We stayed in this all-inclusive hotel in early December 2007 for 6 nights, but the experience was so good it I can remember almost everything about it.
LOCATION
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It is located on one of the most amazing beaches I've ever had the pleasure to visit. Diani beach is made of miles ... Read review
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A good hotel with Fantastic Staff and on an Amazing Beach
Advantages: Great Staff and Located on a Gorgeous Beach Disadvantages: Food could become tiresome if you stayed too long
We stayed in this all-inclusive hotel in early December 2007 for 6 nights, but the experience was so good it I can remember almost everything about it.
LOCATION ---------------
It is located on one of the most amazing beaches I've ever had the pleasure to visit. Diani beach is made of miles and miles of powder white sand.
ROOMS -----------
We stayed in one of their Cottage Rooms. This ... ...the accommodation was a bedroom with 2 single beds. A mosquito net is provided above each bed.There was also a wardrobe, which also houses the safe. It is worth noting here that the use of the safe is charged as an extra.
Other furnishings in the first bedroom include a bedside table and a table lamp.
The second bedroom contains a four-poster bed. This too is draped in a mosquito net. There is also a dressing table with ... more
We stayed in this all-inclusive hotel in early December 2007 for 6 nights, but the experience was so good it I can remember almost everything about it.
LOCATION ---------------
It is located on one of the most amazing beaches I've ever had the pleasure to visit. Diani beach is made of miles and miles of powder white sand.
ROOMS -----------
We stayed in one of their Cottage Rooms. This consisted of 3 rooms. The first room as you entered the accommodation was a bedroom with 2 single beds. A mosquito net is provided above each bed.There was also a wardrobe, which also houses the safe. It is worth noting here that the use of the safe is charged as an extra.
Other furnishings in the first bedroom include a bedside table and a table lamp.
The second bedroom contains a four-poster bed. This too is draped in a mosquito net. There is also a dressing table with some drawers and a pedestal to sit on. This second bedroom also leads into the bathroom.
The bathroom contains 2 sinks, a WC, a bidet and a shower. There are some shelves for your toiletries by the sink unit. A flask of potable water is provided for drinking and brushing your teeth with if you do not feel brave enough to use the local water supply. From personal experience, I seem to ingest more water when having a shower than I do brush my teeth !! So I found the local supply fine for brushing my teeth, although did stick to the flask for drinking water.
A constant supply of hot water was a pleasant surprise, as it can be quite rare in some african countries. Although I think we were fortunate as we didn't experience any extended periods without electricity. However, the shower is not very powerful and almost dribbles out. Probably a good job it does though, seeing as the shower curtain is tiny and wouldn't stand a chance of keeping water out if the shower was anymore powerful.
Both bedrooms are also equipped with air-conditioning units, however there is no television in the rooms, not telephone. If you want to watch television there is a communal one in a room next to the lobby. There are a few books and board games to play in this communal area.
The grounds are extremely well kept. There were always groundskeepers doing something or another making sure everything looked good.
The pool is clean and quite large. There is a swim-up bar, which always a plus point in my books. Sunloungers are plentiful, but there isn't much space in the grounds for them so the good spots can get quite congested.
However, the thing that I will remember most from my stay is the fantastic hospitality of the staff. I don't think I have ever met such a bunch of genuinely helpful, polite and friendly people.
STAFF --------
From the moment I arrived you just felt extremely welcome at the resort. You felt that nothing was too much to ask. The waiting staff during meal times were quick and efficient. The bar service was good, although the poor guys sometimes were extremely understaffed to meet demand (which is of course not their fault).
There was a relaxed atmosphere, and my only complaint was with the way they feared the owner !! Unfortunately whenever the owner was present on the grounds, they became slightly jobsworth and some incredibly silly rules were introduced that ruined the laid-back atmosphere. One example of this that sticks out quite well was at dinner time, parties of 2 were only allowed to sit on a table for 2, even if a table for 4 was free and the dining area wasn't busy.
You'll never forget their friendly smiles, and that magic word 'karibu' (you're welcome).
FOOD + DRINK ----------------------
As for the meals and drinks, an important aspect for an all-inclusive resort, these were adequate. There were 3 main sittings plus Afternoon Tea.
Breakfast was a continental buffet, and you got your regular hot drinks or fruit juice. They also made pancakes for you, which is always a plus in my book.
Lunch was varied, and unfortunately I only had it a couple of times, as we spent a lot of time on the beach away from the hotel, so don't really have much experience with this particular meal.
Dinner was plentiful, and there was a wide selection of side dishes. Every night there was a carvery of some sort plus other meat dishes. As a non-vegetarian I am unable to comment on the quality of the vegetarian options, all I can say is the salad was fresh !
One tip for dinner is if you want to eat al-fresco, then get there quite early as those outdoor tables are quickly occupied. Oh and don't forget to spray your insect repellant.
All the meals were self service buffet and the was no a-la-carte option.
The waiting staff would clear your plates and take your drink orders with their usual efficiency and politeness.
Overall, this place is a great place to stay for a break away from it all.
OTHER USEFUL INFO -------------------------------
If you are in Ukunda, you simply cannot afford to miss out on the Ali Baba cave restaurant. If you get the hotel to call the restaurant (as there is no phone in your room) the restaurant will arrange a free pick-up from your hotel and drop-off after you're finished.
Do walk down the beach, but ONLY during the day. - Also it might seem rude but if you want the peace and quiet to relax on the beach you simply have to outright ignore those beach vendors (avoid eye contact and don's speak to them) otherwise you will harassed endlessly. You feel bad for doing it, but if you don't they will not stop trying to sell you something.
If you want to check out their website: http://www.rexresorts.com/_africa/_papillon_lagoon_reef/index.html
