Peponi Hotel is one of Lamu’s most famous and iconic hotels. First opened in 1967, it is still run by the same Danish family who originally founded it; and it retains much of its original charm. Small and personal if offers just 24 rooms, all of which are different. Long known as ‘the place to stay’ when visiting Lamu, the hotel is right on the water’s edge in Shela Village, a few kilometers walk, or a 20 minute dhow ride away from Lamu Town.  Guests arrive at the hotel by dhow and then walk along the sandy beach to the hotel. Charming, colourful and eccentric, the hotel features whitewashed terraces, blazing bougainvillea, palms and plenty of activity in its bars and restaurants. There is a terrace overlooking the ocean and a freshwater swimming pool. Peponi has its own fishing boat and water sports activities.

Location and seasons

Kenya’s north coast, one of her most popular beach holiday destinations, offers clear blue sea, marine parks, excellent water sports, coral reefs, monsoon winds, numerous hotels and beach resorts, family vacations, sun n sand, cultural and beach travel and more. Close to Mombasa, it is also within easy reach of Malindi, Lamu, Diani and many other popular Kenya safari resort hotels.

Accommodation

The 25 rooms vary in size and feature high Lamu-style beds, en suite bathrooms, 24-elctricity, mosquito nets and ceiling fans. 

Dining and bars

The dining room is simple and elegant, enlivened by colourful Dutch plates, Lamu chairs and paintings. French doors lead on to the general terrace, which overlooks the water. There is also an outdoor restaurant. The hotel specializes in seafood and has both a table d’hote as well as an a la carte menu.

What to see and do

An idyllic climate cooled by the monsoon, the Swahili coast offers a daily average of 8 hours of sunshine, and the hot steamy climate is tempered by the monsoon winds: the south-easterly Kaskazi, which blows from April to October; and the north-easterly Kazi which blows from November to March. 

A short walk around the rocks from Peponi leads to a long beach backed by dunes. The hotel can arrange for snorkeling, waterskiing, deep-sea fishing, dhow rides or whatever you may desire. 

Peponi’s deep sea fishing boat ‘Little Toot’ with its experienced crew and modern equipment offers some of the best sports fishing in East Africa. Ocean fishing with a hotel speedboat or hand line fishing from a local dhow is also available

Peponi has water sports for all age groups and levels of experience. Competent instructors and a wide range of equipment to hire from windsurfers, sailing Mirror and Lasers, wake boards, body boards and water skis. Kite surfing instructors are available but bring your own equipment. The nearby mangrove creek is ideal for water skiing at high tide. For the less energetic there are kayaks on the beach.