HEMINGWAYS WATAMU REOPENS IN TIME FOR THE HIGH SEASON
(Posted 10th December 2015)
One of Watamu’s best known resorts, Hemingways, has now reopened after several months of major maintenance work which turned the back of house into a shining new state.
The rooms, both North and South Wing, also received attention and guests booked into the resort will no doubt see some added glitz and glamour.
Closed in April this year after a season ending major fishing tournament, was it initially the plan to transform the entire South Wing into 15 serviced apartments but this has now been scheduled for 2016 when the resort will again close after the Easter holidays. All apartments will be for sale and the owners, as is the case with other properties on this part of the coast, can let the resort book in clients when they themselves are not in situ. The work scope this year concentrated mainly on a new kitchen, new water pipes, plumbing and electrical wiring to meet the latest standards in the hotel industry.
Hemingways, part of a small group of hotels, is a sister property to the all-suite Hemingways Nairobi in the wooded suburb of Karen and the Ol Seki Tented Safari Camp on one of the main conservancies adjoining the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
Famous for its beaches has the resort however also a reputation to be a major base for deep sea fishing and its boats have done very well in past years in competitions as well as regular fishing trips with clients.
Watamu, within a half hour drive from the Malindi Airport, has gained fame for its laid back atmosphere, which has also attracted many expatriates who spend the European winter at these shores. #WondersOfWatamu has made headlines as a marketing cooperative to promote this part of the Kenya coast. The local turtle watch project has made it repeatedly in to the international media for the sterling work they do. So also did the Watamu Marine Association which is a major driver towards keeping the beaches clean, recycling in particular plastic waste and providing opportunities for locals in the tourism industry, as not long ago witnessed by this correspondent during two rapid succession visits to this part of the Kenya coast.
Melinda Rees, the General Manager of Hemingways, at the time confirmed that the reopening would be on schedule and good to her word has this now indeed taken place.
