Lantana Galu - Hotel in Diani, South Coast Kenya — Hotel in Kinondo ward

🌴 A Memorable Stay at Lantana Galu Beach Resort, Kwale County 🌊

From the moment we arrived at Lantana Galu Beach Resort, we knew this was going to be an extraordinary stay. The warm coastal breeze, the sound of the waves, and the smiles from the staff set the perfect tone.

Check-in & Hospitality: Miriam, our concierge, welcomed us with such grace and kindness—check-in was seamless. We felt instantly at home. At the restaurant, Patricia, our waitress, impressed us with her deep knowledge of the menu, making excellent recommendations. Her supervisor, Boniface, however, was the MVP of our trip.

Dining & Drinks: The food was nothing short of gorgeous and tasty—each bite carried a coastal freshness that left us wanting more. Drinks? On point. Breakfast was made divine with delicately crafted mimosas that set the day’s mood just right.

Adventures & Experiences: Now, let me tell you about Boniface—a true godsend. Beyond making sure our legendary party was well taken care of, he went the extra mile in arranging an unforgettable odyssey to the famous Robinson Island, which disappears beneath the sea by 3 p.m. He linked us with Wakati, a local guide, and together they organized a thrilling two-hour boat ride for our group of ten.

The ride itself was magical—our boat had a clear glass bottom, giving us a window into an underwater world of coral reefs, colorful fish, and marine life thriving beneath the waves. With Makati at the helm expertly dodging coral “land mines,” we marveled at starfish, vibrant red sea creatures, and even sea urchins we could touch.

Arriving at Robinson Island was surreal. On its powdery white sands, we found fellow adventurers offering to capture photos, sell refreshments, and even tempt us with jet ski rides. And just as promised, the island began to vanish before our eyes as the tide rose—what a spectacle!

Special Touches: Boniface, thoughtful as ever, had prepared a cooler packed with our favorite drinks, water, and even kids’ beverages. How he knew what we loved, I’ll never understand—but it made the voyage feel personal, curated, and unforgettable.

Final Word: To Miriam, Patricia, and especially Boniface, thank you for making our stay at Lantana Galu not just a holiday, but a story we’ll tell for years. If you’re visiting Diani or Kwale County, don’t just come for the pristine beaches—come for the people who make paradise feel like home.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) – Highly...

So this property has an amazing location and a great beach. The facilities, however, are a 5 out of 10 and in need of significant TLC. Also note: many of the units are independently owned, so most of the prime locations they showcase online are not actually available for rent.

During my stay, I mentioned to the front desk that housekeeping had not replenished the sugar. I was told that’s a one-time provision. Additionally, towels were not replaced daily, and while the "apartments" do have adequate silverware, there were zero napkins, soaps, or any basic essentials provided—so you're essentially forced to purchase all of that regardless of the length of your stay.

Now to the food and beverage department. Diani has amazing restaurants and vibrant nightlife—but unfortunately, Lantana is not part of that conversation. The drinks are consistently watered down, the mojitos are made with tired mint and lack flavor and freshness… all the little touches you’d expect to enjoy by the beach just fall flat.

Now, if the property were priced at 8,000 to 12,000 KES ($80–100 USD) per night, none of the above would be a big deal—it would be expected. But at 31,000 KES ($238 USD) per night, with absolutely nothing included, Lantana falls short. At this price point, many nearby hotels offer breakfast or half board as part of the package—making Lantana an easy property to skip.

Frankly, it’s a missed opportunity. Lantana has everything it needs to be an award-winning property, but—like so many struggling businesses—its downfall appears to be management.

Everything starts at the top. And clearly, a hard conversation is needed: Is mediocrity the norm and “death by a thousand paper cuts” the future? Or is there a deliberate plan for incremental change?

I truly hope the best for this property. Having run my own beachfront operation in the Mediterranean, I understand the undertaking. But business must be led with purpose—and passion.

Hoping...

What a beautiful place this is. Stayed in one of the three bedroom villas and it was stunning. All the staff were amazing and so helpful and welcoming. Really couldn’t do enough to make our stay the best it could be. Special mention to John one of the trainees who looked after us each day by the pool and in the cafe. Reception helped to make bookings for us for dinner and arrange transport in the area. |On the last day we asked for a later check out and, although, we could not stay in the villa as it was booked for that day, we were given a three bedroom apartment for the few hours we needed it for, at no cost and this was hugely appreciated as we felt we had an extra morning there and was able to use the pool and shower before our flights back to Nairobi.|The grounds are beautifully kept and the villa was cleaned daily. The villa had everything one could want and was so comfortable.|The beach is stunning and the sea so calm and warm. The pool area is spotless and never felt crowded. |We would definitely return and the value for what we got was incredible when you compare to other beach resorts in the area.|I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this place for a beautiful relaxing stay in this area.||The cafe restaurant where we ate during the day and once in the evening was nice. The food was good and the staff were so friendly and warm.||The spa which is run by an independent person did not accept card payments which was a bit of a hassle as we did not know until after our treatments, and was basic but considering the prices was good.||Lantana is a stunning complex and we would not hesitate...