Peponi Hotel
Set upon a headland of Lamu Island, Peponi Hotel offers a view of two worlds, on the one hand there are the historical scenes of Lamu Old Town, the calling to prayer of the mosques, black buibui-clad hennaed ladies and tiny, one roomed, local shops. On the other hand, there is a magical 12km long empty tropical beach, considered crowded with ten people (and the odd stray camel!) and rimmed by the Indian Ocean's endlessly moving blue waters.
Peponi hotel has twenty four bedrooms, each are simple and yet incredibly stylishly designed. They each have private en suite bathrooms and are delicately furnished to blend in with the beautiful natural surroundings. The main facilities at the hotel include a dining and bar area serving delicious meals including fresh local seafood, mangrove crabs, warm water lobster, squid, giant prawns and fish of all varieties. There is also the option to try some of the more local specialities, which can be eaten in the traditional way, on the floor, around a huge brass platter. Every part of the hotel, the architecture, the smiling staff, the sea breeze, the fresh food, the views and even the smells, create a spell that entrances. Lamu is one of the few places left in Africa where you can freely wonder around and it feels like you are stepping back in time with the only transport being by foot, boat or donkey – a truly atmospheric and unspoilt island.