An Italian Billionaire's Kenyan Retreat

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Jan 1st 2010 at 3:02PM

For the most part Kenya isn't seen as the spot for a luxurious seaside retreat but billionaire Flavio Briatore might be changing all that. Briatore and his wife were recently in Malindi, Kenya and Briatore owns a resort in the area, Lion in the Sun. The resort was once Briatore's private retreat but it is now a hotel that includes the ThalaSpa Henri Chenot which offers spa treatments and a biolight diet for those looking to drop a few pounds. Rates start around 300 euros a night.

Briatore has been going to Malindi for years and is bullish on the future of the area as a playground for the world's elite. Briatore has a lot invested in the area and seems to also take an interest in the local citizenry. He has donated food and other items to the poor in the area (a NY Times story from 2008 had Briatore strolling down the beach handing out money). He believes that the area is now safe and that is most important for his luxury-loving guests. Certainly the pictures of Briatore and his pregnant wife Elisabetta Gregoraci enjoying a warm weather winter holiday won't be bad for business.

Tags: flavio briatore, FlavioBriatore, kenya, malindi