Lamu Kenya Vacation Island

Hotels in Lamu Kenya Island

Peponi hotel-Lamu
(s/d high season US$220/300 (closed may and June)
At the east end of Shela is the top resort hotel on the island, right on the waterfront facing the Lamu channel. it blends neatly into the surrounding Swahili buildings and offers just 24 individually styled rooms, in white washed cottages with their own verandas. The stylish rooms are bright and airy and decked out with Swahili furniture. The hotel has excellent facilities plus a bar and an up market restaurant, all open to guests and non guests.

Kijani House Hotel - Lamu
(d US$ 160-180; closed May and June).
Set in the splendid gardens, Kijani was painstakingly rebuilt over 10 years from the remains of three separate Swahili houses, and it looks a treat. Rooms are beautifully appointed with fine traditional furniture. Like Peponi, all manner of activities and trips can be arranged, and rates include boat transfers to and from Manda island air strip.

Fatuma’s Tower Yoga and Retreat House.
( Rate per person from US$50) seekers of the esoteric or just something that little different should bend and stretch their way to this unique complex, a collection of coral cottages seemingly cobbled together as a single fortress-like entity. Rooms are very variable, but the ones on the upper floors are well worth a sprain or two. Yoga classes cost Kshs 500 per Person. The retreat is towards the back of the village; ask for directions.

Island Hotel Lamu
(Half board s/d US$37/52)
In the center of Shela is a superb Lamu-style house with romantic rooftop restaurant. (Opposite) .It is only five minutes walk from the waterfront, along the alley beside Kijani house, but you’ll probably need to ask for directions. The room rates include Boat transfers to and from Manda Airstrip. The hotel can also be booked through Kisiwani limited in Nairobi

Houses of Shela in Lamu
As so many houses in Shela are owned by expats who only live here for part of the year, there is a huge amount of accommodation available, very little of which is widely advertised outside the island. This makes Shela one place where the beach boys can actually be useful-it’s often easier to turn up and let someone show a few places rather than trying to do it all by yourself.

Shela Royal House.
(;d Kshs 1000-5000)
This is a grand building behind Kijani house, with balcony dining areas on every floor. The owners, Shela Guest Houses (Tel 633091:shella@africaonline.co.ke), also run two other properties ,the Whitehouse guest house (rooms Kshs 1000 to 4000)and Shela Rest House (rooms Kshs 1500 to 5000). All the houses have kitchens for guests. Rates vary according to season and include breakfast and staff, who can cook for you if required.

Banana House
(s/d US$70/100)
Seven stunning rooms in a Swahili-style coral style house in the so-called New Town Area. The garden is particularly lovely, and, as with the most private houses, exclusive hire is available. Rates include breakfast.

Kisiwani ltd
Rent out whole houses in Shela from US$180 to US$280 per day. Cooks and cleaners are provided and the houses sleep six to ten people .Properties include Mnarani House behind the Mnarani Mosque and Mtakuja House and Jasmine House, behind the Kijani house hotel. You should book all the houses in advance.