Malindi seems to be the most sought after region by billionaires. Investors, especially those from Italy have found it easier to pivot and set up villas, resorts and apartments in the small town.
Hoping to get a piece of the tranquillity that has made Malindi attractive, Flavio Briatore, who is a celeb and an entrepreneur, set up Billionaire Resort and Retreat, and Lion in the Sun.
Mr Briatore originally opened the establishments as a private residence to entertain celebrity guests “from around the world” and showcase the “wonders of Kenya”. But in 2020, at the height of Covid-19, and a total lockdown in Kenya, he had to position the business for future post corona virus – the entrepreneur decided to open both properties up as commercial hotels to allow local and internal guests to experience the coast and also to “drive year-round business”.
“These properties, once a tranquil sanctuary for celebrities worldwide have now been opened to the public. Guests from Kenya, East Africa and Europe have been enjoying this experience for the last two years now,” the Billionaire Resort general manager Ermanno Cima, says.
Mr Cima notes that while leisure travel has been slow but steady because of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a growth of the corporate market. He is optimistic that this trend will continue.
“Several corporate bookings have already been received and we have seen a growth of 35% in this segment during 2023. One of the things we are most excited about is to see how well the Kenyan market has welcomed the opening of Billionaire into a resort.”
A trip to Coast by air takes about one hour and 15 minutes, with Jambojet, for example charging around Sh4,950 ($55) for one way. Coast Buses are also available the whole day, taking a proximately seven to eight hours.
Demand for hotels, resorts and holiday homes is rising significantly as visitors, both domestic and local, troop to the coast for holiday break. Sector players say the sector has remained resilient even with the biting cost of living.
And the successful entrant of a player like Billionaire resort speaks volumes – opening of the resort to ordinary visitors is yet another step of requalifying the coast as the place to be.
“The resort has proven popular not only with our guests but also as a place to be for anyone visiting the coast of Kilifi. Our Sunday brunch is a must for guests of Malindi, Watamu and Kilifi alike. Guests at the resort can also enjoy a series of activities such as dhow rides, visits to Marafa and so much more,” says Cima.
Billionaire Resort is a beach front property with 24 luxury apartments and private terraces, and 16 rooms in the Lion in the Sun, located on Marine Park road. During the World Travel Awards (WTA) held at Dubai’s Atlantis Royal resort in November 2023, it was feted as the Best Boutique Resort in Africa.
“We won this year’s prestigious award… and has done so for a second year in a row. We won the award in 2022 in our first year when we reopened as a hotel for the general public,” Cima says.
He adds that Lion in the Sun, which is located 300 metres from the Billionaire, and spots local architecture and 16 rooms and suites, is their sister property.
The award recognizes the resorts creativity and resilience in the face of a dynamic hospitality industry.
