Well we have booked again to stay at the papillon , as we love it so much. can't wait. 3 weeks of bliss. peace and quiet. stayed here now 11 times, and can't fault it. so friendly and laid back which i look for in a holiday. no music around the pool all day. heaven. swim up bar in great pool lovely gardens overlooking the sea. pure white beach, monkeys , baboons, monitor lizards, exotic birds flying overhead , need i go on. huge baobobs. colobus monkeys sit in the biggest one in the area. small hotel two stories,,thatched roofs. 119 rooms. but very well spread out. a great feeling of space. staff and food very good. rex resorts also own ngutuni lodge which you can book at the papillon. fantastic place. anyway go try for yourselves, you won't be dissapointed.

I first visited Pappilon in 2002, I was going there for the next 5 years atleast once a year or sometimes twice a year. Both my sons 9 and 4 know the hotel as our holiday home. In the past 3 years I deceided to sample other hotels on our Kenyan coast, Nothing soo far has matched Pappilon it's been like being away from home. The staff are great, food excellent, pool clean and rooms perfect, the animation team takes the day headed by George. The only down side is 2 years ago I made a reservation with a group of 6 families I wanted them to appreciate what they were missing. My booking was cancelled the last minute and I was forced is to look for alternative hotel which was no where near Pappilon, my family was unhappy. I hope this year I wont be dissapointed cauz I intend to spend my holiday there, Julius the assistant manager is great guy as well as George the animator and the chef and the waiters. This is a home away from home for my family and we miss it and all the staff. Tony Kariri

A great location after a safari. Good service always with smile. Even the monkeys smile as they steal your drink! Diving at your doorstep and with a bit of luck you will see a whale shark amongst many other reef inhabitants. We look forward to going back this December for a good chill out!!

Managment very rude if you have a problem.
No entertainment for children. Only one member of staff on at night at the bar, and he leaves to get clean cups. Showers dirty.
Beach boys will not leave you alone.

The Hotel is everything other writers say - very pleasant - good value - staff are wonderful - my tour organiser was Sofie - great service too! Loved the vegetables and food in general - long lovely days of peace. My drivers to and from the airport were friendly and willing to answer my questions about the country and its people. I learned much. As to the beach "boys" - I would say this. I went out and made friends with them. They are just trying to make a living, which is more like making SURVIVAL - I bugeted for this and went prepared to spend money on the beach to support these people, being as I am from South Africa and I know the conditions people in Africa face.
I found Edward, a crafty salesman,the front man (I think), but we both understood that I was over paying for my goods with a good heart - it's better than charity, purchasing. And these men are not boys! They are men, with pride, but desperate need. And besides the personalised key rings and plaques they sell are fabulously well received by famly and friends at home - even in South Africa where we have our own crafters. African men are not boys! It is such an insult to call them that. And Young Ali Mahumed Mwasalimu is a 25 year old lad, my daugher's age, became a fabulous friend. Like a good son he was. He became my "body guard" and was teased mercilessly by the other men on the beach. I have a bad leg and he walked with me, slowly, slowly - poli-poli was the sound of the words he used, and I was grateful to have him to talk to. He told me about the country, the people, the need, the situation in the country and I learned much from him. He assisted me to have a ride in the African boat which is carved from a Mango tree, and helped me with my leg in and out of the boat. I only had $200 to "donate" to the beach in exchange for gifts and friendship. Not a bad deal, I don't think. As foreigners we come to these marvellous locations and, as one British guest said, "we turn a blind eye to the conditions of the people so as not to spoil our holidays," and I think that is a great shame. I do not go with whole sale aid to Africa, but we can budget a little of our affluence to trade with men who are doing the best they can with what they have. One mad said of the tourists: "They think we are not human." How sad that we give them this impression. So, do not be afraid of the men on the beach. They are traders. So trade. Spread your budget evenly amongst the stalls and you will not be overly harrassed. It is their job to try to get you to buy. "We do not force anyone to buy. It is a deal, or no deal. That is all." Enjoy this paradise. The sea is warm, the Kenyans are marvellously friendly and helpful people. The food is good and the rooms are cool, clean and good places to rest in. The beer is light and all drinks are included. A full body massage is fabulous! Rosamarie is great. Manicures and henna tattos are also available. I had the lot. My hands still have faint outlines of pretty flowers on them and I will go back next year. Some guests bring the clothes they no longer need and leave them for the staff. Pens are in short supply too. So bring something to leave behind. Blessings and good things to you all.

Perfect hotel for a peaceful getaway, we have stayed here 6 times now. Usually Dec-Jan. which to my mind are the best months. Not overcrowded. Only 119 rooms. Most overlooking gardens and pool area. Or seafront. Which I don't recommend if you want to go to bed before midnight. As they are close to the bar and music. We love it here and call it our second home. Very clean, good food. Staff are lovely. We have made lots of friends. Superb pool overlooking beach. Swim up bar. If you like entertainment in the daytime then this hotel is not for you. No music around pool in daytime which is fantastic. This is one reason why we like it so much. A place to chill out, and listen to the birds and watch the numerous Vervet monkeys playing in the grounds. Plus at teatime the baboons walk through the grounds. The beach is heavenly, but beware the beach boys, they can be a pest. Just be firm with them and they will leave you alone. The hotel is quite a way from the shopping areas, you need taxis, or if you dare use the matatus, local minibuses. We do it's only 20 Kenyan shillings each way. A taxi cost £7 each way. A big difference. I certainly recommend this hotel above all the others. It's not 5 star. But hey you only need a clean bed and shower. It's very adequate and comfortable. Go on give it a try I promise you won't be disappointed, unless you go in the rainy seasons. The owners are present there a lot of the time. They are Sri Lankan but live in surrey. But I think they prefer to spend more time at the Papillion. They also own a few hotels in the Caribbean. And rhino safaris. Which are great. We always use them, particularly. Francis Mwana, (guide). He's tops with us. Anyway I could go on and on. Hope this review helps. Don't forget to try a safari, best booked through rhino when you arrive it's cheaper and you can choose when you want to go. Also you can have a minibus exclusive to yourselves for another £20 or so. Well worth it. Believe me. Personal guide. Fantastic. ENJOY...

I've been going there for the last 4 years during Easter Hoildays. It is a perfect place for the Holiday. Very hospitable staff, good clean rooms, enough actvities for the whole family and the price includes beer, great food. No need to carry cash. It's small enough to get that personal touch that lacks in big hotels yet it's big enough to meet all sorts of people (for those who love socializing) I will be going there this easter again(if they manage to get me a room) it's already fully booked for the hoildays, Many thanks to the management and staff for making my family and I home away from home especially Assitant manager Julius.