Where to sleep in Lamu?
Where to sleep in Lamu? Lamu, the main island in the Lamu archipelago and a small island off the coast of Kenya, is a serene and stunning kenya tours destination. It is a great place for a romantic safari getaway or a family safari vacation and a haven for authors and artists. Lamu, with its white sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and historic Swahili culture, is a great cultural safari tour spot to relax. The majority of our recommended lodging options on Lamu are cosy, modest resorts, but we also found a few quaint small hotels that are perfectly situated for taking in the island’s charms.
Lamu has been inhabited for more than a millennium and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The long history is reflected in the architecture, as many traditional Swahili homes remain intact. Vibrant markets lining the winding lanes offer a wide variety of goods, from fresh fish to spices. Kenya has some of the most stunning beaches. The coral reefs surrounding Lamu are among the greatest in East Africa, and several operators provide boat cruises to see them at their best. The reefs are long and sandy, with brilliant blue waters perfect for snorkelling and diving.
Peponi Hotel
Peponi Hotel, which gets its name from the Swahili word for heaven, is a beachside haven. Since its opening in 1967, the hotel has been owned by the same family. There are 10 deluxe rooms and 14 basic rooms with en suite bathrooms. Every room has a unique layout and is embellished with antique pieces. Every kenya safari accommodation has a private balcony and a view of the sea. Every one has a sun-heated water heater, a fan, a mosquito net, and a safe. The eatery offers a variety of sushi, Swahili meals, Italian food, seafood and steaks, along with a bar and oceanfront terrace. A wide selection of soft drinks, beers, wines, spirits, and cocktails are available in the bar. There is a library with multilingual books. A local masseuse offers body scrubs, reflexology, and massages.
The organic swimming pool encircles historic baobabs and provides a view of the shore. Classic gourds and ornaments dot the verdant garden. The Peponi Hotel reduces its environmental effect by appropriate trash disposal. Activities include boat rides, scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, water skiing, and deep sea fishing. The Peponi Hotel launched the Turtle Trust, a community initiative that protects turtles and compensates fishermen for releasing them. In an effort to save fish and coral, the hotel also collaborates with Lamu Marine Conservation Trust, or LamCot.
Majlis
The Majlis is a luxurious resort on Manda Island that blends Indian, Arabic, and Swahili architecture to honour Lamu’s traditional heritage. The resort offers a large range of amenities and safaris in kenya activities and stretches along the waterfront. In addition to one junior suite and one royal suite, there are twenty-five en suite Kenya safari accommodations, including superior, deluxe, and family rooms. With baraza sitting spaces, tasteful furnishings, and breathtaking views of the gardens, swimming pools, and sea, every room is airy and fashionable. The Junior Suite features a sizable terrace with garden views and two double rooms. The spacious Royal Suite includes a living area, dining area, bedroom, and balcony. Built from native materials including casuarina, mangrove poles, and thatch, the Majlis Restaurant boasts an open-air terrace with a sweeping view of the bay.
A variety of international foods are offered on the a la carte menu, which also features a sushi bar, pizza oven and seafood grill. The bar faces the sea and is located above the restaurant. There are 30 seats in the fully furnished meeting centre. In addition, there’s a state-of-the-art gym indoors, a boutique, an outdoor Jungle Gym, and a spa offering ayurvedic treatments. Activities include a comprehensive range of water sports, dhow cruises, and speedboat excursions. The Majlis was included in the 2011 Fodor’s 100 Hotels as an exceptional hotel.
Forodhani House
The gorgeous Forodhani House has breathtaking vistas in every direction as it rises from Shela Village’s waterfront. The home, which was constructed in the Swahili style, blends traditional design with contemporary amenities. This is a unique destination to spend a vacation with friends or family because it has a courtyard garden, swimming pool, lots of space for relaxing, and a staff that is kind and helpful. The five large double rooms with en-suite bathrooms are tastefully decorated with handcrafted Lamu furniture and four-poster beds. The numerous lounges are outfitted with daybeds and Lamu chairs and decorated with antiques, woven carpets, and old chests. Solid Lamu doors, sculpted friezes, and traditional niches adorn the whitish walls. Additionally, views of the sea and the dhows that sail these waterways are framed by the Arabic arches found on every floor of the home.
The majority of the activities in this area are done on the water: water skiing, windsurfing, kite surfing, dhow tours, and fishing are all accessible. Popular activities include swimming the canal and strolling along the lengthy beach and over the sand dunes. Not to be missed are the guided walking tours of the neighbouring Lamu Old Town, which is the only continually inhabited port on the East African coast. The historic forts and mosques of Pate Island, as well as the Takwa Ruins on Manda Island, are two more interesting local locations.
Kizingo
Located south of Lamu Island on a remote 12-kilometer beach, Kizingo bills itself as a no-shoes, no-news resort. Because Kizingo is dedicated to environmental preservation, it was built using materials found in the area. Eight well-spaced en suite bandas are available. Every banda features a towering thatched roof to optimise airflow, and is equipped with a spacious double bed, cosy chairs, and regional textiles for decoration. On addition to serving an international menu, Kasuku Bar and Restaurant specialises on seafood, such as red snapper, crab and lobster, along with vegetables that are farmed nearby.
Visitors are also encouraged to visit nearby communities. Kizingo is dedicated to ecologically responsible practices and conservation. The bandas employ eco-loos and solar electricity. Grey water is recycled into the garden and food trash is composted. Kizingo started the Kipungani School Trust, a tree-planting initiative, and a turtle conservation effort. All of these projects are open for visitors to view and take part in.
Lamu House
Lamu House is a tasteful blend of contemporary amenities and traditional Swahili architecture. The property, which consists of two beautifully renovated residences encircling a central courtyard with a swimming pool, views immediately onto the Lamu waterfront. There are four singles and six doubles among the ten en suite rooms. With a private courtyard and plunge pool, one wing of the hotel—which has five rooms total, including the rooftop superior suite—can be rented out as a standalone residence. All of the distinctively designed rooms have a large bathroom, a dressing area, WiFi, and a private terrace.
Visits to the dhow shipyard, museums, and Old Town are other safaris in Lamu options. It is also possible to organise for deep sea fishing, scuba diving, and panoramic flights. Lamu House shares ties with a restaurant and beach bar on Manda island located on the other side of the channel.
