Palm Garden Boutique Hotel
Ranked in Best Luxury Hotels in Watamu
About
Mr. Manni and the staff are friendly, the Italian food is some of the best around, and the pool area surrounded by tropical gardens is beautiful. The cozy apartment is spotlessly clean with great privacy. WiFi is unstable, breakfast can be late, and the pool sometimes looks green, but the new spa and lounge bar add value.
Highlights
- Wheelchair accessible
Google reviews
- Carrie H.Google review · 28 Jan 2026
We stayed at the hotel for 8 days and had mixed feelings about our experience. We stayed in the Royal Suite. The rooftop terrace is a real highlight, but the room itself is very small, extremely dark, and offers very limited storage, which makes longer stays uncomfortable. Noise was a major issue throughout our stay (barking dogs, nearby work), and during our last two nights there was very loud music until 6 a.m. due to a funeral in the neighboring community. The breakfast was poor in quality and never ready on time (7:30 a.m.), which was frustrating. The Wi-Fi was very unstable and weak, making it impossible to work or take calls, despite the hotel advertising stable internet. The restaurant is visually nice in the evenings, but the food is basic rather than fine dining. The pool was a bit green, which was not inviting. The staff often seemed overwhelmed, likely due to lack of clear management and structure. We hope the owner takes this feedback as constructive criticism, especially as many guests appear to raise similar points, and that feedback will be met with openness rather than defensive responses. The hotel has potential, but it would benefit greatly from better organization, leadership, and attention to guest experience.
Read moreShow less
- C.b.Google review · 14 Jan 2026
Our feelings about our stay at Palm Garden Boutique Hotel are mixed. On the one hand, the hotel is very beautiful and clean. Our room had a very large terrace and was well equipped. The first negative point was the shower pressure. Depending on the time of day, the pressure was so low that it was impossible to shower or even wash your hair. One of the mosquito nets in the bathroom was damaged, with a 5-6 cm hole in it. Luckily, there weren't many insects during our stay. Regarding the service and staff in general, there were several issues. The reception staff were friendly. However, their answers to questions were sometimes vague. One morning, we had to leave very early, and we were assured that we could get a takeaway breakfast at 6:30 am. On the morning in question, no breakfast was ready. We were asked to order à la carte at 6:30 a.m. Twenty minutes later, despite mentioning that we had to leave at 7 a.m., none of the employees had started preparing anything. Faced with our irritation, they finally began to take action. In the end, we were able to get the items we had ordered, except for the drinks. The day before, we found a cockroach in the coffee thermos provided on the buffet. This may have been a coincidence, as breakfast is served outdoors, but it nevertheless raises doubts about hygiene. The dinner at the hotel restaurant was somewhat disappointing. The lobster was very good, as were the vegetables served with it. However, the side dishes were very light. We do not recommend the ‘Fried prawns and calamari’ dish. The portion is extremely small and expensive (roughly 19 USD), above average than the restaurants nearby. We had more prawn heads on our plates than anything else to eat. And finally, we witnessed a disconcerting scene between the hotel owner and one of the waiters who had come to collect a dish ready to be served, which the chef was holding in his hands. Without any ill intent, he brushed against the owner's hand, who reacted by shouting, ‘Are you trying to touch me?’ as if it were dirty. Although we liked the place, we are not sure we will return.
Read moreShow less
- Nastey I.Google review · 19 Dec 2025
I loved my stay here . Everything was great . Service , food , aesthetics And the owner is soo nice . Greets his guests when he runs into them Food is as fresh as it can get🤌
- Jessica M.Google review · 23 Sep 2025
I had a wonderful stay at Palm Garden Boutique Hotel in Watamu. I booked the cosy apartment and it was the perfect combination of comfort, privacy, and style. The space was beautifully furnished, spotlessly clean, and surrounded by the hotel’s lush tropical gardens that made it feel like a true escape. The staff were warm, attentive, and always ready to help with a smile. What I loved most was the peaceful atmosphere — waking up to birdsong and enjoying my coffee in the garden was unforgettable. With the new Spa & Relax and the lounge bar, Palm Garden offers everything you need for a relaxing holiday. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a charming and eco-friendly stay in Watamu.
Read moreShow less
- A R.Google review · 28 Sep 2024
Excellent hotel oasis in Watamu. Quiet, beautiful pool area and grounds, and small enough that the service from the staff always felt personable. Mr. Manni and his staff are always friendly and the Italian food from the restaurant is some of the best we’ve had. Would stay again!
Location
Turtle Bay Road, Watamu, Kenya
Watamu
Hotels via Stay22Affiliate link
Explore guides
Kenya Honeymoon: Complete Planning Guide
The bush-and-beach honeymoon formula works brilliantly in Kenya: 3-4 nights in the Masai Mara followed by 3-4 nights on the coast. Here's how to plan it at every budget, from $5,000 to $40,000 for two.
Read guide →Kenya CoastWatamu Beach Guide: Marine Park, Turtles & Italian Food
Watamu offers Kenya's best snorkeling in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, world-class turtle conservation, and surprisingly authentic Italian cuisine. Here's your complete guide to this north coast gem.
Read guide →Frequently Asked Questions
More luxury hotels near Watamu
Top Pick 2026Top Picks have a Google rating of 4.5 or higher from 200+ reviews and are still open. They are never paid for.Luxury Hotels · WatamuHemingways Watamu
4.6(1,356 Google)
Top Pick 2026Top Picks have a Google rating of 4.5 or higher from 200+ reviews and are still open. They are never paid for.Luxury Hotels · Malindi TownSandies Tropical Village
4.5(1,064 Google)
Top Pick 2026Top Picks have a Google rating of 4.5 or higher from 200+ reviews and are still open. They are never paid for.Luxury Hotels · WatamuMedina Palms
4.6(772 Google)
Top Pick 2026Top Picks have a Google rating of 4.5 or higher from 200+ reviews and are still open. They are never paid for.Luxury Hotels · Malindi TownDiamonds Malindi
4.5(985 Google)
Luxury Hotels · WatamuOcean Sports
4.4(906 Google)
Luxury Hotels · WatamuTemple Point
4.3(766 Google)





