We have been, in a pandemic for the past few months, and travel has been at standstill. Us in Kenya, It reached a point that we could not leave any of our cities meaning that since I live in Mombasa (mainland) I couldnโt drive or fly out to Nairobi or South Coast or North Coast. So I was lockdown in my own county for a few months. This means that tourism, came at a stand-still, and hotels closed down. Till a few weeks ago we were allowed to leave our counties.
So I got the opportunity to stay at one of the most prestigious hotels, in Mombasa and in Kenya called English Point Marina, to experience the hotel during this pandemic.
In total honesty, I am excited to go back to semi-normal and for tourism in Kenya to slowly open back-up to local tourists. So we can enjoy our beautiful country as to offer.
So If you are not keen to leave Mombasa yet but still want to experience some of the best hospitality the out county as to offer, I would suggest going the staycation route. You will get to still experience the relaxation, and the fun accepts of staying in a hotel without the hassle of traveling.
This post is still part of my stay-cation series so checkout by pervious post.
The Precautions.
For the hotel to be open, to receive guests, they are strict precautions guidelines that the hotel has to follow.
So from the moment you enter the hotel, your temperature is taken and you are handed a sanitize to sanitize your hands.
When you walk into reception you are greeted with a table that has a sanitizer, you can use. Before you reach, the receptionist desk they are stickers that remind you to stand 1.5m apart, and the receptionist is in a mask and a face shield.
The rooms are fumigated /deep clean before check-in and after check out and clean thoroughly during your stay.
The staff are all in masks. You are also provided with a hand sanitizer and reusable mask that you use during your stay and you can also decide to carry it with you when you checkout.
The Hotel
English Point Marina is the epitome of luxury when it comes to staying in Mombasa, You have a view of Old Town and also Fort Jesus. I personally love the view of Old Town especially during sunset cause, it is utterly beautiful to photograph, when the sun disappears through the buildings.
The view is found on the boardwalk and thatโs where all the restaurants are found.
English Point has five restaurants/bars that are owned by the hotel, Margarita, Kahari, Nautica, Sunset Lounge. There is also a Cafรฉ Arabika branch.
You can order food at any of the four restaurants, and eat anywhere on the boardwalk.
The pool is my favorite thing because it is an infinity pool, it tends to look like it is on falling off the ledge. And if frame the photo really well, it looks like the ocean and the pool are one.
The Room
So most of the rooms especially the ones on the ground floor, are covered with trees, it is a great place to take amazing photos covered by plants. They are four blocks of where the rooms are located. The most amazing thing about English Point is that there is a view of the ocean from all the rooms you may have booked.
(on a side-note I would have loved to have gotten a room with a full view of the ocean and old town from my room but maybe next time). I loved the room, I was in from the decor, I have been in 2-3 rooms and I can tell you the decor is different from each room you decided to book. The rooms are decorated very modernly and minimalist. Since most hotels are plastic-free, so there arenโt any plastic water bottles anywhere in the room. (Side-note most of the rooms have fully loaded kitchen but after trying to see if kitchen appliances work, they donโtโฆ I kinda wish the fridge worked so at least the water in the carafe can be cold when you want it to, but the kettle works though) The seats are comfortable and the bed was comfortable too.
I got a three-bedroom, but only got access to two bedrooms, and one was the master. I love the fact that closet doors are mirrors.
The Food
I have eaten at Kahari and Margarita. I havenโt eaten at Nautica which is an all-day dining restaurant and it is the main hotel restaurant.
Since hotels are slowing opening up, and having a buffet is allowed anymore. In English Point, they are only two restaurants open and that is Cafe Arabika and Kahari
Read my review of Kahari & Margarita I wrote for Life in Mombasa.
Kahari food is amazing, for lunch I had a chicken tikka and naan bread.I wish I order fries with it because the food was a bit to dry but tasty. For dinner I had prawn curry with vegetable-rice and that by far was my favorite meal.
The Service, The Staff, & The Facilities
The staff are friendly and ready to help you with any of needs.
English Point Marina, has Spa called Ansui Spa and also a gym with a great state of the art equipment.
Spa Room Salon Waiting Area
The Price
The price ranges for $156- $1,736 depending on the type of room, you decide to book. Check out the website.
My Rating
Accommodation: 5/5
Staff: 5/5
Food: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Experience: 5/5
With travel going back to normal slowly, it is the best time for us to start taking staycations seriously and support our local hotels, and enjoy the facilities.
Contacts
Reservations
+254 730 930 107 / +254 730 930 111
+254 730 930 113 | +254 730 930 104
Sales +254 730 930 109
Website: https://www.hotelenglishpoint.com/
Location: Silos Road, Mombasa
Stay Safe, Earthlings and Please WEAR A MASK
Signing Out
Song Of Post: Don’t Walk Away by John Legend ft Koffee
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