Peponi Hotel

"Peponi is simple, fresh, cheerful and everything about it is totally original and genuine - no frozen foods here, nor frozen smiles."
Harpers and Queen

Peponi is a small hotel on the exotic island of Lamu, in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Kenya. 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 hide away holiday from modern life.

Peponi has just 24 rooms, which are divided into superior and standard rooms. All rooms at Peponi have ocean views. Superior rooms are differentiated by their location, size and private outside area with swing bed. All rooms have overhead fans, mosquito nets, showers (no baths), fresh flowers, and personal safes.

The New York Times remembered us for our giant prawns but whether it be for fresh seafood and sushi or traditional Swahili style cooking, our innovative breakfast, lunch and dinner menus and stunning settings offers some of the best dining in East Africa.

Peponi’s legendary bar is a favourite watering hole for guests and Shela village inhabitants alike, with "its nexus of entertainment, its fountain of gossip". The bar is run by Charles, who will whip up our famous house cocktail "Old Pal" in an instant or pour a fresh juice or cold beer.

Peponi’s gardens have been integral part of the hotel and Shela village for over 40 years and boast one of the largest and most varied collections of tropical palms and exotic plants on the Kenyan coast. Swing hammocks under the shade of coconut trees and a fresh water free form swimming pool under two giant Baobab trees offer the perfect places to relax.

Peponi is situated at one end of the spectacular 12 mile Shela Beach on the Indian Ocean. Flanked by ancient sand dunes, the beach is one of the few remaining untouched, empty stretches of coastline in Kenya. White sands, excellent swimming and an idyllic setting for a walk at dawn or sunset.

Guests can explore the archipelago under sail in a traditional Lamu or Mozambique style dhow. Visit the ruins at Takwa, raise a glass at sunset or dine under a full moon. Experience the spectacle or even help crew the biannual dhow race, held in August and on New Year’s Day.

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.

Lamu archipelago offers some of Kenya’s best snorkelling waters, with favorable conditions between October and April. The reefs at Manda Toto and Kiniyka have an abudance of reef fish and live coral. After snorkelling guests can enjoy a picnic breakfast or lunch on the beach.

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.

Lamu Marine Conservation Trust was started by Peponi Hotel in 1992. The project began with the translocation of a turtle nest to the hotel grounds for protection. Since then the project has been growing every year and has now become an established trust. It has been managed by Carol Korschen of Peponi Hotel from the start. See the LAMCOT website and LAMCOT blog.