Guest Reviews

A big “Thank You!” to the many guests that stayed over the years.

“Diese Villa ist einfach ein Traum. Hochwertig ausgestattet mit einem tollen Pool und Garten. Besonders zu erwähnen ist das Personal, das einem jeden Wunsch von den Lippen abgelesen hat. Ein unvergesslicher Aufenthalt”.

- Helmut, Mönchengladbach, Germany (July 2023)

We were a family of 10 adults and 3 kids and had a wonderful 5 days at this Villa. Since i booked it, the host has been responding very quickly to any questions, was very informative, accommodating and helpful. Everything at the Villa is just as described here.The chef, house manager and housekeeper were all very helpful and always met our needs. We will definately go back.

- Susan, Vienna, Austria (July 2023)

5 ⭐️ The host was fantastic. He constantly communicated promptly and was very accommodating. My family and I stayed for three nights, and it was phenomenal! The place was exactly as described and shown in the picture. The staff was super sweet and professional. It’s a perfect place for family or even for couples.

- Selamawit, Nairobi, (July 2023)

Beautiful beaches await you a short walk from the Villa! The chef is the best thing about our stay, the food was soooo good…plus the pool 😍!

Our first time on the coast and this was a great place for it *chefs kiss*.

- Chanta, New York, USA (May 2023)

Amazing and beautiful villa, perfect choice for a relaxed vacation. The hosts communicates everything clearly and responds to any requests promptly. He is also very supportive with recommendations and suggestions for restaurants and other inquiries. The staff are very warm and friendly and attend to the guests with utmost respect. I would highly recommend the place.

- Rhoda, Rome, Italy (March 2023)

We stayed for 2 nights at Joris place in Galu beach and had a great time. The communication with Joris was easy as he was always very responsive and provided clear instructions. Our room was very clean and we particularly enjoyed the Veranda with a nice view into the green garden. The kitchen area is shared and there is a big table outside on the terrace where you can enjoy the food. Overall, we enjoyed the calm environment and can definitely recommend staying there.

- Friederike, Göttingen, Germany (May 2023)

We had a fantastic stay at the villa and kept extending because its so hard to leave... Great outdoor living space, lush tropical garden, inviting pool and a walking distance from Galu beach, the more quieter part of Diani which we prefer. The house has a lot of charm with rustic and swahili interior. A great host, and the place good value for money. We hope to return another time!

- Laura, Amsterdam, Netherlands (March 2023)

What a great place to celebrate a birthday with friends - the host was super helpful from the moment we confirmed the booking, he helped with transfers from Mombassa, put us in touch with the Chef and kept checking in throughout. The house was great, lots of space, pool was awesome - spent hours in there and food was super. Well looked after by the house manager who went above and beyond to meet out requirements.

- Danna, Johannesburg, South Africa (February 2023)

Absolutely outstanding host and staff. Everyone was absolutely amazing. 10 stars.

- Hillary, USA (April 2023)

My family and I enjoyed our stay. The villa is beautifully designed and beautifully furnished. There was plenty of room for all of us.
The chef and the house manager were also very very helpful and made us delicious meals. I extremely appreciated the hosts's help organizing transportation for us from the airport in Mombasa and back. We also loved, loved, loved having a pool….

- Wanjala, Seattle, USA (December 2022)

The place is fantastic. The house is beautiful and in immaculate condition. The caretakers are very helpful. It's just a few hundred meters from the beach. We really enjoyed everything about it and strongly recommend it!

- Michael, Tel-Aviv, Israel (December 2022)

Host always gives prompt responses and useful advice to us. We really enjoyed our stay at the Villa and would like to come back again!

- Ren, Japan (February 2023)

“We travelled as an extended family to get together in Diani, and I can confidently say this is my best stay to date. The villa was very well maintained, clean and a very relaxed atmosphere in a great location close to the beach. The host was extremely helpful with planning, including travel logistics. During our stay the staff made it the most pleasant and relaxing experience for the whole family. Food was delicious, they were frirendly and very helpful throughout. The kids couldn't stop playing in the pool, and there was lots of activities to do without needed to organize transportation. Highly recommended”.

- Noah, Lititz, USA (September 2022)

“The villa was great and the host made great efforts to accommodate our stay”

- Uri, Johannesburg (September 2022)

“This is such a wonderful spot. Very peaceful with easy access to Galu beach. The house is great for families. Hemedi was super helpful. Joris was kind enough to let us extend our stay last minute and it was very easy to communicate with him. If you are looking for a cosy relaxed swahili style home-away-from home highly recommend Villa Mashariki”.

- Samantha, South Africa (July 2022)

“The house was beautiful - clean and cozy, with plenty of places to sit outside especially on the veranda and the sitting area attached to the master bedroom. The staff were excellent and friendly, and Chef Omari cooked an exceptional dinner for our group. Communication with the host was smooth and plenty of information and tips were shared in advance too. Enjoyed our stay!”

- Laura, Nairobi (June 2022)

“We enjoyed our stay at the Villa! The chef was awesome and able to accommodate all our needs”

- Laura, Nairobi (July 2022)

It was nice to be able to stay with our friends and family in one place and enjoy Diani. We will definitely recommend to other friends and family. Our family especially enjoyed the chef’s lovely meals. We mostly ordered Swahili and African dishes and they were all very good.

- Meda, Lowell, MA (July 2022).


Advertisement


“My my my, the villa is beautiful as seen in the pictures. We were a big group and stayed for 5 nights. The staff (Hemedi, Omar-chef, Matano and Juma) were there ready to help and they were very friendly.

Chef Omar made delicious food each and every day. Do i recommend this place? Absolutely YES 👍. Is it worth the money? YESSSS.... THANK YOU VERY MUCH”.

— Naomi, Olathe, USA (June 2022)

 “Comfortable, stylish, well-furnished villa. Quiet, clean, everything in great condition. The Chef among the best I’ve encountered on Kenya coast — so well worth planning a dinner in with friends. Lounging area and pool great in evenings.
Villa is set back couple of hundred meters from beach (sea horizon is just visible from balcony), but the villa still feels open and airy and caught a great breeze. Would happily stay again!”.

- Sagun, Nairobi (May 2022)

“Our trip went well and the Villa and staff were super helpful and friendly and the chef was awesome”.

- Mathias, Finland (March 2022) 

 

“The best destination in Diani. Brilliant chef Omar and Matano. The security are brilliant Masai gentlemen who are ready to slice someone's throat if provoked and the nearby hangout spots like Pallet Cafe and Manyatta add taste to a complete 'Pwani' experience”.

- Robert, Nairobi (February 2022) 

“Very nice place to stay at. The host is super friendly and helpful. I highly recommend!”.

- Clement, France (January 2022) 

 

“Great get away home. All photos shown are exactly what you get. Nothing less, no false advertising. It's located in a serene environment. Chef Omar ensured that we enjoyed the local cuisine, fresh. Everyone's preference was taken in to consideration. His presentation of food was equally impressive. I couldn't get photos fast enough. The crew demolished all meals”.

- Chris, Nairobi (December 2021) 

“Superb house, very close to the beach. The staff made us feel very special and ensured we had all we needed. Omari (the chef)’s food was delicious. I fully recommend staying there”.

- Paloma, London (November 2021)

 “The staff was amazing! Especially Omar! He’s an amazing chef. Noah was great with getting us transportation. Highly recommended”.

- Niyat, Santa Monica (October 2021)

“This place is one of the most amazing experiences I've have had! The Villa was super clean and beautiful. Just chilling with friends at the poolside was very relaxing. It is very close to the beach, and the house manager (Hemedi) was super supportive on everything. I would like to stay again at this place whenever I visit Diani in the future”.

- Daiki, Yokohama (October 2021)

“This is really an amazing place with close proximity to the beach and lots of activities around to do. The villa is aesthetically decorated with large balconies and a delightful pool. my favourite part was the verandah. You could stay there the whole day”.

- Eric, Nairobi (November 2021)

“We had an amazing holiday at Villa Mashariki. Chef Omar cooked meals that catered for all age groups. Matano and Hemedi were also very helpful around the villa. Our host, Joris is very helpful and accommodating to our needs. Next time we will definitely stay for longer”.

- Maryam, Nairobi (August 2021)

“The house is so beautiful, pictures don’t justify anything. The ambiance is so calm,peaceful and the workers Hemedi & matano were very welcoming & quick to help me if I needed anything oh! Let’s not forget chef Omari who made the most amazing food . You’ll definitely enjoy the villa.I would highly recommend Villa Mashariki”.

- Naomi, Nairobi (July 2021)

“My stay at Villa Mashariki was wonderful! I highly suggest when in Diani, you look here first. I come to Diani often and this visit felt fuller. First the location is perfect with access to Galu beach a short 5 minute walk and a few restaurants nearby for ease. The pool, veranda, and garden made for wonderful spaces to rest and gather with friends. I find that anytime you are away from home, the small moments matter, the kindness, the conversation, the small touches around the house to welcome guests. Hemedi, Matano were gracious, proactively helpful, and so accommodating I'd often forget I was not in my own home. Overall, deeply grateful to them and highly recommended for your next visit to Diani”.

- Teresa, Nairobi (July 2021)

“The villa is one of the few treasures I've seen in Diani.....it has a vacation vibe but yet so homely.....you can't get home sick here cause it's a paradise in your own home. Would definitely come back”.

- Salwa, Nairobi (October 2021)

“Beautiful house and decor, comfy beds and multiple places to work. Lovely pool and balcony’s to relax and feel the breeze and read a book. Really close to the beach within easy walk and close to good bars and restaurants. local shops next door to buy fruit / water etc. Thank you for a lovely stay”.

- Katie, York (February 2021)

“We travelled as two families with young children and enjoyed our stay at this villa. Joris, is the definition of a superhost ; very prompt with his responses and goes an extra mile to meet any needs you have. We were very pleased to meet him.

The Villa is lovely where one feels simultanously at home but with the holiday vibe as it is beautifully decorated and a short walk from the beach. The highlight of our stay was the Chef Omari.

All meals were delightful and he took into consideration the childrens diet. Hemedi and his team also ensured the place was sparkling clean and gave us a warm welcome on arrival.

I would definetly love to visit again”.

- Lorraine, Nairobi (October, 2020)

 

Fantastic place with a great pool - plus the beach is a quiet, beautiful and manageable short walk away. We loved the yoga/upstairs porch which was breezy and a nice place to work (for those of us who needed it, the internet was always there and worked well). Staff were great, especially the cook, Omari. Excellent carpaccio and sauces! Thanks for a wonderful stay”.

- Jon, Nairobi (September, 2020)

“This villa exceeded expectations....best family holiday so far and had an amazing experience. We booked it for a week....wished we had booked it for longer. We had 5 bedrooms and a single studio room detached I didn't expect.that ...what a bonus...chef Omari was excellent....he cooked beyond our requirements....Matano and Hemedi made sure to supply us with anything we needed....the place was cleaned everyday and beds changed...constant supply of towels...facilities were up to date...the location to the beach was perfect....the pool was cleaned every evening...the security was available day and night....Joris the owner was friendly and professional...checked on us occasionally to make sure we had everything we needed and the wifi was amazing....l didn't want to leave this place....the ambiance was out of this world....beautiful setting...definitely coming back and not to mention it was well within our budget”.

- Nina, Guildford (November, 2020)

 

“Recommended! Efficient communication and check-in. Hosts and staff are friendly and accommodating. The house is clean, electricity to charge your devices continuously available. Beach access is really easy and just some minutes away. There is also a fish shop at the beach so fresh fish everyday. Kite-school is close by. I would definitely choose this property again”.

— Michael, Budapest (June 2020)


Advertisement


“We really enjoyed our stay. Our chef Omar was amazing! My wife has coeliac disease so everything needs to be ‘gluten free’. Omar was meticulous in his food prep, and his meals were all delicious. Really easy to organise meals with him and planning. Absolute gem of a guy! The two upstairs rooms are beautiful and if you’re going in Summer, you’ll want the a/c. The downstairs rooms have ceiling fans and can be bit hot to sleep. The outdoor terrace is great for relaxing and meals. Joris was a great host and very prompt and easy to deal with. Thanks!”.

— Mark, Melbourne (March 2020)

“We spent five nights with Joris and he’s unquestionably the best host I’ve ever had the pleasure of staying with. On arrival we were greeted by Hemedi, the villa’s housekeeper who helped us check in to our rooms very easily. The villa itself is clean, quiet. It’s next to the road and gated with security so it’s pretty safe too”.

— Nick, Gibraltar (January 2020)

“Fantastic villa in an excellent location. Very friendly staff and Joris is an amazing host”.

— Aloys, Machakos (January 2020)

“Really enjoyed our stay! The rooms are spacious, staff were helpful and the hosts were pleasant and responsive. We spent most of our time on the outdoor patio, balcony and pool areas. The villa is a short walk to the beach, down an unpaved road, but many people use this path to get to the beach. Once you are at the beach you will find a few restaurants and places to lounge, or you can simply walk the beach. The villa is in Galu beach and tuk tuks are always readily available. Overall, truly a great stay. In fact, we even extended our stay by two days and so glad we did!”.

— Amber, Washington DC (February 2020)

“Amazing place! The villa is very spacious and clean. There is a beautiful garden and the pool. Our host Joris and the Chef were amazing. The beach is only few min walking distance and not crowded at all. Highly recommended for either families or a group of friends”.
.

— Magda, London (January 2020)

“The villa was exactly as shown. Clean and tidy. Hemedi the caretaker and the chef were very helpful and accommodative. Thanks for a lovely stay”.

— Esther, Kampala (July 2019)

“This place is magnificent! I really appreciated the AC units on the second floor, sleeping would have been unbearable without it. Hemedi and the chef Emmanuel were both super accommodating and hospitable. We really appreciated Joris (the host) stopping by for a minute to say hello and introduce himself. I would recommend this place to any of my friends visiting Diani. Just be aware that uber might be difficult to get, especially at night, but Tuk Tuks are readily available and much more affordable anyway”.

— Imani, Houston TX (December 2019)

 

“The villa was exceptional, Hemedi was such a wonderful host and took care of all our needs, the chef was also really good. The owner was really quick to reply to all our queries before the trip. Definitely a place worth visiting to unwind and relax”.

— Kevin, Nairobi (December 2019)

“We had a lovely stay at Villa Mashariki. The villa is a great play to relax and getaway with a private pool and garden. Just a short walk away you will find a lovely beach with beautiful white sand. You will find restaurants along the beach, however the villa provides a wonderful chef. He make amazing crepes! Hemmed is the caretaker and you will find him willing to help you in any way. He even did a bit of washing for us throughout the week. If you want to enjoy the beautiful coast of Diani, but also want a private home to relax... this is the place. We had a wonderful stay!”.

— Marci, Zambia (August 2019)

 

“Had a lovely stay at Villa Mashariki. The villa is a great place to relax with a private pool and garden. Joris is also an amazing host the communication was top and the team enjoyed. This is the place to be. We indeed had a wonderful stay”.

— Charlie, Netherlands (November 2019)

 “We had a lovely time and had the BEST food we've had in a while. The house manager, was also a great help. I would definitely come back again.”

— Jeff, Nairobi

Amazing villa three minutes walk from Galu beach. Super-friendly hosts! It's perfect for a group holiday. We wish we could have stayed longer.”

— Chiara, Frankfurt

Copyright ©