Taking a holiday to Mombasa can be a trip of a lifetime for many people. Enjoying the long, white sandy beaches in this tropical destination, the clear, turquoise water and all of the colorful sea life that it has to offer, and even the history and culture make Mombasa a prime destination for vacationers as well as business travelers.

Getting the most out of your vacation means taking advantage of all that your destination city has to offer. Too often, people rely on room service at their hotel for their breakfast, lunch, and even their dinners.

Get out and enjoy the unique flavor of the city.

Before you order room service, consider that throughout Mombasa there are some amazing eateries where you can find local cuisine as well as flavors that you may be more familiar with. There is no reason to order room service unless you are sick or unable to go out for some reason.

Room service can be exceedingly expensive.

Most hotels and room service charges on to the final bill when you checkout. You may not be paying much attention to how much that steak or breakfast cost you, and when you’re checking out at the end of your visit, you can put a damper on the entire trip.

By of waiting room service, it will be easier for you to keep track of how much you spend on food throughout your trip.

Your hotel in Mombasa so should be just the place to sleep and change.

When you vacation in Mombasa, there are so many things to see and experience here that the only time you should be in your hotel is to sleep, change out of or into your swimsuit, or relax for a few minutes before heading out to dinner.

Defaulting to relying on room service can cause you to miss out on so many of the wonderful experiences that this incredible Kenyan city has to offer.

Going on vacation is supposed to be a wonderful time for you and your family, but sometimes things can happen that put you in an unsafe situation. Any time that you travel to a city or country that you’ve never been to before, you will be unfamiliar with certain neighbors and risk factors. During your next vacation to Mombasa, it’s a good idea to plan ahead in order to remain safe.

Here are five strategies that you can use to help you and your family stay safe while traveling to Mombasa.

1. Understand the climate. One of the most significant risks to people traveling to Mombasa is the sun. At the equator, the sun is stronger than in northern or southern climates. Be sure to have plenty of sunscreen and use it regularly. You should also consider wearing a shirt or swim shirt when spending time snorkeling in the clear blue waters. It’s easy to lose track of time when snorkeling and you could be seriously burned as a result.

2. Only rely on legitimate taxis. The most common way to get around in Mombasa is by using taxi services. You may notice some services or ‘drivers’ offering to take you where you need to go, but if they are not licensed or legitimate, you could be putting yourself at risk.

3. Be prepared for the places you’re going to visit. Check a map and become somewhat familiar with the local areas that you’re going to be visiting. The more familiar you are with street names, the more you’ll avoid getting lost.

4. Ask for clarification. Most hotels and staff members will have a wealth of information about things to do in Mombasa. If you’re not sure about something, ask. It’s better to ask what you think is a ‘stupid’ question than to put yourself or your loved ones in danger.

5. Avoid strangers selling merchandise from a bag or the back of their car. While many of these individuals are hard working Kenyans just looking for some money, you never know who you’re dealing with. Stick to the legitimate markets and merchants for the souvenirs or other items you need.

Fort Jesus in Mombasa, Kenya

Planning a stay in Mombasa, Kenya means that you’re going to have to find a hotel that suits your budget and your needs. One common hotel that keeps coming up on many searches is the Lotus Hotel. There are some mixed reviews that come from previous guests and a lot of marketing by the company to try and encourage people to book their stay here.

The Lotus Hotel is located close to Fort Jesus, which is a main tourist attraction and somewhere that you should certainly visit if this is going to be your first trip to this city. It’s also close to the marketplace that highlights some of the best arts and crafts and other merchandise throughout the city.

The Proximity to the Beaches

One drawback is that the Lotus Hotel is not right next to the famous beaches in Mombasa so you would need to take a taxi ride to get there, but if you’re only planning on spending a day or two at the beach, this isn’t a major problem.

Reviews

This brings us to the online reviews that you can find through your own search. There are a number of former guests who complained about the condition of the rooms, the lack of cleanliness, and poor customer service.

However, the majority of people who stay at the Lotus Hotel reported that they thoroughly enjoyed their stay, claimed that the staff were friendly and helpful, and that the amenities were ideal.

One consistent message about the Lotus Hotel in Mombasa was that it is ideal for business travelers. It can still be great for families, but as noted earlier, if you’re coming to Mombasa to enjoy the turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, you may want to stay closer to the shore. It’s not recommended to rent a car due to the confusion of the roads here, so taking a taxi back and forth to the beach can add up.

The Lotus Hotel is a pleasant stay for families and business travelers, so if you want a positive experience when you’re in Mombasa, consider this as one of your choices.

There is a great appeal for some people to save money whenever and wherever they can. If you’re planning a vacation to the amazing Kenyan city of Mombasa, you may be considering booking a cheap hotel to save a few bucks.

Be aware that there are several risks involved in booking ‘cheap’ hotels, no matter where you’re planning your next vacation.

Home away from home.

A hotel is, essentially, your home away from home. It is the place where you’ll sleep, where you will rest after certain activities, and where you will shower and change. If the rooms are filthy, housekeeping isn’t consistent, or you don’t feel comfortable in the room, then it’s going to impact your entire vacation and your perception of the location.

Mombasa has too many wonderful attractions and incredible beaches to go home feeling disappointed because of a poor quality hotel.

You get what you pay for.

This is an age-old adage that tends to hold true for many things. While there are many people who feel that they spent way too much for what they got at previous hotels, when you are bargain hunting, you tend to truly get what you pay for.

In some cheap hotels, the linens don’t get changed every night, or even after every guest. Soap and complimentary shampoo are nonexistent, and you likely won’t have an iron, refrigerator, or other amenities in the room.

If you don’t mind missing out on these essentials, then a cheap hotel may be fine for you.

On the fringes.

The farther away you are from the main attractions or beaches in Mombasa, the less you’ll tend to pay for a hotel room. This may sound like a great idea, but getting around in this city can be tricky if you’re planning on renting a car.

Most people get taxis to bring them where they want to go and that can make it more expensive than staying closer to where the best attractions and beaches are.

Reconsider your desire for a cheap hotel for your stay in Mombasa. You can thank us later.

The moment that you begin to plan on your vacation or business trip to Mombasa, you’re going to want to choose the right hotel to stay in. The right hotel can make all the difference in whether you have an incredible stay or have nothing but complaints about your time in this wonderful Kenyan city.

Below are five Mombasa hotels, as rated by previous guests for a variety of different reasons.

1. Kenya Bay Beach Hotel.

Hovering at the top of many hotel lists for Mombasa happens to be the Kenya Bay Beach Hotel. This offers a convenient location close to the best beaches, and has incredibly friendly staff, all at reasonable rates.

They offer an outdoor pool, high speed Internet access, and a host of amenities that are sure to make your visit in this city enjoyable.

2. Leinmach Guest House.

A number of guests find the Leinmach Guest House to be ideally situated for both business and leisure travelers. It is also pet friendly, so you could bring along your four-legged furry friend to enjoy the tropical climate with you.

3. Cowrie Shell Beach Apartments.

Located at Bamburi Beach, the Cowrie Shell Beach Apartments provides the ideal launching point for you to explore all that Mombasa has to offer. The rooms come with high definition flat screen TVs, air conditioning, and extra long beds. There are a wealth of activities to do while staying here, so you’ll never be trying to figure out something else to do.

4. New Palm Tree Hotel.

The New Palm Tree Hotel provides a great location for business travelers, but it can also be enjoyed by vacationers looking to save a bit of money compared to some other locations. Some customers have complained about the condition of the bathrooms in the past, but they have cleaned up their act and now rate as one of the best affordable hotels throughout all of Mombasa.

5. The Monalisa Hotel.

Located closer to downtown Mombasa, the Monalisa Hotel is a prime destination for those who want to experience everything that this city has to offer. Not too far from the world famous beaches, the Monalisa is better suited for those individuals who only plan on spending a day or two at the beach and who want to explore the city, Fort Jesus, and other jewels throughout the city.

Planning a trip to Mombasa will most likely mean that you will be eating out at least once. For most vacationers and business travelers, eating out while in Mombasa is a must and while hotels often supply breakfast, lunch and dinner are up to the guests.

There are so many places to choose from and you should certainly try a variety of local flavors while you visit this incredible Kenyan city, so consider the following advice when determining where you want to eat while on vacation or at your business getaway.

1. Focus on quality. The first step is to make sure that you are going to be getting quality food. Just because a restaurant or other food establishment advertises heavily, that doesn’t mean it offers or serves high quality meals.

Read online reviews from actual customers to determine whether the quality is as advertised.

2. Expand your horizons. Even if you have never tried some of the local delicacies, you may want to sample things that you’ve never had before. Sticking to the traditional European or American style menus are safe, but they certainly won’t be anything to “write home about.”

3. Ask the locals. You might want to avoid asking hotel management or desk concierge services about the ideal restaurant hotspots as they may have a financial interest in directing you to certain establishments.

Instead, ask other locals, people you meet on the beach or out on the town. Ask the hotel wait and cleaning staff. Pay attention to what other tourists you meet have to say. This will generally give you a pretty good sense of what’s available and what’s worth checking out.

4. Bring antacids. Even if you don’t tend to have a problem digesting foods, you’re visiting a different country. The water quality will be different and so will the way certain foods are prepared. Your body may not be able to handle the differences that well, so it’s a good idea to bring along some antacids, or pick some up once you get here.

An upset stomach can ruin your day, so keeping ahead of the situation and being prepared is the best way to get the most enjoyment out of your trip, and the cuisine that Mombasa is famous for.