Hotels & Lodgings with Restaurants
Baytil Ajaib (2 apartments, 2 suites, sleeps 8)
A beautifully resorted palatial town house, this is a fine example of Swahili architecture, with exquisitely carved wooden doors and ceilings, rooms opening out on to courtyards and capacious verandas with views across the rooftops of Lamu town. Baytil Ajaib means ‘House of wonder' and it typifies the opulence which surrounded wealthy Arab traders who sailed the Indian Ocean, trading in spices, ivory, mangrove poles (and at one time slaves), and lent their patronage to Swahili culture over the centuries. The ambience of luxury and history are emphasised by authentic Lamu furniture – hand-carved beds and tables inlaid with pottery. Spacious and airy, the rooms also benefit from en-suite bathrooms. There is a dining hall and numerous sitting areas around the house. Local excursions can also be arranged by the management.
Contact: P.O. Box 328, Lamu; Tel: +254-42-632033; email: b.ajaiblamu@swiftmalindi.com; web: www.baytilajaib.com
Jannat House (16 rooms; swimming pool)
Built in the 18th century, this former Arab merchant's house has been restored and furnished in traditional Lamu style. Owned by a Swedish family, there's leafy courtyard, a swimming pool in the garden and a rooftop terrace with views across town to Manda Island. Contact: P.O. Box 195, Lamu; Tel: +254-42-633414.
Stone House Hotel (13 rooms)
An 18th century house with large comfortable rooms, each containing an en-suite bathroom. There is also delightfully breezy a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views across town. Contact: P.O. Box 193 , Lamu; Tel; +254-42-633544.
New Lamu Palace Hotel (22 rooms)
Located on the waterfront of Lamu town, the hotel has been refurbished. It has a choice of an awning-covered terrace at street level for watching the world go by, or an airy rooftop restaurant for meals, seafood being a speciality. The comfortable rooms each have AC, mosquito nets and en-suite bathrooms. Contact: P.O. Box 421 , Lamu; Tel:+254-42-633272; fax +254-42-633104; email: islands@africaonline.co.ke
Petley's Inn (11 rooms; swimming pool)
Also on the waterfront, next to the museum, Petley's is one of the oldest hotels in Kenya – a typical 19th century colonial building with balconies and a palm-thatched roof. The rooms have AC, mosquito nets, en-suite bathrooms and sea views. There's a rooftop bar, one of the few places in Lamu town selling cold beer, and another one on the ground floor where people who like to enjoy the night life in Lamu can hang out. Contact: P.O. Box 421, Lamu; Tel: +254-42-633272; fax +254-42-633104; Email: islands@africaonline.co.ke
Budget Accomodation
There are numerous cheap lodgings in Lamu's old houses, with opportunities to sleep on mattresses under mosquito nets on the rooftop. Among guesthouses to consider are:
Pole Pole Guest House (15 rooms)
One of the tallest buildings in Lamu, it has good rooms with fans and mosquito nets. Most are self contained. Contact: P.O. Box 195, Lamu; Tel: +254-42-633344.
Hapa Hapa Guest House
Reasonable rooms, but not all have fans. Aim for rooms on the top floor which catch the sea breeze. Some rooms are self contained. Contact: P.O. Box 213, Lamu; Tel: +254-42-633145.
Bush Guest House (8 rooms)
Few of the rooms are self contained, but they are clean with mosquito nets and fans. There's pleasant lounge with sea views and a roof terrace. Contact: P.O. Box 22, Lamu.
Restaurants
Bush Gardens - on the waterfront. A good ambience and has excellent fruit juices and seafood kebabs. Open daily 07.00-21.00
Whispers - on Harambee Avenue. This has delicious espresso coffee and pastries, as well as meals. It's open during Ramadan. Open daily 09.00-20.30 and opening times vary in the off season.
Seafront Cafe - on the water front. A small and unassuming restaurant that serves up some of Lamu's finest seafood and Swahili dishes is located on the seafront, close to the post office. Ask what the catch of the day is and you'll be served a dish to remember for a long time. Open daily 08.00-22.00