Stunning opulence at white beach palace

by Anne Kanina

Gigantic mahogany gate swings open to a majestic palace at the North Coast along the Mayungu-Watamu Road. All the walls are painted a lavish white. To heighten the royalty theme, antiques, furniture and wall hangings are embellished with golden tones.

White stone statues of lions ‘keep watch’ over the hotel

The White Beach Palace comprises seven apartments. Inside the hotel’s lobby stands a golden throne to seat guests who are given a royal treatment once inside its gates. Surrounding the throne are clay and stone statues of lions, mermaids and gigantic shells. The walls are meant to ‘keep watch’ over the guests as they saunter majestically on the grounds.

A makeshift bridge above a pool of water leads to the presidential suite, which overlooks the beach. A bodyguard’s apartment is located right next. Inside the presidential suite are several sleeping quarters for the royalties and their families. There are also different lounges and a water therapy pampering section.

The bedrooms boasts of carpet-net finishes, which make them soundproof. Walk-in bathrooms, stone bathtubs and sinks with walls adorned with full-length mirrors complete the princely

The lounge faces the ocean

picture. When the sunrays filter through the full-length windows and velvet drapes, different moods are expressed.

Each apartment has a bubbly Jacuzzi and beds from Zanzibar and Lamu that overlook the beach. From there, a guest can enjoy the moonlight while listening to the soothing ocean waves. One of the rooms boasts a rooftop Jacuzzi!

Other attractions at the palace hotel include a state-of-the art glass-walled gym, swimming pool, basketball court, golf course, physiotherapy, sumptuous meals and boat rides in sheer style at a small fee. The boats have glass floors that allow guests to watch the sea creatures and coral reef. The hotel enjoys close proximity to the Snake Park, Crocodile Farm, Portuguese chapel and Vasco da Gama pillar.

The apartments, which comprise one presidential, three luxurious, one junior and one deluxe suites, cost between Sh35,000 and Sh110,000 per night. High profile guests to the hotel include supermodel Naomi Campbell, Hollywood star Jean Claude Van Damme and Ferrari Formula One champion Jean Alesi

 

 

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