In what feels like a blink, the year has already reached its final stretch. As the festive season draws near, nothing restores balance quite like a short reset. Thinking of a 72-hour escape to the coast? The answer is simple: a Twende Serena Beach Getaway — loosely translated, let’s go to Serena Beach Resort & Spa. The perfect hidden gem in Shanzu, where Swahili charm, white sands, and ocean breezes create your own sanctuary.

Your Journey Begins

The city falls away quickly when you leave Nairobi. One hour by air, or a few on the train that cuts through Tsavo, and suddenly the air is different : heavier, salted and sweet, the kind that clings to your skin. At first sight, the resort feels like stepping into a 13th-century Swahili village: narrow winding pathways, whitewashed walls, shaded courtyards, and gardens bursting with colour. Palms sway above as birdsong drifts through the air. At the entrance, the team welcomes you with warmth, their hospitality so seamless it feels less like checking in and more like coming home.

Friday Evening – A Swahili Welcome

The first taste of Mombasa is not the sea, but the spice. As the sun slips into the horizon, the resort comes alive. It’s Swahili Night, and the lawns glow with lanterns. The air carries the perfume of coconut, tamarind, and smoke. Waiters dressed in bright kangas and deras bring the evening to life, their warm smiles and vibrant colours reflecting the spirit of the night.

A live band plays, the rhythm drifting into the sea breeze, and before long you are swaying lightly under the stars. In your hand, perhaps a Tusker, crisp and cold, or a glass of premium whiskey. This is Mombasa’s truest definition of Karibu Pwani  ( welcome to the coast).

Later, your room awaits. Inspired by Arabian palaces, with carved doors, high arches, and soft fabrics, it feels both timeless and indulgent. The balcony opens to the ocean, and you fall asleep with the sound of waves as your lullaby.

Saturday – Restore and Indulge

Mornings on the coast begin barefoot, the sand cool beneath your feet, dhows slipping across the horizon. You might dive into the spray with jet skis, try sailing, or simply choose stillness.

By midday, Maisha Spa beckons with its signature Big Five treatments, inspired by Africa’s great icons. The Lion’s Strength massage eases deep into tired muscles. The Elephant’s Wisdom grounds you in calm. The Leopard’s Grace restores your rhythm until it feels as though the ocean itself has moved through you.

As the day gives way to dusk, a sunset cruise carries you out to sea just as the sky begins to glow. The deck is alive with laughter; canapés pass easily from hand to hand as music drifts into the breeze. A glass of bubbly in one hand, the other keeping time as you dance lightly in the middle of the ocean.

As the yacht glides back to shore, anticipation builds for what awaits at Jahazi Grill  , a restaurant celebrated for its seafood artistry. Lobster brushed with butter, prawns lifted by tamarind, and snapper softened in coconut milk arrive plated with quiet elegance. Each course carries the true taste of the Indian Ocean, woven into an unforgettable dining experience.

Sunday – The Slow Farewell

Your final morning is unhurried. Sunlight drapes the pool in warmth, the loungers beckon, and the sea stills you into silence. You swim, you stretch across a chair, you linger. By the time you leave, you carry more than memories. You leave restored, ready to conquer the new week ahead.

For those tempted by the coast, now is the perfect time , with exclusive Twende Serena Beach offers available to make your getaway even more rewarding.