01
Kizingo
Lamu
Thatched beach bandas on a long, empty beach on the south of Lamu Island.
Island · No. 2 in Kenya
Boutique hotels in Lamu
Lamu is a car-free Swahili island town of carved doors, donkeys and dhows, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Kenyan coast.
Handpicked boutique hotels
Where to stay in Lamu
02
Lamu House
Lamu
Two restored Swahili houses on the waterfront of Lamu town, with plunge pools and a rooftop.
03
Peponi Hotel
Lamu
A family-run institution in Shela since 1967, with a terrace bar on the waterfront.
04
The Majlis
Lamu
An art-filled beach hotel on Manda Island facing Shela across the channel.
05
The Red Pepper House
Lamu
A small, design-led retreat of makuti-roofed suites on the mangrove channel near Lamu town.
Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, a maze of coral-stone houses, mosques and rooftop terraces where donkeys and dhows remain the main transport. Nearby Shela has a long dune-backed beach, and Manda Island and the wider archipelago offer sailing, snorkeling and quiet sandbanks.
Where to stay
Restored Swahili houses in Lamu town and Shela are the classic choice; beach lodges on Manda and the surrounding islands offer more seclusion.
Good to know
Flights from Nairobi land on Manda Island, a short boat ride away. Dress modestly in town. The Lamu Cultural Festival in November is a highlight; check travel advice for the wider Lamu County.
Good to know
Questions about Lamu
How many boutique hotels are there in Lamu?
We list 5 boutique hotels in Lamu, including Kizingo, Lamu House and Peponi Hotel.
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