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4- and 5-star hotels in Watamu
A shortlist of 4- and 5-star hotels in Watamu, on Kenya's north coast in Kilifi County. It is for travellers who want to sleep close to the Watamu Marine National Park and the lagoon, with guest ratings from 3.9 to 4.7 out of 5 behind them.
Staying in Watamu
Watamu is a village on the north coast of Kenya, in Kilifi County, south of Malindi. The Watamu Marine National Park protects the reef and the lagoon, Mida Creek is a tidal inlet beside the village, and the Arabuko Sokoke Forest and the Gede ruins, a medieval Swahili town, are nearby. People come to stay close to the marine park and the forest, and the roughly 425 km straight-line distance from Nairobi is covered by road.
These 15 hotels sit along the village's beach and inland roads: Turtle Bay Road and Watamu Beach Road on the coast side, Jacaranda Road and Watamu Road behind them, Palm Garden Road inland, and Kilulu Island and Kirepwe Ecco off the main strip. The top-rated, Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 at 4.7, suits couples, while Medina Palms, Garoda Resort and Seven Islands Resort, with the most reviews, suit families and longer stays. Business visitors and short-break travellers get a compact choice of 4- and 5-star addresses.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Medina Palms
Turtle Bay Road, Mombasa
Why stay hereMedina Palms is a 5-star address on Turtle Bay Road and the most reviewed hotel on this Watamu shortlist, with 751 guest reviews and a rating of 4.6 out of 5. Travellers who want the highest classification in town alongside a proven, widely tested standard of service will find it here. Choose it if a 5-star setting and a strong guest record matter more to you than a smaller, quieter property.
See Medina PalmsKilulu Luxury Island Watamu
Kilulu Island Off Turtle Bay Road Blue Bay Road Blue Bay Marine
Why stay hereKilulu Luxury Island Watamu carries a 5-star classification and sits on Kilulu Island, reached off Turtle Bay Road via Blue Bay Road near Blue Bay Marine. Its position on an island sets it apart from the beach-road hotels on this list, and it has no guest reviews recorded yet. It suits travellers who want an island stay and are willing to book a 5-star property without a guest score to compare.
See Kilulu Luxury Island WatamuKirepwe Ecco Camp Watamu
Kirepwe Ecco Camp Watamu
Why stay hereKirepwe Ecco Camp Watamu is a 5-star property on this Watamu shortlist. It appears without a guest rating, so there is no review record to weigh against the other hotels here. Consider it if you want the 5-star class in Watamu and prefer a camp to a resort building; travellers who rely on guest scores should compare it with the rated hotels on this page first.
See Kirepwe Ecco Camp WatamuPalm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12
Palm Garden Road
Why stay herePalm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 is a 4-star boutique hotel on Palm Garden Road, and it admits no children under 12. A guest rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 146 reviews makes it the highest-rated 4-star hotel on this Watamu list. It suits couples and adult travellers who want a small eco-minded property and a child-free environment.
See Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12Garoda Resort
Turtle Bay Road Coastwatamu
Why stay hereGaroda Resort is a 4-star hotel on Turtle Bay Road in Watamu, rated 4.4 out of 5 from 854 guest reviews. That review count is the largest of any 4-star hotel on this shortlist, so the score rests on a broad base of guest experience. It fits travellers who want a well-established 4-star resort near Turtle Bay Road and prefer a hotel with a long guest track record.
See Garoda ResortBaobab Village
Jacaranda Road
Why stay hereBaobab Village is a 4-star hotel on Jacaranda Road, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 112 guest reviews. The high score on a modest number of reviews points to consistently satisfied guests rather than a long accumulated history. It suits travellers who want a 4-star stay on Jacaranda Road and value a strong rating over the biggest review count.
See Baobab VillageGecko Resort
Turtle Bay Rd.
Why stay hereGecko Resort is a 4-star hotel on Turtle Bay Rd., rated 4.4 out of 5 from 334 guest reviews. It offers the 4-star class with a solid review base on one of Watamu's main hotel roads. Pick it if you want a mid-sized, well-reviewed 4-star property and are comparing several hotels along Turtle Bay Road.
See Gecko ResortSeven Islands Resort
Jacaranda Road
Why stay hereSeven Islands Resort is a 4-star hotel on Jacaranda Road with a guest rating of 4.3 out of 5 from 637 reviews. The large review count gives the score a broad foundation among the 4-star hotels listed here. It suits travellers who want a 4-star resort on Jacaranda Road and are reassured by a high number of previous guests.
See Seven Islands ResortAHG Lion Beach Resort
Watamu Beach Road
Why stay hereAHG Lion Beach Resort is a 4-star hotel on Watamu Beach Road, rated 4.2 out of 5 from 139 guest reviews. Its address places it on the beach road itself, among the hotels clustered along Watamu's seafront. It suits travellers who want a 4-star hotel with a known guest score and a straightforward beach-road location.
See AHG Lion Beach ResortWatamu Ascot Residence
Watamu Beach Rd
Why stay hereWatamu Ascot Residence is a 4-star property on Watamu Beach Rd, rated 4.2 out of 5 from 82 guest reviews. As a residence rather than a large resort, it appears on this list with a smaller review base than most others. It suits travellers who want a 4-star address on Watamu Beach Road and are comfortable booking with fewer guest reviews to compare.
See Watamu Ascot ResidenceBarracuda Inn Resort
Watamu Road
Why stay hereBarracuda Inn Resort is a 4-star hotel on Watamu Road, rated 3.9 out of 5 from 296 guest reviews. Its score is the lowest among the rated hotels on this shortlist, though it rests on a substantial number of reviews. It suits travellers who want a 4-star hotel on Watamu Road and are willing to weigh a moderate guest rating against the property's classification.
See Barracuda Inn ResortThe One
Kanani Road, Mombasa
Why stay hereThe One is a 4-star hotel on Kanani Road, Mombasa, rated 4.3 out of 5, but from only 7 guest reviews. That score therefore reflects very few guests and should be read with caution. It suits travellers who want a 4-star property and are willing to book one with a minimal review history.
See The OneFortamu Lady D House Watamu
Jacaranda Road C O Residence Fortamu
Why stay hereFortamu Lady D House Watamu is a 4-star property on Jacaranda Road, listed at the Residence Fortamu. It appears here without a guest rating or review count, so there is no guest score to compare with the other 4-star hotels. It suits travellers who want a 4-star house-style stay on Jacaranda Road and do not need a review record to decide.
See Fortamu Lady D House WatamuWatamu Beach Cottages
38 Turtle Bay Road
Why stay hereWatamu Beach Cottages is a 4-star property at 38 Turtle Bay Road. No guest rating or review count is recorded for it on this list, so it stands alongside the other unrated hotels here. It suits travellers who want a 4-star cottage stay on Turtle Bay Road and are happy to choose without a guest score.
See Watamu Beach CottagesBianca and Pietro House
Turtle Bay Road
Why stay hereBianca and Pietro House is a 4-star property on Turtle Bay Road in Watamu. It carries no guest rating or review count in this list, so there is no guest feedback to weigh against the rated hotels. It suits travellers who want a 4-star house-style address on Turtle Bay Road and prefer to judge the property on its classification alone.
See Bianca and Pietro House
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Guest rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medina Palms | ★★★★★ | 4.6 | 751 |
| Kilulu Luxury Island Watamu | ★★★★★ | – | – |
| Kirepwe Ecco Camp Watamu | ★★★★★ | – | – |
| Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 | ★★★★ | 4.7 | 146 |
| Garoda Resort | ★★★★ | 4.4 | 854 |
| Baobab Village | ★★★★ | 4.5 | 112 |
| Gecko Resort | ★★★★ | 4.4 | 334 |
| Seven Islands Resort | ★★★★ | 4.3 | 637 |
| AHG Lion Beach Resort | ★★★★ | 4.2 | 139 |
| Watamu Ascot Residence | ★★★★ | 4.2 | 82 |
| Barracuda Inn Resort | ★★★★ | 3.9 | 296 |
| The One | ★★★★ | 4.3 | 7 |
| Fortamu Lady D House Watamu | ★★★★ | – | – |
| Watamu Beach Cottages | ★★★★ | – | – |
| Bianca and Pietro House | ★★★★ | – | – |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For couples
Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 is the strongest match at 4.7 out of 5, and its adults-only rule keeps the grounds quiet.
Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 · Medina Palms · The One
For families
Garoda Resort and Seven Islands Resort carry the largest review counts among the 4-star hotels, 854 and 637, so families have plenty of guest feedback to read. Medina Palms, the 5-star on Turtle Bay Road with 751 reviews, is the alternative when a higher class matters more.
Highest rated
Four hotels sit at 4.4 or above: Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 at 4.7, Medina Palms at 4.6, Baobab Village at 4.5 on Jacaranda Road, and Garoda Resort at 4.4 on Turtle Bay Road.
Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 · Medina Palms · Baobab Village · Garoda Resort
Beach-side addresses
Medina Palms, Garoda Resort and Gecko Resort all stand on Turtle Bay Road, AHG Lion Beach Resort and Watamu Ascot Residence on Watamu Beach Road. Each is a 4- or 5-star hotel, rated between 4.2 and 4.6 out of 5.
Medina Palms · Garoda Resort · Gecko Resort · AHG Lion Beach Resort · Watamu Ascot Residence
Where to stay in Watamu
Turtle Bay Road
Turtle Bay Road is one of the village's coastal addresses, running beside the Watamu Marine National Park and its protected reef and lagoon. Medina Palms, a 5-star rated 4.6, Garoda Resort at 4.4 and Gecko Resort at 4.4 line this road, with Kilulu Luxury Island Watamu, Watamu Beach Cottages and Bianca and Pietro House alongside them.
Our picks here: Medina Palms · Kilulu Luxury Island Watamu · Garoda Resort · Watamu Beach Cottages · Bianca and Pietro House
Jacaranda Road
Jacaranda Road lies inland of the beach strip. Baobab Village, rated 4.5, and Seven Islands Resort, rated 4.3, both stand here, as does Fortamu Lady D House Watamu. The road keeps you within the village while the marine park, Mida Creek and the Arabuko Sokoke Forest sit close by.
Our picks here: Baobab Village · Seven Islands Resort · Fortamu Lady D House Watamu
Watamu Beach Road
Watamu Beach Road is the second coastal line of hotels.
Our picks here: AHG Lion Beach Resort
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Watamu is reached by road from Nairobi; the straight-line distance is about 425 km to the southeast. Travel times vary, so allow for that when planning the drive. The site searches and books stays in the centre through IMPT, the booking partner behind this site, and availability is checked live for your dates rather than quoted in advance. Within the village, the hotels on this shortlist sit along Turtle Bay Road, Watamu Beach Road, Jacaranda Road, Watamu Road, Palm Garden Road and Kanani Road, with Kilulu Island and Kirepwe Ecco off the main strip.
When to go
The site's own text does not set out a season for visiting Watamu; what it describes is what you go for. The Watamu Marine National Park protects the reef and the lagoon, Mida Creek is a tidal inlet, the Arabuko Sokoke Forest stands next to the village, and the Gede ruins, a medieval Swahili town, are nearby. Time your trip around the reef, the creek and the forest rather than a stated month.
Things to do near Watamu
Questions, answered
Which hotels here are closest to the centre of Watamu?
The addresses name the village's own roads rather than a measured distance to the centre, so use them as your guide: Watamu Beach Road, Turtle Bay Road, Jacaranda Road and Watamu Road all run through or beside the village, while Kilulu Island and Kirepwe Ecco lie off the main strip.
Which is the top-rated hotel on this shortlist?
Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 is rated 4.7 out of 5 from 146 reviews, the highest here. Medina Palms follows at 4.6 from 751 reviews, then Baobab Village at 4.5 from 112 and Garoda Resort at 4.4 from 854.
Which hotels suit families?
Garoda Resort, with 854 reviews and a 4.4 rating, and Seven Islands Resort, with 637 reviews and 4.3, carry the most guest feedback among the 4-star hotels. Medina Palms, a 5-star rated 4.6, is another option. Note that Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel does not take children under 12.
Can I bring children under 12 to every hotel here?
No. Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 is adults only, as its name states. The other hotels on the list give no such restriction in their data, so check the under-12 policy with each one when you book.
Which hotels are 5-star?
Three: Medina Palms on Turtle Bay Road, Kilulu Luxury Island Watamu on Kilulu Island off Turtle Bay Road, and Kirepwe Ecco Camp Watamu. Only Medina Palms carries a guest rating here, 4.6 out of 5 from 751 reviews.
Which hotels have the most reviews?
Garoda Resort leads with 854 reviews, then Medina Palms with 751, Seven Islands Resort with 637, Gecko Resort with 334 and Barracuda Inn Resort with 296. Guest ratings for these five range from 3.9 to 4.6 out of 5.
Do the hotels on this shortlist have pools, spas, parking or breakfast?
The supplier records behind these hotels do not list facilities, so no pool, spa, parking or breakfast detail can be confirmed here. Check directly with the hotel you choose, or look at its own page, before you rely on any of them.
What is there to see near these hotels?
The Watamu Marine National Park protects the reef and the lagoon, Mida Creek is a tidal inlet, and the Arabuko Sokoke Forest stands next to the village, with the Gede ruins, a medieval Swahili town, nearby. The hotels sit on the village's beach and inland roads within reach of them.