Hemingways Watamu Hotel, Watamu
About the Hotel
Hemingways Watamu is located in the pristine Watamu Marine National Park, an iconic tropical paradise noted for its exceptional marine life and idyllic white sand beaches. This established hotel has represented Kenyan coastal luxury for nearly 30 years, attracting guests with its exceptional personal service. It features bright, airy rooms with stunning ocean views, making it a favored destination for travelers. Watamu, meaning 'home of the sweet people' in Swahili, lies 74.5 miles north of Mombasa.
Location
Situated in Watamu Beach, Hemingways Watamu is approximately 15.5 miles from Malindi and offers easy access to local attractions. The nearest airport is in Malindi, just 30 minutes away by road, while the nearest international airport is Moi International in Mombasa. The hotel is strategically located near beautiful natural reserves and marine parks, providing guests with a range of activities like snorkeling, dolphin watching, and cultural explorations.
Rooms
Rooms at Hemingways Watamu measure 430.5 ft² and include en-suite bathrooms along with private balconies offering sweeping views of the Indian Ocean. The variety of accommodations includes spacious 1, 2, and 4-bedroom Residences featuring modern kitchens and comfortable living spaces. The Deluxe Ocean View Rooms on the top floor provide luxurious marble tiled bathrooms and terraces with breathtaking ocean vistas. Each apartment is designed with natural light and functionality, catering to both couples and larger families.
Eat & Drink
Hemingways Watamu offers a diverse dining experience with options ranging from casual café fare to elegant seafood dinners. The Gede Café serves homemade pastas, seafood, grilled meats, and tasty salads, ideal for relaxed lunchtime meals. For a more refined dining experience, the hotel features a menu celebrating fresh ingredients, including locally caught fish prepared to guests' preferences. The iconic Hemingways Bar provides stunning ocean views accompanied by tropical cocktails and an extensive beverage menu.
Leisure & Business
Guests can indulge at the Spa, which offers unique treatments utilizing locally sourced ingredients and African-inspired skincare. The hotel also features fully equipped gym facilities and options for tennis and water sports, including kite-surfing and scuba diving. For corporate guests, the conference suite is equipped with modern communication technology and offers an inspiring retreat for meetings and networking opportunities in a serene environment.
Select your room type
Price and Room Availability Calendar
Getting around
A list of all available modes of transport
Facilities
General
- No smoking on site
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- Safe deposit box
- 24-hour reception
- VIP check-in/ -out
- Express check-in/ -out
- No pets allowed
- Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
- Wheelchair access
- 24-hour security
- Baggage storage
- Elevator
- Currency exchange
- Barber shop
- Coffee shop
- Fire extinguishers
Sports & Fitness
- Fitness center
- Wind surfing
- Diving
- Snorkeling
- Canoeing
- Darts
- Table tennis
- Mini golf
- Squash
- Sports trainer
- Fishing
Guest Parking
- Electric kettle
- Cookware/ Kitchen utensils
Services
- Paid airport shuttle
- Valet parking
- Room service
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
- Tours/Ticket assistance
- Welcome drink
Dining
- In-room breakfast
- Restaurant
- Snack bar
- Bar/ Lounge area
- Outdoor dining area
- Dinner
- Packed lunches
- Special diet menus
Business
- Business center
- Meeting/ Banquet facilities
- Fax/Photocopying
Children
- Cribs
- Babysitting/Child services
- Board games
- Children's menu
- Children's pool
- Children's play area
Facilities for people with disabilities
- Toilet for disabled
Spa & Leisure
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Beach access
- Beach umbrellas
- Sun loungers
- Live entertainment
- Garden area
- Spa & wellness center
- Pedicure
- Manicure
- Waxing
- Body scrub
- Facial
- Treatment room
- Body wraps
- Massage
Room features
- Air conditioning
- Mini-bar
- Soundproofed rooms
- Sitting area
- Terrace
- Garden furniture
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Dining table
- Ironing facilities
Bathroom
- Free toiletries
Self-catering
- Electric kettle
- Cookware/ Kitchen utensils
Media
- Flat-screen TV
- AM/FM alarm clock
Location
Reviews and Ratings
The hotel rooms are spacious, very clean, and should include more information such as beach amenities. However, guests should be aware that drinks are not included despite initial information. The staff, especially Monica, Nelson, James, Austin, Kenga, and Ronald, go above and beyond to ensure a home away from home experience for guests. The location offers great sea views and easy access to the beach, while the dining experience, though fresh and made to order, lacks variety expected of a 5-star establishment.
The hotel offers dazzling, well-appointed rooms with a massive terrace balcony, top-notch food, and great cocktails. The service is superb with staff going out of their way to ensure a memorable stay, though minor details could be improved. The location is unbeatable, providing lovely sea views and a nice beach atmosphere. The dining experience is fresh and made to order, but could benefit from more variety. The facilities are top-notch, offering everything needed for a relaxing and enjoyable stay.
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