Home/Where to stay/Mombasa/3-star hotels
3-star hotels in Mombasa
A shortlist of 3-star hotels in Mombasa, on Kenya's Indian Ocean coast, ranked by guest rating and weighted by the number of reviews behind it. It is for travellers who want a mid-range base near the island's old town or the northern and southern beaches.
Staying in Mombasa
Mombasa is Kenya's main seaport and second-largest city, on the Indian Ocean coast, and the county seat of Mombasa County. The old town and Fort Jesus, a 16th-century Portuguese fort listed by UNESCO, are on Mombasa Island. Nyali and Bamburi, on the mainland north of the island, are the main beach areas. People come here to be near the coast and the historic sites, and the addresses on this shortlist follow that split: Haile Selassie Road and Mwembe Tayari Road are on the island, while Nyali, Malindi Road, Mtwapa and the Diani Beach Road addresses lie along the coast north and south.
The range suits different trips. Couples and short-break travellers who want the seafront gravitate to the north coast names, families to the larger beach properties with many reviews, and business travellers to the island addresses, which sit closest to the centre. Guest ratings here run from 4.4 to 4.9. Every place is 3-star, so the differences lie in location and in how much recent guest feedback stands behind each score rather than in class.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Tower House Apartment
Haile Selassie Road
Why stay hereBooked on Haile Selassie Road in Mombasa, Tower House Apartment is a 3-star address whose standing rests on its guests' verdict: 4.7 out of 5 from 120 reviews. That record suits travellers who read reviews carefully before committing to a stay and who want a central base rather than a resort strip. With no facilities listed, come for the location and the rating, not for on-site amenities.
See Tower House ApartmentAsha Boutique Hotel
Diani Beach Road
Why stay hereAsha Boutique Hotel sits on Diani Beach Road, and its 4.6 out of 5 from 264 reviews makes it one of the better-reviewed 3-star options on this stretch of the coast. The boutique tag and the Diani address point to a small-scale stay near the beach rather than a large complex. Best for couples or solo travellers who value a strong guest record over a long list of facilities.
See Asha Boutique HotelJumeirah Beachfront
Nyandarwa Road Nyali
Why stay hereJumeirah Beachfront carries a 3-star class and a 4.5 out of 5 score drawn from 2,090 reviews, by far the largest review base here. That volume is itself the argument: many previous guests, a consistent verdict. On Nyandarwa Road in Nyali, it places you on Mombasa's north coast mainland. Suits travellers who prefer a tried-and-tested address with a beachfront name to an unfamiliar one.
See Jumeirah BeachfrontHotel Sapphire
Mwembe Tayari Road Mombasa
Why stay hereOn Mwembe Tayari Road, Hotel Sapphire is a 3-star Mombasa property rated 4.5 out of 5 across 1,058 reviews. The review count signals a busy, well-established hotel rather than a quiet retreat, and the central-road address puts guests in the thick of the city. A practical choice for travellers who want Mombasa town as their base and a long track record behind the booking.
See Hotel SapphireSimba Oryx Beach Cottages
Galo Kinondo Diana Beach Road
Why stay hereSimba Oryx Beach Cottages stands on Galo Kinondo Diani Beach Road, and its 4.6 out of 5 comes from 146 reviews. The cottage format implies a more private, self-contained stay than a conventional hotel, and the Kinondo end of Diani is away from the busiest stretch. Suits guests who want their own space near the beach and prefer a smaller property's review profile.
See Simba Oryx Beach CottagesWoolsack Suites
Off Beach Road
Why stay hereWoolsack Suites is a 3-star property off Beach Road, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 121 reviews. The suite layout and the modest review count together suggest a small, quietly run address rather than a high-turnover hotel. Good for longer stays or travellers who want apartment-style room to spread out while staying within reach of Mombasa's beach side.
See Woolsack SuitesGalu Tulivu
Diani Beach Road
Why stay hereGalu Tulivu holds the highest guest score on this list, 4.8 out of 5, though from only 49 reviews, so read it as a strong but small sample. It is a 3-star property on Diani Beach Road, at Galu. The name and setting point to a peaceful south-coast stay. Suits travellers who would rather gamble on an exceptionally rated small property than a heavily reviewed one.
See Galu TulivuHotel Comster Mtwapa
Muli Gardens Mtwapa
Why stay hereHotel Comster Mtwapa is a 3-star hotel at Muli Gardens in Mtwapa, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 177 reviews. Mtwapa lies on the north coast beyond Mombasa island, so this suits guests who want that area as their base rather than the city centre or Diani. A steady review record from a moderate number of guests makes it a reasonable pick for a straightforward coastal stay.
See Hotel Comster MtwapaBliss Resort
Links Road Nyali Beach
Why stay hereBliss Resort, on Links Road at Nyali Beach, is rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1,895 reviews, one of the largest review bases among these 3-star hotels. Nyali Beach gives it direct north-coast positioning, and the resort label suggests grounds and space rather than a plain room block. Suits families and travellers who want a beachside north-coast base with plenty of prior guest feedback.
See Bliss ResortAestus Villas Resort
Neptune Road Palm Park 1 Galu Beach
Why stay hereAestus Villas Resort occupies Neptune Road, Palm Park 1, at Galu Beach, and holds 4.5 out of 5 from 159 reviews. The villa-and-resort format implies separate units rather than standard rooms, which suits groups, families or friends travelling together on the south coast. Galu Beach keeps it south of Diani's main concentration. A good fit for those wanting space and a quieter shoreline.
See Aestus Villas ResortBahari Beach Club
North Coast;
Why stay hereBahari Beach Club is a 3-star property on the North Coast, rated 4.4 out of 5 across 1,409 reviews. The club format and the substantial review count suggest an established, activity-oriented beach property rather than a small guesthouse. Suits travellers who want a north-coast beach base with a busy social character and a long record of guest stays to weigh up.
See Bahari Beach ClubSheratton Beach Villagio
Malindi Road
Why stay hereSheratton Beach Villagio is a 3-star hotel on Malindi Road with a 4.4 out of 5 rating from 332 reviews. The Malindi Road corridor runs north from Mombasa along the coast, so this suits guests heading that way or wanting a location between the city and the northern beaches. A moderate review base and a consistent score make it a reliable, uncomplicated option.
See Sheratton Beach VillagioAfricanhuts
Off Diani Beach Road Diani Beach Kenya
Why stay hereAfricanhuts sits off Diani Beach Road, a 3-star property rated 4.4 out of 5 from 259 reviews. The name suggests hut-style accommodation, which points to a low-rise, relaxed south-coast setup rather than a multi-storey hotel. Suits travellers looking for that kind of informal Diani stay who still want a solid, well-populated review record behind their choice.
See AfricanhutsPollmans Resort
Mahesh Doshi Street Off Malindi Road 80100 Mombasa Kenya
Why stay herePollmans Resort is a 3-star hotel on Mahesh Doshi Street, off Malindi Road, rated 4.4 out of 5 from 235 reviews. Its position on the Malindi Road side of Mombasa places it away from the beachfront strips, which suits travellers whose plans centre on the town and the road north. A dependable mid-range choice backed by a fair number of guest reviews.
See Pollmans ResortVillakwetu Cottages Diani Beach
Off Diani Beach Road Galu Beach Ke Diani Beach Kwale County
Why stay hereVillakwetu Cottages Diani Beach posts the top score here, 4.9 out of 5, but from just 28 reviews, so the sample is small. It is a 3-star property off Diani Beach Road at Galu Beach in Kwale County. The cottage format suits families, groups or longer self-catering-style stays on the quieter southern stretch. Pick it if an exceptional score outweighs a thin review base for you.
See Villakwetu Cottages Diani Beach
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Guest rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tower House Apartment | ★★★ | 4.7 | 120 |
| Asha Boutique Hotel | ★★★ | 4.6 | 264 |
| Jumeirah Beachfront | ★★★ | 4.5 | 2,090 |
| Hotel Sapphire | ★★★ | 4.5 | 1,058 |
| Simba Oryx Beach Cottages | ★★★ | 4.6 | 146 |
| Woolsack Suites | ★★★ | 4.6 | 121 |
| Galu Tulivu | ★★★ | 4.8 | 49 |
| Hotel Comster Mtwapa | ★★★ | 4.5 | 177 |
| Bliss Resort | ★★★ | 4.4 | 1,895 |
| Aestus Villas Resort | ★★★ | 4.5 | 159 |
| Bahari Beach Club | ★★★ | 4.4 | 1,409 |
| Sheratton Beach Villagio | ★★★ | 4.4 | 332 |
| Africanhuts | ★★★ | 4.4 | 259 |
| Pollmans Resort | ★★★ | 4.4 | 235 |
| Villakwetu Cottages Diani Beach | ★★★ | 4.9 | 28 |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
Highest rated
Villakwetu Cottages Diani Beach holds the top score on this list at 4.9 from 28 reviews, and Galu Tulivu follows at 4.8 from 49, both on the south coast around Diani and Galu. Tower House Apartment on Haile Selassie Road is the best-placed high scorer on the island at 4.7 from 120 reviews.
Villakwetu Cottages Diani Beach · Galu Tulivu · Tower House Apartment
Long track record
Jumeirah Beachfront on Nyandarwa Road Nyali carries 2090 reviews at 4.5, Bliss Resort on Links Road Nyali Beach 1895 at 4.4, and Bahari Beach Club on the North Coast 1409 at 4.4. These have the deepest guest feedback behind their scores if a large, well-reviewed north coast stay matters to you.
Island and centre
Tower House Apartment on Haile Selassie Road, Hotel Sapphire on Mwembe Tayari Road Mombasa and Pollmans Resort on Mahesh Doshi Street off Malindi Road are the addresses closest to the island and the old town area. Hotel Sapphire adds 1058 reviews at 4.5 for travellers who want a heavily reviewed city base.
Quieter south coast
Asha Boutique Hotel and Africanhuts sit on Diani Beach Road, Simba Oryx Beach Cottages on Galo Kinondo Diani Beach Road, and Aestus Villas Resort on Neptune Road Palm Park 1 Galu Beach. Ratings run from 4.4 to 4.6, with review counts from 146 to 264, so feedback is solid but the numbers are smaller.
Asha Boutique Hotel · Simba Oryx Beach Cottages · Aestus Villas Resort · Africanhuts
Where to stay in Mombasa
Nyali
Jumeirah Beachfront on Nyandarwa Road Nyali and Bliss Resort on Links Road Nyali Beach both sit here. Staying in Nyali puts you on the north coast beach side, away from the island's old town, with the mainland beaches as the immediate setting.
Our picks here: Jumeirah Beachfront · Bliss Resort
Diani Beach Road
Diani Beach Road runs along the south coast, reached from Mombasa Island by the Likoni ferry, which links the island with the south coast. Asha Boutique Hotel and Galu Tulivu are addressed on Diani Beach Road, and Africanhuts just off it. The setting is the southern beach strip rather than the city itself.
Our picks here: Asha Boutique Hotel · Galu Tulivu · Africanhuts
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Moi International Airport serves the city. The Madaraka Express train runs between Nairobi and Mombasa, and Mombasa is also reached by road from Nairobi. On the ground, the Likoni ferry links the island with the south coast, which is how the Diani Beach Road and Galu addresses are reached. Mombasa lies about 440 km southeast of Nairobi in a straight line. The site does not quote transport times or fares, so plan the island-to-south-coast crossing around the ferry.
When to go
The coast is hot and humid all year, and daytime temperatures remain high throughout the year, so visitors should expect warm, damp conditions for most of their stay. The long rains usually fall from April to June; outside that window the coast stays hot and humid. There is no cool season to plan around here, which matters most for beach addresses such as Nyali, the Diani Beach Road stretch and the northern Malindi Road and Mtwapa corridor.
Things to do near Mombasa
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels is rated highest by guests?
Villakwetu Cottages Diani Beach has the top guest rating on this list at 4.9 out of 5, from 28 reviews. Galu Tulivu is next at 4.8 from 49 reviews, and Tower House Apartment at 4.7 from 120. The highest-rated places sit on the south coast around Diani and Galu.
Which hotels are closest to the centre of Mombasa?
The island addresses are the closest to the centre: Tower House Apartment on Haile Selassie Road and Hotel Sapphire on Mwembe Tayari Road Mombasa. Pollmans Resort on Mahesh Doshi Street off Malindi Road is also in the city rather than on the beach strips. The Nyali and Diani addresses are beach areas away from the centre.
Which hotels suit families?
The larger beach properties with the most guest feedback are the safest bet: Jumeirah Beachfront on Nyandarwa Road Nyali with 2090 reviews at 4.5, Bliss Resort on Links Road Nyali Beach with 1895 at 4.4, and Bahari Beach Club on the North Coast with 1409 at 4.4. All three are on the north coast beach side.
Do any of these hotels have parking?
The hotel records on this list do not include facility details, so no parking information is confirmed for any of these 3-star properties. Check directly with the hotel you are considering before you book if you plan to arrive by car, since Mombasa is also reached by road from Nairobi.
Is breakfast included at these hotels?
Breakfast is not specified in the hotel records on this list, so it cannot be confirmed for any of these 3-star properties. Confirm the meal arrangement with the individual hotel when you book, as it varies by property and is not part of the data shown here.
Which hotels are on the beach?
The beach addresses are Jumeirah Beachfront on Nyandarwa Road Nyali, Bliss Resort on Links Road Nyali Beach, Bahari Beach Club on the North Coast, and the Diani Beach Road group of Asha Boutique Hotel, Galu Tulivu and Africanhuts. Nyali and Bamburi are the main beach areas on the mainland north of the island.
Are these hotels good for a short break?
For a short break, the island addresses keep you near the old town and Fort Jesus, the 16th-century Portuguese fort listed by UNESCO: Tower House Apartment on Haile Selassie Road and Hotel Sapphire on Mwembe Tayari Road. If you would rather be on the beach, the Nyali and Diani addresses put you on the coast instead.
Which hotels have the most guest reviews?
Jumeirah Beachfront on Nyandarwa Road Nyali leads with 2090 reviews at 4.5, followed by Bliss Resort on Links Road Nyali Beach with 1895 at 4.4 and Bahari Beach Club on the North Coast with 1409 at 4.4. Hotel Sapphire on Mwembe Tayari Road Mombasa is the most reviewed island address, with 1058 at 4.5.
Hotels near landmarks
The nearest hotels to the landmarks in and around Mombasa