As I looked toward the clear blue Indian Ocean, past swaying palm trees and thatched roof gazebos, the view reminded me of the Caribbean — until a camel loped down the beach, toting tourists on its back. Yes, I was in Africa — specifically, about six miles north of Mombasa at The Nyali International Beach Hotel, located (no surprise) on Nyali Beach.

Decorating details at the resort were delightful, from the Mid-Century Modern white plastic lampshades to the brilliant turquoise upholstery to the shiny steel gray “quilted” headboard. A mosquito netting was artfully hung from the ceiling, although I left it draped behind the headboard. No need for it this close to the Indian Ocean, where the breezes tend to whisk away the biting bugs. Even so, I kept the sliding screen doors to the patio closed.

Sometimes resort designers try to be too chic for their own good, however. Where they were spot-on in the guest room, they missed their marks in the bathroom. In addition to really bad lighting over the sink, the shower was the kind where you can’t reach the controls and turn it on without getting drenched at whatever temperature the water comes out. The fixed glass wall enclosed less than half the stall, so lots of water splashed all over the rest of the bathroom.

Because I didn’t buy a full-board rate (I was staying just one night), I had lunch in the resort’s open-to-the-public eatery, called Aqua. Probably just as well, because the evening buffet dinner was just average, and the morning buffet breakfast included distinctly stale baked goods. To my surprise, chicken gizzards were among the hot offerings that morning.