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Hemingways Watamu

4.5 star property
4.5-star beachfront hotel near Watamu Beach

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Photo gallery for Hemingways Watamu

2 outdoor pools, pool umbrellas, sun loungers
2 outdoor pools, pool umbrellas, sun loungers
Bar (on property)
Penthouse, 4 Bedrooms, Ocean View | Balcony view
Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, desk

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Spa
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Watamu, Watamu, Kilifi County, 80202
  • Place, Watamu Beach
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Prawn Lake
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Malindi Beach
    ‪29 min drive‬
  • Airport, Malindi (MYD)
    ‪24 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room, Ocean View

Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, desk

Deluxe Double Room, Ocean View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 40 sq m
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Single Room, Ocean View

Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, desk

Deluxe Single Room, Ocean View

  • 40 sq m
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Standard Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Ocean View

Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, desk

Standard Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Ocean View

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 150 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Ocean View

Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, desk

Deluxe Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Ocean View

  • 240 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Standard Double Room, Ocean View

Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, desk

Standard Double Room, Ocean View

  • 40 sq m
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Penthouse, 4 Bedrooms, Ocean View

Penthouse, 4 Bedrooms, Ocean View

Penthouse, 4 Bedrooms, Ocean View

  • 400 sq m
  • 4 bedrooms
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 8
  • 2 Double Beds and 4 Twin Beds

View all photos for Standard Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Ocean View

Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, desk

Standard Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Ocean View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 200 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 2 Twin Beds

About the area

Watamu

Beachfront retreat .Stay at this Watamu hotel and you'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Watamu Beach and 2 miles (3 km) of Prawn Lake. Also, Mida Creek is within 3 miles (5 km) and Ruins of Gedi is within 6 miles (10 km).

What's nearby

  • Watamu Beach - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Prawn Lake - 3 min drive - 1.5 km
  • Mida Creek - 8 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Ruins of Gedi - 16 min drive - 8.8 km
  • Malindi Beach - 29 min drive - 27.6 km

Getting around

  • Malindi (MYD) - 38 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Non Solo Gelato Blue Moon - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪7 Vizi Cafe - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Amici Miei Pastries Bar - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Sunset Beach Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Mkoko Beach Restarant - ‬3 min drive

About this property

Hemingways Watamu

4.5-star beachfront hotel near Watamu Beach
Hemingways Watamu offers its guests a full-service spa, 2 outdoor swimming pools, a fitness center, and a children's pool. There's a restaurant on site, as well as a snack bar/deli. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces.

A business center and a meeting room are available. Spa services, a terrace, and gift shops/newsstands are also featured at the luxury Hemingways Watamu. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) is available for a fee. Self parking is free.

This 4.5-star Watamu hotel is smoke free.

  • 60 guestrooms or units
  • Deli
  • Childcare (surcharge)
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Umbrellas for the pool
  • Business facilities
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gift shop
  • Beauty salon
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • Elevator
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • 1 conference room
  • Dining venue
Hemingways Watamu offers 60 air-conditioned accommodations with minibars and safes. Rooms open to balconies. Beds feature premium bedding. Televisions come with satellite channels. Bathrooms include showers, bathrobes, slippers, and complimentary toiletries.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Additionally, rooms include coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Guests can indulge in a pampering treatment at the hotel's full-service spa. Services include facials, body wraps, body scrubs, and body treatments.

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  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
4.9 out of 5, Exceptional, 39 reviews
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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Babysitting (surcharge)
  • Children's pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Snack bar/deli
  • Soundproofed rooms

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Children's pool
  • Fishing
  • Full-service spa
  • Gym
  • Scuba diving

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Elevator
  • Grab bar near toilet

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 32-inch TV with satellite channels

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • 24-hour room service
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Desk
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Phone
  • Safe
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 24 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 5:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets and service animals are not allowed at Hemingways Watamu

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! One child 5 years old or younger stays free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 20.00 per person (one way)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, debit cards, and cash.

We should mention

  • One child 5 years old or younger stays free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Pets and service animals are not allowed on site.

Property is also known as

Hemingways Watamu Hotel
Hemingways Hotel
Hemingways Watamu Hotel
Hemingways Watamu Watamu
Hemingways Watamu Hotel Watamu

Hemingways Watamu Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 42 out of 58 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 58 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 58 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 58 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 58 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Pilar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It’s a very lovely place for people who want the resort experience.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Albert

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Watamu With Friends

This was a very good hotel giving value for the money
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joozer, Oakville

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic staff and beautiful views of the ocean
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Caroline

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely to stay at Hemingways! As beautiful as ever. Staff and facilities first class!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Esther

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Adrian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

6/10 Okay

Luke

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
A very good hotel which has prime location on the beautiful Watamu beach. Food is amazing for both breakfast and dinner, you won't go hungry. But leaves a lot to be desired for a 5* hotel. For some reason water is rationed to a few small bottles of water in the room, y
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Rajay

Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Faith Nthenya

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

eve

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hemingways Watamu was just what we were looking for in terms of somewhere to relax and rest after an injury and work. Watamu itself is a bit less interesting in the off season (I.e. most restaurants are closed, as are many of the gear shops), but it’s still lovely if not a tad bit windy. Staff were amazing! Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Margaret

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Poonam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent property on the beach. All rooms are ocean facing. Perfect for a romantic getaway or adult friends
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We stayed in a 2 bed apartment which was well appointed and extremely spacious with a huge balcony (sadly not much sun as facing east) but overlooking the Indian Ocean. The bathrooms were good though beginning to look a little tired otherwise the apartment was fabulous. Plenty of bottled water provided each day and milk, tea and coffee (instant only). Substantial breakfast with plenty of options provided each morning. Lovely little coffee shop selling variety of cakes and muffins, coffee etc and range of smoothies. Hemingways bar fabulous spot for sundowner. Main restaurant was offering a buffet every night we were there but also à la carte, which in our opinion was the better option - and less expensive if you don’t have a huge appetite (buffet was ksh4,500 pp vs eg 3800 for huge freshly grilled king prawns and accompaniments or 1800 for delicious freshly cooked catch of the day). The pools were very clean (one main, one child’s and one quiet pool) and the pool staff attentive. There isn’t a beach to sit on though you can access beach to walk along. Gardens were delightful and well kept. All the staff we dealt with were charming and friendly and made us very welcome. We stayed in July and it was extremely windy (though I liked this as humidity reduced) and a lot of seaweed on the beach. We also used the gym which was well appointed, good a/c and I was allowed to borrow a yoga mat for my stay so I could do yoga on the peace of my balcony overlooking the ocean: nameste!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

John

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bo Ra

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Could be better

Upon arrival the staff at the reception just watched as we struggled with our luggage. Their welcome was quite cold. Had requested for rooms close to each other but was given given separate rooms and only informed there weren’t close rooms together ones we got to the rooms. Service at the restaurant was quite slow and the staff seemed confused with no coordination. Only one guy think the manager/supervisor seemed to try but you could clearly see he was overwhelmed. Overall, we expected much more from a hotel like Hemmingways. Standards were quite low and definitely not value for the amount charged.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

2/10 Terrible

Kosi, Marrakech

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Terrible food, terrible service, annoying inefficient staff that has no sense of customer service. The only thing going for it, the rooms are clean and shower is good. 5 star hotel, very far from it.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Hua

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

We wish you could do better

I think I would rate it 6 out of 10; 1, The Spa session was really BAD, no music, no green tea, no underware, the Lady who was massaging my husband was not very professional to say the least; 2, the house keeping service was not up to the normal standard, cups not washed, tissues not filled up; 3, Very minimum Seafood served and yet we are next to the sea.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Yasin Samatar

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel property with lots of amenities and access to the beach! Enjoyed our stay and highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nancy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stunning property and location! Even more impressive was the attentiveness of the staff and their outstanding hospitality. Every need was anticipated and met with a smile.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021