Hemingways Watamu

Hemingways Watamu has been a familiar name among deep-sea anglers for decades. It takes its name from the writer whose passion for big-game fishing drew him to this coast, and boats still head out beyond the reef in search of marlin and sailfish. The Hemingways Bar, the social heart of the hotel since it first opened, is where the day’s catch tends to be discussed.

Fishing is only one way to spend a day here, though. The hotel sits on Garoda Beach within the Watamu Marine National Park, and its layout lets each guest find their own rhythm. Families gravitate towards the kids’ pool and playground. Couples slip away to the botanical pool beside the spa, where the mood stays calm and unhurried. Snorkelling, paddleboarding and dhow trips on Mida Creek fill the hours in between.

Dining follows the same relaxed pattern, from Forodhani’s daily changing seafood menu to wood-fired pizzas at Gede Café by the pool. With ocean-view rooms alongside residences that have their own kitchens, it suits a honeymoon just as well as a multigenerational gathering.

ACCOMMODATION

Every room and residence faces the Indian Ocean. The hotel rooms are split between Ocean View and Deluxe Ocean View categories, each with a private balcony or terrace, king or twin beds, a walk-in wardrobe and a spa-style bathroom. The Deluxe rooms have recently been refurbished with softer furnishings.

For more space and independence, the serviced residences add open-plan living areas and fully equipped kitchens. They range from one-bedroom suites to spacious two-bedroom apartments, while the split-level penthouses sleep larger families across four bedrooms, with sea-view terraces on both floors.