Hotel Of The Week: Watamu Treehouse, Watamu, Kenya

Located opposite the Coral Gardens of the Watamu Marine Park and conceived by local artist Nani Croze, Watamu Treehouse  is not your standard type of accommodation.

A three-story coloured glass wall greets you as you arrive and winding carved wooden banisters, made with delicate thought by craftsman-builder Andrew Melesi, lead you up into private lounges and comfy padded seating that have commanding views.

watamu treehouse

Courtesy of Watamu Treehouse

Light and color bounces off every wall through the sloping staircases as you wind you way around the torrents high up over the forest canopy into the cool air coming off the ocean. Here the emphasis is on comfort and open vistas, with no glass windows separating you from the natural environment and decorated in beautiful original pieces scattered throughout.

Set in two towers, North and South, joined at the base by a charming plunge pool and containing one of the more magnificent yoga studios I have seen — with 360 degree views of the Watamu area — there is a picture postcard view from every angle. The North tower, named Kaskazi, has an inviting dining and lounge area that extends up a staircase to three double bedrooms all en suite, two facing the ocean and one the forest all as neat as a pin and cooled by natural the breeze. Across a small walkway sits the South Tower, Kuzi, with four bedrooms, spacious, well appointed and also en-suite all overlooking the ocean. Stylish without being overpowering, you can see that thought has gone into every aspect of the Tree House. When it comes to dining you are able to choose from self-catering, bed and breakfast, or fully catered (if you plan on spending your days gazing out over the skyline).

The views over the forest and ocean are as memorable as this magnificent treehouse, built to be the thing of dreams and utterly unique as Watamu itself. If you have a fear of heights this might not be the right place for you, but if you want to overcome that fear I cannot think of a more spectacular way to do it.

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