Hotels We Like

The perfect hideaway

In the Indian Ocean, two degrees south of the equator and off the coast of Kenya, lies the island of Lamu. On the island is a small family-run hotel by the name of Peponi. It's been there since 1967, and retains its old world charm. According to Harpers and Queen, 'Peponi is simple, fresh, cheerful and everything about it is totally original and genuine – no frozen foods here, nor frozen smiles.'

People have been visiting Lamu for centuries, and in December 2001 Lamu Town was awarded the status of World Heritage Site, to protect the oldest inhabited Swahili settlement south of the Sahara. Peponi is located two miles away in Shela village. 

The hotel has only 24 rooms, all with ocean views, overhead fans and mosquito nets. Superior rooms also have outside swing beds.

The hotel's gardens are made up of one of the largest and most varied collections of tropical palms and exotic plants on the Kenyan coast.

Soak up the atmosphere in the freshwater swimming pool under two giant Baobab trees, or read a book in a swing hammock under a coconut tree. That's what you're supposed to do in paradise, right? RM

Images: Peponi Hotel Lamu

2009 Jul 12 no responses. share this

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