Crystal Bay Resort Watamu, Watamu - Reviews, Rooms Options & Prices 2025

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Key details

About the Resort

Jacaranda Road, Watamu, Kenya, 00400

Crystal Bay Resort, a 3-star Watamu hotel, features two swimming pools, dining options, and private access to the beach, offering guests a picturesque seaside experience. The property is situated within the National Marine Park and boasts scenic surroundings.

Rooms & Amenities

The resort offers 76 air-conditioned rooms equipped with satellite TV, minibar, and private bathrooms. Some rooms provide views of the beach and gardens, while all feature mosquito nets and terraces.

Dining & Refreshments

Dining includes options at The Main Restaurant and Tamu, where guests can enjoy exquisite fish dishes with views of the bay. The property also has two bars for refreshments close to the beach.

Leisure Activities & Wellness

Guests can engage in activities like beach volleyball, ping-pong, golf at the Watamu Pitch & Putt, and deep-sea fishing. The resort's beauty center provides additional wellness options.

Location & Services

Located near landmarks such as Gedi Ruins and Mida Creek, the resort offers concierge services for local tours. WiFi is available throughout the property and private parking is also provided.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Double Room

Max:

2 persons

16 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Garden view

Shower

Bathtub

room details

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Double Room

Max:

2 persons

16 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Sea view

Shower

Bathtub

room details

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Triple Room

Max:

3 persons

20 m²

Bed options:

3 Single beds

Garden view

Shower

Bathtub

room details

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

Explore available ways to reach your dream destination

City Center

Watamu1400 ft

Airports

Malindi (MYD) 11.3 mi

Vipingo Estate (vpg) 48.5 mi

What our guests says about facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Delicious Dining Experience

I had a wonderful time at the resort's restaurant. The food served was delicious and offered a great variety. It was refreshing to enjoy meals right on the beach, making each dining experience special. I particularly loved that they prepare fresh meat and fish on the grill, and the pasta dishes were cooked perfectly, blending beautifully with the sauces.

Walter567. USA, 2024-08-15Read full review on

Relaxing Pool Scenes

The resort features two swimming pools which made my stay even more enjoyable. I loved having access to a quieter, smaller pool that felt more private and was closer to the beach. The ambiance around the pools was serene, perfect for unwinding and soaking up the sun. I appreciated having such an easy getaway for relaxation during my visit.

Caroline1980. UK, 2024-10-10Read full review on

Charming Room Views

Staying in one of the villas with a private balcony was a highlight for me. It provided stunning ocean views, making each morning a delight. The room itself was comfortable and well-laid out, which made for a pleasant retreat after a day on the beach. The unique structure and cozy furnishings added to the charm of my stay.

Steve90. Australia, 2024-09-20Read full review on

Comfortable Facilities

The bathroom setup was functional and overall comfortable. While it could use some updating, it met my needs well throughout my stay. Cleanliness was a key aspect noted, which made my experience better. I enjoyed the hot showers after swimming in the ocean, and appreciated the attention to detail in keeping everything tidy.

JosephQuick. Canada, 2024-11-05Read full review on

What’s included

General

Non-smoking rooms
Paid Wi-Fi in public areas
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Baggage storage
Private beach
Currency exchange

Sports & Fitness

Wind surfing
Diving
Snorkeling
Canoeing
Golf course
Darts
Table tennis
Fishing

Guest Parking

Electric kettle
Dryer

Services

Paid airport shuttle
Room service
Housekeeping
Car rental
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Happy hour

Dining

Restaurant
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

Cribs

Spa & Leisure

Outdoor swimming pool
Beach access
Beach umbrellas
Sun loungers
Karaoke
Entertainment
Sun terrace
Garden area
Leisure/ TV room
Spa & wellness center
Pedicure
Manicure
Waxing
Facial
Beauty treatment
Massage

Room features

Air conditioning
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Ironing facilities

Self-catering

Electric kettle
Dryer

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

Jacaranda Road, Watamu, Kenya, 00400

Map view

Jacaranda Road, Watamu, Kenya, 00400

City landmarks

Farm

Bio-Ken Snake Farm

3800 ft

P.O.Box 416 Jacaranda Road

Seven Islands Resort

4200 ft

Stellamaries Catholic Church

3200 ft

valle house condominio

3600 ft

Naturalmente Pane

4500 ft

Ack St. Peter's Church

4900 ft

Watamu Beach

1.3 mi

Watamu Marine National Park

1.1 mi

Watamu

Blue Bay IGV

1.3 mi

Night club

Comeback

1.7 mi

Beach

Marine Park

1.5 mi

Watamu - Kenya

Watamu Bay Ora Resort

1.6 mi

Mida Creek Road

Blue Bay

1.6 mi

Watamu

Gede Ruins

1.6 mi

Malindi Road

Malindi

2.1 mi

Turtle Bay Rd

Ocean Sports

1.8 mi

off Mombasa-Malindi Rd

Ruins of Gedi

2.6 mi

St. John Catholic Church

2.0 mi

Michael Savana Safari

2.0 mi

Turtle Bay Road

Prawn Lake

2.2 mi

Spa Center

Sakina ocean spa

2.1 mi

Swarms of annoying beach hustlers and fake Rastafari

2.2 mi

Watamu Marine National Park

Mida Creek

2.8 mi

Watamu

Palm Exotjca Resort

2.4 mi

off Mombasa-Malindi Rd

Kipepeo Butterfly Farm

2.5 mi

Forest

Arabuko-Sokoke Forest

2.7 mi

Watamu

National Museums of Kenya-Gede Museum

2.7 mi

Nearby

Farm

Bio-Ken Snake Farm

100 ft

P.O.Box 416 Jacaranda Road

Seven Islands Resort

1100 ft

Restaurants

Papa Remo Beach

4200 ft

Jacaranda road

Mrembo Restaurant

1.0 mi

Fortamu Beach Jacaranda Road

Kachawe Beach

4400 ft

Jacaranda road Fortamu Beach

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience

60%

liked the resort and would come back again

Great beach access

Lovely sea view from room

Inconsistent service

Basic breakfast options

6.0/10

Guest rating

Rooms

6.2

Location

8.2

Service

5.0

Dining

5.0

Thomas

United Kingdom, January 2025

6.4/10

I had a somewhat mixed experience at Crystal Bay. The location is lovely, right on the beach, and the villa-like arrangements give a cozy feel. However, the service left much to be desired, especially regarding bookings and the treatment of guests. The breakfast was basic, which was a letdown, and the rooms could use some updates, but overall, I found it a decent stay for the affordable price.

Rooms

6.0

Our room had a fantastic view of the sea and access to a private pool, but it felt a bit dated and average in comfort.

Service

5.0

The service was inconsistent. While some staff were friendly, I encountered challenges with slow responses during booking and favoritism towards Italian guests.

Location

9.0

The hotel is situated in a beautiful bay, right at the waterfront, making it perfect for beach lovers.

Dining

5.0

Breakfast options were fairly basic with disappointing coffee—definitely not what I'd expect from a resort setting.

Facilities

7.0

The pool area was decent and well-maintained, offering a nice spot to relax, although the lounge chair issue was a nuisance.

Great beach access

Inconsistent service

Zoe

United Kingdom, December 2024

6.8/10

Crystal Bay is a budget-friendly option located on a beautiful bay with a decent beach. The accommodations are reasonable, and the pool area is nice. However, my experience was overshadowed by the focus on Italian guests, leading to some frustrating situations with lounge chair access. Additionally, the breakfast was just average and I faced some challenges during the booking process.

Rooms

7.0

The accommodations were fine but somewhat dated, with average amenities that still managed to be comfortable.

Service

6.0

Service was a mixed bag; while the staff were generally friendly, there were moments where assistance was lacking, especially concerning lounge chair access.

Location

9.0

The hotel is spot on the beach and close to many great restaurants, which is a huge plus.

Dining

5.0

Breakfast offerings were mediocre, especially the coffee, which was surprisingly below expectations for a resort catering to Italians.

Facilities

7.0

The pool area is decent and well laid out, but the overall property could use some updates.

Roger

United Kingdom, December 2024

7.2/10

I had a mixed experience at this resort. While it offers stunning views and the rooms are visually appealing, the service and dining options leave much to be desired. The staff seemed to favor Italian guests, which made it difficult at times to enjoy my stay fully. Overall, it’s a good value, but some improvements are necessary.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms are gorgeous and come with private balconies that offer amazing ocean views. However, the bathrooms could really use some updates.

Service

6.0

Service was generally attentive, with staff around to help when needed, though they seemed to cater more to Italian guests.

Location

9.0

The location is fantastic with easy access to the beach and proximity to good restaurants. I enjoyed the tranquil atmosphere.

Dining

5.0

Breakfast was quite limited and quickly became repetitive. I found it needing more variety to keep things interesting.

Facilities

8.0

The resort features two swimming pools that were really peaceful and well-kept, perfect for relaxing after a day at the beach.

Jennifer

United Kingdom, December 2024

5.0/10

I had a tough start to my vacation in Watamu. The lack of readiness for our rooms left a sour taste, and the experience with the owner was unprofessional and discriminatory. However, I was relieved that the staff eventually removed the dirty linens after I raised my concerns. I definitely won’t be returning here any time soon due to how we were treated by management.

Rooms

5.0

The room situation was unfortunate as they weren't ready upon our arrival, which forced us to wait until 5pm.

Service

5.0

The service from the staff was hit or miss; they seemed overwhelmed and the management was dismissive.

Location

5.0

While I didn't enjoy the hotel, the location in Watamu could be beautiful.

Dining

Facilities

Dorothy

United Kingdom, October 2024

6.6/10

My experience at the resort was quite mixed. While the rooms offered stunning views and cleanliness, I encountered significant issues with the overall service and dining options. The breakfast was repetitive, and on top of that, the staff's reception left much to be desired. However, the ambiance of the resort by the beach was truly relaxing.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were gorgeous and had a private balcony with amazing ocean views, but they could definitely use some updating.

Service

5.0

Unfortunately, the service fell short. Upon arrival, nobody was there to greet us or help us with our needs.

Location

9.0

The location right by the beach was perfect and provided a relaxing atmosphere.

Dining

5.0

The dining experience was underwhelming. Breakfast options were limited and became monotonous after a few days.