Hemingways Watamu

“11/10. Five Stars Feel Understated.”

We stayed at Hemingways Watamu from 31st October to 4th November 2025. Four nights. Five days. One mission. Give our three-year-old son his very first coastal experience. Mission outcome? Exceeded. By a wide margin. From the moment we landed at Malindi International Airport, things were already c… more

We stayed at Hemingways Watamu from 31st October to 4th November 2025. Four nights. Five days. One mission. Give our three-year-old son his very first coastal experience. Mission outcome? Exceeded. By a wide margin. From the moment we landed at Malindi International Airport, things were already clicking. Driver James was warm and very professional, and the 30-minute drive to the hotel felt more like a welcome tour than a transfer. At reception, Zipporah set the tone. Cold welcome drink with big smiles. Then she casually mentioned a room upgrade from a North Wing room to a One Bedroom Apartment. We said thank you politely, not fully understanding what that actually meant. That understanding came shortly after. On our way to the apartment, we were taken through a brief orientation of the resort and then ushered in by Sally. The door opened and we just stood there for a second. Clean. Serene. Modern. Tastefully done. An ocean views that was nothing short of breathtaking. The kind of space that leaves you speechless. That upgrade changed the entire experience. Completely. Food? Elite execution. Breakfast and dinner buffets had range and intention behind them. Mexican one evening. Swahili another. Proper starters, soups, salads with actual dressings, solid mains, and desserts that required discipline. It never felt recycled. Redempter, Nerea, Kazungu and the entire culinary team were always present, attentive and proactive. The kid's menu was flexible, and they adjusted portions without fuss. Our son enjoyed every meal, which any parent knows is a key performance indicator that matters. Now let’s talk about swimming. Because for our son King, that was the headline act. He loved the pool so much that getting him out felt like negotiating a ransom situation. Hassan and his fellow pool guides were outstanding. Always on standby, alert and quite helpful. Our boy had the time of his life. Activities were next level. Denis Maina from the Fishing Centre deserves serious credit. He organized two experiences that were memorable and surprisingly baby friendly. First was Mambrui Sand Dunes. Driver Joseph handled that trip like a seasoned storyteller on wheels. Knowledgeable, articulate, engaging, and deeply familiar with the area. We even stopped at the historic Portuguese Chapel, recognized as the first Christian worship center in East Africa. It wasn’t just a stop. It had context. Unscripted. Mambrui itself was unreal. Golden sand. Quad bikes. And we arrived just as the sun was setting. Cinematic is the only word that fits. I could have stayed there much longer. On our fourth day, Denis organized snorkeling. Yes, it required an early wake up & was absolutely worth sacrificing sleep. We were handed over to Mr. Kenga and those three hours exploring Watamu Marine Park are permanently stored in my memory bank. Kenga is an expert swimmer. Calm. Confident. Skilled. He took me on a swim stretching close to a kilometer while the boat followed alongside. It was challenging, exhilarating & personal. One of those rare experiences that stays with you long after the salt dries off your skin. We returned tired. Sun soaked. Fulfilled. To top it off, Redempter had breakfast set up in our apartment balcony, overlooking the ocean view. Perfect timing & execution. Housekeeping deserves its own applause. Our apartment was spotless throughout the stay. Always sparkling clean and well maintained. Zuhura, our housekeeper, was exceptional. Warm, professional and consistent. The evening turn down service deserves special mention too. Coming back after dinner to that beautifully themed lighting was something we have never experienced anywhere else. Small detail. Big impact. Every good story has an ending. Ours was bittersweet. Saying goodbye to the staff we had bonded with felt like leaving family. Driver James brought us back to the airport right on time, closing the loop the same way it began. Hemingways says “Every Stay a Story.” Those are not just marketing words. We lived it, experienced it. And left with more stories to tell. If you are looking for an ideal coastal holiday destination, especially as a family, Hemingways Watamu is the place to be. Hands down. We will be back in 2026. That decision is already made!

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“AB FAB HOTEL!”

FABULOUS HOTEL! We spent 6 nights here in early February after a busy previous week in Nairobi and on safari. It was perfect for a week of relaxing although there are plenty of things to do in the area such as the famous Gede ruins. The beach location is beautiful with the tide going in and ou… more

FABULOUS HOTEL! We spent 6 nights here in early February after a busy previous week in Nairobi and on safari. It was perfect for a week of relaxing although there are plenty of things to do in the area such as the famous Gede ruins. The beach location is beautiful with the tide going in and out. The pools are well clean and well maintained. The service is exceptional. The food is also very good and well varied. The service is excellent whilst not being gushing. We had the most wonderful two bedroom apartment with a kitchen and huge balcony. We didn’t want to leave! A special mention to Husna at reception who so helpfully organised a late check out for us on our last fay which made the end of our holiday very relaxing and stress free. I would have no hesitation in recommending this hotel. Thanks to all.

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“A must stay in Watamu”

We had a lovely 4 days at this wonderful hotel. Many people staying at this ti:e were of a certain age but so are we so nice and quiet. We had an ocean deluxe room on the second floor , no 35, which was very comfortable and had a lovely view . There is no lift so if you cannot make it up 2 flight… more

We had a lovely 4 days at this wonderful hotel. Many people staying at this ti:e were of a certain age but so are we so nice and quiet. We had an ocean deluxe room on the second floor , no 35, which was very comfortable and had a lovely view . There is no lift so if you cannot make it up 2 flights of stairs book one on the ground floor. There is a quiet pool area on the back of the house in the garden but we typically sat in the front facing the sea. All the staff were very helpful and always with a smile. The breakfast was very good , little snack for lunch were good but we found the dinner a bit disappointing. We would have loved to stay longer in this beautiful spot on a gorgeous beach.

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