Hemingways Watamu, Malindi

Popular with British Kenyans and oversea visitors alike, and named after one of Kenya's most famous literary visitors, Hemmingways is a privately owned hotel enjoying a wonderful beachside location on the coastline of the Watamu Marine National Park. Palm trees, stone terraces, pretty gardens, ocean views and dazzling white sands are the backdrop to an indulgent holiday here.

All guest rooms enjoy ocean views from the hotel's two wings. Bedrooms which offer the best sea views, being closer to the sea, are those located in the original wing of the hotel and are smaller and more quiet. The bedrooms of the newer wing are more spacious and luxurious with distant sea views, beyond the garden and the swimming pools.

Dining has a distinctly local African flavour, crafted with Swahili flair. There are plenty of fresh fish and seafood choices owing to the hotel's coastal location. Meat and vegetarian options are available too from an a la carte menu which changes seasonally. Breakfast offers a vast choice of fresh fruit, juices and continental and hot dishes.

There are two teardrop shaped swimming pools on the extensive terrace, the beachfront bar is the ideal place to enjoy a sundowner and the indulgent spa offers a wide range of African treatments featuring locally sourced, traditional ingredients. A fully equipped gym has a fitness team on hand for instructor led workouts and there are floodlit tennis courts.

A whole host of activities are available from the beach too including paddle boarding, kite and wind surfing, there's also snorkelling and scuba diving at the coral reef. Follow in Hemmingway's footsteps with a spot of deep sea fishing, or take a sunset dhow cruise or take in some humpback whale watching in July and August. A day trip to Arabuk Sokuke Forest will introduce to elephants and some of Kenya's rarest animals.