Watamu Bay Ora Resort

... I was disappointed with the quality of the service, especially from the management.

All in all, I cannot say the hotel is bad but a couple of incidents really spoilt my judgement. We stayed at Watamu Bay for 4 nights in April. We booked the first 3 nights through Expedia and got very good rates for B&B only, which is what we were looking for as we prefer in general to spend our holiday outside rather than inside the hotel, as lovely as the resort might be. After we left, we had problems with our flight and, since we could not get back to Nairobi till the following day, we called to book for an extra night. We were charged more than three times the price available on the internet but fair enough since we booked last minute and directly with the hotel. Nevertheless, we were forced to take HB even though we arrived at 9 PM and dinner was until 9:30 PM. But as always: “hakuna matata, you have time to have dinner after you leave your luggage in your room”, says the receptionist. So we had to rush through dinner as at 9:30 PM the food is taken away. The following morning, we were leaving at 6 AM to make our flight in Mombasa and when we went for breakfast we asked if they could give us a “breakfast box” (all hotels in Kenya normally provide a “box” if you are outside for one of the meals) and was told it was not allowed to take food outside the hotel. A bit surprised and upset, I leave the restaurant and go to reception to pay for the room and I mention the issue to one of the “directors” who happened to pass by. He answers rather rudely and confirms it is not allowed as people in the past have taken food outside and given it away and it is a policy for all hotels in Kenya. One: the so-called director (Italian, I don’t know his name because of course he didn’t introduce himself and he immediately hid away in a back room) was extremely rude and would benefit from some training in customer care or should simply change job. Two: all hotels in Kenya provide you with a “breakfast or lunch box” when needed. Three: we were asking for a couple of croissants and not 5 kilos of pastries to take out of the hotel and distribute on the street. The other small incident is related to the credit card payment. One: the machine did not print a receipt and, when I ask for one, the receptionist calls Francesca for help who tells me that the printout of the last payment is not ours and that she cannot confirm that we have paid. Luckily, technology serves some purpose and I can show on my phone that my card has been accepted. Two: we were charged a 5% fee on the credit card payment without being warned in advance which might not be a huge issue but is true lack of quality in service. Plus another episode which made me feel that in Kenya, which I absolutely loved as one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited, your money has no value. For the rest, the structure is well set up. The rooms are spacious with simple though anonymous furniture. The location is great, the beach in front of the hotel is beautiful and perfect for long walks during low tide. Not really possible to swim in the sea. Not a problem for us as there are other beaches but if you are staying in the resort for one or two weeks it may not be practical. The road from Watamu is in terrible conditions, but much better in the other direction towards Malindi (so difficult to believe it is related to the rainy season as indicated in a comment to one of the posts, especially since when we went the rains had not yet started), and make it more complicated to move around. A ride to Watamu by tuk tuk can take up to 20-30 minutes, a bit less by car, and even less by motorbike (which we rented and was great to have!). Something to take into account if you like to move freely in and out of the hotel. The resort is very isolated with a few others along the same road and, also due to the road condition, far from the village. If you need a taxi, try to use a local one and not the one provided by the hotel which is more expensive. All in all, I think the place might be very good if you have an all inclusive package and if you are very dependent on the hotel to do anything: they organise everything for you. For us, I thought I could go back again but after the last morning I am not so sure. I am just disappointed with the service and the attitude of the Italian staff (the two I met) and in part of the local staff at reception who has never been very helpful.

usually i go to mombasa for vacation but this time i decide to change and i preferrede to see Watamu. Now that i' m back I want to suggest this resort to everybody...beautiful place,spectacular beach near to a very famous sandbank with amazing colors. the accommodation is so confortable and you have the treatment is all inclusive!!Simply perfet and ideal place for a romantic weekend with special a la carte menu' created for satisfy every taste! I' m happy to discover that Watamu Bay is open all the year long..so why don't try it for a weekend!!!you will be homesick for it as well!!! promise!!! Monicah....back home for party!!!!

Booked here through Expedia to get a decent enough rate of $125 per superior double. This is a “soft” inclusive resort which means that all food and non-alcoholic beverages are included while alcohol is extra. We had a lot of issues trying to figure this out before booking as Expedia didn't know and we were unable to find a contact number for the resort. Turns out, it's because this place has just changed management in the last couple months that there seems a lack of information about it online. We arrived to realize that the place was deserted. There were 20 guests in a resort with a 350 person capacity. So unfortunately, a lot of my views may not be applicable if you come when its full. However, if you do get a chance to come, come sooner before it gets to be too popular or off-season (we were there in Sept) as it was an amazing resort and definitely the best inclusive-resort I've been to. For the 20 guests, there were over 50 staff taking care of us. The resort looks out over the ocean with access to the beach on the far end. There are two pool areas, one on each side of the resort, each with their own bar. There were a huge number of pool chairs and areas to relax although if this place was at full capacity it would probably be an issue like many resorts. The restaurant served great food with lots of selection. Definite emphasis on Italian food which was fine by us. Always pastas, pizzas available. Beer was a little pricey compared to elsewhere in Kenya but wasn't exorbitant (300Ksh vs 120Ksh at a grocery store). The superior rooms were large and bright with floor to ceiling views facing the ocean. TV had a variety of channels, a couple in English but not full satellite. Bed was super comfortable and all the furniture was very obviously brand new. If the rooms had included a couple little luxuries it would have brought the resort from a 4* to a 5* in our mind (like having bath robes). Also, we were very disappointed that the water never became hot despite assurances from the front desk that it should be. Otherwise, we never had any issues or problems during our two night stay. All the staff were incredibly friendly and went out of their way to take care of us. Everything was kept spotless. The animation team were nice, trying to get the few guests that were there involved in the various activities. The one night with an acrobatic group was amazing! We wanted to extend our stay a third night but the management was unwilling to offer the same rate as we would have gotten from booking through Expedia for 3 nights. So, we left. Overall, a great stay and we would highly recommend it, especially if coming when it's not very busy and you have the entire place to yourself.

Unfriendly stuff and management. rooms are clean but very poor equiped. food ok but dictated by groups of italien and french tourist. every information only in french and italien available. whole garden area looks like desert. beacharea not very beautiful I cannot recommend this hotel even if the price was low. there are much better option for this price.