Mombasa-Malindi Highway ;next to Shanzu on Bamburi Beach, 82386 Bamburi, Kenya
#4 of 27 hotels in Bamburi
Guests' ChoiceBased on 376 hotel reviews
7.7Cleanliness
8.6
Comfort
8.2
Location
8.4
Facilities
7.9
Staff
8.6
Value for money
8.1
Free WiFi
8.1
Each review score is between 1-10. To get the overall score that you see, we add up all the review scores we’ve received and divide that total by the number of review scores we’ve received. We use a weighted review system which means that the more recent the review, the bigger the impact on the total review score calculation. In addition, guests can give separate ‘subscores’ in crucial areas, such as location, cleanliness, staff, comfort, facilities, value for money and free Wi-Fi. Note that guests submit their subscores and their overall scores independently, so there’s no direct link between them.
You can review an Accommodation that you booked through our Platform if you stayed there or if you arrived at the property but didn’t actually stay there. To edit a review you’ve already submitted, please contact our Customer Service team.
We have people and automated systems that specialise in detecting fake reviews submitted to our Platform. If we find any, we delete them and, if necessary, take action against whoever is responsible.
Anyone else who spots something suspicious can always report it to our Customer Service team, so our Fraud team can investigate.
Ideally, we would publish every review we receive, whether positive or negative. However, we won’t display any review that includes or refers to (among other things):
To make sure reviews are relevant, we may only accept reviews that are submitted within 3 months of checking out, and we may stop showing reviews once they’re 36 months old – or if the Accommodation has a change of ownership.
An Accommodation may choose to reply to a review.
When you see multiple reviews, the most recent ones will be at the top, subject to a few other factors (what language a review is in, whether it’s just a rating or contains comments as well, etc.). If you like, you can sort and/or filter them (by time of year, review score, etc.).
We sometimes show external review scores from other well-known travel websites. We make it clear when we’ve done this.
These guidelines and standards aim to keep the content on Booking.com relevant and family-friendly without limiting expression of strong opinions. They are also applicable regardless of the sentiment of the comment.
Contributions should be travel related. The most helpful contributions are detailed and help others make better decisions. Please don’t include personal, political, ethical, or religious commentary. Promotional content will be removed and issues concerning Booking.com’s services should be routed to our Customer Service or Accommodation Service teams.
Contributions should be appropriate for a global audience. Please avoid using profanity or attempts to approximate profanity with creative spelling, in any language. Comments and media that include 'hate speech', discriminatory remarks, threats, sexually explicit remarks, violence, and the promotion of illegal activity are not permitted.
All content should be genuine and unique to the guest. Reviews are most valuable when they are original and unbiased. Your contribution should be yours. Booking.com property partners should not post on behalf of guests or offer incentives in exchange for reviews. Attempts to bring down the rating of a competitor by submitting a negative review will not be tolerated.
Respect the privacy of others. Booking.com will make an effort to obscure email addresses, telephone numbers, website addresses, social media accounts, and similar details.
The opinions expressed in contributions are those of Booking.com customers and properties and not of Booking.com. Booking.com does not accept responsibility or liability for any reviews or responses. Booking.com is a distributor (without any obligation to verify) and not a publisher of these comments and responses.
By default, reviews are sorted based on the date of the review and on additional criteria to display the most relevant reviews, including but not limited to: your language, reviews with text, and non-anonymous reviews. Additional sorting options may be available (by type of traveller, by score, etc.).
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, express or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
End of dialog contentReviewed: 1 September 2025
Bertil
SwedenThe building opposite is very close and it doesn’t give so much privacy, but anyhow the balcony was good to sit on. But not any see view
It was a good place to stay in. The rooms was had all equipment and was of big size.The WiFi was good and the staff was friendly. AC was also good. Cowrie is a place where I like to come back. Also the beach is just at the front, a beach that is good for long exercise walk
Stayed in August 2025
Reviewed: 22 August 2025
Nagy
KenyaThey asked me to pay a larger amount than what was agreed upon in the application, and when I asked why, they said that this amount does not include the application percentage, and I must pay this amount as an increase over the amount I booked on the basis of.
Stayed in August 2025
Reviewed: 18 August 2025
Bertil
SwedenIt was only one contact that had electricity so I had to use that only contact for both the waterboiler, the toast and charging my phone. And I told it to the electrician but he did not come back. as far I know. But it was not a too big problem. The view from my room did not have a seaview. It was a studio, 1 bedroom. But there was a good balcony to sit on but very close to the other rooms on the the other side.
I was very satisfied the 2 days I stayed there, both the equipments in the room and the staff. The WiFi and the AC was very good. The water in the shower was hot and good And the location directly at the beach was excellent
Stayed in August 2025
Reviewed: 14 August 2025
Entertainment
KenyaBeddings day one were not very clean.
The proximity to the beach. It's just there
Stayed in July 2025
Reviewed: 11 August 2025
David
United StatesBad Internet cafe not connected to apartments slow to serve meals
Quiet beach access secure area
Stayed in August 2025
Reviewed: 9 August 2025
Yididiya
Ethiopiathe foods are expensive
The Music band at the afternoon
Stayed in July 2025
Reviewed: 6 August 2025
Smith
KenyaThere were cockroaches in our kitchen. They should desinfect it for other users. But we loved thege eral aspects of our room
There was no breakfast and I was overtaxed if I refer to what I noted from my booking day.
Stayed in August 2025
Reviewed: 17 July 2025
Sammy
KenyaSome construction noises within the day from upper rooms
Proximity to the beach
Stayed in June 2025
Reviewed: 23 June 2025
Bosire
KenyaSlight delays in room cleaning but it's okay , not my first time at Cowrie Shell; they normally deliver quality services.
I loved the standard of the facilities offered, always a good time at Cowrie Shell , can't complain. Clean rooms, strong Wi-Fi, live music, accessible restaurant, overally convenient.
Stayed in June 2025
Reviewed: 21 June 2025
Daniel
GhanaThe road to the hotel can be improved. The nature of the road makes it scary using it, especially at night.
I like the friendly staff at the reception, cleaners and the restaurant. I very much appreciated the tailor-made meal preparation and the beach-front.
Stayed in June 2025
Reviewed: 14 April 2025
Nicholas
KenyaThe air conditioning was not optimal and can be improved.
The property has direct access to the beach.
Stayed in April 2025
Reviewed: 23 March 2025
Jaap
NetherlandsBoth tv's didn't work properly, the airconditioning in the living room didn't work and the wifi didn't work evenings
Very nice location
Stayed in March 2025
Reviewed: 17 March 2025
Henric
SwedenA bit inconvenient with the renovation of the roof. A lot of dirt on the surface of the water in the pool, probably as a result of the renovation. The restaurant is a costly for what you get. Unfortunately there is much more plastic on the beach now than earlier years.
As always good. Great staff, Always so helpful and human. Really an A for staff performance! Location of Cowrie Shells is very nice. Will be even better once the new road is finished.
Stayed in March 2025
Reviewed: 10 March 2025
Oliver
GermanyThe aircondition had issues. And it was loud. This should had been checked from the management before renting the room to a client. That's why I had decided to cancel the reservation for this accomodation and requested a refund. Additionally on top a local kenyan friend from Mombasa who was travelling with me and which who I had shared the booked room turned out to be a fake friend and had stolen something from my property. Of course that's not a fault of the hotel. But however when I tried to contact the security about this issue I had realized that at night the door at the gate was even open and not immediately someone was available. People easily could have walked in and out. Even some people inside the hotel where sleeping. And when I initially reported the issue to the security about my stolen property and ask for help to call the police the security told me to ask "a boss" for permission first to call the police though it was a clear case. I had to make a bit more pressure. At other hotels the security would had taken such issues immediately more serious. However at the end the security (different people) was kind and brought us to the police station where the police finally handled that issue. Though the police obviously was not called or informed as I had requested. The statements from security at the police station could have been helpful and could certainly could have speeded things up. But after arrival at the police station I was left alone though the security had interrogated me and the friend who had stolen my property before. So I wondered why all this interrogation if I as the client of the hotel was left than alone at the police station. So actually the security would had been a good witness (especially as the friend had confirmed already during the interrogation by the security that had taken my property) and therefore could have assisted me at the police station.
It was very affordable. The room was spacious. The bed was comfortable.
Stayed in February 2025
Reviewed: 7 March 2025
Phillip
United Kingdomroof repairs going on, which was not mentioned on booking or a follow on email to give chance to change hotel, loud banging and reduced seating by the pool, should be finished by mid may 2025. strange mixture of pots/pans/plates in the apartment i was in. the lots on either side are abandoned on one side and very run down on the other.
easy direct beach access on a quite part of the beach, staff friendly and helpful. good security
Stayed in March 2025
Reviewed: 18 February 2025
Tusmo
KenyaI was called and accused of breaking a toilet which was not up to standard to begin with and was going to be charged but I refused to pay . This was very weird
The location is very good
Stayed in February 2025
Reviewed: 1 February 2025
Lee
United KingdomConstruction work taking place. It's a bit isolated so you need to take an Uber to the action in neighboring Nyali.
Beach access. Big room. Restaurant.
Stayed in January 2025
Reviewed: 26 January 2025
Peter
KenyaFriendly and dedicated staff.
Stayed in January 2025
Reviewed: 14 January 2025
Alan
IrelandThe building could do with some minor upkeep but overall a very enjoyable stay.
Nice 1 bed apartment overlooking the pool. Direct access to quiet white sandy beach. Outdoor restaurant & bar is good value for money with good choices of food and drinks. Cocktails are very good and the staff are very good and friendly.
Stayed in January 2025
Reviewed: 13 January 2025
Martin
South AfricaThe only real problem was on arrival. The receptionists called us one side to inform us that the rates for the rooms have almost doubled and that we had now to pay double for our room that was booked a month ago. According to her the problem was with booking.com. We told her that this was not our mistake, and that we travelled so far, spending so much on flights to be told this on arrival. Why could they not inform us before we travelled? We were tired and insisted on seeing the manager, which sorted it out eventually. I would have rated this place as 9, but because of the reception we got i am rating it as 7.
Location was great. Room comfortable, but a little outdated, especially the cupboards. Liked the balcony too. Restaurant and service in restaurant and bar was superb especially John. Right on the beach which was great
Stayed in December 2024
Reviewed: 12 January 2025
Murray
Seychellesmorning coffee not the best
beach, room was large
Stayed in December 2024
Reviewed: 6 January 2025
Joyce
South AfricaThe new years evd party was really amazing however the entrance fee too expensive and the buffet whi h did not include any complimentary beverage. Also the 75% charge for late checkout was also steep...
Cowrie beach is amazing. I enjoyed my stay, and the rooms were cleaned every day. Security is always on the premises and at the gate towards the beach. The staff very friendly. And the food at the restaurant was amazing. The size of the fridge was big, another plus.
Stayed in January 2025
Reviewed: 3 January 2025
Linner
KenyaThere was a private party which restricted access, unless one paid extra, to facilities like the restaurant, the beach which was the critical factor in choosing the apartment. Management need to consider this.
Excellent location,good service, clean apartment and facilities. Would definitely be back. Highly recommended.
Stayed in January 2025
Reviewed: 27 December 2024
John
KenyaNothing...
The location and proximity to the beach. This was my second visit, and I still like the ease of access to the beach.
Stayed in December 2024
Copenhagen, Denmark
Syke, Germany
Lenk, Switzerland
Caldes de Malavella, Spain
Jbeil, Lebanon
Vicchio, Italy
San Pedro Tesistán, Mexico
Sleaford, UK
Booking.com is part of Booking Holdings Inc., the world leader in online travel and related services.
We have more than 70 million property reviews, and they're all from real, verified guests.
1
The only way to leave a review is to first make a booking. That's how we know our reviews come from real guests who have stayed at the property.
2
When guests stay at the property they check out how quiet the room is, how friendly the staff are and more.
3
After their trip, guests tell us about their stay. We check for naughty words and verify the authenticity of all guest reviews before adding them to our site.
If you booked through us and want to leave a review, please sign in first.
End of dialog content