To be fair, Villa Raymond isn’t exactly new. And it’s no secret spot, either; the incredible reviews on Trip Advisor clearly show it’s a favourite for many holiday makers. But this stunning holiday villa we recently visited has gotten a complete luxury overhaul, and it’s now at the top of our preferred holiday villas in Diani..

A couple of months ago, we touched base with Anita, a lady whose company provides more luxurious hospitality than anything I’ve experienced. Her invitation led to six members of the Karen Inside Out team on SGR (for the first time for all of us), that weekend. The experience was way better than the online SGR reviews we had read. Pick up was organised, the drive was smooth and we arrived just in time.

It was sunset. I watched with an unwavering gaze, as the perfect disc shaped sun dyed the heavens first orange, then red, then dark blue. The pool water gleamed in the last rays of the dying sun. It was magical. I found myself staring at the lustrous grounds and the tasteful villa, basking in warm rays and colour.

The manager, Boniface, and Ruwa (the chef), were absolute stars from the word go. While Ruwa was eager to present the pre-ordered meal, Boniface took us round first.

Sometimes villas can be almost too flashy to relax in. Not this one. Villa Raymond is by all definitions exclusive, with a clean-cut polished look, designer furniture, its spacious areas practically designed- but the contemporary look does not get in the way of comfort.

You walk into an atmosphere of soothing luxury with none of the hushed pomposity often prevalent in high end hotels-you happily just check in and switch off for the duration. The overall effect is the feel that everything is slotted effortlessly into place, with indoor elegance matching with outdoor style and sophistication.

The exclusive structure of the Villa really sells it. Besides the chic, decked pool, there’s a manicured garden, custom-designed for holidaying, with family-friendliness in mind. Light, airy and characterful, the villa offers superb comforts due to the perfect daytime and night time zones layout. The kitchen, dining, lounge, pool and the barbeque area are perfectly linked, but also well separated, allowing guests to make the most of the warm and pleasant climate!

The large and beautiful outdoor kitchen facing the pool is truly world class, featuring the latest in design and finishing. Whether your culinary expertise is limited or you’re an accomplished chef, you’re provided with everything you’ll need in the kitchen. State-of-the-art appliances and devices feature, as well as quality utensils, crockery and cutlery. It is also linked to the dining area, which is furnished with a spectacularly large wooden table, and a matching bench that really define the space. There’s also a chic mini lounge- complete with a flat screen TV, books and well picked games.

Creating the perfect stylish interior is all down to the finer details, and a fusion between elegance and comfort. Well, the bedrooms are a sophisticated sanctuary, combined with a serenity that makes them a haven of tranquillity, and they blend effortlessly with the outdoors. They are simple, elegant and uncluttered, but you still get all the mod cons and high tech touches you’d expect in a modern luxury villa. Chill out on the comfy sofa (one of these sofas converts into a double bed) with a film on 65” Smart TV in the master suite, or use the Bluetooth speakers to fill the room with your favourite music. Soak up in the wine red designer stand-alone bathtub or take a quick shower before checking out the luxurious four poster bed, with beautiful soft cotton linens. Cushions not only match the décor, but are also plush and comfortable.

The guest room is light, airy and lofty, with light curtains that flit prettily on the warm breeze.

We had an alfresco dinner that evening. Ruwa presented a satisfying selection of delicious salads, fresh sea food, and melt-in-your-mouth ice cream.

The next morning, I had my first coffee while sitting in the pool with my colleagues, admiring the sun’s glimmering rays, totally getting spoilt with treats while watching the latest comedy on TV and of course, making plans for the evening.

We still had 3 days to go, so most of our first afternoon was spent sun bathing, reading, napping and practising our photography skills. It was the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with the simpler things in life and it’s hard to imagine a more laid-back yet sophisticated and exclusive retreat than Villa Raymond. Besides, the villa is small enough to make each guest feel special.

Look at these striking photos, can you blame us for extending our stay and missing our Monday meetings!

Fact File

Villa Raymond is located deep in the pristine corners of Diani, offering not only unrivalled coast holiday experience, but it’s also a place where privacy prevails as the utmost extravagance.

This is one of the most luxurious holiday villas in Diani. It features futuristic design and decadent furnishings.
It is primarily self-catering. The chef is arranged on request.

Its features include a stunning swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, gazebo, barbecue, impressive flat screen TVs, home theatre system, alarm, free fast Wi-Fi (bring your laptop or smart phone), and all the comforts you need to make this your home away from home.

You can access the beach in only a few minutes from the villa.

You can expect excellent and personalised service with house staff who will happily attend to your every need.
The itinerary, customised by Villa Raymond, gives guests a chance to relish local delicacies and visit nearby attractions.

Little touches like daily fresh market supplies, sun downers and night swims make a stay at Villa Raymond truly special.

We would recommend at least 3 days stay at Villa Raymond.

The Villa is perfect for family getaways, reunions, intimate weddings, small corporate events, or a group holiday.
You can check out packages and more information on their website- www.villaraymond.com or call 0712 329 327 for reservations.

Few places would dare to promise you “the best things in the world,” but then, few places have the artistic flair or the sweeping geographical reach of House of Treasures. To walk through the large antique door boasting an intricate design is to enter an ancient and exotic world; a world where the continents not so much collide as weave together in a stunning tapestry of aesthetic wonder and pure, unalloyed pleasure.

Tucked away in the quiet canopied area along Dagoretti road, Karen, opposite The Hub, House of Treasures is the brainchild of mother and daughter team, Janet Hurt and Sasha Horner, who have been quietly travelling the world in search of treasure. They have trawled the antique markets and bazaars of Africa, Asia, Latin America- from the markets of Timbuktu, the souks of Samarkand to the bazaars of Bali to bring Nairobians a true ‘one-stop shop’, filling it literally floor to ceiling with an exquisite and eclectic selection of merchandise.

And what treasures! From startling beautiful jewellery to antique furniture, no treasure hunter worth his salt will remain unmoved here. From the moment you walk into the main gallery, you enter a whirl of exquisite craftsmanship and head-spinning beauty. And of course, an inevitable personal whirl of ‘wouldn’t that look great in my living room’ temptation.

The place is so well laid out that you will find it easy to explore as you feast your eyes literally on hundreds of gift ideas. An extravagance of concepts occupies the cavernous store- inspiring magic and fantasy- two floors devoted to jewellery and designer apparel, soft furnishings, decorative furniture and an original choice of well-priced home accessories.

The emporium showcases the latest collections from House of Treasures, Secret Garden, Decor Interiors, Hilary Hurt Photography, Sally Dudmesh jewellery, Bush Princess, Deepa Shah, Penny Winter, La Palette, Snug & Swoon, Kitengela Glass, Amy Sandys-Lumsdaine, Indian Ocean Creations, Mongoose Designs, The Velvet Room, Maasai Collections, Aman, Che Shale Beach Life, Riley Rats, Terry Bears, Pilgrim, Mango Patch, Shake the Tree, Sandfish, Ocean Pearls, Beth O’Connell, Seedling Lights, Art Coco, Kenya Kanga and Harriet Stanes.

Having collaborated with local designers, House of Treasures can now source not only unusual and exotic goods from around the globe, but an extensive range of locally produced goods; modern furniture, architectural pieces, innovative and contemporary fashion and jewellery Africana artefacts, art and photography, stunning fabrics & an outstanding variety of household accessories.

Remarkably, the treasures you will find here are affordable! As Sasha likes to put it, there’s something for everyone! While the antique chests, centenarian cots and fantastical palace-ware do go for relatively princely sums, there is much here that’s well within reach for us ordinary mortals. From fine brass candlesticks to bulbous silver fruit bowls, beautiful brass ships’ lamps and glass ‘mosque lanterns’ to old wooden wheels mounted on cast-iron stems, The House of Treasures has a quirky artefact, a dramatic adornment or a dazzling antique to brighten even the dullest setting.

And then there are several homemaking ‘musts’ that will give your house a comfortable lift and a classy, worldly-wise look for a handful of shillings; brass and silver–plated shells from Bali, cushion covers embroidered with gold threads from India, double-woven cotton hammocks from Mexico, scented herbal candles from Tanzania, giant coconut-shell ice buckets, recycled paper photo albums, mother-of-pearl salad spoons and chopsticks- the list is as extensive as it is exotic.

The fashion side of things is just as comprehensive, from free flowing Indian Lunghis to classically funky garments by renowned designers, as well as a wide range of hand embroidered cotton shirts and exclusive men pieces.

And if you’re in the market for a six-figure olivewood bed, you’ll definitely need some Conran sheets or an embroidered Hermes counterpane with matching cushions to go with it. While the Hurts cannot promise you the actual brand labels, they have had considerable success tracing down the suppliers of many of the same fabrics sold by the big fashion houses- Kenzo, Versace, Mulberry, Armani- and can offer you several items currently appearing in Europe’s high streets- at a fraction of the price. Moreover, the pair is passionate about interior design and should you need advice on setting up your home, or are seeking unique, one-off pieces of furniture- such as a 100 year old wooden rocking crib, environmentally- sound African tables and beds, or a chandelier from the palace of a Maharajah, you need look no further.

House of Treasures is far from simply a vanity fair for wealthy residents and Nairobi expatriates feathering their new nests. Lodge and restaurant owners looking to upgrade their décor will find a host of new exciting ideas here- from ornately carved Rajashtani doors and pillars to a wide variety of creative sisal furniture and lighting from Décor Interiors. And tour operators could do no better than bring their guests here, to browse the extensive selection of ‘olde Africana’- ceremonial Dinka corsets, Toposa Buffalo- hide shields, pipes made from Sudanese rifle cartridges- local fabrics and hand-thrown pottery.

And anyone getting married would certainly get their new life-and their new home- off to a comfortable start if they were to place their wedding list at House of Treasures. Surely even one’s tightest friends would stretch to one of those wonderful Mexican hammocks…..

This November the 25th, House of  Treasures will be having a Christmas Auction from 3pm – 8pm. The auction will be followed by the launch of their new Christmas collections of furniture, fashion, home décor, jewellery, Christmas decorations and gift ideas from 5pm.

There’ll be varied and enticing items to be auctioned; from carved furniture & architecture pieces to be beautiful home décor items; group games to spoiling Christmas hampers; exciting plane tickets to divine jewellery; enchanting beach & bush weekend packages to superb paintings; healthy yoga & Pilates packages to romantic dinners; gorgeous fashion & fashion accessories to intricate chandeliers; beautiful bronzes to pampering beauty treatments and secret Santa stockings to alternative naughty gifts.

Private viewing will be possible from the 23rd of November up until the auction starts.

House of Treasures is located at No.70 Dagoretti Road, less than half a kilometer from Karen Roundabout.
For more information, email,
info@treasures.com and be sure to check out www.treasureskenya.com

Shifaz Pets Care
Location: Village Market next to the roof top parking

Shifaz Pets Care is a veterinarian owned and managed pet shop affiliated with Shifaz Veterinary Clinic. It is truly a one stop shop for pet owners and animal lovers. Whether you are looking for supplies for your dog, cat, bird, fish, or ferret, here you will find high quality pet supplies and pet food from respected brands such as Royal Canin at very competitive prices.

The Pet House – Kenya
The Pet House understands that their customers view their pets as members of the family and believe they deserve the same level of care and comfort.

They also realize that in today’s world, their customers’ lives are filled with competing demands for their time. To help make caring for their pets a little easier, they have an online store that is designed to be quick and easy to use.

Goods bought are dispatched within 48 hours and they guarantee that each order is packed with care. You can now buy all your favorite pet products online and have them conveniently delivered to your door.

Petz Furever Limited
Location: Chandarana Supermarket – Muthaiga

Petz Furever Limited stocks a variety of cat and dog supplies that you would require before you buy pets and bring them home. These pet products include food for puppies and kittens, poop scoopers, dog accessories, water dishes, beds and bedding. They also stock a variety of toys for the pets.

It can be found in Chandarana Supermarket Located in Yaya Centre, Chandarana Supermarket in Muthaiga (Mobile Plaza), Chandarana Supermarket in Lavington Green and Chandarana Supermarket in ABC Plaza on Waiyaki Way, Westlands.
Pets Centre Veterinary Clinic Kenya
Location: Muthaiga Shopping Center

Pets Centre Veterinary Clinic is a modern Private Veterinary Center which is accredited and licensed by the Kenya Veterinary Board to offer Veterinary clinical, hospital, and ambulatory services. It is a one-stop- shop for all your veterinary needs and they have invested in hiring the most qualified and extremely experienced veterinary surgeons. The surgeons are assisted by highly trained animal nurses who ensure that your pet receives the most humane treatment while at the clinic.

The VIP Spa
Location: Kitusuru Rd, 2.5 D first gate on
the right

The ultimate retreat for the pampered pet specially designed to provide a safe haven in which pets can be groomed, indulged and revitalized. VIP is designed to have premier care for every kind of pet. The VIP team is all animal lovers to the bone. Their kennels have been designed for the home comfort that pets are used to… with added love and lots of fun.

Their services include: Coat Maintenance Grooms, Show Cuts, Wash, Nail Clipping and Filing, Ear cleaning and Hair removal, Tear Stain Lightening, Facial Tidy Up, Teeth Brushing and Mouth Wash, Anal Gland Expressing and SPA Treatments.

By Miriam Kimani

You already know that sushi is good for you.

Ingredients
5 sheets nori
2 cups sushi rice (check this recipe out separately)
2 ounces sushi-grade tuna, cut into1/4 by 1/2 by 3-inch strips
2 ounces sushi-grade salmon, cut into1/4 by 1/2 by 3-inch strips
1 cucumber
1 carrot, peeled
1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

Directions

Place a nori sheet lengthwise on a bamboo rolling mat, shiny-side down. Position the sheet about 1-inch from the edge of the mat closest to you and leave some of the bamboo mat exposed on either side of the nori sheet.

Wet your hands in cool water and take a handful of sushi rice. Place the rice in the center of the nori and use your fingers to spread the rice evenly over the nori.

Be sure to leave a 3/4-inch strip of nori uncovered on the far side.

Place tuna strips and some cucumber or avocado along the center of the rice. Be careful not to overfill the nori.

Place your fingertips over the fillings to hold them in place.

Then, use your thumbs to lift up the edge of the bamboo rolling mat closest to you.

Begin rolling the mat away from you, while applying pressure to the fillings to keep the roll firm. Roll the mat over slowly until it covers the rice and the near and far sides of rice join, still leaving the 3/4-inch strip of nori, rice-free, exposed.

While holding the bamboo mat in position, apply pressure to the roll with your fingers to make the roll firm.
Slice the roll in half, then cut both rolls twice to make 6 equal sized pieces.

Repeat this process with the salmon and various fillings, nori and rice.