We stayed three nights at this place, including new year, and had very mixed impressions. The hotel itself is lovely, a bit at the outskirts of Diani which makes the beach also less crowded. They are having a nice pool, good beach area and two outdoor bars. The hotel clearly targets overseas tourists (we are residents), and we had very mixed experiences there. Really outstanding was the food (we have booked half board). Very evening the dinner was set up at a different area (beach, pool,..), very cool. While we normally not like buffet style dinners they offered a mix here. Barbecue, cooking in a wok...very nice selection but also very good quality and very tasty (and my wife and myself are foodies). Same applies for the breakfast. Really great! The dark side was the service sector. The staff was very friendly but also very unattentive and obviously not properly trained or guided. We ordered a bottle of champagne upfront to be in our room at arrival. Even confirmed by email this was not executed, it took them three hours to organize this after arrival and we got a half warm bottle (which we did not even open). Same picture at the bar: impossible to get a cold beer at the beach bar („problems with the fridge), the smokers did dump the cigarette butts on the floor as no ashtrays were provided and it did not happen once, when we were at the bar area, that somebody asked if we want an additional drink. You always had to go, ask and wait for a fortune of time. Same happened when we moved our room - were told „somebody is coming“, called a 2nd time after one hour and finally I walked to the reception to get this done. These are the annoying experiences and always shows that there is a management problem - the people itself have been friendly and helpful. So summarized: - nice atmosphere, nice place - excellent chefs and food, outstanding - poor management and service quality This leads to a average rating. …
I was disappointed by this place, which was OK but nothing special. Rooms were quite bare, with only one chair and one stool apart from the bed (two singles pushed together to make a double), basic Swahili style shower, and no TV. One quite small swimming pool, which would be overcrowded if the resort was busy. Lots of seaweed on the beach (other hotels rake it up). Food was fine but again nothing to write home about. Solidly only a two or at most three star hotel, but with a four to five star price tag. On the positive side, the staff were very friendly and tried their best, given the difficult situation of COVID-19.
Although we booked for a few days at a relatively low season, we had the best time on any resort so far on the south coast of Kenya - and it was our first time at Pinewood. We have stayed at other resorts on Galu Beach and on Diani Beach but this is the one I will definitely return to. What makes it special? Excellent staff Smallish hotel to keep it cosier Good beach Excellent views from our first floor room Good size clean room Refurbished bathroom with dual showers Own beach beds on the beach away from hawkers - this is not at all common on the south coast and it makes relaxing so much better. Very good food - as a vegetarian I get tired of the standard Indian fare in all South coast hotels and the chefs tried to accommodate us very well. The different themes each day also made it interesting and we never needed to order à la carte. Very good salads every evening. The choice of two sittings makes it easier too. As other reviewers have also pointed out, on all South Coast beaches you need to wear swimming shoes / water shoes for swimming in the sea - certain areas in the sea are rocky and not sandy. However you do not need these for walking on the beach - which too is a lovely long stretch. I think Galu beach is far better for walking than Diani beach. As a bonus for birders, there is a water area near the breakfast area where weaver birds have built their nests - you can also spot the odd heron and other birds.... The manager Pamela is a gem of a person.…
An amazing and relaxing place next to the Indian ocean. The staff is really pleasant and service minded. The ocean is warm and Lovely. Use bath shoes you want to be able to take a bath everywhere (otherwise there is a part of the Beach that is acessable without bath shoes). A varied and delicious dinner buffet (sometimes accompanied by a frog orcestra :-). The closest supermarket is quite a bit away- hard to reached by foot. The resort's store doesn't keep beverages or snacks that you han take to your room. Give yourself a treat and visit the relaxing Amani Spa with wonderful Silvia! Finally- don't miss the wonderful sun rise. Totally worth getting up early. Take a walk or a jog while you're at it. Asante sana- thank you very much!
Thanks for a lovely stay with fantastic food as well as service minded and lovely staff. Silvia in the spa was the best ever - wonderful massage, pedicure and manicure! Perfect place if you want to relax, swim and sunbathe without too many people around. The atmosphere is great whether you want to be active or lazy. Bath shoes is recommended. You will be entertained by both musicians, Masay people and a frog choir 😃 Check it out!
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