Dolphin Beach Hotel Reviews

We went with African Safari Airways for a beach holiday and cruise for Christmas and New Year 2006/07. The whole holiday was a disaster from start to end - however having a good sense of humour was a pre-requisite to get through the 2 weeks.

The operator allocated hotel on arrival in Mombassa, Kenya, we were allocated the Dolphin Hotel - the hotel is a average standard hotel, rooms reasonably clean (however we did have large cockroaches but with fumigation every night was OK). You were supposed to be able to eat at any of the 5 hotels in the group but this was only if you booked in advance. Food was mainly buffet style, and was OK. However the option of Tongue for Xmas Dinner was not great ! The entertainment was primarily aimed to other European patrons, and it became increasingly difficult to get any service unless you spoke any other language than English.

The beach was lovely, as long as you ran the gauntlet of the beach sellers to get to the sea - we even saw them in boats trying to sell to people swimming!!
Basically I could not recommend ASA and if you do go to Kenya and Momabassa there are lots of beter operators and nicer hotels.

Just returned from the Dolphin Hotel + Big 5 Safari. The hotel was idyllic - superb surroundings and food; accommodation comfortable and clean - everything you need. NO MOSQUITOS!

Safari superb. Saw everything we hoped to see. Fabulous attention to detail, comfort and safety throughout. Not for one minute did we feel any danger or discomfort. Again, apart from Tsavo, NO MOSQUITOS!

At every stage of our holiday - initial inquiries, booking, subsequent questions, journeys, hotel and safari - the organisation was excellent.

Even the 9 hour flights in economy were comfortable with far more legroom than I had expected (I am over 6 foot tall).

Thank you African SAfari Club. Full marks for everything. We have NEVER come across such a cheerful and friendly staff as we met at the hotel and on safari. Everyone went out of their way to help and make our stay as memorable as possible.

Overall a wonderful experience and HIGHLY recommended.

As an ex travel agent of 30 years having travelled all over the World staying in every type of hotel I was a bit concerned to read the many negative comments made about the African Safari Club.

Having just returned on Saturday I detail below my lengthy observations We boarded the aircraft at Gatwick and found the aircraft, staff and food quite acceptable for the long journey-we were booked in basic economy. The flight arrived on time and we were through passport control and customs in no time. We had applied for our visa in advance but found most people were whisked through pretty quickly with or without their visa.

Our journey from the airport to the Dolphin Hotel took about 30 minutes. On arrival we were escorted to our standard room, ground floor with a good sea view. Very clean, adequate air conditioned room with mosquito nets. Our air conditioning was replaced midway through the holiday and was lovely and ice cool! Only problem I felt was the lack of a radio or tv in the room but to be honest we were very rarely in our room.

People had said previously that the food left a lot to be desired but I can honestly say we loved every meal served up to us. At breakfast there was a chef there to cook your eggs any way you wanted in front of your eyes. At lunchtime you always had a varied choice buffet and again a chef who cooked fresh pasta again in front of your eyes. At dinner you had a superb choice of meals which you choose off the menu and served up by an excellent team of waiters/waitresses.

Other past moans seem to relate to the cost of bottled water but to be honest I thoughty 70p for a bottle of cold water delivered to your table was excellent value. A good range of wine was on offer starting about £11-white wine was always served up in an ice bucket.

I had booked a safari by email before I left and spent 3 great days at the David Livingstone Camp. They even have sattelite tv which enabled me to watch the Manchester derby live! I booked with Biopracade Tours who have an office 25 yards just outside the hotel front gate. I felt it was good to support the local town travel agent. I did not attend the welcome meeting on our first day and can honestly report never once was I put under pressure to book any tours or excursions within the hotel. Evening entertainment was adequate and varied, albeit repeated the second week. During our 2 week stay which included the Masai Mara trip both my wife and I only had 2 mossie bites each so, as long as you take precautions, the bites should be few and far between.

The beach was lovely although you will be pestered by the beach boys if you wander outside the private part of the beach. Sunbeds were good which cost you 1.5 euros per person per day. Often visited the Flaming Hotel next door which is beautiful and spoke to a few residents there who were more than happy. In the Dolphin Hotel the Manager and his assistant were always around and we found them very approachable and would do their utmost to help if you had a problem.

We did do 2 separate days deep sea fishing and found that the prices and quality of boats are second to none. Prices were about half the price of the equivelent in Florida and you are only 15 mins away from the fishing grounds. The Captain picked us up by car from our hotel before and delivered us back afterwards. Also free soft drinks are supplied onboard. A room safe is available for the cost of approx. 33 euros for the 2 weeks.

All in all my wife and I were thoroughly delighted with the Dolphin Hotel and African Safari Club. Value for money, I believe is second to none. Anyone disagree then you will find similar holidays will cost a helluva lot more with other tour companies. We will go back to Kenya again and it will be with the African Safari Club.

As an ex travel agent of 30 years having travelled all over the World staying in every type of hotel I was a bit concerned to read the many negative comments made about the African Safari Club. Having just returned on Saturday I detail below my lengthy observations We boarded the aircraft at Gatwick and found the aircraft, staff and food quite acceptable for the long journey-we were booked in basic economy. The flight arrived on time and we were through passport control and customs in no time. We had applied for our visa in advance but found most people were whisked through pretty quickly with or without their visa. Our journey from the airport to the Dolphin Hotel took about 30 minutes.

On arrival we were escorted to our standard room, ground floor with a good sea view. Very clean, adequate air conditioned room with mosquito nets. Our air conditioning was replaced midway through the holiday and was lovely and ice cool! Only problem I felt was the lack of a radio or tv in the room but to be honest we were very rarely in our room. People had said previously that the food left a lot to be desired but I can honestly say we loved every meal served up to us. At breakfast there was a chef there to cook your eggs any way you wanted in front of your eyes. At lunchtime you always had a varied choice buffet and again a chef who cooked fresh pasta again in front of your eyes. At dinner you had a superb choice of meals which you choose off the menu and served up by an excellent team of waiters/waitresses.

Other past moans seem to relate to the cost of bottled water but to be honest I thoughty 70p for a bottle of cold water delivered to your table was excellent value. A good range of wine was on offer starting about £11-white wine was always served up in an ice bucket.

I had booked a safari by email before I left and spent 3 great days at the David Livingstone Camp. They even have sattelite tv which enabled me to watch the Manchester derby live! I booked with Biopracade Tours who have an office 25 yards just outside the hotel front gate. I felt it was good to support the local town travel agent. I did not attend the welcome meeting on our first day and can honestly report never once was I put under pressure to book any tours or excursions within the hotel. Evening entertainment was adequate and varied, albeit repeated the second week.

During our 2 week stay which included the Masai Mara trip both my wife and I only had 2 mossie bites each so, as long as you take precautions, the bites should be few and far between.

The beach was lovely although you will be pestered by the beach boys if you wander outside the private part of the beach. Sunbeds were good which cost you 1.5 euros per person per day. Often visited the Flaming Hotel next door which is beautiful and spoke to a few residents there who were more than happy. In the Dolphin Hotel the Manager and his assistant were always around and we found them very approachable and would do their utmost to help if you had a problem.

We did do 2 separate days deep sea fishing and found that the prices and quality of boats are second to none. Prices were about half the price of the equivelent in Florida and you are only 15 mins away from the fishing grounds. The Captain picked us up by car from our hotel before and delivered us back afterwards. Also free soft drinks are supplied onboard. A room safe is available for the cost of approx. 33 euros for the 2 weeks.

All in all my wife and I were thoroughly delighted with the Dolphin Hotel and African Safari Club. Value for money, I believe is second to none.

Anyone disagree then you will find similar holidays will cost a helluva lot more with other tour companies. We will go back to Kenya again and it will be with the African Safari Club

Check in at Gatwick was efficient. I would stress, they are very strick on weight restrictions so please make sure your bags are of correct weight.
I felt the flight was good, we were lucky to have good leg room. (I did pay £40.00 to sit together and leg room if possible)
I felt the seats were a bit narrow, so it you are slighty large you may find the seats a bit of a squeeze.

Transfer from the airport was great and our suitcases arrived quite prompt. We stayed in a standard room first at the Dolphin, the room was quite basic but very clean. Nothing less than we expected in a third world country.

The big five safari was excellent, the transport, flights,game viewing and the lodges were excellent.

I would like to stress the Dolphin Hotel management were always there checking the dining room and the whole beach area. The staff were so friendly, so much more so than the Flamingo.

We upgraded when we returned from the safari as we still had 11 nights. (Already booked in England) The suite was well worth the extra money. In our case we had a small problem with a leak, but management had a meeting and we were offered a suite in the Flamingo for the remaining week of our holiday. We decided to staying eating and socialising in the Dolphin as everybody was so friendly.

I think if you expect a room like in Thailand in Africa you will be disappointed. You must realise where you are and enjoy the facilities, weather, lovely beaches and the friendly locals you will not go wrong.

Mrs Lamb
July 2005 (3 Weeks)