Peponi Hotel is a charming boutique guesthouse sitting right on the water's edge in Shela village. Owned by a Danish family, the Korschens, the hotel has a history dating back to 1967, starting then with just four rooms and growing over the years into a staple retreat in Shela village. There are whitewashed terraces, cool bougainvillea ceilings, and waving palm fronds. Nothing is slick, and nothing is flash, but the hotel is warm, friendly, and timeless.
In front of the hotel, there are always dhows and boats to watch, as well as plenty to explore in the surrounding village and more widely on Lamu Island. It’s a place of traditional Islamic culture, treated as an ancient and protected heritage by locals and Peponi Hotel alike. In balancing tranquillity and history, the hotel offers a relaxing and inspired stay post-safari or a getaway from busy life.
OUR OPINION:
Peponi in Shela, Lamu is a renowned family-owned boutique hotel loved for its blend of traditional Swahili charm and laid-back luxury. In our opinion, this is the perfect location for travellers seeking to relax after a busy safari, offering a welcoming atmosphere, exceptional service and a bare-foot luxury feel.
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Photos of Peponi Hotel
Breach area, Peponi Hotel
Bedroom, Peponi Hotel
Pool, Peponi Hotel
Alfresco bed, Peponi Hotel
Bedroom, Peponi Hotel
View of Peponi Hotel
Rooms
The Peponi rooms face the sea, and all have terraces or verandas with comfortable chairs. The rooms have high Lamu four-poster beds, mosquito nets, ceiling fans, and simple en suite bathrooms. The rooms are peaceful, and sitting on your terrace, you can hear the rustling palms and see dhows on the water. There’s a swimming pool where you can relax, should you want to enjoy the views of the beach.
Location
Peponi Hotel is located on Lamu Island, which sits just off the shores of the Kenyan coast approximately 150 km (93 miles) north of Mombasa. The island boasts one of the oldest preservations of Swahili culture in east Africa.
Food and drink
Visitors to Peponi rave about the terrific restaurant and public bar, both in their beautiful situation overlooking the ocean, and in their menus. The bar always has colour and life to it, and adjacent, the dining room has whitewashed walls, dark wooden furniture, Arabic tea urns, and antique plates on the shelves. But nothing tops the food. With a table d'hôte and an à la carte menu, both feature superb seafood — the speciality of the hotel.
Facilities and activities
Many activities can be arranged from the hotel. There’s a dhow into Lamu Town each morning, and snorkel trips, boat trips and guided tours of Shela and Lamu are easily arranged. There’s an exciting mix of water sports on offer too, from windsurfing and wakeboarding to kitesurfing and more. And after an active day on the water, you'll have the opportunity to unwind with a relaxing massage with one of the hotel's two delightful masseurs.
Lamu Archipelago and nearby places
- The Tana Delta 46 miles away
- Watamu 96 miles away
- Kenya's Coastline 117 miles away
- Mombasa 149 miles away
- Tsavo East National Park 152 miles away
- The Parks & Reserves of Southern Kenya 153 miles away
- Diani Beach 170 miles away
- Funzi Island 188 miles away
- The Chyulu Hills 214 miles away
- Tsavo West National Park 218 miles away