Hemingways Watamu

“A Very Special Stay at Hemingways Watamu”

It is surprisingly hard to say goodbye to Hemingways Watamu. We came here for a holiday, but somehow along the way we became quite attached to the place — and, most of all, to the people who looked after us so wonderfully. Our accommodation was beautiful. We had a huge amount of space, with a balco… more

It is surprisingly hard to say goodbye to Hemingways Watamu. We came here for a holiday, but somehow along the way we became quite attached to the place — and, most of all, to the people who looked after us so wonderfully. Our accommodation was beautiful. We had a huge amount of space, with a balcony stretching across three rooms and overlooking the gardens and all the palm trees. There was a separate room and bathroom for the children, while we had our own bedroom, bathroom, dressing area and plenty of space to sit and relax. There was even enough room in the sitting area for three yoga mats or, on a different day, a small dance floor! It was one of those places where you keep discovering other thoughtful details every day. The little touches really stood out to me. The towels were beautifully thick and fluffy but still very absorbent, the bathroom products had clearly been chosen with care, and every evening there was a rose on the bed with a little saying. Fresh roses appeared around the resort too. These are small things, but they give you the feeling that someone has thought about your comfort rather than simply ticking boxes. I particularly loved my mornings here — yoga, a swim and then a warm shower. The gardens and pools are beautifully looked after, and the view towards the sea is constantly changing with the tides. There is something very special about watching the reef and beach appear and disappear throughout the day. And then there was the spa. Helen was wonderful from the beginning and so kind throughout our stay. Marioki's hot stone massage was genuinely one of the best I have experienced. Helen even lent me a yoga mat for the duration of our stay, which was such a thoughtful gesture. We also had the pleasure of having Ali and Johnson, our guide and driver, take us through Tsavo earlier in our trip. Both impressed us enormously. Their knowledge was remarkable — not only of wildlife, but of birds, trees, plants and their many traditional and medicinal uses. They clearly love what they do, and their enthusiasm, knowledge and obvious pride in Kenya added so much to our experiences. Our cooking session with Emma and her team was another lovely afternoon. We cooked chicken and octopus coconut curry, lamb pilaf, cachumbari and a coconut sweet, and then sat down together to eat everything family-style with fresh coconut water. It was great fun and gave us a glimpse into the food and traditions of Kenya that you simply don't get from eating in a restaurant. The food at the resort in general was excellent. The evening buffets seemed to offer something for everyone, and the teenagers were particularly happy with the pizzas and other treats that appeared during the afternoons! But really, it is the people we will remember. Silvester, with his beautiful smile, became such a familiar and much-loved presence during our stay. Nelson looked after us from our very first day and introduced me to Kenyan tea, which became my favourite afternoon pick-me-up. I don't know how many pizzas he served our teenagers, but he did it all with such patience and a lovely, gentle manner. Arastus was invaluable in helping us decide what to discover and try for the first time in Africa. And I want to mention the people who look after the pools so meticulously. My morning swims became one of the little luxuries I looked forward to every day, and their care really made a difference. There are so many others I haven't named, and I am sorry that I can't mention everyone individually. What struck us throughout our stay was how genuinely friendly the staff were. The service was exceptional, but it never felt stiff or overly formal. There was a warmth and openness to the way everyone interacted with us that felt very Kenyan and very genuine. I think that is what makes Hemingways so special. Of course, the location is beautiful, the accommodation is wonderful and the food is excellent. But it is the people and the atmosphere they create that stay with you. It was genuinely difficult to say goodbye. Thank you to everyone at Hemingways Watamu for making us feel so welcome, for looking after us so well, and for sharing a little of your beautiful part of Kenya with us. We will miss you all — and I suspect this won't be our last visit.

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