Peponi Hotel, Shela, Lamu
The place to stay in Lamu – a boutique hotel as famous for its guestlist as for its comforts
Configuration
This sprawling beachfront hotel holds pole position on Shela beach in northern Lamu and has 28 rooms with views of the channel. Rooms vary in style and space – the rooms in the older wing have their own verandahs with hammock swings, and a particular favourite is the room above the dining room. The newer wing across from the main hotel looks out into its own garden area, with a similar attention to style. The beach is just a few steps away from the hotel, and guests generally arrive by boat from the airstrip on Manda Bay on the other side of the channel.
Food
Peponi is famed for its excellent seafood, and even if not staying at Peponi, it is well worth having a meal here. Seafood figures high on the menu – crab, prawns, lobster – and is beautifully presented in a highly-atmospheric surroundings. Guests are also invited to dine in different parts of the property if staying more than a day or two. The bar is open to all-comers, and is a popular spot for sundowners. Guests only are allowed access to the dining verandah.
Activities
The hotel offers a variety boating excursions – watersports, fishing, sundowner dhow trips, full-day excursions with snorkelling (although the new Lamu port has gravely affected snorkelling in the area), and trips to nearby ruins. For downtime, it has a lovely pool, and is on the edge of a 14km stretch of beach. Shela, an Arab-influenced village, is much quieter than its Lamu counterpart, and is a delightful place to wander around for a few hours. Several boutique shops have opened up here in recent years. A 3 km walk (or short boat ride) from Shela is Lamu town, the main port for the island and a busy, interesting place to wander around for a few hours.
Upsides
Peponi is one of the nicest hotels in all of Kenya – and its history is an illustrious one. Set up by the Korschen family, it has hosted the likes of Yehudi Menuhin, the violin virtuoso, to A-listers such as Madonna. It can’t be beaten on location, with access to the beautiful northern beach just a few steps away.
Downsides
We think the rooms in the older part of the hotel have much more charm than the newer one – although you may have little choice in high season. Ask for a room in the old wing. But we do like the new wing's garden setting, hammocks and all.
Points of Interest
Lamu hosts several festivals throughout the year – curtailed dramatically during Covid – which include the Lamu Art Festival, an annual fishing competition and a yoga festival (normally held in March). Dates for these are changeable, but it’s worth considering timing a visit to coincide (or not) with these. For shopping, head to boutique clothing store Aman (if you have want to splurge). The old town in Lamu - a boat ride or a 30-minute walk away - has lots of little antique and other shops as well as nice cafes to while away a few hours in too. The fort, too, is worth a visit.
Pricing
Singles start from Ksh 16,500 per night (residents).
Peponi Hotel
www.peponihotel.com
0722 203 082
Configuration
This sprawling beachfront hotel holds pole position on Shela beach in northern Lamu and has 28 rooms with views of the channel. Rooms vary in style and space – the rooms in the older wing have their own verandahs with hammock swings, and a particular favourite is the room above the dining room. The newer wing across from the main hotel looks out into its own garden area, with a similar attention to style. The beach is just a few steps away from the hotel, and guests generally arrive by boat from the airstrip on Manda Bay on the other side of the channel.
Food
Peponi is famed for its excellent seafood, and even if not staying at Peponi, it is well worth having a meal here. Seafood figures high on the menu – crab, prawns, lobster – and is beautifully presented in a highly-atmospheric surroundings. Guests are also invited to dine in different parts of the property if staying more than a day or two. The bar is open to all-comers, and is a popular spot for sundowners. Guests only are allowed access to the dining verandah.
Activities
The hotel offers a variety boating excursions – watersports, fishing, sundowner dhow trips, full-day excursions with snorkelling (although the new Lamu port has gravely affected snorkelling in the area), and trips to nearby ruins. For downtime, it has a lovely pool, and is on the edge of a 14km stretch of beach. Shela, an Arab-influenced village, is much quieter than its Lamu counterpart, and is a delightful place to wander around for a few hours. Several boutique shops have opened up here in recent years. A 3 km walk (or short boat ride) from Shela is Lamu town, the main port for the island and a busy, interesting place to wander around for a few hours.
Upsides
Peponi is one of the nicest hotels in all of Kenya – and its history is an illustrious one. Set up by the Korschen family, it has hosted the likes of Yehudi Menuhin, the violin virtuoso, to A-listers such as Madonna. It can’t be beaten on location, with access to the beautiful northern beach just a few steps away.
Downsides
We think the rooms in the older part of the hotel have much more charm than the newer one – although you may have little choice in high season. Ask for a room in the old wing. But we do like the new wing's garden setting, hammocks and all.
Points of Interest
Lamu hosts several festivals throughout the year – curtailed dramatically during Covid – which include the Lamu Art Festival, an annual fishing competition and a yoga festival (normally held in March). Dates for these are changeable, but it’s worth considering timing a visit to coincide (or not) with these. For shopping, head to boutique clothing store Aman (if you have want to splurge). The old town in Lamu - a boat ride or a 30-minute walk away - has lots of little antique and other shops as well as nice cafes to while away a few hours in too. The fort, too, is worth a visit.
Pricing
Singles start from Ksh 16,500 per night (residents).
Peponi Hotel
www.peponihotel.com
0722 203 082
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