Diani, the secret celebrity hideout

A vibrant, intimate little paradise on the quiet shores of the Indian Ocean with the longest and widest public beach in the country is the preferred destination for many world-renowned personalities, writes Willis Oketch.Maybe it is the good weather, or the white sands and the soothing sensation of walking bare feet on the beaches. It could also be the ability to shake off the press and have quiet moments alone on a beach. Whatever the case, Diani in South Coast is the popular destination for celebrities. They jet into the country, some in private jets landing directly at Moi International Airport in Mombasa before proceeding to Diani. Unlike other major towns in Kenya, here there are few media personalities, thus making it an ideal hiding spot.Jose Mourinho, the coach of Spanish football club Real Madrid, was the most recent high-profile guest to Diani. He arrived in Kenya aboard a private charter plane for a well-deserved rest at Almanara Beach Hotel. Luts Skorsky, a renowned German politician of the Green Party, is a visitor to one of the exclusive resorts in the area.The long, winding swimming pool at Lantana apartments in Diani.In 2005, Brad Pitt blew almost Sh2.6 million with Angelina Jolie. The Hollywood couple had photographers in a fluster when they took a break in Diani in April with Angelina’s son Maddox. They stayed at the glamorous Ritzy Alfajiri Villas at Diani Beach.Diani remains a hot spot for wealthy holiday makers because of its clean, exclusive and beautiful beach. It is the only town with the longest and widest beautiful public beach in the country — the white beach is compared to the finest in the world. Further, the resorts provide the privacy many visitors need away from the hustle and bustle of their home countries. Rush for plotsDespite the high cost of the beach plots in the area, the rush for plots is still high and unstoppable. British tourist Richard Denis confesses that Diani has one of the best beautiful beaches in the world only compared to the Caribbean beaches. He says Diani is not only more beautiful than other beaches, but the warm climate and hospitality of the residents makes it even more appealing. Richard also believes the only difference with the Caribbean beaches is that they are privately owned while in Kenya most are public. He argues that if proprietors of hotels could be allowed to own private beaches like they do in the Caribbean, then Diani could be the best beach resort destination in the world.Monika Sturdikova, also from Britain and on a working holiday at Pinewood Village Resort in Diani, agrees with Dennis. "I love Diani and I will come back," she says.The peace and quietness at this South Coast beach also makes it a perfect destination for serious undertakings. The defunct Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC) spent many months at Leisure Lodge Resort in Diani to draft a revised constitution.A pool bar at Pinewood Beach Resort and Spa. [PHOTOS: OMONDI ONYANGO / STANDARD]Property investmentThe resort town has recently experienced fast growth with more than ten commercial banks and a major supermarket opening their doors to tap the business potential.According to Eric Giovani, a real estate developer, all these attractive natural attributes make Diani an ideal place for property investors. He says Diani located 35km South of Mombasa remains an exclusive sandy shoreline without the nosy and irksome beach boys. The town, he says, remains the most attractive place for property buyers at the coast."This is why foreigners and wealthy Kenyans own holiday homes," says Giovani.He says Diani’s popularity as a tourist destination has everything to do with its closeness to the Shimba Hills National Game Reserve. Not only do the tourists enjoy the clean beach but they can also see wild animals 45km away and return to their hotels. Diani is also easily accessible with direct flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Ukunda airstrip."It takes only one hour to fly from Nairobi to Ukunda, which is convenient to holiday makers coming to the Coast," explains Giovani, who is also a member of Diani Residents Association and the owner of Lanterner Galu Beach holiday homes, which comprise 20 villas, 20 apartments and other rental units. Virgin beachesThe unique holiday homes overlook the Indian Ocean. The villas, apartments and bungalows cost between Sh19 million and Sh33 million each."I have sold half of the property and this is proof that many people are craving for holiday homes in the area," says Giovani.Tamasha Villa in DianiThe beach road from the main Mombasa-Lunga Lunga highway in Ukunda links up with most holiday homes along the beach. A visitor might not easily recognise the beautiful homes from far because they are covered with foliage.Real estate developer Mwenda Thuranira says Diani is one of the few remaining areas suitable for building beautiful holiday homes. He says the virgin beaches and conserved environment makes Diani a ‘heaven on earth’, giving rise to the property rush.Reliable services"Most of the holiday homes in Diani are located in the forest, which is why a drive along the beach road can mislead one to think the area is not developed," Thuranira explains. Members of the residents’ association say the area has reliable water supply and garbage collection is well coordinated by the Kwale County Council. The only challenge is the lack of reliable transport between Diani and Moi International Airport, as people have to use the Likoni ferries, which is known to suffer major delays, a fact that angers many tourists.Apart from being the best tourist destination at the Coast, the social life in Diani is electric. However, some residents are not happy with the area council fathers over failure to plan the town. They say the town lacks good roads and is dotted with many unplanned buildings, especially in the town centre.A senior council official admits that the town is not well-planned but the Ministry of Planning intends to spend Sh150 million on a new plan.

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