Billionaires spend Sh100m in Malindi
Mr Flavio Briatore arrives with his family for a holiday in Malindi. The family was driven to their Lion in the Sun Spa soon after Mr Briatore’s private jet landed at Malindi Airport . Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
- Building Sh500 million Billionaire Resort starts in March
The just-ended festive season was an economic windfall for the tourist haven of Malindi.
It is estimated that tourists spent more than Sh100 million in the town.
Malindi hosted lavish spending billionaires for the holidays and had a series of distinctive parties and disco nights known as The Billionaire Happy Hour and The Billionaire Night.
It was merry-making throughout as Italian billionaire Flavio Briatore entertained friends and guests who either stayed in his luxurious Lion in the Sun Resort in the posh Casuarina residential area, or in other private residences and hotels.
Mr Briatore launched the now famous Fun Time in Malindi that went on every Sunday at the beach.
The Lion in the Sun Spa won the coveted annual Tatler Award 2010 “Best Spa in the World — Life Changing” award.
Guests were invited through the Billionaire Life cards, each costing Sh1,500 per head.
“The admission charge includes finger food and first drink,” read the invitation cards.
Guests included Italian Princess Emmanuele Filiberto, who stayed for 10 days at Kilifi Baharini Hotel and went on a one-day safari with Mr Briatore in his luxurious yatch at Malindi Marine Park.
Others were two Italian members of Parliament, Mr Ferdinando Adornato and Mr Lorenzo Cesa. Mr Cesa is said to have since bought a house in Mayungu, Malindi.
Also on the guests list was Italian popular TV news presenter Cesara Buonamic, who works for Channel 5 owned by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Italian photographer Tiziana Luxardo also came visiting.
Local personalities included Inter Milan soccer player McDonald Mariga, who stayed for one week in the luxurious Maridadi House along Casuarina Road.
Mr Briatore announced the planned Sh500 million Billionaire Resort whose construction is expected to start in March.
“The Billionaire Resort is coming soon on the beautiful Lion in the Sun beach close to Marine Park, Malindi,” read some cards. The information added, the resort will be “exclusive, fully serviced luxury apartment-complex with panoramic ocean views”.
Sources said Mr Mariga will act as the link between a Malindi youth, Charles Bruno, who plays for Harambee Stars U-17 and who Inter Milan FC has shown great interest in.
Bruno went to Italy for the World Football Show between December 8 and 18 through coach Ricardo Botta of Malindi Academy Football Club and impressed its managers.
