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Lamu Island, Kenya

Peponi Hotel

Peponi is a really cool hotel. It is located in the cute suburb of Shela near Lamu Town. It offers great value for those wanting to experience the waters of the Indian Ocean and the Swahili roots of Lamu. The restaurant and bar of the hotel are the hippest places to be in the area. While the beach is more of a boat loading zone, there is a swimming pool and guests can take optional trips to pristine snorkel and scuba sites.  — Mango's view

Peponi is a small hotel on the exotic island of Lamu, in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Kenya, the very root of Swahili culture, which spread centuries ago down the East African Coast. The move of the Oman Sultan from Lamu to further off shore Zanzibar left Lamu dormant in a time warp for three hundred years. There is only one car on the island and the narrow streets of the old town are very much as they were. Peponi is still run by the Korschen family, who opened the hotel in 1967 and which still retains much of the character and charm that it had then. Small and personal, it is the perfect rest after a safari or a hideaway holiday from modern life.

Peponi Hotel has a total of 24 rooms, which are divided into superior and standard rooms. All rooms at Peponi have ocean views. The superior rooms are differentiated by their location, size, private outside area, indoor plants, artwork and Swahili furnishings. No two rooms are alike. Five rooms are built right on the beach, with private verandah areas overlooking the sea, while the rest have a combination of ocean and garden views. All rooms have overhead fans, mosquito nets, showers (no baths), fresh flowers, and personal safes.

The bar is run by Charles, who will whip up the famous house cocktail "Old Pal" in an instant or pour a fresh juice of lime, passion, and orange. The bar is a favorite watering hole for guests and Shela Village inhabitants alike, with "its nexus of entertainment, its fountain of gossip."

There is no hurry to dine at Peponi. Breakfast is available in the dining room or on the terrace or even in your room from 7am to 10am. The choice is yours, from the wide selection of luscious tropical fruits to fish cakes and waffles with local honey and freshly squeezed lime juice. Lunch is available from 12pm to 4pm. You may choose to dine either outside at the grill, under the colorful bougainvillea, where you can dig your feet in fresh white coral sand or on the terrace, overlooking the ocean and the movement of dhows and local fishermen. Dinner is distinguished by a plethora of new ways of celebrating seafood with ginger, lime and garlic. For something a little more local, a Swahili menu is also available, which can be eaten in the traditional way, on the floor around a huge brass platter.

Peponi has a fresh water free form swimming pool, situated under two Baobab trees overlooking the ocean. It is the perfect place to relax with a good book. The endless white sand beaches, available water sports, and optional snorkeling, scuba diving excursions, and Dhow boat trips are also highlights.

Includes: All meals