Chez Doneo

• A dramatic and stylish one-of-a-kind private retreat
• Extensive entertaining areas and spectacular sunset views
• Eco-friendly and off-grid with landscaped gardens and grounds
• Central living and entertaining room with open-plan kitchen and bar
• Swimming pool with shallow end, deep end and underwater window
• Spacious ‘party house’ with living, dining and bar areas and pizza oven
• Accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 air-conditioned ensuite double bedrooms
• Stays from $600 per night for up to 6 guests ‘bed & breakfast’

Key features of Chez Doneo include –

• Open plan living, dining and entertaining room with open-plan kitchen and bar area
• Central circular atrium with greenery open to the sky
• Swimming pool with shallow and deep end and underwater viewing window
• Three air-conditioned bedrooms with King-size beds and ensuite bathrooms
• Two bathrooms have beautiful outdoor tubs, perfect for relaxing soaks
• ‘Underground’ living room with air-conditioning and pool window
• Expansive ‘party house’ with living, dining and bar areas and wood-fired pizza oven
• Custom Sonos surround-sound system throughout the house and outdoor spaces
• Giant cargo net suspended over the music room, ideal for lounging or reading
• Landscaped grounds and gardens, private path down to Kilifi Creek
• Large freshwater pond which supports the garden and attracts vibrant birdlife
• Spacious rooftop deck for sundowners, yoga, or star-gazing, with built-in baraza sofa seats
• Direct boat access for sunset cruises or coastal excursions (tide dependent)
• Stays include the services of housekeeper, chef and bartender, gardeners and night security guard

By Road
Kilifi is about 90 minutes’ drive from Mombasa to the south and 60 minutes or less from Malindi to the north. The inland route from/to Mombasa Airport on the C107 and C111 is uncrowded and scenic and avoids Mombasa island.

By Air
There are 2 weekly flights on Friday and Sunday on Skyward Express from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the airstrip at Vipingo Ridge which is about 25 minutes away by road https://skywardairlines.com/

Airlines flying to Malindi and/or Mombasa from Nairobi include :–

• Kenya Airways (from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport) www.kenya-airways.com
• Safarilink  (from Wilson Airport)  www.flysafarilink.com
• Jambo Jet (from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport) www.jambojet.com
• Skyward Express (from Wilson Airport) https://skywardairlines.com/

Kilifi is a busy small seaside town with plenty of shops and services including a well-stocked Naivas supermarket and the Express Shop on Bofa Road which stocks more gourmet food and drinks. Here there is also a branch of Nairobi’s excellent Wine Box. All kinds of water sports and activities are available – from deep-sea fishing to snorkelling, water skiing and scuba diving – Kilifi Creek is home to 3 Degrees South Watersports Centre at the Mnarani Club, AquaVentures Dive Centre, Sunset Dhow trips and more.

Kilifi attracts ocean sailors and the creek offers a fabulous deep-water yacht anchorage and is ideal for boating and windsurfing. Larger boats can be hired from the Boatyard about a mile up the creek on the south shore, where there is a bar and restaurant. Other recommended places to eat are The Twisted Fig to the south of the town and The Food Movement in Kilifi Plantation where there are also various craft and food shops. Salty’s Kite Surfing on Bofa Beach to the north of the town also has a beach bar and cafe, and Salty’s on the Creek is a new floating bar.

Mombasa, Malindi, the ancient ruins at Gedi and the Arabuko Sokoke Forest – all make interesting day trips from Kilifi and all are within about an hour’s drive of the house. There is an excellent golf course at the Vipingo Ridge development about 30 minutes away – the course has been designed and built to the exacting USGA standard and is of international class. It has a spectacular setting, at the top of the ridge overlooking the Indian Ocean.