Papillon Lagoon Reef Hotel

Hotels
7.8 (554 reviews)
Diani Beach, Diani , Diani Beach , KE

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities
WiFi available
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Fitness center
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Excellent beachfront/oceanfront location and beautiful gardens
Friendly and helpful staff (housekeeping praised)
Clean pools and sun loungers; daily towel/linen service
Strong entertainment programme and family-friendly activities
Good value for money reported by several guests
Cons:
Rooms aging/outdated; some lack fridge and TV
Food sometimes lacks variety or is inconsistent
Front desk/reception reported as abrupt or rude by some guests
Occasional wildlife issues (monkeys taking food; hawks on the beach)
Some facilities small or dated (gym); occasional awkward housekeeping timing

Categories

Cleanliness
8.5
Rooms reported as clean with daily towel changes and clean pools; occasional timing issues with housekeeping (arriving too early) and some wear in bathrooms.
Service
8.2
Staff frequently described as friendly, helpful and attentive (housekeeping praised, support for early check-outs), though a few reports note abrupt or rude reception staff.
Location
9.2
Consistently praised: beachfront/oceanfront setting, white sand beaches, beautiful gardens and easy beach access — a standout strength of the property.
Room Quality
6.5
Mixed reports: some rooms described as cute and comfortable, but multiple mentions of outdated/battered rooms, ageing bathrooms and missing in-room amenities (no fridge/TV in some rooms).
Amenities
8
Strong entertainment programme, pools, gardens and beach facilities; sun loungers and pool areas well regarded. Some facility negatives (small/old gym, limited room amenities).
Value for Money
8.5
Several guests called it excellent or amazing value given location and included offerings; generally perceived as good value for what is provided.
Food and Beverage
7
Food received mixed feedback: many found buffet-style offerings good or tasty, while others noted limited variety or criticized specific meals.
Overall Experience
6.5
Overall stays were enjoyable with friendly staff and great location, but issues like outdated rooms, occasional rude reception, wildlife/hawk problems and some food monotony tempered the overall impression.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-08-14 10:50

Property Description

Luxurious Beachfront Setting
Set on Diani Beach, Papillon Lagoon Reef offers a picturesque escape with stunning views of the Indian Ocean from the outdoor pool, beach bar, and restaurant terrace.

Diverse Dining Options
Indulge in a culinary journey at the Baobab buffet restaurant serving Kenyan and international dishes or enjoy breakfast and lunch at the Poolside Bistro Restaurant. Don't forget to grab a drink at the swim-up pool bar!

Abundance of Activities
From diving and tennis to massages and evening entertainment, this hotel provides a wide range of activities for guests of all ages. Plus, the convenient location allows easy access to shopping and exploring in Diani and Mombasa.

Ready to experience paradise at Papillon Lagoon Reef? Book your stay now for an unforgettable beachfront getaway!

Important information:

You must show a valid photo ID and credit card upon check-in. The name on the credit card must match the name of one of the guests.

If the credit card is declined or invalid, or if a booking is made for arrival the following day or weekend arrivals, you may be asked to pay upon check-in.

Please note that all special requests cannot be guaranteed and are subject to availability upon check-in. Additional charges may apply.

Guests are requested to dress smart casual for dinner,long trousers and shoes.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

7.8
Based on 554 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.5
Service: 8.2
Location: 9.2
Room Quality: 6.5
Amenities: 8
Value for Money: 8.5
Food and Beverage: 7
Overall Experience: 6.5
T
Tanyaradzwa • family_with_children • zw
6
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Food and shower

2026-10-24 • via Nuitee
C
Clément • family_with_children • yt
4
Agréable séjour mais escrocs !!!!
Pros:

Accès plage, piscine agréable, buffet de qualité.

Cons:

Le service lingerie a détruit mes habits avec des tâches d'huile : aucun geste si ce n'est le non paiement du service.
Plus de 300 euros d'habits bons à jeter et aucune compensation !!
L'hotel nous a obligé à payer le dernier repas de midi, nous a bloqué à la barriere de sécurité.
Impossible de voir un manager digne de ce nom, le réceptionniste qui rigole devant le problème présenté. Fin de séjour chaotique, c'était notre deuxième fois dans cet hôtel et nous n'y remettrons plus les pieds !

2026-10-21 • via Nuitee
V
Vincent M • family_with_children • ke
6
Pros:

The sandy beach and the pool activities

Cons:

Check in process too slow

2026-10-21 • via Nuitee
J
Jane • family_with_children • at
8
2026-10-21 • via Nuitee
N
Nyogondo • extended_group • de
9
Just amaizing
Pros:

Next to the beach , all clean and very accommodating. It was worth the money.

Cons:

The bar mann Shaban was not very friendly with the customers otherwise all other workers war very good and always smiling… vivian, Mitchell,betty,Felix said all of them

2026-10-20 • via Nuitee
T
Thomas • extended_group • be
10
2026-10-20 • via Nuitee
A
Alex • couple • nl
8
Het was een zeer mooi verblijf en zou er zo weer heen gaan.
Pros:

De tuinen waren prachtig, het is was goed en het personeel was zeer vriendelijk

Cons:

De pooltafel en tafeltennistafel waren in zeer slechte staat.

2026-10-16 • via Nuitee
N
Nilmo2019 • family_with_children • ca
7
2026-10-16 • via Nuitee
P
paul • couple • ug
7
Stay was really good and enjoyable
Pros:

The location was amazing and the breakfast was really good

Cons:

Bathrooms need modification

2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
S
Snezhana • couple • be
9
Very good place for beach vacation in Kenya
Pros:

The garden of the hotel, the pool restaurant, the beach are excellent.

Cons:

There were no mosquitos nets on the windows.

2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
H
Hussein • family_with_children • ke
9
2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
F
Fatima • solo_traveller • gb
9
Pros:

Everything was nice and the staff was helpful 😌

Cons:

The beach boys trying to sell things. The beach boys asking for money even if u don't want to but anything

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
R
Reuben • couple • us
8
It was a great experience
Pros:

Cleanliness and fine meals

Cons:

NA

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
M
Matthew • extended_group • gb
8
Cons:

Repetitive food

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
A
Anton • family_with_children • ua
10
Pros:

Very comfortable family rooms .
Amazing location.
Super nice hotel crew !!!!)

Cons:

Old furniture, mosquito nets with holes, no mosquito repellents .

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
M
Michelle • solo_traveller • au
9
Fantastic holiday .
Pros:

Friendly helpful staff
Great variety of food and activities
Location

Cons:

Maybe bigger bedding in the rooms

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
K
kevin • couple • de
10
The perfect birthday location 🤌
Pros:

Beachfront views, Friendly Staff, Ambience

Cons:

Nothing to complain about.

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
C
Claire Diphoorn • family_with_children • nl
7
Pros:

Good size and clean

Cons:

We asked for our room to be next to the kids and this was not granted despite making the request months in advance. I also had to pay for a fridge to keep my medication!

2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • solo_traveller • de
7
2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
C
Chiara • couple • it
8
Esperienza rilassante
Pros:

Struttura molto bella e ben curata, veramente rilassante!
Cibo molto buono e vario

Cons:

Wi-Fi debole, dovrebbe essere potenziato, soprattutto nelle stanze.
Cibo buono, dovrebbero proporre più alternative per chi mangia colazione dolce

2026-09-11 • via Nuitee