UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2015
HEMINGWAYS is now closed and will re open in December 2015. ย DoinDubai will keep you posted about What’s New! But if you still want to visit Kenya then check out these links:
Glamping In the Nairobi Tented Camp
30% off safari packages to Kenya from Gamewatchersย
Hemingways is hip – in a laidback kind of way !
Our family went Deep Sea Fishing at Hemingwaysย at 6.30 am as part of aย beach holidayย in Watamu. Sea sickness pills, snacks, fishing equipment and local knowledge of where the big fish live – all supplied courtesy of Hemingwaysย fine and experienced crew. Five hours later and a triumphant team returned with a 6kgย Dorado Falusi fish the colour of iridescent quicklime and 3 yellow fin tunas with piercingly bright eyes dripping with blood. Order your sashimi here on the gantry and look forward to eating it at lunch or with evening drinks at the bar.ย Whoever said beach holidays are boring was wrong.
We visited Hemingwaysย in Malindiย during the recent Easter break but it is from November to March thatโs best for Billfish, thatโs Black Marlin and Sailfish to the unitiated! Despite being there in April, plenty of Dorado Falusi, Yellow fin tuna and Wahoo were evident throughout our stay. The African Billfish Foundation works to promote and protect the species and Hemingwaysย follows it’s guidelines.
The Dhow Cruise
The older members of our party (grandparents) accompanied us on a Dhow Cruise through the mangroves in the evening in the Mida Creekย area of Watamu, a much more gentle boat ride this time with a feast of expertly prepared seafood cooked fresh to order. Drinks of all kinds are included; the local Dawa cocktail made from a Kenyan liqueur, lime juice and brown sugar seemed the most popular.
Malindi Town
We also took a morning out to explore the fascinatingย old town of Malindiย which still retains some of itโs Islamic influence and reminded me a bit of Zanzibar. Buy exotic vanilla pods, colourful kikoisย and Malindi Mozzarellaย while you’re there..Hemingways has a free shuttle service from the hotel.
Back at the hotel
Watamu is based on the edge of a marine park and boats go out toย Snorkelย everyday from Hemingways jetty (a 30 second walk from our room) Guests only pay the $15.00 marine park fee (kids are $10.00) to take the boat. Snorkels and masks are on board so you donโt have to buy or bring your own. Be amazed at the variety of life in an underwater world called the Coral Gardens about 15 to 20 minutes out to sea from your door.ย We saw striped sergeant fish, translucent angel fish and a myriad of other species. Apparently the predatory lion fish was lurking low but I didnโt see him ! The corals themselves spread out like loose meringue mixture that seems to be overflowing from an ocean bowl!
The hotel has a small herb gardenย which is regularly raided by the head chef who can spice up salads with mini pili pili chillies full of fiery heat or temper pasta sauces and salads with sweet marjoram and bulbous fennel. A beguiling number of plants with exotic blooms are also grown in a mini forest like area next to the herb garden. ย Ask at reception for a behind the scenes garden tour.
Hemingwaysย was opened in 1988 and we have visited many times over the last 15 years or so and still havenโt tired of the place. It seems a couple of employees canโt bear to leave either, both George and Benson have been there since the hotel opened ! While all the staff are exemplary and do everything to help make your holiday special, Hudson really does live up to his namesake (from Upstairs Downstairs), with no request seemingly too awkward to deal with.ย Go to Hemingways for some peace, nature and fresh fish served by caring staff in delightfully charming surroundings. Itโs not 5 star luxury as we know it but you can expect a hugely relaxing holiday in a gorgeously natural setting.
Click here for what you NEED TO KNOW about ย holidaying at Hemingways and do mention Monica from DoinDubai when you book !
Click here for Kenya covered inย Travel Arabia May 2013 edition and if you fancy a Safari in the City then check out the 30% discount offered by Gamewatchers.ย
