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Lily Palm Resort

4.0 star property

Photo gallery for Lily Palm Resort

Relax by the oceanfront pool surrounded by palm trees and lounge chairs.
Relax in a serene outdoor seating area surrounded by lush greenery and a decorative archway.
Classic hotel room with a four-poster bed, bedside table, and bathroom featuring a shower and sink.
Relax on the beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas, surrounded by palm trees and a tranquil ocean view.
Stroll through the serene garden, lined with lush tropical plants and trees, leading to a distant structure.

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Pool
  • Spa
  • Air conditioning
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Room service

Explore the area

Map
Watamu National Marine Park, Watamu, 80202
  • Watamu Beach
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Prawn Lake
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Mida Creek
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Malindi (MYD)
    ‪27 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Comfort Double Room

Comfort Double Room

Comfort Double Room

  • 25 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Superior Double Room

Superior Double Room

Superior Double Room

  • 35 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

View all photos for Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

  • 25 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed OR 2 Twin Beds and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

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About the area

Watamu

A stay at Lily Palm Resort places you in the heart of Watamu, a 1-minute drive from Watamu Beach and 9 minutes from Mida Creek. .This beach hotel is within the region of Hells Kitchen.

What's nearby

  • Watamu Beach - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Prawn Lake - 4 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Mida Creek - 8 min drive - 3.7 km
  • Ruins of Gedi - 19 min drive - 7.7 km
  • Malindi Beach - 32 min drive - 26.5 km

Getting around

  • Malindi (MYD) - 26 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪PilliPan - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Licht Haus - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Casa Tex Mex - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Papa Remo Ristorante - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪crab shack - ‬9 min drive

About this property

Lily Palm Resort

Family-friendly hotel on the beach, with 2 outdoor pools
Lily Palm Resort offers 74 air-conditioned accommodations with safes and hair dryers. Rooms open to furnished balconies or patios. 26-inch flat-screen televisions come with satellite channels.

Bathrooms include showers and bidets. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 50+ Mbps). Housekeeping is provided daily.

2 outdoor swimming pools are on site along with a children's pool.
Guests can indulge in a pampering treatment at the hotel's full-service spa. Services include facials, body scrubs, body treatments, and manicures and pedicures. The spa is open daily.
Make yourself at home in one of the 74 air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Rooms have private furnished balconies or patios. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature bidets and hair dryers.
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, babysitting (surcharge), and gift shops/newsstands.
Enjoy international cuisine at Ristorante Principale, one of the hotel's 2 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). Mingle with other guests at the complimentary reception, held on select days. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge, the beach bar, or the poolside bar.
Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, and multilingual staff.
A complimentary manager's reception is offered on select days.
Ristorante Principale - This beachfront buffet restaurant specializes in international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting).
Mapango Reef - This beachfront seafood restaurant specializes in international cuisine and serves lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting). Reservations are required. Open daily.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Languages

English, Italian, Swahili

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 50+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Onsite parking available only on request

Food and drink

  • 2 restaurants
  • A bar/lounge
  • A beach bar
  • A poolside bar
  • Free manager's reception (select days)
  • Snack bar/deli

Restaurants on site

  • Mapango Reef
  • Ristorante Principale

Things to do

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Children's pool
  • Full-service spa

Family friendly

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Babysitting (surcharge)
  • Children's pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Proposal/romance packages
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Conference centre

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • On the bay
  • On the beach
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • Body scrubs
  • Facials
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Massage
  • Spa open daily

Accessibility

  • No lift

More

  • 2 floors
  • 4 buildings
  • Banquet hall
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Mosquito nets

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Bidet
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 26-inch flat-screen TV with satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Limited room service

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Desk
  • Safe
  • Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 7:00 AM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after noon please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
2 children, up to the age of 2 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve onsite parking
This property accepts credit cards, mobile payments, and cash
Mobile payment options include: M-Pesa and PayPal
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
A fee for a mandatory Christmas Eve gala dinner is included in the total price displayed for stays on December 24
A fee for a mandatory New Year's Eve gala dinner is included in the total price displayed for stays on December 31
A fee for a mandatory gala dinner on August 15 is included in the total price displayed

Property is also known as

Lily Palm Resort Watamu
Lily Palm Watamu
Lily Palm
Lily Palm Resort Hotel
Lily Palm Resort Watamu
Lily Palm Resort Hotel Watamu

Lily Palm Resort Reviews

Reviews

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 13 out of 49 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 19 out of 49 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 8 out of 49 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 49 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 49 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

6.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Dana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Chrisondra

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Fernando

Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Inez

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really loved everything about this place, the pool and view were amazing
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

2/10 Terrible

Roald Ivar

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Henrik

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

8/10 Good

Emily

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2020

8/10 Good

Emily

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Very pleasant stay

We had a very a very pleasant stay at Lily Palm. All the staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome, which was nice. We went out of peak season, so it was very quiet. The complex is clean, has a nice pool and access straight onto the beach. There is a nice Italian restaurant on site, but also some local restaurants on the beach as well which serve great seafood, and other nice places to eat within walking distance in town. The rooms are okay, maybe a little tired looking, but for the price we paid, we have no complaints. The bed was fine, and the Aircon worked, so we were content! We were on b&b rate - the breakfast was a little disappointing, and instant coffee was served rather than fresh...but again, for the price of this hotel we can't really complain. All in all, we enjoyed our stay. I would happily return.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

Lisa

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely grounds and a nice pool area, very inviting. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Food was ok, but the "juice" or mix or whatever it was at breakfast was virtually undrinkable.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019

2/10 Terrible

UnhappyCustomer, USA

Travelled with family, Business traveller, Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
DO NOT BOOK THIS PROPERTY! The photos are old, the entire property is run down! Italians own it and all the other Good reviews came from mostly Italians and are false AF! I spoke to both owners as they were they lounging around on holiday and not giving a damn about theIr paying customers and staff. One of the owners told us we were cheap because we booked HIS property on Expedia!!! The pool and beach was great! But there are many haggling people on the beach trying to get you to buy things and take their tours, annoying. It was just hard to enjoy the beach. They did walk us across the ocean at low tide and it was fun. The restaurant staff was great! But I repeat, don’t stay here! If you decide to, Don’t get the all inclusive package. Don’t get breakfast included either. We didn’t and so glad because it wasn’t worth it. Food is sitting out and cold. However, The food we ordered a la carte was really good Just not many choices! The rooms were not as they appear online. The bathrooms are disgusting, missing grouting and stains on the walls and mirror. I could barely see myself in the mirror it was so old and dirty and also why you don’t see many photos posted of the bathrooms online. It wasn’t just my room. I booked 4 rooms for my group and 2 of the rooms were absolutely horrible! We demanded a room switch, but it wasn’t much better. The pool and location will suck you in but DON’T DO IT! I travel for a living and totally regret this stay. I hope this helps someone else.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is an older facility in a old Swahili style so it is a bit rough on the edges but that adds to its charm. The location is 5+ star and all the amenities are fine such as fridge hot water linens a/c and fans. Rooms are comfortable with over-size beds and large Swahili style sofas both in the room and on the porch. There must be a staff of almost 100 and they are very friendly and helpful. You can not find a better deal for the price anywhere around. All the furnishings are very heavy custom made and hand carved wooden pieces. An enjoyable stay for me with complete relaxation for two weeks.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Brandon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Good value in Watamu

My stay at Lily Palm was better than expected. It's a nice facility, right on the beach. The pizzeria is good. The staff all speak Italian. The only thing that I don't understand is the insistance on using disposable plastic cups for drinking water, but this seemed to be not strictly enforced.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

6/10 Okay

Najmayusuf, Syracuse New York

Travelled with family
I liked to daft that it was very quite, was able to relax. But other than that everything else was just ok . But I definitely was disappointed first night my brother and his wife , went to dinner at 8pm and they were told dinner was done , like this was very disappointing....
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

6/10 Okay

SteveAggrey, Mexico

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The swimming pool and the view of the beach looks good. We liked the African theme on Tuesday.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019

8/10 Good

Kathleen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Beautiful pool

We had a one night stay in Lily Palm en route and arriving late. The staff served us dinner (good grilled fish and chicken) when the kitchen was essentially closed. The rooms are very basic but serviceable (i.e. no toiletries but hot water, mosquito net in working order, a/c, towels and wash cloths). The pool and the ocean facing area are really wonderful - just like the pictures. The hotel has access to a good beach. Staff were very accommodating. Pool manager even check if kids could swim and I appreciated the safety concern. Good value for money for our family of 4.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The property had no shampoo nor conditioner Bathrooms were very bad Food was very okay
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019

8/10 Good

Alexander, Kilifi

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff at Lily Palms were very kind, friendly and always ready to help. Food at Mapango restaurant was really tasty. Our toilet was somewhat not so clean and the shower area lacked a soap holder and the plastic curtain that shields water from splashing to other areas.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice place to spend family time and enjoying the delicious foods along with nice see view.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Positive: The swimming pool area and setting were absolutely magical. The view from the restaurant was equally spectacular due to the situation of the hotel overlooking a paradise like cove with coral islands in the middle. The food was better than you would expect in a typical all inclusive, but nothing out of this world. The AC worked fine, the screens kept me free from mosquitos. Turn on the fridge and it works fine. The rooms were clean, but not luxurious at all. I paid $55 a night (Bed and Breakfast only) for it, so I considered it a bargain. The staff was very friendly. Negative: The rooms were spartan at best, no coffee or tea service, only one very small bar of soap provided, no shampoos or anything, only two pillows on the queen sized bed, both of which were kind of worn out and low quality. Remember to turn on the hot water switch well in advance of wanting to take a shower, if not you will take a lukewarm shower. Some of the outlets didn't work, so I had to un-plug my night lamp to plug in my charger. The safe has a skeleton key that you have to rent for two dollars a day and then keep on you when you go out rather than a key code like most normal modern ones.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

6/10 Okay

Helena , Southampton, UK

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

Nice hotel, but tired and in need of an overhaul

Staff were lovely, very friendly and welcoming and hard working, but food really not good. Buffet dinner cold and breakfast very dull. Swimming pools lovely, and great location close to the beach and Watamu village. The evening entertainment was awful! The singer really could not sing, so having to listen to the wailing coming from the bar every evening was upsetting!!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2017

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

6/10 Okay

D-man, Nairobi

Liked: Staff & service

Great location - needs some work

The location of the hotel is excellent, backing right onto the beach. The food included in the room package (breakfast) was sub-standard and well below any hotel previously enjoyed in East Africa. However, the food available a la carte was decent.