The Lawford Hotel In Malindi, Kenya: Review

Are you planning a trip to Kenya and considering staying in the Lawford Hotel in Malindi? We stayed in this hotel during our vacation, so I will provide you with an honest review of this hotel.

It is a long time ago we stayed at the Lawford Hotel in Malindi during our holiday in Kenya. We chose this hotel due to its proximity to safaris, which was our main purpose of visiting Kenya. 

The Lawford Hotel is a 3.5-star hotel in the center of Malindi, a great pick-up point for safari and sightseeing but not recommended for a beach vacation.

The Lawford Hotel In Malindi, Kenya Review: Overview

The Lawford Hotel in Malindi is a large complex consisting of several buildings in a large lush garden with palm trees and a pool. The whole complex is protected by the gate and 24-hour security service.

You can choose from basic rooms up to villas with a pool. A large restaurant and a bar outside provide delicious food and drinks.

Customer service in this hotel was exceptional and very friendly.

The prices per double room range between $120 and $200 per night. However, the private villas cost around $400 per night.

This hotel is great for those looking for an African-style hotel with a convenient location for safari and sightseeing for good value. It is not suitable for those looking for a beach vacation.

Location

The Lawford Hotel is situated in the center of Malindi, where you can find some restaurants, cafes, and a small shopping mall with a supermarket. The Moi International Airport in Mombasa is just 3 km away.

Some interesting sights to see nearby are the Malindi Museum, Gede Ruins, Fort Jesus, and Watamu Marine National Park.

The Lawford Hotel has a great location if you plan a safari to East and West Tsavo National Parks, and Amboseli National Park.

Unfortunately, Masai Mara is too far away, close to Nairobi, so you would need to take a plane there.

Rooms

The Lawford Hotel offers different types of accommodation with various prices for its guests.
If you are looking for a cheaper option, a double room or deluxe suite one bedroom is the way to go.

Me and my friend stayed in one of those and I can tell you that it was an apartment, not a room.

We had one bedroom with a large double bed with mosquito net, there was a separate closet room to put our clothes and suitcases, a bathroom, a living room with sofa and TV and a balcony with a sofa, chairs, and table, from where you can enjoy the lovely view of the garden.

If you are looking for more luxury, you can stay in one of their villas, where the most luxurious villa has a private pool.

➡️Check out prices for different rooms and villas HERE

Amenities

Amenities in the Lawford Hotel include:

• Concierge service
• Luggage storage
• Outdoor pools
• Wellness
• Table tennis
• Board games/puzzle
• Tours
• Babysitting (additional charge)
• Free Parking

Restaurants and bars

There is one large restaurant in this hotel. It is a separate open building under the roof, decorated in African style.

We had breakfast, lunch, and dinners here while not being on safari, and the food was very nice every time.

There is also a small bar outside where you can enjoy drinks during the day or evening.

➡️Book your stay at Lawford Hotel HERE

Beach and pool

If you are coming to Kenya for a beach holiday, then this hotel is a NO go. Even though the sand at the back of the hotel is soft and white, there are big beds with canopy for the guests to relax and enjoy the sun, the ocean for swimming is not nice.

It was a disappointment for us as the color of the ocean was brown. There is nothing wrong with it, it is natural. We even swam there once but it is not for a lovely beach vacation.

However, you can compensate for it with a pool which is not large, but nice to have a swim or cool down. It is located in the middle of the lush garden with palm trees. There is also a bar next to it, so you can have a refreshing drink.

There is another pool close to the restaurant and a bar.

Entertainment and customer service

There is not much entertainment in the hotel, except for a bar, table tennis, pool, and some board games. However, you can take many kinds of trips to surrounding areas, whether you are interested in history, safari, or snorkeling.

Customer service was great at the time we were visiting. All employees of the hotel were kind, friendly, ready to help, and were always greeting us with a big smile on their faces.

Also, when we arrived at the hotel, it was already late and the restaurant was closed but they waited for us, a few guests to have dinner after a long flight.

Conclusion: The Lawford Hotel In Malindi: Review

Overall, the Lawford Hotel in Malindi, Kenya was a good choice for us and we were not disappointed.

It has a great location in the center of Malindi Town with restaurants and cafes, close to historical sights and some national parks. The beautiful garden with a pool is a peaceful place for relaxation.

The Lawford Hotel is not a good choice for a beach vacation. However, beautiful Watamu Beach is just 30 minutes drive.

I do recommend this hotel to all age groups and to someone who is looking for a starting point for safaris and other tours. I would not recommend it to people looking for a luxury beach vacation with crystal-clear water.