Hotel reviews: Papillon Lagoon Reef

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

At the time of our visit (November 2006), the ToTo Club, alloted to children, was closed for repair works after a child had an accident. It is now open for children aged 4 to 12 years, from Monday to Friday. Children attending the club will certainly be pleased to observe the activities of the three land turtles that live in the hotel.
Even though the garden is considerably less abundant than in other hotels, it still preserves the second largest baobab in Kenya, nearly 500 years old.
You will find here numerous European customers but there are also people of other nationalities: for example, people from Australia or South Africa.
Smokers will be happy to find a room in the restaurant entirely alloted to them.
Fans of seabed may take diving lessons organised in the swimming pool in the morning.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The Papillon Lagoon Reef has a vast hall in local colours. Two large jars installed at the entrance open into the corridor leading to the reception area, which is quite dark. Small parlours are scattered behind lime columns, the furniture is all made of wood. The place exudes an African ambience. Moreover, the lobby gives the impression of being on an island: it is surrounded by a large fish pond.
This concept continues all along the path that leads to the swimming pool. Several pools are connected to one another. By the swimming pool, deckchairs and towels are made available. Children can swim safely in the pool that is alloted to them.
During our visit, the roofs of the different common areas were being redone. By now it should have been completed.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

Accommodations are arranged in one building. A total of 119 rooms are housed on the ground and first floors. There are 25 cottages whose rooms overlook the garden, 18 rooms that have a sea view and 76 that have a view of the swimming pool and the garden. All rooms have a terrace or a balcony furnished with two chairs and a coffee table. However, there is a mini-bar and a television only in the superior rooms.
The standard room has window blinds that have the disadvantage of not being completely hermetic. The imitation ceiling beams and the flowered curtains give a touch of colour to the room. Here, African style predominates: carved wood furniture, wallpaper and bed lamps representing Maasai faces. A mosquito net is hung over the double bed. The room has a safe (for a fee) and a telephone line but you will need to go to the reception to make an international call. Some rooms are connected to one another, an advantage for families.
Finally, the hotel provides room-service, but only during the day, from 10.30am to 5.30pm.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

At the Papillon Lagoon Reef, breakfast and lunch take place at the Zig Zag Restaurant. It is open from 7.30am to 10.00am and from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. You can also have tea there from 4.00pm to 5.00pm.
However, dinner will be served at the Baobab Restaurant from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Served buffet-style, the cuisine is international. An African evening party is organised twice a week. Large Masai statues and paintings of local landscapes decorate the room. Some stickers representing butterflies are displayed on the windows, to remind one of the emblem of the hotel.
The Pool Bar enables customers to have a drink while sitting in the water. The bar is in the swimming pool, the counter is almost at water level. As for the Beach Bar, it is ideal for quietly watching the changing colours of the sky at sunset.

• Z Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The hotel has created an elevated space, higher than the beach, to prevent customers from being disturbed by beach boys that are many around here. It is quite unfortunate that you cannot install your deckchair along the shore. Yet, there is an access to the beach to enjoy the Indian Ocean a bit.
It is impossible to swim at low tide. You have to wait for high tide. The latter leaves numerous algae. The coral reef is not very far from the shore. It is therefore preferable, for those with fragile feet, to bathe with sandals so as not to get injured on dead coral.
The sailing club is located at the far end of the beach: it offers all kinds of activities such as diving, but also a tour in a glass-bottomed boat.