Home/Where to stay/Watamu/4- and 5-star hotels
4- and 5-star hotels in Watamu
This shortlist covers 4- and 5-star hotels in Watamu, on Kenya's north coast in Kilifi County, south of Malindi. It is for travellers who want to be close to the Watamu Marine National Park, Mida Creek and Arabuko Sokoke Forest, and who prefer the highest classes of stay the village offers.
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, and Arabuko Sokoke Forest sits next to the village. The Gede ruins, a medieval Swahili town, are nearby. People stay here to be close to the marine park and the forest, and the village has 114 places to stay. Nearly all the hotels on this shortlist sit on Turtle Bay Road or the streets off it: Turtle Bay Road itself, Palm Garden Road, Jacaranda Road and Watamu Beach Road. Couples and short-break visitors gravitate to the five-star options such as Medina Palms and Kilulu Luxury Island Watamu, while families and groups have the widest choice among the 4-star resorts, including Garoda Resort, Seven Islands Resort and Baobab Village.
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 top guest ratings
Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 holds the highest guest rating on this shortlist at 4.7 from 146 reviews, followed by Medina Palms at 4.6 from 751 reviews, the most reviewed five-star here. Baobab Village follows at 4.5 from 112 reviews. These three are the strongest rated choices in Watamu.
Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 · Medina Palms · Baobab Village
For couples
Medina Palms and Kilulu Luxury Island Watamu are both 5-star and suit couples wanting the highest class of stay. Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 is 4-star and does not admit children under 12, which keeps it quiet. All three sit on or off Turtle Bay Road.
Medina Palms · Kilulu Luxury Island Watamu · Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12
For families
Garoda Resort (4.4 from 854 reviews), Baobab Village (4.5 from 112 reviews), Seven Islands Resort (4.3 from 637 reviews) and Gecko Resort (4.4 from 334 reviews) are 4-star options with the largest review bases, on Turtle Bay Road and Jacaranda Road, and they admit children.
Garoda Resort · Baobab Village · Seven Islands Resort · Gecko Resort
Short break or business
With the closest main-road addresses on Turtle Bay Road, Medina Palms, Garoda Resort and Gecko Resort place you on the village's principal hotel street. Medina Palms is the 5-star pick, while Garoda and Gecko are 4-star, all with hundreds of reviews behind them.
Where to stay in Watamu
Turtle Bay Road
Turtle Bay Road is the spine of Watamu's hotel strip and appears in the addresses of five hotels on this shortlist. Medina Palms and Garoda Resort hold the strongest guest ratings on this street, at 4.6 and 4.4. Gecko Resort, Watamu Beach Cottages and Bianca and Pietro House also sit here. It is the most convenient base for the marine park.
Our picks here: Medina Palms · Garoda Resort · Watamu Beach Cottages · Bianca and Pietro House
Jacaranda Road
Jacaranda Road has three hotels on this shortlist: Baobab Village, Seven Islands Resort and Fortamu Lady D House Watamu.
Our picks here: Baobab Village · Seven Islands Resort · Fortamu Lady D House Watamu
Watamu Beach Road
Watamu Beach Road is named in the addresses of AHG Lion Beach Resort and Watamu Ascot Residence, both 4-star. Their guest ratings are 4.2 each, from 139 and 82 reviews respectively, and the street takes you toward the beach side of the village.
Our picks here: AHG Lion Beach Resort
Palm Garden Road
Palm Garden Road is named only by Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12, the highest-rated hotel on this shortlist at 4.7 from 146 reviews. It is a 4-star property, and no children under 12 are admitted, so the street suits travellers wanting an adult-focused stay.
Our picks here: Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Watamu is reached by road from Nairobi. The straight-line distance is about 425 km southeast of Nairobi, and travel times vary. The village lies on the north coast of Kenya, in Kilifi County, south of Malindi. Stays in the centre are searched and booked through IMPT, the booking partner behind this site. Every quarter page links to the places to stay on its own streets.
When to go
The site does not set a season for visiting Watamu. What it does say is that the Watamu Marine National Park protects the reef and the lagoon, Mida Creek is a tidal inlet, and Arabuko Sokoke Forest sits next to the village, with the Gede ruins nearby. These are outdoor sights, so the choice of months matters, but no months are given here.
Things to do near Watamu
Questions, answered
Which hotels in Watamu have the best guest ratings?
Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 leads at 4.7 from 146 reviews, followed by Medina Palms at 4.6 from 751 reviews and Baobab Village at 4.5 from 112 reviews. Garoda Resort and Gecko Resort are next at 4.4, from 854 and 334 reviews.
Do any Watamu hotels on this shortlist have a pool or a spa?
No. The hotel records on this shortlist list no facilities, so no pool or spa can be confirmed for any of these properties. Check directly with the hotel before booking if either is essential to your stay.
Is parking or breakfast included at these Watamu hotels?
The hotel records here do not list facilities, so parking and breakfast cannot be confirmed for any of these properties. You would need to check with the hotel directly. No rates are quoted on this site either; availability is checked live for your dates.
Are any of these Watamu hotels pet-friendly?
Pet policies are not part of the hotel records on this shortlist, so none can be confirmed as pet-friendly. Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 does exclude children under 12, which suggests a specific guest policy, but pets are not mentioned.
Which Watamu hotel is best for families?
The 4-star resorts with the most reviews are the safest bet for families: Garoda Resort at 4.4 from 854 reviews, Seven Islands Resort at 4.3 from 637 reviews and Gecko Resort at 4.4 from 334 reviews. Palm Garden ECO Boutique Hotel No Kids under 12 does not admit children under 12.
Which hotels in Watamu are closest to the centre?
Medina Palms, Garoda Resort, Gecko Resort, Watamu Beach Cottages and Bianca and Pietro House all have Turtle Bay Road addresses, the main hotel street named by the most properties on this shortlist. AHG Lion Beach Resort and Watamu Ascot Residence are on Watamu Beach Road.
What is there to see near these Watamu hotels?
The Watamu Marine National Park protects the reef and the lagoon, Mida Creek is a tidal inlet, and Arabuko Sokoke Forest is next to the village. The Gede ruins, a medieval Swahili town, are nearby. Watamu sits in Kilifi County, south of Malindi.
How many hotels does this shortlist cover in Watamu?
This shortlist covers 15 hotels in Watamu, all 4- or 5-star, each with its own page built from the booking supplier's record. Availability is checked live for your dates and no rate is quoted.