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Hemingways Watamu is an iconic tropical paradise located in the heart of Watamu, overlooking the pristine Watamu Marine National Park and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. With its idyllic white sand beach, exceptional facilities including a spa, gym, and spaces for corporate events, all with stunning ocean views, this renowned hotel has defined Kenyan coastal luxury for nearly 30 years.
Enjoy a variety of activities, from learning to kite-surf or earning your PADI certification to taking a sunset dhow cruise on Mida Creek or playing golf at the nearby world-class Vipingo Ridge. For ultimate relaxation, lounge by the pool with a good book and savour our refreshing cocktails.
Penthouse style duplex apartments featuring living and dining areas and exquisite furnished terraces on both floors offer the perfect set up for groups of friends or large families. Offering two large master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and two large twin bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms, all bedrooms provide wondrous ocean views and direct access to the beautiful terrace. These apartments offer both interior and exterior lounging and dining space and a fully equipped modern kitchen.
The Deluxe 2 Bedroom Suites are larger in size and range from 240m² to 305m². Soaked with natural light and offering a large master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a second large twin bedroom with adjoining bathroom, these apartments offer even more space. Both bedrooms have wonderful ocean views and direct access to the terrace and the common areas feature interior and exterior lounging and dining space and a fully equipped modern kitchen.
Ranging from 200m² to 230m², soaked with natural light and offering a large master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a second large twin bedroom with adjoining bathroom, these apartments are ideal for families. Both bedrooms have wonderful ocean views and direct access to the terrace. Featuring interior and exterior lounging and dining space and a fully equipped modern kitchen, the 2 bedroom apartments have ample room for socialising or retreating to a quiet spot.
Approaching 150 m² in size, these beautifully appointed apartments offer a large master bedroom with marble tiled en-suite bathroom adjoining a tastefully furnished living and dining area with a fully equipped modern kitchen. The large open terrace provides fantastic sea views and ample space to kick back and relax. These are perfect for couples seeking a little more space and privacy.
Located on the top floor of our North Wing, our Deluxe Ocean View Rooms offer a whole new flavor of laidback luxury. Marble tiled en-suite bathrooms and private balconies with jaw dropping views of nothing but ocean and horizon offer the quintessential R&R experience. Add to that a flat screen TV and the magical Watamu breeze and you may not want to leave your room.
Located on the top floor of our North Wing, our Deluxe Ocean View Rooms offer a whole new flavor of laidback luxury. Marble tiled en-suite bathrooms and private balconies with jaw dropping views of nothing but ocean and horizon offer the quintessential R&R experience. Add to that a flat screen TV and the magical Watamu breeze and you may not want to leave your room.
Spacious and with easy access to the beach and the botanical pool, our ocean view rooms are found in the North Wing of the hotel on the ground and first floor. En-suite bathrooms and a beautiful balcony overlooking the Marine Park provide guests with the utmost comfort and luxury. The quiet grassy area in front of the rooms is a relaxing place to read and soak up the coastal sunshine.
Spacious and with easy access to the beach and the botanical pool, our ocean view rooms are found in the North Wing of the hotel on the ground and first floor. En-suite bathrooms and a beautiful balcony overlooking the Marine Park provide guests with the utmost comfort and luxury. The quiet grassy area in front of the rooms is a relaxing place to read and soak up the coastal sunshine.
Property Facilities
Activity Desk, Air conditioner, Bar, Business Centre, Conference Centre, Internet Access (Complimentary), Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, TV Room, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bath, Bed Linen, Clothes Press, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Cooking Facilities, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, Ensuite, Fridge, Heater, Internet Access (Complimentary), Iron / Ironing Board, Laundry Facilities, Lounge Area, Mid Ensuite With Separate Shower/Toilet, Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Safe, Shower, Table, Tea / Coffee, Television, Wheelchair Friendly
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Foreign Exchange, Laundry Service (Available), Meal on Request, Private Vehicle (Available), Room service 24 hours, Room Service
Activities on Site
Beach Drop Off, Boating, Canoeing, Catch-and-release Fishing, Fine Dining, Fishing, Golf, Kayaking, Kite Surfing, Massages, Sailing, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Surfing, Tennis Court, Water Skiing, Whale Watching, Windsurfing
Activities Nearby
Beach, Boat Cruises, Boating, Canoeing, Catch-and-release Fishing, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Deep Sea Fishing, Fishing, Golf, Historical Tours, Kite Surfing, Marine Adventures, Sailing, Scuba Diving, Tennis Court, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided), Wildlife Tours, Windsurfing
Step aboard a traditional dhow for a stunning sunset cruise, where gentle breezes and the warm colors of twilight set the scene. Relax on cushioned decks, enjoying refreshing drinks and freshly prepared seafood as you drift peacefully through calm waters. This intimate experience promises a memorable evening surrounded by nature’s beauty, perfect for unwinding as the sun slips below the horizon.
Indulge in a luxurious spa experience designed to restore your mind and body. Choose from a range of soothing massages, revitalizing facials, and invigorating treatments, all crafted with natural, locally sourced ingredients. In a tranquil setting, let the expert therapists melt away your stress and leave you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and fully relaxed.
If you are up for the challenge, sign up for one of the courses at Tribe Watersports, one of the best kite surf school in Kenya, which is a stroll away down the beach. It welcomes beginners and experienced kite-boarders. The warm, forgiving waters and the sand-cushioned sea bed are kind to beginners while the reef with its swells, kickers and sliders is a wild water-park for confident kite-boarders.
Stand Up Paddle (SUP) is one of the most up and coming sports for everyone, which is fun and great for communing with wildlife on their level. Whether its watching sea turtles take a breath or the sharks and rays swimming in Turtle Bay, or to entice the curious Watamu dolphins who may join you, this is the best, most natural way above the water to view the marine life in our Park and Reserve.
Diving takes place all year round although in our rainy season can be limited to inside the lagoon. Dives range in depth from only 6 or 7 metres to 30 metres, all taking place on the fringing reefs that grow along the shore of Kenya. The Watamu Marine Park is amazingly rich with over 500 species of fish inside the lagoon and over 1000 if you include the second and third reefs. Lion fish, groupers, barracuda, damsels, moray eels, butterfly fish and parot fish abound. Wonderful Nudibranchs are also fascinating to watch.
Whale shark and Manta rays are also seen and provide a very special experience even to the experienced diver. Over 200 brightly coloured coral species also inhabit the waters giving food and shelter to this underwater world.
Certified courses available: PADI, BSAC, SSI and VDST
Exceptional snorkelling conditions in the Park allow all visitors easy access to the spectacular undersea life. Whether a newcomer to the sea, or an experienced diver, you’ll be able to find some exciting things to do.
The Marine Park is about 5 kms long from North to South and approximately 1 km from the shore to the fringing reefs. Snorkelling conditions are ideal at low tide, and especially good at spring low tide. There are hundreds of beautiful coral reef fish which leave you awestruck and dazzled by their vibrant colours. If you are lucky, you may see a sea turtle, a guitarfish or large grouper.
The five-star golf resort of Vipingo Ridge is a popular day trip for Hemingways’ Watamu guests. 40 minutes’ drive from Watamu, a meandering system of water features runs through the course, keeping the greens bright and spongy. The course is also an oasis for myriad birds and butterflies. The fairways have been expertly modeled so that every hole poses a unique strategic challenge to golfers.
Once you’ve mastered the effects of the fickle monsoon breezes to complete this 72-par course, head to the terrace bar of the Swahili style clubhouse to watch the sun set over the western inland horizon of baobabs and sisal plantations.
Gede Ruins, an archeologist’s delight, was one of the ancient Arab towns that dotted the East African Coast. It dates from the late 13th or early 14th Century and was finally abandoned in the early 17th Century. Excavated since 1927, many areas have been revealed, including the Great Mosque, the Palace, several residential houses and pillar tombs. Surrounded by tall shady trees, a walk through Gede is a must for anyone interested in the Swahili people and Kenya’s history.
Fishing charters are 10 hour full day excursions or 5 hour half days, depending on your preference and normally kick off just after sun rise when conditions are calm and often best for an early catch. Our experienced crews are happy to work with beginners and help them through each step on the fishing learning curve or just sit back and watch a master at work in the chair on a big fish. Children interested in fishing are very welcome too.
Humpback whales are the most majestic animals in the ocean, and are seen annually passing through the Watamu National Marine Protected Area on the Kenyan Coast.
Ask any tourist to name the Big Five of Kenya, and they will no doubt give you the usual list of land animals. Although visitors to Kenya are aware of Kenya’s beautiful beaches, coral reefs, fishes and sea turtles, not many know that 10 different species of dolphins and whale have been identified in Watamu, which could easily be included in the “Marine Big Five”.
Each year whales are first sighted along the coast of East Africa in early June as they make their annual migration north from Antarctica. Whales travel to warm tropical inner reefs during both breeding and birthing. Newly born calves typically remain with the mothers for about two years, until weaned. The return journey is made in October, swimming over 4,000km to the cold, food-rich seas of Antarctica, their main feeding area for sardines or krill. These magnificent marine mammals can reach a length of 15 metres and weigh around 30 tonnes (about six times the weight of an elephant). Watching them in their natural environment leaping out of the water, sometimes in pairs, or larger family groups, is an unforgettable sight. They can sometimes even be seen from land in Watamu, as you sip a cold beer facing the marine park.
Dining al fresco at the beach with a gentle breeze is one of life’s great pleasures. Whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner, our signature menus focus on fresh produce cooked simply and served expertly.
Gede Café, whose structure is inspired by the Ruins of Gede, is your go to for a lighter, more casual setting for guests.
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