Papillon Lagoon Reef

Mombasa, Kenya

Family Room
Garden Room
Beachfront Room
Terrace View
Terrace View
Baobab Restaurant
Family Room
Garden Room
Beachfront Room
Terrace View
Terrace View
Baobab Restaurant

The hotel

This popular hotel is fantastic value, and it's a very relaxing place to spend a week after the thrills of a safari. The centrepiece of the resort is the lovely freeform swimming pool, complete with the all-essential swim-up bar. Surrounding it are colourful tropical gardens that lead to the famous Diani Beach, considered to be one of the best along the Mombasa coast. Why not watch the sun go down with a drink from the beach bar which is open until late! The kids will also be happy with the selection of activities available, such as table tennis, pool, board games plus beach football and volleyball. You can enjoy a game of tennis and try your free sample scuba dive in the pool.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Swimming Pool
  • Children's Pool
  • Babysitting service
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Internet Access
  • Beachfront location
  • Tennis
  • Restaurant
  • Scuba Diving
  • Snorkelling

Where is it

On Diani Beach, south Mombasa. Transfer time from Mombasa Airport: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Hotel information

110 Garden, 16 Family and 24 Beachfront Rooms. All with balcony/patio, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, telephone, safe*, hairdryers and mosquito nets. Family Rooms with garden views, sleep maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

All Inclusive of: buffet breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Local alcoholic drinks including beer, spirits and house wine, soft drinks and selected cocktails served by the glass (there is a charge for premium wines, spirits and à la carte meals). Tennis, plus a free pool scuba demonstration and regular evening entertainment.

Garden Rooms are en-suite with shower only, 1 double bed or twin beds and sleep maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child.

Beachfront Rooms are closer to the sea with lovely views, 4-poster bed, TV, stocked mini-fridge, kettle, shower and bath and sleep maximum 2 adults.

  • Honeymooners: couples receive a bottle of sparkling wine and a fruit platter in their room on arrival. 

Bistro Bar & Restaurant (poolside restaurant offering buffet breakfast, lunch and evening barbecues), Baobab Restaurant (open for buffet dinner). Pool bar and beach bar. Freshwater swimming pool and separate kids' pool. 2 tennis courts. Beach volleyball. PADI dive centre*. Evening entertainment. Indoor kids' play area. Ngutuni overnight safari excursion available*. Laundry service*. Babysitting*. WiFi is availabile in the lobby and guest lounge.

3 nights at all times.

* Denotes local charge.

Ngutuni Excursion option - price from £150 pp.

Day 1: After an early breakfast depart Papillon Lagoon Reef at 5:15am and drive to Tsavo East National Park. Enter at the Bachuma Gate and proceed on a game drive along the River Circuit to Ngutuni Game Reserve and Ngutuni Lodge. Lunch and then return to Tsavo East for an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge at dusk. Dinner and overnight stay at Ngutuni Lodge. (B/L/D)

Day 2: Early morning game drive in Ngutuni's private 10,000 acre game sanctuary. Return to the lodge for breakfast and then continue to Papillon Lagoon Reef arriving in time for lunch.

Dress code: smart casual for dinner. Men must wear collared shirts, long trousers or smart shoes and shoes in the evening. Breakfast and lunch is casual but modestly covered. Sleeveless t-shirts, vests and swim wear may not be worn, however please feel free to wear t-shirts (with sleeves), shorts and beach wraps.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (360)
  • Very good (286)
  • Average (79)
  • Poor (23)
  • Terrible (18)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Must be good, going back in January 2020

Sep 21, 2019 tonydobbo

Had such a great time at this hotel, we have booked a return visit next January. The staff work so hard to look after people and are very friendly. We loved the beach front room(recommended) and the grounds are always kept neat and tidy. Joined in the the fun with the animation team, we look forward to seeing them and other friends we made, when… Read more
Had such a great time at this hotel, we have booked a return visit next January. The staff work so hard to look after people and are very friendly. We loved the beach front room(recommended) and the grounds are always kept neat and tidy. Joined in the the fun with the animation team, we look forward to seeing them and other friends we made, when we return. A good standard of food is provided and drinks available all day. Only downside were the beach boys, which meant we could not take a quiet walk without be pestered. Still can’t have everything 😀 Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Four wonderful days at the hotel

Sep 2, 2019 jujapa2019 Berlin, Germany

I and my niece stayed at the Papillon Lagoon Reef for four days after having toured most of the areas upcountry and we loved it. It was so relaxing to be here with very friendly staff right from the bag carriers, gardeners, waiters, up to the managers. We felt very much welcomed and at home. The staff were always around to offer help and give any… Read more
I and my niece stayed at the Papillon Lagoon Reef for four days after having toured most of the areas upcountry and we loved it. It was so relaxing to be here with very friendly staff right from the bag carriers, gardeners, waiters, up to the managers. We felt very much welcomed and at home. The staff were always around to offer help and give any kind of information needed. The place is amazing with beautiful green garden, very clean big rooms with balcony and we had a bit of sea view, a wide variety of food and drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic. Drinks were available the whole day until at night and I loved the non alcoholic cocktails. The white sand beach is amazing and even though it is not a private beach, it was not crowded. There were a good range of activities offered by the animation team throughout the day which one could join and participate and every evening after dinner there were mainly live shows or performances which lasted for about 1 1/2 hrs and didn't go on till late so that those who needed to go to sleep early could do so without any disturbance. Definately we will go back again next time we travel to the Coast. Justine from Germay. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Beautiful Beach - average hotel

Aug 15, 2019 Vicki B Derby, England, United Kingdom

We stayed here as a family of 6, 2 adults and 4 teens for a week following a week long safari. I would sum this hotel up as 'ok'. my expectations were not too high as we had to work within a budget given the number of us and the safari as well. The rooms were adequate, quite tired, nothing special but ok. The aircon is turned off during the… Read more
We stayed here as a family of 6, 2 adults and 4 teens for a week following a week long safari. I would sum this hotel up as 'ok'. my expectations were not too high as we had to work within a budget given the number of us and the safari as well. The rooms were adequate, quite tired, nothing special but ok. The aircon is turned off during the day so no cool afternoon naps! Water provided on day 1 but after that only available at a charge (in an all inclusive hotel!!) The food is adequate, I was ill for a few days and for about a week when we returned. Nothing especially wrong with it, just rather basic and an issue with flies at lunchtime. Beach is stunning, you will get approached as soon as you set foot on the beach but all friendly. Pool area good, ran out of towels on a few occasions. Entertainment/sports low key which was fine by us! Drinks selection not great and soft drinks very sweet and mostly flat. Monkeys everywhere, do not take food outside! Staff on the whole friendly and helpful although service can be slow. All in all, was ok. no massive issues but no wow factors either. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating If you love monkeys

Aug 14, 2019 carolynandmalcolm Brighton, United Kingdom

On arrival staff were very helpful and friendly, checked in and was show to our room ,some of the rooms a little tired and smelt a bit damp but were very clean and comfortable.food was good and waiters were very friendly and attentive (no women work in this hotel) views of the pool and gardens are very relaxing you can sit by the pool and look at… Read more
On arrival staff were very helpful and friendly, checked in and was show to our room ,some of the rooms a little tired and smelt a bit damp but were very clean and comfortable.food was good and waiters were very friendly and attentive (no women work in this hotel) views of the pool and gardens are very relaxing you can sit by the pool and look at the amazing beach it even has camels. We went back to Kenya for our second time to meet up with our amazing friend julius tact who provides the most amazing trips. You will find him on web Jt safaris Nairobi. Also you can WhatsApp julius on +254 721 769771 you will have the most amazing time in a private car with a dedicated driver we have experienced tsavo east and west ,amboseli and most recent shimba hills. Hotel overall very friendly lovely people.please take part in the aqua aerobics it will be your best time.you can get a little tuck tuck outside the front gate to see julius out the gate turn left down the road on the right hand side.have fun relax and absorb Kenya it will not disappoint you.🦁🐒🦅🦇🐗🦎🦓🐘🦒🦌🐃 Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful Week

Aug 5, 2019 Karen J Chester, United Kingdom

Just returned from a wonderful week relaxing at Papillon Lagoon Reef . The resort is very family friendly with plenty of activities to amuse and entertain the whole family. The location is stunning , with direct access to the fabulous , unspoilt beach . Food is plentiful with a very good range and variety to suit even the pickiest palate . Staff… Read more
Just returned from a wonderful week relaxing at Papillon Lagoon Reef . The resort is very family friendly with plenty of activities to amuse and entertain the whole family. The location is stunning , with direct access to the fabulous , unspoilt beach . Food is plentiful with a very good range and variety to suit even the pickiest palate . Staff are very helpful and friendly. Rooms are traditional style , clean ,well maintained and we had no problems with the ceiling fan during the day and the AC in the evening . WiFi is available ( if needed) although intermittent in places other than the main reception areas but this gave a much needed opportunity to disconnect and spend some quality time together . The grounds are lovely and very well maintained . We accessed a local tour operator , Julius Tours , for a day trip to Shimba Hills where we had a superb experience with a private driver for the day . We saw giraffe, sable antelope , buffalo, warthogs, impala , plenty of birds and butterflies and had great fun trekking to see the waterfall in the park . https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g775870-d10475846-Reviews-Julius_Tours_and_Safaris-Diani_Beach_Ukunda_Coast_Province.html https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294207-d318009-Reviews-Julius_Tact_Safaris-Nairobi.html All in all , we had a fabulous time and would happily return for a longer stay in the future . Read less