Where to stay in Shela Village
Hotels & Private House
Peponi Hotel
“Peponi, one of the greatest little hotels of the world and unquestionably the place to stay on Lamu.” -Sunday Times
The hotel has organically grown to 29 rooms, all our rooms have an ocean view and each are unique in decor and lay out. Guest have a choice of superior or standard rooms; superior rooms are differentiated by their location, size and private outside area with swing bed. All our rooms have ensuite bathrooms, overhead fans inside the mosquito net and personal safes.
Kijani
Perfectly situated on the shores of the Indian Ocean in Shela Village on Lamu Island.
You’ll find Kijani Hotel along the seafront nestled among swaying palms and makuti roofs, located just a short stroll away from the main village jetty
Kijani welcomes you. With a freshwater pool, a relaxed rooftop restaurant and beautiful gardens, Kijani offer all you need to immerse yourself in these unique surroundings.
Banana House
Banana House is a boutique hotel and wellness centre in Shela, Lamu Island. It has all the charms of a quietly elegant private home with 16 rooms spread over three houses in a lush tropical garden. The love that its proprietors, Monika and Banana, have put into the property gives Banana House a warm and homely atmosphere. This, combined with our serene environment, organic fresh food, swimming pool, yoga classes and other wellness programmes, makes Banana House truly unique.
Lamu 360
Lamu 360 is beautifully restored with a lot of rich Swahili culture and authenticity. The look and feel is purely unique and stunning.
All our furniture and fittings are pure mahogany. We have not left any detail out to make you feel at home deep in one of the Swahili heritages.
Shiban House
There is a fully equipped private bathroom with shower and free toiletries. Continental and à la carte breakfast options are available daily at the homestay.
If you would like to discover the area, hiking is possible in the surroundings.
Manda Beach is 1.1 km from Shiban House.
Mnarani House
Mnarani House underwent a complete renovation in 2014. The 4 bedroom house is situated uniquely next to the Friday Mosque with beautiful sea views from all floors. House include, Staff and cook, Swimming pool, battery Back up, drinking water-filtration system, ice machine and Internet.
Mnarani House initially build in 1989 - underwent a complete and major renovation in 2014. The House is situated uniquely next to the Friday Mosque with a beautiful sea view from all floors, bordering a green garden behind the house and the Shela village to the left of the house
Guests will have sole access to the entire house with all its amenities and swimming pool area. There are no off limits
Our house staff Raphael and Lucas (Cook) will look and ensure all your needs are catered for during your stay.
The Kasbah
Located off a narrow sandy path, imposing hand-carved Arab wooden doors give a small hint to the spacious elegance that lies behind them. Inside, the pared back white-on-white décor offset with hints of blue and natural woods is the perfect foil for the traditional Swahili architectural styling – albeit with a modern twist. White stucco walls are studded with the delicately rendered Swahili niches. Characterful lobby furniture and artifacts provide an eclectic accent.
Ras Firdaws beach house
A true Lamu landmark, Ras Firdaws sits in a breezy waterfront position just outside fashionable Shela with lovely views across the Lamu channel. An outstanding example of Moorish coastal architecture, it is also a charming and atmospheric 6-bedroom family home.
Pumbao House
Pumbao House is a stunning villa located 2 minutes away from the beach in the beautiful village of Shela, Lamu Island, Kenya. It features a private swimming pool with a fountain in a cool and shady yard and breathtaking sea views from the upper terrace.
This house has been decorated with local art and furniture.
Pumbao House can welcome up to ten people with its 5 bedrooms. The steward Sylvester & the cook Mwembe will welcome you, cook delicious dishes.
Coconut House
beautiful home with garden. 4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms Airbnb House in Shela, Lamu County, Kenya. Max Occupancy of 8 persons.
Where to stay
Houses and Hotels
Have a look at all the places you can stay if you visit Lamu.
Forodhani House
Located on Shella Beach on the very spot where a watch-post once stood, guiding the boats into and out of Lamu Island; Forodhani is a beautiful beachfront house with stunning 270° sea-views. It comes with 5 professional, friendly staff, among them an excellent cook. We will do everything possible to make sure your holidays here, whether with family or friends, are both relaxing and interesting. And a little bit magic too !
Furaha House
The house is a stone's throw from the beach, just behind Peponi Hotel. It is also close to the Friday Mosque, UNESCO historic sites and shops/ATM. You’ll love it because of the seafront atmosphere, the wonderful rooftop view, the privacy and, last but not least, the welcoming house staff and excellent chef. This is a three-storey house, with a secured bedroom on each of the first two floors and a communal rooftop terrace. Both rooms have an ocean view balcony, a bathroom and a double bed with mosquito net. There is also an adjustable ceiling fan for humid days and nights. The rooms can be rented individually or you can rent the house as a whole.
The Moon Houses
Our homes are privately owned. They are built in pure Swahili Style and furnished with antiques.
Our cooks, stewards, and managers are entirely devoted to your service.
Your cook is trained to do all your food errands and prepare all meals for you. You can select your meals from our guideline menu and you will be served in your private dinning area. Food is charged at cost and recorded in a book of accounts.
The Green Tea House
If you are looking for an amazing seaview from your own terrace in a well-furnished serviced, daily cleaned and healthy house, surrounded by green trees in a quiet corner of the beautiful Shela coast, just a few minutes walk from pristine beaches, shops, bars and restaurant, you found it!
If you are just 2 people, you can rent also rooms separately for a cheaper price. Ask how to proceed.
A maid takes care of the cleaning, shopping, ironing and washing in the morning hours.
Bahati House
Located in the charming little village of Shela, just 100 metres from the sea front, between Kijani and Banana House, overlooking a large garden leading to the sea. Built on 3 floors around an open courtyard, the 5 bedrooms can sleep up to 10 people. Each room is self contained and has a king-sized bed. There are sitting areas on each floor to provide privacy to everyone. The rooftop terrace overlooks the sea and dunes and provides additional lounging areas with a Moroccan style corner and a swing bed.
The Dhow House
Unwind at the wonderful Dhow House, found at the edge Shela village on Lamu Island. Lying discretely behind a white sandy beach and a wooden Indian door, this beautiful, spacious home sits in a glorious private garden surrounded by high white walls.
Designed by a renowned French architect, the house is an ensemble of white turrets, terraces and polished stone floors, giving it a stylishly modern yet elegant al fresco feel.
The large infinity pool overlooking the lawn provides a great place to cool off and relax whilst the top-floor round terrace is a wonderful, breezy yoga spot.
Jua House
JUA HOUSE is a 7-room Bed & Breakfast located in the traditional village of Shella on Lamu island and only a 10 min walk away from the beach. Cleanliness, functionality, comfort, beauty and of course the service to the guests are our main focus.
The interior design combines traditional Swahili woodcraft, African style and a touch of modern artistry. From the two roof-top terraces one has amazing views to the dunes, the sea and over the islands of Lamu and Manda.
Fatuma's Tower
We have fitted out our rooms with a Swahili style, carved, high frame bed and white cotton sheets. The ceilings are exposed timber beams with white painted walls to provide a simple and calming ambience. You will also find a writing desk, side lamps as required and secondary seating to allow you to relax or catch up with a little work in your own private area should you need to. The floors are local polished and coloured tadelakt and the rooms are made up each day after breakfast and the mosquito nets prepared before sun down.
All our rooms have a muliti-speed fan over the bed, a small fridge, two glass, filtered water bottles, a safe for valuables that will fit a laptop, and room specific WiFi. The power supply is 13 amp, UK three point plug type, so bring an adaptor if you need.
Mtende House
Built in traditional Swahili style, Mtende house is situated next to bush covered sand dunes in the village just a few minutes walk to the beach. The house is light and airy with a beautiful rooftop for relaxing. As shela is a traditional and cultural village, there will be many noises, children playing , donkeys and the the call to prayer at 5am from several mosques, one is close by.
Mtende has an excellent cook, who will also do all shopping and washing during your stay.
Beach House Shela
Located on the southern tip of Lamu island, Beach House is a large, airy 5 ensuite-bedroom house with superb panoramic vistas of the channel and the open sea. It occupies a prime position on the beach and is a couple of minutes' walk from Shela village. An infinity pool on the lower level overlooks the ocean and is bordered by low comfortable seating. An unrivalled “Acacia tortilis” invites for lunches under its umbrella where delicious seafood platters can be served up to order.
Shela House
A leisusurely 45-minute walk from Lamu town, and redolent of rich colonial history, nestling between the towering Palm House and the madrasa school, Shela House is built around an open courtyard edged by a sitting and dining area.
5 ensuite bedrooms easily cater for 2 families. 2 rooftop verandas afford the guest a tranquil place for sunbathing, evening cocktails or simply relaxing with a good book. Freshly-caught fish, calamari, lobster and crab make Shela House a gourmet’s dream.
Palm House
Designed around an open courtyard with a tall central Pemba palm tree, Palm House is a Swahili-style house with a spacious baraza on the ground floor that serves as a lounge and living area.
It has 3 ensuite bedrooms, swinging beds on the second upper level and a dining area on the balustraded rooftop veranda. Seafood, fresh vegetables and fruits in season will enhance the joy of being in Lamu.
Fatuma's Tower
Fatuma's Tower is a historic building named after Fatuma Ali Abu Bakar, a Swahili noble woman who lived with five female attendants at the end of the 19th century. It contains an apartment for four adults and two children as well as two further spacious double rooms with their own verandahs. It is an enchanting building where you know you have truly escaped the busy outside world and where around every corner a beautiful artefact or architectural detail catches the eye. Entering this place through its magical garden makes you realise you have found a unique and beautiful sanctuary to rest and relax.