Beach House, Shela Village

“Beach House was AMAZING! Thanks to the location there is always a wonderful breeze and beautiful view and although we were a very big group, everyone was able to find their space. We really appreciated the configuration of the rooms which gave us one big room with lots of beds for the children to all stay together – and the pool is great for kids of different abilities and ages. Angelika the manager was very responsive and completely professional, helping us to source everything from tonic water to dhows to fire-dancers – we could not have asked for more from a host. The staff were also very organised and flexible, which was specially appreciated as the group included seven children of varying ages. Last, but absolutely not least, Humphrey the chef kept everyone happy with lovely breakfasts and incredible fish and prawns. We feasted on seafood, salads and pasta for four days and everything was delicious! We loved our stay and will definitely be back!”

Alizee, Nairobi

Beach House sits in a spectacular position at the start of Lamu’s wonderful 8-mile beach – the last house on the seafront before the sand dunes start. Just a moment or two from Peponi Hotel and a short stroll from the other low-key attractions of fashionable Shela Village, it is a wonderfully airy and expansive house and the perfect place for a relaxing, private and carefree break at the beach.

Ideal for two or three families or a group of friends, Beach House accommodates twelve to fourteen guests in four double bedrooms and one ‘quadruple’ bedroom (ideal for children) – all with ensuite bathrooms. On the first floor, raised up above beach level, there is a stunning, edgeless freshwater swimming pool – it has a bar area and low comfortable baraza seating and sunbeds.

Up the first flight of stairs is a large dining and living room, leading out onto an alfresco terrace, shaded by huge entwined acacia and baobab trees. Another door leads onto the wooden deck above the pool – a perfect dining area – and to two double bedrooms with their own private sea-view terraces. The house is simply but beautifully decorated and furnished with Swahili antiques and traditional furniture and exudes tranquility and restrained good taste.

“Beach House is amazing… Angelika the manager is awesome, the staff are great and the homemade ice cream was out of this world!”

Zena, London

The third floor comprises two double bedrooms plus a children’s room with 4 large Lamu four-poster single beds and an open terrace with space for sunbathing. From the rooftop with its bar, lounge and two swinging beds guests can enjoy panoramic views across the Lamu Channel – watching fishing dhows return to port, dolphins pass and the moon rise. On the hilltop, in the dunes behind Beach House, one can enjoy sitting in the gazebo with a stunning view of the Indian Ocean and the shoreline of neighbouring Manda Island.

The very experienced resident manager is on hand to ensure that guests have everything they need – assisting with menus and shopping and helping to organise local excursions and activities together with the house’s helpful ‘meeter and greeter’. A bevy of attentive but unobtrusive staff including two cooks, room steward, waiter, pool attendant and laundress are all there to make stays at Beach House as delicious and untramelled as possible.