Reviews of The Sands at Chale Island
Wildlife sightings and reviews
3 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited The Sands at Chale Island and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
"The Sands at Chale Island review"
We heard on the grapevine that the entire resort was recently renovated and as a result everything there looks very new and polished. Our room was large and cool, with a beautiful view of the ocean right on our doorstep. Mangroves grow around the rooms which gives the whole hotel a sort of wild feel.
The location is absolutely beautiful, the sand is soft and white, the sea is a deep blue, the beaches are clean, and the bay is shallow enough for you to walk around the island at low tide.
The staff are incredibly friendly and professional, greeting everyone with a smile and asking how our days had been and how we were feeling. Some of the staff even told us a little about themselves, which was really nice.
The kitchen is open 3 times a day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the food is wonderful. I would especially recommend any of the local or Swahili dishes available, as they're really something else. There is a pretty large menu available too so there's always something different to try. Outside of those times there's a cafe and bar open on the beach, and a sunset bar over the water too, though there's so much food on offer at mealtimes that we never needed to use them outside of the occasional drink or ice cream.
There are a fair amount of water sports activities available at extra cost. We only had the chance to have a go at a couple of them but the people who take you out scuba diving and on the tour of the mangroves were very friendly and very knowledgeable. The scuba diving in particular was one of our favourite experiences." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
"The Sands at Chale Island review"
The hotel is quiet and a good place to relax. Swimming pool area was well shaded and water was warm! Also comfortable seating in shaded around hotel reception and bar area.
The beach was well looked after. Swimming from the beach was really only possible at high tides, so timing was dependent on tide times. For the same reason, there are limited beach walking opportunities from the hotel.
Restaurant worked on a limited set menu, so choices were the same for every meal. Excellent salad bar and breakfasts.
We enjoyed our sundowner on the sundeck area on Valentine's day!
Hotel is an hours drive from airstrip at Diani Beach, partly on unmade up road. Short crossing to island by boat or tractor depending on tides.
No electricity in the room between 10:00-17:00 daily but reception happy to charge phones etc. during this time." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
"The Sands at Chale Island review"
The only draw back on the overwater suite is that it is situated on the other side of the island from the main resort and is a little isolated. The walk at night to the restaurant is quite dark although there are some lights our torch came in handy. As we were celebrating our honeymoon the gave us a complimentary upgrade to all inclusive, two free spa treatments and a bottle of wine in the room which was very kind and appreciated.
It is a big resort so the main buffet restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner can be quite busy. The food was good and there was a wide variety of choice. We also tried the a la carte restaurant which was practically empty the whole time. The food was nice but the menu small. All the staff were very friendly and helpful.
The beach was very pretty and the pools good. We used the saltwater pool a lot as it's the closest to the overwater suite. We loved the daily activities around the island that they provide like the mangrove tours. If we had been staying for longer we would have taken more advantage of them. The phone app they have is really handy as it has a map of the island and details of what activities are on for the next few days.
I had read reviews online that Chale had a different time zone and it seemed to be causing a lot of confusion, luckily they seem to have done away with it. The spa was beautiful. The rooms are open-air dotted around the mangroves. We tried 4 treatments in total and really enjoyed all of them. The beauticians were really good.
The only thing that would have enhanced our stay would have been if they hadn't removed the plunge pool from our decking. On their website they have youtube videos of all the rooms and ours showed a plunge pool. It would have been handy to take a dip when the tide is out to save you walking up to the pool if you are sun bathing in the room. Put it back please for the next time we stay." See all these reviews: 15n in Kenya
Holiday styles & special interests in Kenya
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Kenya.
Other lodges in Kenya Coast
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
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.
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.
Water Lovers
Water Lovers is a popular, low-key beach hotel in a central location on Diani Beach on the south coast of Kenya.
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.
The Sands At Nomad
The Sands At Nomad is a good-value, laidback, family friendly resort with lots of Swahili character.
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.
Hemingways Watamu
Long-established resort hotel with a strong British following and a good reputation for deep-sea fishing.
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.
Ocean Sports
Ocean Sports is long-established and popular beach hotel right on one of Watamu's famous and beautiful bays.
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.
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.
Serena Beach Resort
Serena Beach Resort is a large beach hotel on Shanzu Beach, north of Mombasa town, on Kenya's Indian Ocean coast.
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.
The Maji
The Maji is a small, well managed beach hotel on the northern stretch of Diani Beach in southern Kenya.
Swahili Beach
Swahili Beach is one of the biggest resort hotels on Diani Beach, with a spectacular lobby and cascading swimming pool.
Msambweni Beach House
Msambweni Beach House is a secluded and luxurious boutique hotel on the southern Kenya coast, south of Diani Beach.
Tamarind Village
Tamaarind Village is a well managed apartment complex close to Mombasa city, with excellent restaurants, pools and visitor services.
Kizingo
Kizingo is an owner-managed, rustic, barefoot beach lodge on the southwest tip of Lamu island.
Lamu House
Lamu House is a boutique hotel on the waterfront in Lamu town, with a swimming pool, bar and terrace restaurant.
