The Sands at Chale Mombasa
A stunning white beach fringed by coral reefs and a tidal saltwater lake surrounded by a mangrove forest. A diverse mixture of indigenous and tropical flora that attracts a wide variety of fascinating insect and primate life. All this combined with the loving care of our Kenyan staff will make your holiday on Chale Island intriguing, relaxing and warmly memorable. Specifically built with nature and the environment in mind, The Sands at Chale Mombasa is one of the most low impact hotels in Kenya. Spread out to offer the utmost in privacy and romance, even when at full capacity one has a tremendous feeling of peace, tranquility and seclusion. The combination of white beach, tropical plants, laid back island flair and Kenyan hospitality is what dreams are made of.
Location
Lying just four degrees south of the equator, Chale Island offers you a choice of worlds that no other island can equal. Coral seas abundant with fish life, coastal forests and mangroves teaming with bird and insect life, snow white beaches offering safe warm bathing, and of course Kenya’s world famous safari parks.
The island
Chale Island is a small romantic island situated 600 meters off the mainland. 10 km south of Diani, 1,2 km long and 0,8 km wide, with a general north/south orientation. The Island is divided into two parts; resort and sacred forest or “kaya”. The resort lies in 15 acres of indigenous ancient forest, with a stunning 10,000 square meter white sand bay which is protected by a vibrant coral reef. With an explosion of colorful flora and fauna the island is truly magical and if that is not enough, also features a mystical inland tidal mangrove lake.
The beach
Kenya’s beaches rank in the top ten worldwide and Chale Island’s coral sand bay counts as one of the best that Kenya has to offer. The secluded bay is covered with snow-white powder fine coral sand and due to the remoteness of the Island is the only beach in Kenya that can truly be called private. Due to the lack of seaweed pile-ups, turtles frequently lay eggs in the bay adding to the charm of this magical Island.
The mangroves
Two thirds of Chale Island is an ancient mangrove forest, which boasts the tallest mangrove trees in East Africa. Behind the island is the sweeping Gazi Bay which is the outlet of the seasonal Mkurimuji River. The combination of a shallow lagoon, a bay protected from waves and occasional fresh water makes Gazi an ideal mangrove bay. Daily trips into the winding waterways are available either by motorboat or kayak.
Pools
There are three swimming pools on Chale Island. Beside the reception is the main fresh water swimming pool, built with local stone and connected by a small waterfall to a sixteen seater Jacuzzi. Plentiful sun beds are scattered around the generous pool surround. Located between the Standard Rooms is another swimming pool area with pool bar and sun beds. Enjoy the tranquility and relax with magnificent panorama views on the Indian Ocean. On the other side of the Island by the SPA and fitness area is a salt-water swimming pool with steps leading directly into the sea at high tide offering a magical swim through the mangroves to the main jetty.
Environment
Every effort has been made to keep the natural vegetation of the Island intact. All gardens and imported plants are carefully integrated into the Island’s original flora with an aim at increasing the indigenous wildlife.
Reception
The spacious circular reception area, with its lofty roof is where you will be welcomed by our friendly reception team. Caressed by the gentle breeze from the Indian Ocean and with a stunning view of the beach, our welcome drink and laid back check-in will set the pace for the rest of your holiday.
Guest services
In addition to all-standard hotel services our guest relation’s team can also arrange safaris to any of Kenya’s world class National parks. What better way to crown your holiday than with a flying safari to the renowned Masai Mara to see the big five in their natural habitat.
Structures
Chale Island is a contemporary mix of Swahili structures, Italian stucco, Lamu furniture, objects of African art and varnished Mahogany. Great care has been taken not only to preserve the natural environment of the island, but also to give a truly Kenyan feel by only using natural Kenyan products. All buildings are constructed with locally quarried coral blocks and are roofed with high, palm leaf “Makuti” thatch. Internal walls are finished with Kenyan made Italian “stucco Venezziano” in hues of pale pink and blue. The aim was and is “the buildings should be elegant but not luxurious, blending into the natural environment and reflecting the traditional architecture with a minimum four star standard”.
Accommodation
The Sands at Chale Island offers six categories of accommodation to suit all tastes and demands, while always fulfilling the philosophy of “the buildings should be elegant but not luxurious, blending into the natural environment and reflecting the traditional architecture with a minimum four star standard”. All rooms are fully air-conditioned. In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible the main generator is turned off from 10:00 until 17:00. During this time there is no power available in the rooms, however the central public area of the Hotel is powered by a smaller generator.
Standard rooms
Carefully set into the natural environment, the main buildings with 28 spacious semi-circular en-suite rooms and Swahili day beds set on breezy verandas facing the ocean ensure all comforts are taken care of.
Bandas
The Bandas offer a unique and truly coastal holiday. All Bandas have high, palm thatch roofs with views either out to sea, over the beach, or panoramas encompassing lagoon, channel, mangroves and the setting sun over the Shimba Hills. Sun beds set on private front lawns and large verandas with Swahili day beds give relaxing views.
Penthouse suites
Set well above the swaying treetops these suites offer breathtaking views of both ocean and island. Featuring a separate sitting room, a veranda with a stunning 270 degree view of the ocean and an upstairs grotto with a Jacuzzi on the roof facing the sunset, the penthouse suites will give you the ultimate all round island view.
Overwater suite
A first of their kind in Kenya, the Water Bandas are located on the northwest of the island with stunning views of Bird Island, Gazi Bay and, in the distant sunset, the Shimba Hills. The suite has a large bedroom with an en-suite bathroom which looks out over the channel and a separate sitting room.
Suite on the rocks
Situated on a separate islet connected to the main Island by a stone bridge, a thatched roof soars high above the circular construction, then plunges down in the middle allowing rainwater to fall directly into a mini garden in the center of the room. A circular stairway leads one around an intricately crafted wall garden to an upstairs lounge, while the front veranda overlooks a private Jacuzzi on the cliff face and sunbathing deck.
Wine and dine
A blend of traditional Kenyan cuisine with a healthy twist of Italian panache and a hint of the Orient ensure that each meal is an event to be looked forwards to and enjoyed. This, coupled to an extensive international beverage menu with a local taste of the exotic, and a well stocked wine cellar will complete your dream holiday. With a selection of bars and restaurants to choose from, let us indulge you to the full.
Restaurants
With steps leading straight down to the centre of the beach, the main restaurant is ideally situated to give the true island feeling. Our expert team of highly trained cooks lead by Chef Evans will make sure that every meal is a pleasure. With a strong emphasis on seafood, the live grilling station and Pasta corner ensure that your meal cannot be any fresher. Traditional Kenyan cuisine, mixed with both Italian and Oriental dishes, will not leave you wanting in any aspect.
Bars
Our friendly staff are at hand to serve Espressos, cold drinks, cocktails and a wide variety of wines and spirits at our bars. Nestled between the Reception and the Restaurant is the Main Bar, always open. The Galana pool bar is located by the Standard Rooms in unique tranquillity with stunning ocean vistas. Champagne always tastes better with a view of the ocean!
Tea time
An essential part of the Chale Island day, offering a stunning selection of tea while one quietly contemplates the passing of Island life, and the daily pleasures afforded by nature.
Activities
Unlike most other island destinations, Chale Island has something to offer everyone. Normal island activities available include a magical SPA, a well equipped water-sports centre and a selection of boat excursions. From Chale Island we can also offer you trips to Diani Beach Shopping Center and the famous Nomad Beach Bar, or for the more adventurous a wide range of safaris.
Diving
Based on the island with its own fleet of boats, “Diving The Crab” is a world-renowned PADI and SSI centre. Daily one or two tank dive excursions go to a selection of dive sites both to the north and south of the island. Shallow coral reefs dropping to depths of 30 meters abound with marine life and the added highlight of frequent Whale shark sightings from November to February make this a diver’s paradise.
Shopping
Two small but well stocked boutiques offer a wide selection of clothing, souvenirs, African art, jewellery, swimwear and toiletries. We also have local wood carvers at the beach who can produce customised carvings to order. Shopping trips to nearby Diani Beach are also arranged on a weekly basis.
Spa and fitness
The “Maisha Poa” Spa and wellness centre is built over the heart of the Island where the energies of the ancient mangroves, the tidal lake, the coral caves and the gentle breeze all cumulate to provide the perfect ambient in which to relax. Nine open-air treatment rooms situated over the lake offer a wide range of treatments to pamper and re-energise you. The fitness room is situated next to the Spa overlooking the saltwater pool. This open sided room is equipped with cardio machines and weights.
Excursions
With the ideal geographical location of Chale Island a huge variety of boat excursions are offered weekly. Twelve kilometres to the North of the Island lies Diani Beach. Twenty kilometers to the South is Kenya’s top marine reserve, Wasini. Full day trips with fantastic snorkelling and regular sightings of Dolphins are arranged either weekly or on demand. Two kilometers to the West of the Island, a local fishing village, Gazi, is bordered by mangrove swamps to one side and a coconut plantation to the other. Excursions to Gazi allow one a glimpse of traditional Kenyan life, an inspection of the mangroves either on the women’s community boardwalk or by Kayak, or a stunning sunset trip in the bay.
