Hemingways Watamu

Absolutely stunning!!! It is a beautiful hotel and the rooms are fabulous. The service is great and the people are so helpful. Stunning!!

I had an absolutely amazing stay at watamu hemmingways, and what truly stood out for me was the incredible food experience. Every meal felt like a culinary delight fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The buffet was a real highlight, offering a wide variety of dishes that catered to every taste, from local delicacies to international favorites. What made it even more special was the warm and friendly team behind the scenes. The cooks at the buffet were not only talented but also genuinely kind and welcoming. They took the time to explain dishes, recommend favorites, and even customized a few items based on preferences. A special shout out to the head chef clearly a master of their craft. The attention to detail and passion for quality were evident in every bite. You can tell the kitchen team works with pride and heart. If you're a foodie or just someone who appreciates good service and genuine hospitality, this hotel is a perfect choice. I’m already looking forward to coming back for another taste!

Hemingways Watamu is a truly beautiful property — family-friendly, private, and incredibly serene. The staff are warm and welcoming, and the meals are consistently excellent. The rooms are lovely, located close to the ocean, where the soothing sound of the waves becomes your lullaby. For those seeking even more privacy, the apartments are a fantastic option — spacious, beautifully designed, and fully equipped for a comfortable stay. With the hotel set right on the beachfront, the views are absolutely breathtaking — just what you need to unwind and reconnect with nature. One suggestion: it would be great if the hotel offered a full board package as an option for guests. Highly recommended for a peaceful and luxurious escape with family.

Absolutely gorgeous view, great diving, and our apartment was comfy and spacious. Our server Abdalla gave great recommendations and looked after us very well both nights we ate at the restaurant. Chef Benjamin cooked up a delicious feast!

It was our second stay at Hemingways Watamu. The rooms are big, bright and perfect for a beach holiday. There are two pools, a bar and two restaurants. The main restaurant has a fantastic a la carte menu but their half board evening menu has deteriorated significantly. It was pretty basic some evenings with very little choice especially if one didn't want pasta or pork.  Their second little restaurant which was meant to serve authentic tapas served deplorable, fast food style food. We ate there once and didn't return. Hemingways ran out of aperol and a number of wines while we were there, and they didn't seem to stock up again even though the next door hotels were able to stock up after the weekend. There is a lovely gym and a spa. The beach is amazing. One can walk for miles and one is not harassed by sellers. The dhow trip in the mangroves was brilliant, and very beautiful. I would highly recommend it. There is also wonderful snorkeling literally metres from the hotel. The staff are absolutely lovely! Warm, helpful, kind and accomodating! One can walk to a few other hotels for meals or cocktails, and also to a new small shopping mall with a supermarket and gelateria. I love the area and Hemingways Watamu is probably the nicest hotel there, but unfortunately the evening meals have definitely slipped since our previous visit.

The experience was memorable, from friendly staff, to beautiful views, clean and spacious rooms, sumptuous meals. Special shout out to Zipporah at the Reception and Norine who ensured we had a seamless check-in. Definitely coming back!!