Hemingways Collection is set to reopen Hemingways Watamu after undergoing an 18-month long Ksh 1.2 billion redevelopment.
The property, which was established in 1988, re-enters the market on December 1 as a 39 room boutique hotel along with Hemingways Residences, a privately owned residential development comprising 21 luxury apartments.
The Hemingways Residences consists of one, two and four bedrooms apartments which will sell from Ksh 45 million to Ksh 40 million.
Hemingways Collection Operations Director Mr Ross Evans said the Group is diversifying its product range based on market demands and the new international traveler trends.
“This significant investment will go towards improving our guest experience to meet the dynamic demand of the modern luxury traveler and elevate the standards of our coastal hotel to those achieved at Hemingways Nairobi,” he added.
Evans explained the Hemingways Residences offers buyers an opportunity to own a part of the Hemingways Collection brand.
“Owners of the Residences will enjoy full access to all hotel facilities with the added benefit of being completely self-sufficient if that’s what they are looking for.
Among the changes at the property include the Hemingways Bar that now opens to the view and sea breeze, a new botanical swimming pool alongside the new spa and modern gym.
With the relaunch, Evans revealed, the Hemingways Collection intends to position the property as a strong competitor to luxury hotels in Zanzibar and the Indian Ocean islands aiming to attract international tourists and domestic travellers to the Kenya coast.
READ: Big is beautiful: Minet eyes big business after AON buyout
He also added the need to showcase destination Watamu which is a recognised UN biosphere with the Watamu Marine Park on one side, the Mida Creek Mangrove Reserve on the other and the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve stretching along the edge of the Creek.
“Watamu has developed slowly and gently and now offers an exciting array of quaint beach bars and restaurants as well as a host of activities which we want guests to experience. To facilitate this, we’re launching with electric TUK TUKs to ferry guests around Watamu free of charge,” he said.
Hemingways Watamu completes the Hemingways Collection, and includes Hemingways Nairobi and Ol Seki Hemingways Mara.
