Blessed with a real personal touch, this is the kind of pearl that's worth shuckin' a few shellfish for. Rooms are spacious and light, all with their own balconies, and foregoing air-con to get an atmospheric wood-panelled fan room is no hardship. Self-catering facilities are ava… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

On the dirt streets behind Lamu Rd, this is a basic but acceptable budget option away from the bustle of the town centre. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

A huge mass-tourism resort catering particularly for young Italians. It's very lively, with activities such as water-volleyball and a climbing wall. Rooms are divided into groups within five themed areas, each block with its own separate pool, which adds up to a lot of water. The… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Here you'll find big, bare doubles and rather smaller singles in a modern block, now under new management, with a decent Indian restaurant downstairs. Only one room has a fan, but there's plenty of breeze through the slatted walls. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

One of the best-known resorts in Malindi, Driftwood prides itself on an informal atmosphere and attracts a more independent clientele than many of its peers. The restaurant, bar and other facilities are all open to nonguests for a temporary membership fee per day. Rates include b… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The Gossip aims for a backpacker clientele. Rooms have four-poster nets, dark wood and plastic chairs, and the downstairs restaurant boasts an intriguing TV lounge/junk corner. A couple of rooms share bathrooms, but prices are the same. Rates include breakfast. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

These quiet German-run cottages are subdivided into unfancy but well-kept rooms with fridges. Some kitchens are also available to guests. Rates include breakfast. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Don't be fooled by the French nom de plume - Lorna is as unpretentious as they come, providing accommodation mainly for students of the Hospitality Training and Management Institute. Rooms are endearingly quirky, zebra rugs and local art punctuate the interior, and the large fami… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This is a splendid Italian resort, with flamboyant decor and Swahili beds set all over the complex so you can read and catch the sea breeze. It fronts directly onto the sand, and the light, spacious rooms are clustered in small groups around attractive pools. Rates include breakf… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

KWS provides a shady campsite, with lights and a cooking area, and eight popular bandas. Water and bedding are provided and there's a kitchen and mess hall you can use for an extra charge. Mountain bikes can be hired per day. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The Lutheran religious centre, set in a quiet garden near the falconry in the town centre, provides accommodation to travellers of all persuasions. The simple rooms have fans, nets and little else; the bungalows have living rooms and kitchens. Alcohol is prohibited here. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Looking at the terrible 1970s curtains, the seatless toilets, the dodgy kitchenettes and the dank (or empty) pool, you'd have to say this place was a touch overpriced. Still, the rooms themselves are liveable, and at least there's a couple of swings for the kiddies. Rates include… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

These large cottage-style rooms are a pretty good deal, but whoever thought of putting in carpets and dull green furnishings was way off the mark aesthetically. They're tucked away in a quaint garden behind the Sabaki shopping centre. Rates include breakfast. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Barely out of the budget category, this friendly hostelry is a travellers' favourite, though with the mosque right next door light sleepers may want to start praying. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

A vast but crumbling four-storey makuti-roofed apartment block on the southern beach strip, surrounding a truly enormous pool. The shopping arcade has a pizzeria and a good ice-cream parlour. Rates include breakfast. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Villa-type accommodation set in dense, well-tended tropical gardens with three pools, a restaurant and a travel agent. The beds are huge and lovely Silversands Beach is just 50m from the gate. Staff aren't always as service-oriented as they could be, though. Rates include breakfa… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

On the southern beach strip, this is a much-loved site for travellers. There are good facilities but limited shade. The simple tented bandas have recently been fully refurbished. Bicycles can be rented per day. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Just round the corner from the market area, this is a severely convenient location for buses and cheap food. Rooms are decent for the price, with fans, nets, squat toilets and what appear to be changing rooms. You can buy day-old chicks at reception, if you so wish. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

If you're not bothered about direct beach access, this swish complex offers pristine modern rooms and apartments with giant marble bathrooms and the smart Two Dolphins restaurant. Rates include breakfast. Full Lonely Planet Review ›