What We Think
The Bakotu Hotel has earned a fine reputation over the years for providing its guests with a warm welcome. During the day, the hotel provides a peaceful sanctuary for those looking for a quiet relaxing holiday, with no loud music or organised pool games to disturb the tranquillity, except for an occasional visit from local cultural entertainers.
The rooms are located throughout the lovingly tended, mature tropical gardens and, although they are all furnished to the same standard with new furniture from Winter 2009/10, the decor varies from room to room. Family rooms with additional bunk beds are available on request and a limited number of rooms have air-conditioning which is available at a supplement.
Captain's Table, the hotel's à la carte restaurant, is very popular and enjoys a good reputation for evening food. The continental breakfast should satisfy most appetites, however a cooked breakfast can be purchased at extra cost. The Bakotu Hotel has opened a coffee shop, bar and second restaurant on their hotel frontage adding to the increased choice of places to eat and drink in the area. With the Kombo Beach and Bungalow Beach hotels nearby, plus a couple of further beach bars, Kotu is becoming a busier area during the day and evening.
Although not directly on the beach, the sandy Kotu beach is less than 100 metres away and can be reached by strolling through the craft market. The time this takes will depend on the amount of bartering and shopping undertaken en-route.
Chosen by the TV Springwatch/Autumnwatch presenter and ornithologist, Chris Packham, for several years as a base for his birdwatching tours, the hotel is ideal for nature lovers and has a resident giant tortoise and offspring wandering around the lush gardens. To quote Chris; 'I love the Bakotu because it feels like a home from home - the friendly, family atmosphere, the wonderful lush gardens so good for birdwatching, the excellent restaurant... Essentially, its the perfect place for me and my family and I wouldn't think of going anywhere else'.
