Kijani Hotel

I went with my boyfriend for a much awaited holiday to Kijani. I had checked reviews which were mixed but I decided on Kijani as we were looking for a boutique hotel. I also booked the superior room. We checked in on 2nd May 2024 and went straight for lunch and the waiter service and food was excellent but our food was bombarded by house flies and there is not a single fan in the nicely decorated restaurant. We thereafter checked into our luxurious looking superior room and thereafter it was a very stressful 3 nights as follows: 1. The toilet was not flushing and kept getting blocked 2. the shower handles were not working 3. The shower gel had been diluted with water and no hand soaps 4. Our bed sheets and pillows had blood spots 5. We were tortured by mosquitos over the 3 days and nights and days! 6. There are light fluctuations in Lamu but we have paid for a 5 star hotel so they kept switching off the generator and one night they switched if off for the entire night during which we were attacked by mosquitos. We did not even have one nights peaceful sleep on this expensive holiday! My boyfriend and I spent 3 days complaining continuously and I got tired of calling them and the staff would respond but we were not on holiday for them to sort out their maintenance and house keeping issues! They would say its the season for mosquitos so why hadn't they fumigated or why take bookings during this time??? We were also bitten whilst swimming in the pool! We got tired of complaining and even though the Manager offered us a complimentary meal it was a mentally stressful stay. The place is beautifully decorated but things are not in order at all or was it because we were the only guests at the Hotel? Please do not take any bookings if your Hotel is infested with mosquitos and houseflies or if its low season and doing maintenance works as your staff will definitely be lethargic! We couldn't wait to check out and go back home. I would honestly not recommend anyone to stay here as we will definitely not be coming back!

I have just spent 3 lovely nights at this hotel in Room 3. Great room with two balconies , sea and courtyard views. The Kijani team collected us by boat from Manda Airport. The rooms are all decorated in Lamu style. Great turn down service. The location is excellent walking distance to all the spots in Shela. A boat or motorbike ride to Lamu town. I will be back

A very beautiful and calm place! The rooms are big and clean. Cool space to chill & hang on the balcony. All the staff are super friendly and helpful! We definitely want to come back next year! Highly recommended if you looking after a nice hotel!

I paid Kes 65,000 for my friends, 2 rooms - a father of 92 years, his daughter and his granddaughter. Kijani Charged me Kes 65,000, then charged the father of 92 years Kes 57,000- all for a 2-night stay. No monies refunded to date. More than One week later. This is not the trust we expect from our establishments.

Kijani is a beautiful hotel on the water’s edge in Shela Village, Lamu. Traditional Swahili architecture, simple rooms, verandahs with daybeds suspended from the roof from which you can also gaze at the stars at night; gracious staff and good food make for a perfect stay. Superb yoga classes are nearby at Banana House and Lamu town is a walk, boda ride or boat ride away. Bougainvillea and coconut palms are Abu sang in the garden- and there’s a small pool for cooling off if you don’t fancy the beach. A really beautiful and peaceful location.

Traditional Swahili architecture. Coconut palms laden with fruit. Vibrant bougainvillea dripping over verandahs. White frangipani. A golden tortoise in the garden. Delicious breakfasts in an open air dining room overlooking the boats and life of Shela. Evenings spent rocking slowly on a bed suspended from the verandah roof, gazing at the stars littering the sky after a dinner served by the most charming and gracious of staff. This is Kijani Hotel in Shela, Lamu. Lamu is the oldest Arabic settlement on the African east coast. An archipelago on the far north Kenyan coast, the town of Lamu itself is UNESCO-listed but could do with some massive investment to protect and enhance that heritage. Shela, a 40 min walk up the path from Lamu (or a quick boda ride, or a boat commute) is smaller and more stylish but has not essentially changed in the 20 years I’ve been coming here. Motorbikes that ply between Shela and Lamu are the only traffic bar a tiny ambulance and a tractor. The nights are silent. Shela’s best -known hotel, Peponi, always written up as the haunt of glamour celebs and rich, bo-ho Europeans, is currently under reconstruction. Kijani is the next biggest, not that big means much here, but is more beautiful. There’s not a lot to do in Shela. There is a long, long and very hot beach; dhow evening sailing, superbly taught yoga at Banana House; lime juice, vegetable samosas and chocolate cake at Bahari House - all enjoyed while idly watching the boat life at the water-borne bus stop. But that’s the whole point. To stop. Savour. And be. This is a proud Muslim culture where the call to prayer knocks you out of bed in the early hours. A gaggle of Kenyan girls arrived, all micro tops, exposed skin and selfies. The next day they were all wearing white scarves. Lesson of respect learned. I was prepared to be disappointed at the changes wrought by the years. But there have essentially been none. Come. Be silent. Be revived. SafariLink flies to Lamu from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and JamboJet from Jomo Kenyatta airport. Margie , Sydney, Australia. June 2023

We went for dinner. The food is wonderful. The owner was very courteous and gave personal attention. Staff is very good at the restaurant. If you are a vegetarian and looking for a variety of vegetarian dishes then this is the right place at Lamu. Hygiene is good.

Everything was perfect! Exceeded expectations. Perfect location, lovely staff, great restaurant. We want to come back for sure

A lovely traditional coast hotel. Food is very good, fresh fish for dinner and choicy breakfast. Each dish is cooked separately so be prepared to wait. Rooms large and airy, simply furnished, stunning balcony views and sounds of sea and life in the town. Staff friendly, it has a relaxed island feel, you just have to appreciate you're on an island with a history, religion and traditions that go back a long way. Just be laid back and enjoy it. Dhows, donkeys, calls for prayer and all.