Mzima Beach Residences - Diani Beach

It was the best weekend in Diani Beach Kenya – a reminder of this little beach town in the sun at its most open, vibrant and welcoming. After two days immersed in The B.A.G, eating too much food, drinking coconut water, bumping into old friends from the city, and skanking to Amapiano, Afrobeats, reggae and dancehall, I was left smiling at an event that has culturally crossed the YouTube screens into a music odyssey of big tune selections, dazzling 'baddies', premium ambience, and a lavish experience powered by Hennessy. It was a celebration of contemporary East African youth culture. Saturday belonged to nostalgia. The triumphant intro of DJ Lyta's "Hot Grabba" nostalgic intro announced the live set recording on Saturday night, day one of the festival. That unmistakable introduction.For many Kenyans, the opening seconds of DJ Lyta's Hot Grabba mixes are instantly recognisable. They belong to an era when reggae and dancehall mixtapes were passed from phone to phone, burned onto CDs and played in matatus, hostels and barbershops across the country. Diani-based DJ Scrappie had masterfully opened the party with his impeccable, high-energy selections after some technical hitches with the sound and power. DJ Lyta has been a voice of Reggae and Dancehall since the early 2010s – a procession of millennials and Gen Z crowds pay respect to his "Hot Grabba" mix series.  In 2023, Lyta reflected on the impact of Hot Grabba Vol. 2, released in May 2013:  "This Mix Hot Grabba Vol 2 Changed My Life... I duplicated CD copies and took them to the streets and the rest is history."  More than a decade later, that history still resonates. Flanked by a bevy of beauties, DJ Lyta, who was announced weeks earlier as the headline act for the opening night, lived up to expectations making the foundations of the stage tremble with classic Caribbean dancehall. Afrobeats, Kenya's rebel Arbantone and Gengetone sounds dominated his set. Classic Caribbean dancehall blended with Afrobeats, Gengetone and Arbantone in a set that constantly shifted between generations. Every pull-up drew louder cheers. Every reload became another shared memory. Songs people hadn't heard in years suddenly returned with every lyric intact. The brutally fashionable crowd grinds and dances all night long with Lyta putting a packed crowd on the sand through its paces. Each corner offered another pocket of intimacy, joy and community. This night instilled camaraderie within friend groups, especially in the quieter moments. Groups wandered between the bars, the beachfront and the dancefloor. The best events create memories on stage; the greatest ones create them between strangers. Meanwhile, DJ Malaika was on point veering off into mixing Afropop, Bongo and Kenyan party anthems into a crowd-pleasing, spectacular morning dash toward a Diani Galu Beach sunrise set. As dawn approached, DJ Malaika guided the remaining crowd.Sunday unfolded differently. Where Saturday celebrated nostalgia, Sunday celebrated

Great stay! The food was delicious, the bed was very comfortable, and the pool was clean and relaxing. The staff were friendly, and the room was spotless. Overall, a wonderful experience and I would definitely stay here again.

We feel so welcomed here even when we are just using the gym (which has to be one of the best on the beach front). Charles, Josephine and all the staff always make time to chat to us and always asked how our day is. We chatted to Charles regarding my birthday and he suggested having a birthday break staying at Mzima he was happy to show us the rooms available. It was such a great decision Charles and the team made my birthday celebrations and our stay perfect, nothing was too much trouble and they went above and beyond. From decorating the room in flowers, having David the chef come and discuss dinner options for us and friends. The food was amazing and so well cooked (the coconut curry was cooked to perfection) and the staff were brilliant, polite and so helpful. This is a beautiful hotel in a breathtaking location but it is Charles and his team that make this hotel that extra bit special by making you feel you are the most important person. Would highly recommend (and we already have to friends) it truly was a 5* experience. Thank you

Terrible noisy place. Avoid at all costs

We recently checked into your hotel and unfortunately encountered several issues during our stay. Upon arrival, we were informed that because we hadn’t pre-booked breakfast, no meals would be available the following day—even if we wished to pay for them—due to an event taking place. We explained that we needed access to food due to health conditions, but no alternative solution was offered. Additionally, we were promised a water dispenser that never arrived. Later that evening, the air conditioner began leaking, creating a large puddle of water in our room. To make matters worse, there was no phone in the room to contact reception for assistance. We eventually had to switch rooms late at night, which caused further inconvenience. Thankfully they located us to a much better room - no longer flooding. It is a beautiful place for events and wedding.

We staid in the big villa with family and friends (9 in total). This resort is just a tiny group of houses without any common space (restaurants, bars, common recreational facilities, etc.). The pros are the quiet atmosphere and the landscape. The cons is that you lack any human interaction except for the staff. The whole staff led by Charles is the real added value of this place. Special mention to the chef and pastry chef, who cooked delicious dishes.

27/6/25 absolutely horrendous loud blaring full blast noise nuisance created by a commentator shouting via a microphone audible in the whole vicinity for miles followed by hours of music and shouting from the afternoon till 4am 28/6/25. No sleep possible. This happens often and locals absolutely dread it. If you need some sleep or relax during these local wedding stints provided at this venue be prepared.

The resort is nicely built at the Galu beach and has access to the sea. Nice buildings with good standards, air condition, spacious sleeping and living rooms and various pools. We also had a chief and various other people to cook for us and take care of the cleaning, laundry, well being in general. Overall it was a great experience with very friendly and helpful staff.