My wife and our children (boy 8 and girl 3) plus our extended family (two more adults plus girl aged 4 stayed in Maisha Marefu for the month of August. We were treated like royalty by John and his team from the time we arrived until we left. The house is spacious with 4 bedrooms plus huge outdoor/indoor living areas and the grounds with a salt water pool are very well looked after. The kids had great fun finding the numerous lizards in the gardens including a large resident (not harmful) who would sun himself on the rock outside the childrens bedroom, much to their delight. There is other numerous night life including small bats who would fly through the open living areas at night searching for insects. The pool has stairs so younger children can be catered for on these but you much watch them if they cannot swim as it is deep very quicly otherwise. This can all be done from the very comfortable sun lounges beside the pool which are set up each day with fresh towels.

It was an extremely relaxed atmosphere. The hardest choice we had to make was what to have to eat that day and John had an extensive menu to select from and is always keen to learn a new dish. This was all purchased by John and served up with great gusto each day. You can also purchase fresh lobster, crabs and fish from local fishermen who would come to the back gate to barter.

The owner, Chris was also a pleasure to deal with and his property managers on the ground in Malindi, Hans and Ute ensured that all was running well by touching base most weeks and advising on trips to take. We took a 3 day safari from Malindi to Tsavo East NP which was expertly organised by Hans. The house is located around 10 minutes walk from a beautiful beach where, except for the beach boys some of whom are very persistent, you could extend to a brilliant walk of 3-4 kilometres on the white sand and even walk out onto the inner reef at low tide. The town of Malindi (easy ride in a Tuk Tuk of around 10-15 mins) is a peaceful regional hub with some excellent restaurants including I love Pizza which is fantastic and we returned a number of times. We also heard that Old Man in the Sea was well worth a visit. Both are on the same stretch of road in Malindi.

Security was never an issue but can be in Africa with Kenya is no exception. We had a full time security guard (Samini) at the house during the nights and felt extremely safe and did not feel at all anxious at any time. There are also panic buttons placed around the house. They work as I found out one afternoon when i preseed it thinking it was light switch. Less than 5 minutes later the security team arrived ready for action much to the surpise of all of us. The grounds are also walled entirely so you could leave the children to make the most out of the area.

Also take a look at the Marefu Depression about 1 hour from Malindi and do visit the local co op which showcases local traders and their handcrafts. All profits go back to the artisans who run the centre. You can find an excellent coffee in Malindi with the italian influence clear here. Visit the Karen Blixen centre for this which is near the supermarket 7 to 7. Do not miss a vsit to the Crocodile Farm down the road from the house, where you can witness a feeding frenzy amongst the residents on most afternoons as well as let the kids handle a number of animals including toroises, lizards, snakes etc. You can also purchase crocodile meat here which John prepared with a minimum of fuss. Alot like pork. Also visited the ruins and Sukoke Forest towards Mombasa in a well organised day trip through Hans. The kids loved it with the monkeys.

The things that bugged us. As previously discussed the beach boys were painful at times. They are essentially all trying to make a living but the numbers of them are astounding and all offer the same type of things. Buyer beware as you are seen as a cash cow and prices are hugely inflated so be ready to barter if you take a trip or buy any product. Some can get agitated so be prepared to walk away and be courteous but firm.

Supermarkets. Go to the Italian Supermarket a little out of town as the prices were more competitive here than the 7 to 7. We found this out late in our stay.