Full Moon House is a spacious and imposing 3-bedroom home just steps away from the beach and waterfront, with lovely views across the Lamu channel to Manda Island plus a courtyard garden and swimming pool. Full Moon House is often rented with neighbouring Kiwandini House – together they can accommodate 12+ guests. Full Moon house in Shela was named by nocturnal fishermen for its guiding glow. It shares a pool with Kiwandani house and neighbours Garden House. It has three double rooms with en suite bathrooms. Full Moon is one of The Moon Houses – a collection of neighbouring and interconnecting houses set just back from the seafront in Shela Village. Each of the houses can be rented individually – or together with one or more of the adjoining properties – providing flexible and adaptable accommodation for from 2 up to 22 guests. Historic and charming, furnished with local antiques and built in traditional Swahili style, the houses come complete with excellent chefs and housekeepers. The houses are rented on a ‘self-catering’ basis – guests can choose from a guideline menu and the house staff will shop and prepare and serve meals as required, buying ingredients and provisions for guests at cost.

Betty’s Suite is a perfect and highly romantic 1-bedroom retreat for couples and honeymooners in the idyllic Lamu Island. Just steps away from Shela’s seafront and beach, it enjoys lovely views across the Lamu channel from its private roof terrace and elevated infinity pool. Betty’s suite has a double room and is situated on the rooftop of Garden House. It has a private infinity pool and a covered dining area. Betty’s suite is a real treat – there is no better private retreat for two in Shela. This very special apartment consists of a double bedroom with an antique ‘pilipili’ bed, a charming ensuite bathroom, a roof terrace, a covered veranda, living and dining areas and a spectacular private infinity pool. From the suite, there are lovely and uninterrupted views across gardens and palm trees to the Lamu channel. The seafront and the start of the island’s wonderful 8-mile beach are within 50 metres, and all the attractions of Shela village including Peponi Hotel are just moments away. Betty’s Suite is one of The Moon Houses – a collection of neighbouring and interconnecting houses set close to the seafront in Shela. All are historic and charming, furnished with local antiques and built in traditional Swahili style. Each can be rented individually – or together with one or more of the adjoining properties – providing flexible and adaptable accommodation for from 2 up to 22 guests.

On Lamu Island, the Kasbah Lamu is an African story of private escape and pure romance. Just the word ‘Lamu’ is soaked in romance, the Kasbah Lamu evoke a deep nostalgia and seclusion. Located off a narrow sandy path, imposing hand-carved Arab wooden doors give a small hint of the spacious elegance that lies behind them. Inside, the pared-back white-on-white décor offset with hints of blue and natural woods is the perfect foil for the traditional Swahili architectural styling – albeit with a modern twist. White stucco walls are studded with delicately rendered Swahili niches. Characterful lobby furniture and artefacts provide an eclectic accent. The word “Kasbah” has different meanings, such as “old city” or “watchtower”. In Arabic countries, it frequently refers to a citadel or a series of structures built behind a defensive wall. It can be considered a type of fortress. The inner garden with its long pool, the breezy terraces overlooking the cosy town of Shela and the lush environment all around make the visitor feel connected with nature while preserving privacy. Lamu is low-key and dusted in charm. In narrow streets and alleyways, craftsmen carve the renowned Swahili wooden doors and lintels, but there are tinkers, tailors and silversmiths all hard at work too. Down a narrow sandy path are imposing and beautifully hand-carved doors, but you will certainly not expect what lies beyond. This is the entrance to The Kasbah, a world within a world. In every way, The Kasbah Lamu reflects the decadent Golden Age on the island. It’s simply exquisite, built in the traditional Swahili style that echoes classic Arab architecture with characteristic arches studded with niches and nooks – and stylish white walls of stucco. The space is filled with light and serenity; the décor is soothing white on white, with splashes of happy blue alluding to the historic Portuguese influence on the island. Being there is instantly rejuvenating from top to toe.

Set above the beach in Shela Village on Lamu Island on the Kenya Coast, Shela Beach House is a stylish and upmarket place, with guest accommodation in 5 rooms and providing access to a wide range of activities. For private groups of up to 12 guests. Lamu is the most important of the islands in an archipelago which stretches along the last 100km of the Kenyan Coast, up to the border with Somalia. Although the island has a significant population, it remains a relatively sleepy backwater which retains a good deal of that magical old Swahili Coast atmosphere. Lamu Island has long since been the place to visit if you want to avoid the increasingly busy and mainstream coastal areas to the south, a rather cool backwater, a favourite amongst a well-informed and well-travelled crowd.