate our wishes. The staff were generally helpful (with different levels of friendliness) and attentive in their service. The pool was clean and the club seemed appropriately managed. We were happy that the manager, Roger, made an effort to introduce himself and make us feel welcome. The Driftwood helpfully supplied a babysitter (who charged a reasonable rate) during the evening. The food and selection at breakfast was good.

Our expectations of a 'beach holiday' were quickly revised when we got to experience the persistent beach boys we had been warned about. As soon as you lay close to the beach within the Driftwood compound or just step outside of it onto the sand of the beach, the beach boys want to sell you something, or take you to the reef. They are the reason I wouldn't recommend this holiday destination or Driftwood to friends. The staff from the hotel didn't really react to this situation or help us to deal with the beach boys.

We ended up walking up to the reef with one of them at low tide. several other guys were around us, picking up amazing looking starfish to show us. By the time we got to the actual corals we started to feel uncomfortable with the lack of respect for the habitat - and we felt our daughter's patience was coming to an end, so we turned back. The experience left a bitter taste in our mouths: we felt like we took part in the destruction of a marine reserve and encouraged the beach boys to continue hassling tourists. We also felt threatened by the group of boys when the amount of Ksh we gave to them was not considered enough for their troubles (an amount which we had previously sought advice on from the reception staff).

Going into town was a much more satisfying experience. The Driftwood offers a tuktuk ride around the town. The driver, Said, took us through the narrow streets of the Old Town and to some very specific shops - we assumed that he must be paid a commission if we had bought something there. There was none of the hassling that we experienced on the beach and we felt quite safe walking back home from where Said dropped us off.

We asked the reception about prices and arrangements for a trip to Gedi. We were not convinced that the staff member we talked to provided impartial advice- He quoted Ksh 5000 and suggested that we may have to pay more if we would want the driver to wait for us. When we asked Roger, however, he suggested a lower price (Ksh4000). As the receptions were the gate-keepers, we felt at their mercy to quote any figure. Further, when we asked reception about the Marine safari and the glass bottomed boats, they offered a package from Said. Again the receptionist seemed to suggest that we'd have to pay a high figure to compensate for the fact that there were only 2 adults (when the boat could take more) so we were not sure what we should or shouldn't pay. Basically, we expected to be able to trust the advice of the staff at Driftwood but these situations made us doubt the impartiality of some of the staff members (not all). Again, the actual boat trip involved the guide picking up star fish to show us and throwing bread into the water to attract the pretty fish. All things that seem to be inapproriate behaviour in a marine nature reserve." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

Location:
Average
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Ms S
Sheffield

"Driftwood Beach Club review"

3 nights Arrived 22 Aug 2013
"Room clean, food good.

Freddie found hassle from "beach boys" very intimidating and this meant that he would not go on the beach. Many guests/day visitors used the bar area during the day, some couples looked slightly dubious. Freddie asked me if the two black ladies accompanying two white African men were prostitutes - and I think they were. However, this aspect did not tarnish time at the Driftwood Beach Club.

I went out to the forest - guided bird tour - very good and also snorkelling on one of the dive boats - well looked after and enjoyable. Water a little cloudy for good views of fish." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Average
Showing 1-3 of 3
87%
3 reviews of Driftwood Beach Club by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
1
2
0
0
0
Filter by month

Holiday styles & special interests in Kenya

From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Kenya.


Beach holidays

Beach holidays

Discover Africa's coast and tropical islands.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Diverse habitats, discreet hides and superb guiding.

Cultural experiences

Cultural experiences

Get an insight into Africa's cultures and history.

Family holidays

Family holidays

Hand-picked camps for an incredible family safari.

Honeymoons

Honeymoons

Romantic safaris and castaway island retreats.

Luxury

Luxury

First-class service, scenic vistas and unparalleled comfort await you during these carefully selected luxury holidays. 

Photography holidays

Photography holidays

Great holidays to suit the keen photographer.

Private villas & houses

Private villas & houses

Enjoy Africa with just your friends & family

Riding holidays

Riding holidays

Explore Africa's wilderness on horseback.

Solo Travel

Solo Travel

Trip ideas ideally suited for a solo traveller.

Walking

Walking

Explore Africa's most scenic trails on foot.

Walking safaris

Walking safaris

Explore Africa's untouched wildernesses on foot.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing

Wellness escapes in stunning locations

Wildlife safaris

Wildlife safaris

These trips include hard-hitting game and fascinatingly elusive species alike, as well as superb guiding and a variety of diverse ecosystems.

Other lodges in Kenya Coast

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Kinondo Kwetu

Kinondo Kwetu

Kinondo Kwetu is a small, owner-run, all-inclusive boutique lodge of exceptional quality situated on a remote stretch of beach south of the busier Diani Beach area.


99% (27 reviews)
Pinewood Beach Resort

Pinewood Beach Resort

Pinewood Beach Resort is a relaxed resort-style hotel at the far south end of Diani Beach - an area known as Galu Beach.


89% (15 reviews)
Asha Boutique Hotel

Asha Boutique Hotel

Diani Blue is a low-key but stylishly comfortable small guesthouse, with high levels of service, in a busy, central part of Diani Beach.


95% (8 reviews)
The Sands At Nomad

The Sands At Nomad

The Sands At Nomad is a good-value, laidback, family friendly resort with lots of Swahili character.


80% (6 reviews)
Water Lovers Beach Resort

Water Lovers

Water Lovers is a popular, low-key beach hotel in a central location on Diani Beach on the south coast of Kenya.


96% (5 reviews)
Peponi

Peponi

Peponi is a long-established beach hotel, renowned for its good food, located in the village of Shela on the south side of Lamu island.


100% (4 reviews)
The Sands at Chale Island

The Sands at Chale Island

The Sands at Chale Island is a beach resort offering plenty of activities and beautiful flora and fauna all around.


87% (3 reviews)
Alfajiri Villas

Alfajiri Villas

Alfajiri Villas is an exclusive, owner-run, hideaway property consisting of three unique villas in a central part of the north end of Diani Beach.


100% (2 reviews)
Mnarani Club

Mnarani Club

The Mnarari Club is located towards the seaward end of the beautiful Killifi Creek, and is an enduring favourite on the Kenya coast.


100% (2 reviews)
Ocean Sports

Ocean Sports

Ocean Sports is long-established and popular beach hotel right on one of Watamu's famous and beautiful bays.


90% (2 reviews)
Manda Bay

Manda Bay

Manda Bay is a luxury beach hideaway in a remote corner of an island in the Lamu archipelago, on Kenya's northern coast. It has a huge range of water sports on offer.


100% (2 reviews)
Hemingways Watamu

Hemingways Watamu

Long-established resort hotel with a strong British following and a good reputation for deep-sea fishing.


80% (1 review)
Charming Lonno Lodge

Charming Lonno Lodge

Lonno Lodge is a boutique hotel on a quiet stretch of Watamu's coastline.


100% (1 review)
Serena Beach Resort

Serena Beach Resort

Serena Beach Resort is a large beach hotel on Shanzu Beach, north of Mombasa town, on Kenya's Indian Ocean coast.


100% (1 review)
Kutazama

Kutazama

Kutazama is an owner-managed, boutique luxury lodge in the Shimba Hills in a stunning location overlooking the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary.


100% (1 review)
Shimba Lodge

Shimba Lodge

Shimba Lodge is a picturesque tree-hotel overlooking a forest waterhole in Shimba Hills National Park, with an aerial walkway and abundant wildlife.


80% (1 review)
AfroChic

AfroChic

Afro-Chic is a modern, Mediterranean-style ten-room boutique hotel on Diani Beach, with good food and a pleasant pool.


100% (1 review)
The Maji

The Maji

The Maji is a small, well managed beach hotel on the northern stretch of Diani Beach in southern Kenya.


No reviews yet
House on the Beach

House on the Beach

House on the Beach is a comfortable family-size, private beach house with a large pool set by a cave complex, and a delightful garden leading down to the beach, in a secluded spot on Tiwi Beach.


No reviews yet
Tamarind Village

Tamarind Village

Tamaarind Village is a well managed apartment complex close to Mombasa city, with excellent restaurants, pools and visitor services.


No reviews yet
Tijara Beach

Tijara Beach

Tijara Beach is one of the smallest and quietest beach properties on Kenya’s coast, with a focus on rest and relaxation away from other tourists.


No reviews yet
Swahili Beach

Swahili Beach

Swahili Beach is one of the biggest resort hotels on Diani Beach, with a spectacular lobby and cascading swimming pool.


No reviews yet
Msambweni Beach House

Msambweni Beach House

Msambweni Beach House is a secluded and luxurious boutique hotel on the southern Kenya coast, south of Diani Beach.


No reviews yet
Funzi Keys

Funzi Keys

Funzi Keys is a remote beach property on its own private island on the far south coast of Kenya. Rustic in style, it will suit you if you cherish exclusivity over modern design.


No reviews yet
Manfriday's Mida Cove

Manfriday's Mida Cove

Manfriday’s Mida Cove is a stylish beach lodge, suited to those who are sociable and will enjoy the engaging hosts and the convivial atmosphere they create.


No reviews yet
The Majlis

The Majlis

The Majlis is a modern 27-room resort hotel on the beachfront of Manda island.


No reviews yet
Diamond Beach Village

Diamond Beach Village

Diamond Beach Village is a rustic, owner-built, owner-run beach lodge, with simple rooms made from local materials, located where Lamu Creek meets the Indian Ocean.


No reviews yet
Kipungani Explorer

Kipungani Explorer

Kipungani Explorer is a relatively large rustic beach lodge on the west coast of Lamu island.


No reviews yet
Kizingo

Kizingo

Kizingo is an owner-managed, rustic, barefoot beach lodge on the southwest tip of Lamu island.


No reviews yet
Che Shale

Che Shale

Che Shale is sand-and-palm-tree beach lodge of rustic bandas, dedicated to kitesurfing and chilling out, located on a remote and beautiful bay half an hour’s drive north of Malindi Airport.


No reviews yet
Lamu House

Lamu House

Lamu House is a boutique hotel on the waterfront in Lamu town, with a swimming pool, bar and terrace restaurant.


No reviews yet

Login to Expert Africa

Sign in with password

Sign in with email link


New to Expert Africa? Create an account

Forgotten your details?

It's free & quick to set up

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online for your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Full site benefits of the site

Need some help? Talk to our team

Africa