Kenya's Multi-Billion Resort Where Uhuru, Jose Mourinho Holiday

File image of Almanara Resort in Diani.
File image of Almanara Resort in Diani.
Almanara Resort

We may never have seen them together, rather they may never have been together, but President Uhuru Kenyatta and English football club Tottenham Hotspur Manager Jose Mourinho have a thing in common.

Both have spent their precious time at the exclusive Almanara Resort in Kenya's award winning destination - Diani Beach.

Since its official opening in December 2007, the resort has played host to some of the wealthiest politicians, business persons and celebrities looking to have a good time.

The multi-billion shillings holiday resort lies five minutes from the Diani Airstrip, Kwale County.

A collage image of President Uhuru Kenyatta and English football club Tottenham Hotspur Manager Jose Mourinho.
A collage image of President Uhuru Kenyatta and English football club Tottenham Hotspur Manager Jose Mourinho.

Business Daily on March 28, 2013, reported that President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto retreated to the resort to unwind after they had emerged victorious. It was at the resort that they crafted the first Cabinet and filled other senior government positions. 

In July 2010, Now Tottenham Hotspur Manager and then Real Madrid Boss Mourinho spent three weeks at the facility with his family.

Almanara Resort boasts a private haven, 6 villas and a sizeable presidential suit. The villas have open-plan dining and living area with top of the dollar furniture and three ensuite double bedrooms.

While some guests may want to cook for themselves owing to the bespoke kitchen in the facility, those who do not can enjoy full-time services of a private chef.

One of the best places to hang out at the resort has been identified by many as the rooftop terrace.

Guests seeking total privacy at the resort are adviced to seek refuge at the presidential villa. The resort states that the price of the suite is determined upon application and subject to various regulations.

The villa has five ocean-view double bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms. A study room in the presidential villa allows for one to seek peace of mind while enjoying a book, and an inbuilt private infinity pool and jacuzzi should you want to swim or splash around.

File image of a private infinity pool at Almanara Resort in Diani.
File image of a private infinity pool at Almanara Resort in Diani.
Almanara Resort

The holiday gateway states that rates are availed upon request with a three-day minimum stay, and a one-week minimum stay during peak seasons.

A former staffer who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke, however, intimidated that the cost of hiring a single villa could be as high as Ksh300,000 a night, depending on the season. 

 Almanara was initially founded as a retirement home for the Giovando family. Nico Giovando was born and raised in Kenya before he left for Europe in 1971 where he settled with his family two decades. 

After 25 years away, he returned to Diani in 2003, a trip that proved to be the beginning of the creation of Almanara.

Each of the Villas was thoughtfully designed with local influences in mind, creating an almost contradictory fusion of modernity and traditional African decor.

The 6 executive villas were opened in July 2007, while the presidential villa, which was originally built as the family home, was completed at the end of the same year.

In 2008 Sails Beach Bar and Restaurant was added to Almanara and fast became one of the most exclusive, must-be-seen-in restaurants in Kenya.

As one of the finest destinations on East Africa's coast, the beach at Almanara provides one of the most ideal locations for scuba diving due to the rich marine life in the area. 

File image of an executive villa at Almanara Resort in Diani.
File image of an executive villa at Almanara Resort in Diani.
Almanara Resort
File image of the sails at Almanara Resort in Diani.
File image of the sails at Almanara Resort in Diani.
Almanara Resort