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.
The Hotel
Specifically built with nature and the environment in mind, The Sands at Chale Island 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.
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.
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
Two different categories of Bandas (Swahili: small house) 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.
The Superior Bandas have the addition of large sliding glass doors that open the bathroom directly into the private rear garden with an open air shower.
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
Not only a honeymooners dream, everyone’s dream!
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.
Extravagant opulence at its peak!
Wine & 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.
Main Restaurant
With steps leading straight down to the center 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.
A la Carte
The “Katika Ziwa” (in the middle of the lake) seafood restaurant offers a culinary adventure that must not be missed.
Set in the magical surroundings of the inland lake this intimately cozy restaurant will enchant you from the start of your romantic evening leaving you contentedly sated and bewitched by the end of the five course menu.
Definitely an experience not to be missed!
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 watersports center 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 center.
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.
Watersports
Offered from Diving the Crab a wide range of watersports are available on a daily program, these include:
- Beach snorkeling,
- Boat snorkeling,
- Glass bottom boat,
- Kayaking,
- Game fishing (half and full day),
- Local Catamaran sailing.
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 customized carvings to order.
Shopping trips to nearby Diani Beach are also arranged on a weekly basis.
Spa & Fitness
The “Maisha Poa” (Swahili: good life) Spa and wellness center 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-energize 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 kilometers to the North of the Island lies Diani Beach (ranked as the fifth best beach in the world).
Twenty kilometers to the South is Kenya’s top marine reserve, Wasini. Full day trips with fantastic snorkeling 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.
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