Lamu House Hotel
Location: Kenyatta Road, Lamu, 80500, Lamu, KE
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Property Type: Hotels
About this Property
Luxurious Spa and Recreational Amenities
Indulge in massages at the full-service spa and take a dip in one of the 3 outdoor pools or hit the 24-hour health club for a workout.
Exciting Dining Options and Entertainment
Savor local and international cuisine at Moonrise Restaurant with a bar/lounge and enjoy daily complimentary receptions. Unwind at the poolside bar or beach bars.
Comfortable Stay with Convenient Amenities
Stay connected with free Wi-Fi, enjoy room service, and wake up to a delicious continental breakfast. Benefit from services like dry cleaning, 24-hour front desk, and complimentary airport shuttle.
To experience luxury, comfort, and convenience in Lamu, book your stay at Lamu House Hotel today!
Important Information
- Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
- Some facilities may have restricted access. Guests can contact the property for details using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
Policies
Check-in: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Instructions: This property offers transfers from the airport. Guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
Amenities & Facilities
- Free breakfast
- Full-service spa
- Proposal/romance packages available
- Free WiFi
- 24-hour front desk
- Garden
- Luggage storage
- Continental breakfast
- Concierge service
- Wheelchair accessible
- Picnic area
- Free airport transportation
- Supervised childcare/activities
- Snorkeling nearby
- Free breakfast
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Multilingual staff
- Full-service spa
- Smoke-free property
- Use of nearby fitness center (discount)
- Free reception
- Snack bar/deli
- Access to nearby indoor pool
- Surfing/bodyboarding on site
- Free self parking
- Rooftop terrace
- Beach shuttle (surcharge)
- Pool sun loungers
- Beach towels
- Free continental breakfast
- 24-hour health club
- Concerts/live shows
- Couples/private dining
- Private picnics
- Art gallery on site
- Wine release events
- Proposal/romance packages available
- Beach club nearby (surcharge)
- Coworking spaces
Rooms Available
-
Standard Twin Room
2 Twin Beds
527-sq-foot room, furnished patio with ocean views
Layout - Bedroom
Internet - Free WiFi
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, room service (limited hours), and free bottled water
Sleep - Turndown service and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and a hair dryer
Practical - Safe, desk, and iron/ironing board (on request)
Comfort - Daily housekeeping and fan
Smoking And Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Bottle of water
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Turndown service
- Free WiFi
- Smoking and Non-Smoking
- Bedsheets provided
- Champagne service
-
Superior Double or Twin Room
1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds
527-sq-foot individually decorated room, furnished patio with pool views
Internet - Free WiFi
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, room service (limited hours), and free bottled water
Sleep - Premium bedding, turndown service, and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and a hair dryer
Practical - Access to in-room child care, safe, and laptop workspace
Comfort - Daily housekeeping and ceiling fan
Accessibility - Smooth flooring in room
Need to Know - No rollaway/extra beds available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Wardrobe or closet
- Bottle of water
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Turndown service
- In-room childcare (surcharge)
- Free WiFi
- No rollaway/extra beds
- Smoking and Non-Smoking
- Portable fan
- Bedsheets provided
- Champagne service
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Smooth flooring in room
-
Junior Suite, Pool View
1 King Bed
560-sq-foot individually decorated room, furnished patio with pool views
Layout - Bedroom and living room
Internet - Free WiFi
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, room service (limited hours), and free bottled water
Sleep - Premium bedding, turndown service, and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and a hair dryer
Practical - Safe, laptop workspace, and iron/ironing board (on request); rollaway beds (surcharge) available on request
Comfort - Daily housekeeping and ceiling fan
Accessibility - Smooth flooring in room
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Wardrobe or closet
- Bottle of water
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Turndown service
- Free WiFi
- Portable fan
- Bedsheets provided
- Champagne service
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Smooth flooring in room
-
Superior Double or Twin Room, Balcony, Ocean View
1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds
527-sq-foot individually decorated room, furnished patio with ocean views
Relax - Swim-up room access
Internet - Free WiFi
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, room service (limited hours), and free bottled water
Sleep - Premium bedding, turndown service, and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and a hair dryer
Practical - Safe, laptop workspace, and iron/ironing board (on request); rollaway beds (surcharge) available on request
Comfort - Daily housekeeping and ceiling fan
Accessibility - Smooth flooring in room
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Wardrobe or closet
- Bottle of water
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Turndown service
- Free WiFi
- Portable fan
- Bedsheets provided
- Champagne service
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Smooth flooring in room
-
Superior Triple Room, Sea View
3 Twin Beds
495-sq-foot room, furnished patio with ocean views
Internet - Free WiFi
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, room service (limited hours), and free bottled water
Sleep - Turndown service and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and a hair dryer
Practical - Access to in-room child care, safe, and desk
Comfort - Daily housekeeping and fan
Smoking And Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Bottle of water
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Turndown service
- In-room childcare (surcharge)
- Free WiFi
- Smoking and Non-Smoking
- Bedsheets provided
- Champagne service
-
Junior Suite, Ocean View
1 King Bed and 1 Twin Bed
560-sq-foot individually decorated room, furnished patio with ocean views
Layout - Bedroom and living room
Internet - Free WiFi
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, room service (limited hours), and free bottled water
Sleep - Premium bedding, turndown service, and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and a hair dryer
Practical - Safe, laptop workspace, and iron/ironing board (on request)
Comfort - Daily housekeeping and ceiling fan
Accessibility - Smooth flooring in room
Need to Know - No rollaway/extra beds available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Wardrobe or closet
- Bottle of water
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Turndown service
- Free WiFi
- No rollaway/extra beds
- Portable fan
- Bedsheets provided
- Champagne service
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Smooth flooring in room
Guest Reviews
- Mary (10/5): - Wirklich gut.
- Verified traveler (4/5): Beautiful hotel but we got food poisoning - A very beautiful hotel but the service is lacking. We got food poisoning from the hotel restaurant which ruined our stay. Concierge was also hard to reach whilst we were sick and there isn’t that attention to care from front desk/concierge. They didn’t really seem to care about our stay given that the food was making us sick. My earrings also went missing in the hotel and the front desk (again) didn’t seem to care and wasn't helpful. The other staff members, however were nice and helpful.
- Verified traveler (10/5): Gem of a boutique hotel. - What a gem of a boutique hotel. Quiet &safe. My top floor, seaview room had 2 balconies was very large & had a 4 poster mosquito netted king size bed. I left my balcony doors open at night. Only heard one mosquito. Giant walk in shower with benches in the bathroom, and an on sute masseuse. Staff was so nice. They recommended a wonderful tour guide, Abu Said who was very informative. As a very mature solo woman traveler, I felt very safe in this hotel & recommend it highly.
- Fabrice (10/5): Amazing view - One of the best places one can dream to stay
- Verified traveler (4/5): Don’t stay here - No AC, limited responsiveness from Front desk, delayed airport pick up
- Glyn (10/5): - Lamu House is a lovely historic hotel right on the harbor front - top floor bedrooms facing the water are the best with cooling breezes. The staff could not be friendlier and the restaurant is tasty and popular. If you want an authentic experience of Lamu the town, this is the place . It is not a luxury resort type establishment like the ones out of town.
- claire (10/5): Oasis in Lamu Old Town - We loved the Lamu House hotel. The location was excellent and service wonderful. Not for people who can’t handle stairs however and may not be suitable for very young children but for us it was perfect. The restaurant was great too. Service was slower sometimes but it didn’t matter. Food was delicious. We loved the pool with the fragrant frangipani trees over it.
- Lynda (2/5): - There are so many flies and bugs in the room - it was just awful.
- Willis (4/5): - The money I paid not worth it but nice place
- Camilla (10/5): Great stay! - Had a wonderful stay, staff were very friendly and the breakfast was delicious. One thing to bear in mind is that this location is in the town centre and not near Shella beach - it's either a 40 mins walk or a 15 minute boat ride. There is also no aircon on the island so it's just fans.
- Dena (8/5): Very friendly, charming hotel - This is a lovely hotel if one accepts the lack of a/c. During the day, with shutters and doors open to the sea breeze, it is quite comfortable, but I found it oppressively hot to sleep. The manager, Esther, is simply terrific, and everyone is extremely friendly. My room was lovely, with a private courtyard leading to the small swimming pool. There is a good restaurant and a good b'fast. You need to decide whether to stay in Lamu Town (where this hotel is) or Shela. The latter is a bit more Westernized. There are no cars on the island, so you go up and down the coast via water taxi, for which you wade into the water up to your ankles. Bring sandals you are willing to get wet.
- Marco (10/5): - Very nice and friendly personal. Spent twelve nights there and had a wonderful time!
- Andrew (10/5): - This property was amazing. It was a unique and quiet oasis in the middle of Lamu Town. The distance to the beach was a bit far, but this was a minor problem as there area number of Bodas and Taxi boats nearby to help you get to the beach. The property allows you to give a sense of what Lamu is truly like while still being quiet enough to be able to rest and relax. There are also a number of quiet pools on the property where you can enjoy nearly private relaxation. Some rooms also have private cabanas and balconies, which I enjoyed. Overall, this was a great place to stay at a very reasonable price point. The staff was even more amazing and helped me feel comfortable. Food at the moonrise restaurant was also really nice. I highly recommend this place to experience Lamu town.
- Karen (10/5): - Staff were lovely.
- Sumra (10/5): - I highly recommend staying at the hotel. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The room and the hotel itself is very beautiful. The location is also really good as it is right on the waterfront.
- Eric (10/5): - Family-friendly and amazing staff ! We felt at home every day during our 2-weeks stay.
- Genuine (10/5): - The Staff, the architecture of the place, the view from the rooms into the channel, all these and more ensured I was able to completely unwind
- Bernadette (8/5): Séjour agreable - 6 jours au Lamu house agreables. Chambre supérieure avec balcon donnant sur le front de mer qui est incontestablement un plus. Chambre un peu petite mais ce n'est pas rédhibitoire. Grande moustiquaire mais un petit bemol, le plafond de la moustiquaire en coton annule l'effet du ventilateur. Grande douche, linge de toilette confortable, suffisamment d'espace pour installer les produits de toilette. Entrée un peu sombre. Neanmoins jolie deco, personnel souriant. Bon restaurant mais il faut etre patient. Bon établissement.
- vicky (10/5): - A haven of tranquility in noisy, dirty Lamu (which I love by the way). The Moonlight restaurant is a fine place to sit and have a quiet drink or meal under the shady flame tree; the pool a welcome place to cool off after the heat of the day. All very attractive in the old courtyard. The rooms a simple, but clean, furnished in traditional Swahili style. The staff, especially Esther on front desk, extremely helpful, arranging expeditions, finding old friends etc. Strongly recommend if you are staying in Lamu town.
- Francis (10/5): - Fantastic! I would go back again any other time
- Yasin (10/5): - Wonderful hotel, attentive staff, amazing pool. A great stay, highly recommended!
- Yasin (10/5): - An amazing stay, as always!
- Hassan (10/5): - Nice place, at the waterfront and close to most cultural and heritage sites.
- Jason (10/5): Fantastic - Excellent property; the best in Lamu town. Beautiful pool area, and the restaurant has the best food in town as well. At checkin we were warmly welcomed, and upgraded to a superior suite on the rooftop. All around an amazing stay and highly recommend this property!
- Maura (10/5): An absolute gem in Lamu Town - This lovely hotel is located right in the heart of Lamu Town, which for me was much more interesting than staying on Shela Beach. I experienced the best hospitality at this hotel that I have ever received (and I travel a LOT)! Olga was an outstanding hostess that really made sure I enjoyed every moment of my stay in this amazing and beautiful destination, and the rest of the staff were also quite friendly and accommodating. The hotel itself is architecturally stunning, with all kinds of unique and traditional features and touches around every corner. It is really a photographer's dream as the light filters in from all kinds of interesting angles throughout the day to highlight the many charming details and furnishings. You can catch a boat to Shela (or other points) right outside the door, but there's also a refreshing pool in the courtyard where the hotel hosts movies and musical events featuring some very talented musicians. I stayed in a room overlooking the sea and enjoyed spectacular views and sunsets from a very comfortable balcony. There is also a great restaurant with tasty food on site. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay here and dream of the day I can return. Five stars on everything!!! Thank you for a fantastic stay! (Note: the Hotels.com website gives the option of booking specific rooms, but if a sea view room is your preference, be sure to contact the hotel to ensure that one is actually available.)
- Emmanuel (8/5): - Superbe hôtel décoré avec beaucoup de goût dans le respect des traditions locales. Restaurant excellent
- Verified traveler (10/5): - A beautifully designed hotel and a peaceful haven in lamu town. Staff all very helpful and food lovely
- Verified traveler (10/5): - Nydelig hotell i Lamu Town. En rolig oase med fine, store rom, deilig svømmebasseng og god mat. Anbefales!
- Amanda (8/5): Great honeymoon! - Lamu House is a gorgeous hotel with an amazing staff
- Alex (10/5): - A fantatic property. Two old swahili houses completely remodeled. An oasis within a busy Lamu downtown. Excellent pool and the best restaurant in town. The hotel manager and staff make the stay a joy.
- Tone (8/5): A lovely place! - There’s beauty wherever you turn, a fantastic place, very special. It’s noisy, but located in the middle of life on the Corniche, what else could it be? You can sit on your balcony early morning and see the kids dive from the roadway and hear the cloppeticlop of the donkeys being driven by. I could sit there forever, it’s magic.
- Aiman (8/5): - The property was facing the ocean which was pleasing. However, there was a need for Ac in the room as the air from the ocean wind was strong at times.
- alma (8/5): Beautiful - Excellent property. Lacks AC. It really was hot in the room. It was an almost perfect stay. The property is like the pictures great architect and designer, sooo very beautiful!!! Good brrakfast included. Pick and drop off at airport
- Jeff (10/5): - Lamu House is a beautiful and well maintained facility, right on the waterfront, just a short walk to the pier where the dhows arrive from the airport or leave for Shela. Our room was lovely. We sprang for the ocean view room, with a lovely balcony overlooking the water. The basics are there: hot showers, comfy bed, and with a luxurious feel. Impressive feature I have not seen anywhere else: a large shower with two separate shower heads -- no waiting! There is no A/C but there was almost always a cool breeze coming through the windows, so it was always comfortable in the room (we were there in late Sept). The staff is very friendly and super helpful. When there was a little glitch one day and they had forgotten to make up the room, they brought a complimentary bottle of wine (and then happily exchanged it when we said we were tea drinkers). A friend who visits Lamu frequently told us it's the best hotel in Lamu town, and from what I've seen, I can believe it. We did not use the pool, so can't comment on that, looked fairly clean. They serve a hearty breakfast, pretty basic, but will keep you fueled well into your day. We only took one other meal there, which was kind of disappointing, especially for the price, but plenty of people seem to like it for dinner, and most nights they had a Swahili band playing. I would definitely recommend Lamu House, and we will almost certainly stay there next time we're in Lamu.
- Verified traveler (8/5): - La habitación era calurosa y no había aire. Pero la piscina y la decoración del hotel muy lindo.
- Patrick (10/5): - Exactly what we needed for a quite anniversary...
- Alexey (8/5): Отличный отель для этнографического отдыха - Отель один из самых или даже самый лучший в Ламу. Огромные номера в стиле местной архитектуры позволяют полностью перенестись в мир жизни жителей Ламу и прочувствовать их быт и будни. Огромные веранды, несколько бассейнов под тенью орхидеи, антикварная мебель, крыша сделанная по местным традициям только из соломы, ванная выдолбленная в камне, органическая косметика в стеклянных бутылочках, все это перенесло нас на сотни лет назад. Отдельно хотел бы отметить отличный ресторан при отеле. Сервировка, качество блюд и обслуживание на высшем уровне! Но, за все надо платить. И не только деньгами. В связи с тем, что в традиционных жилищах крыша не плотно прилегает к зданию, а как бы накрывает его, то в номерах нет кондиционеров. И это было очень тяжело перенести при температуре свыше 30 ночью. Так как отель находится прямо внутри местной городской жизни, то и вся городская действительность также активно вторгается в твою жизнь. Овечка у соседей на балконе, блеявшая беспрестанно каждую ночь, громкие песни муэдзинов со всех сторон в 5 утра, шум и крики соседей живущих своей обыденной жизнью, ну и конечно, незабываемый аромат открытой канализации. Вообщем, я бы крайне рекомендовал этот отель, если вам действительно хочется прочувствовать как жили и живут люди в городе с почти тысячелетней историей. Но, если комфорт для вас важнее, не стоит селиться в Ламу. Лучше тогда поселиться на соседней Шеле или на острове напротив.
- Verified traveler (10/5): - Old Swahili townhouse conversion which retains the characteristics of old style.
- Anna (10/5): - Incredible place to relax! The staff was very friendly and accommodating. Delicious food!
- Verified traveler (10/5): - I liked the use of the original house and the simple but stylish and comfortable rooms. The welcome and staff were great!
- Verified traveler (10/5): - Lovely stay.... very very friendly staff, great restaurant run my manager Dirk who was very welcoming and provided great food
- Verified traveler (8/5): - Best hotel in Lamu Town,very good restaurant and very nice management.
- Gabriele (10/5): - One of the best experience of my life, all was perfect. I would warmly suggest to everyone.
- Verified traveler (10/5): Beautiful hotel in Lamu! - If you're looking for a gorgeous hotel in Lamu with great decor, service and a wonderful restaurant this is definitely it. The wifi could have been better but otherwise a great pick.
- Emilia (6/5): Extortion at Lamu House Hotel - The hotel is charming and ideally located by the ocean, with fascinating views from the sea-fronting room. The rooms are spacious and the house-cleaning, kitchen and restaurant staff are charming in their own way. That said, BEWARE of the front-office staff, namely Agatha and Bertha, who are running a racket (with the full knowledge of - if not complicity with - the accountant and manager, Dominic and Orla respectively) to extort money from hotel guests and unassuming tourists. They add a 25% commission to the prices they quote for tourist activities in Lamu, which they expect to receive directly from the service provider (dhow captain or tour guide). Several efforts to report this both to the accountant (acting manager) and management have gone unattended for close to a week following my stay. Thus I find it prudent to report this here to warn future guests and tourists who plan to stay there. This is incident has left a bitter taste in my mouth to what would have otherwise been a pleasant stay.
- bieke (10/5): beautiful hotel - beautiful place to stay! we got an upgrade to a room with sea view since there were little people in the hotel at that time. This room was supernice. The staff was also very nice and very helpful. The complimentary breakfast was very good - good coffee, eggs, pancakes, juices,... The pool (and definitely the two little pools) was a bit dirty at times but that did not keep us from enjoying the very beautiful outdoor space! We did not have dinner in the restaurant since that was a bit expensive to our opinion and there are so many nice places in Lamu town to discover. Lamu is definitely worth visiting - it's paradise - and if you do so, Lamu House is one of the best and charming hotels in town.
- Joy (8/5): Great beach club, noisy room - My stay at Lamu House was generally good. The room was clean and well serviced. I really enjoyed the beach club, and the staff who service the beach club (Esther, Juma and Saidi) were wonderful. Given that access to the beach club was the primary reason I picked Lamu House over another hotel in Lamu, I was pleased. I did have a couple of challenges with my stay. One was the noise level of the kitchen/restaurant area. My room overlooked the restaurant, which was busy until late at night, and then started up again early in the morning in preparation for the day. If you are a light sleeper, Room 3 is not for you. Secondly, there seemed to be a premium on towels that I didn't understand. I asked for an extra towel, and was informed that since I had paid for a single room, I could not get an extra towel. I explained that I had actually paid the double occupancy rate (the friend that was supposed to accompany me couldn't make it at the last minute), but still the towel request seemed to be an insurmountable hurdle. This seemed to me to be a silly and arbitrary issue to take a stand on, and annoyed me significantly. Other than that, the hotel is lovely - quaint and well preserved. I'm not sure if I would stay again, but that's because I might prefer to stay on Manda or Shela beach next time.
- Jennifer (10/5): Highly recommended - Gorgeous hotel with a warm and welcoming staff. This beautiful boutique hotel has stylish rooms, a beautiful pool, and a friendly and hard-working staff.
- Verified traveler (8/5): Beautiful Swahili house - The small hotel seems to be an old Swahili villa but with modern conveniences and a very open breezy feel. The view of the ocean is nice from the balcony of the room. The breakfast is very good and the chef quite nice and accommodating even during Ramadan.
- Lucy (10/5): Magical stay - We traveled to Lamu for the weekend and the Lamu House was absolutely incredible.... Everything from the hotel itself to our room to the staff -- I can honestly say it is one of my favorite hotels in the world (and I travel frequently). They picked us up (and dropped us off) at the airport, gave us fresh juice and water on arrival, helped plan our days and were generally a joy to be around. Everyone was exceptionally kind and welcoming. Breakfasts were delicious, the hotel itself is stunning and the pool is perfect, and the location is ideal for exploring Lamu. They also have a beach club they take you to on Saturdays and cook a delicious lunch. Once we were in Lamu we had the chance to check out some of the other resorts, including the more expensive ones, and we can honestly say Lamu House seemed the best! We cannot recommend this place more highly!
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