UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2015
HEMINGWAYS is now closed and will re open in December 2015. Ā 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 GamewatchersĀ
Hemingways is hip – in a laidback kind of way !
Our family went Deep Sea Fishing at HemingwaysĀ at 6.30 am as part of aĀ beach holidayĀ in Watamu. Sea sickness pills, snacks, fishing equipment and local knowledge of where the big fish live – all supplied courtesy of HemingwaysĀ fine and experienced crew. Five hours later and a triumphant team returned with a 6kgĀ 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.Ā Whoever said beach holidays are boring was wrong.
We visited HemingwaysĀ in MalindiĀ during the recent Easter break but it is from November to March thatās best for Billfish, thatās 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 HemingwaysĀ 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 CreekĀ 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 fascinatingĀ old town of MalindiĀ which still retains some of itās Islamic influence and reminded me a bit of Zanzibar. Buy exotic vanilla pods, colourful kikoisĀ and Malindi MozzarellaĀ 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 toĀ SnorkelĀ 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 donāt 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.Ā We saw striped sergeant fish, translucent angel fish and a myriad of other species. Apparently the predatory lion fish was lurking low but I didnāt 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 gardenĀ 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. Ā Ask at reception for a behind the scenes garden tour.
HemingwaysĀ was opened in 1988 and we have visited many times over the last 15 years or so and still havenāt tired of the place. It seems a couple of employees canāt 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.Ā Go to Hemingways for some peace, nature and fresh fish served by caring staff in delightfully charming surroundings. Itās 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 Ā holidaying at Hemingways and do mention Monica from DoinDubai when you book !
Click here for Kenya covered inĀ Travel Arabia May 2013 edition and if you fancy a Safari in the City then check out the 30% discount offered by Gamewatchers.Ā
Thank you for the compliment, it really is worth visiting one day and so easy to get to from Dubai, just waiting for FlyDubai to go to Kenya, perhaps Malindi may be their next route ? !
Best regards,
Monica.
Very enjoyble read. Almost felt transported there.
Thanks Ajay, Hemingways is a great place all said and done.
Best regards,
Monica.
nice write up looks like u guys all had a great time . Will have to plan to go next year sometime, take care all the best
Ajay