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 hide away holiday from modern life.

Peponi Hotel has a total of 24 rooms, which are divided into superior and standard rooms, the superior rooms are larger and have a private outside area. No two rooms are alike and all have a pleasant outlook over the gardens and the sea. All rooms have overhead fans, mosquito nets, showers (no baths), Swahili styled décor, fresh flowers and personal safes. There are glorious, deserted beaches within minutes of the hotel and there is a swimming pool which overlooks the channel into which the fishing boats and local boat traffic (such as it is) returns. The bar, the breakfast terrace and lounge area share this view and the tidal waves lap at the wall below. 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. Lunch may be a snack by the pool or in the casual garden eatery and dinner is distinguished by a plethora of new ways of celebrating seafood with ginger, lime and garlic. Mangrove crabs, warm water lobster, squid, giant prawns and fish of all varieties.

Our bar is run by Charles, who will whip up our famous house cocktail "Old Pal" in an instant or pour a fresh juice of lime, passion, orange or even serve a fresh coconut with the top whipped off allowing access to the sweet, milky liquid inside. The bar is a favorite watering hole for quests 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. The choice is yours, from our wide selection of luscious tropical fruits to fish cakes and waffles with local honey and freshly squeezed lime juice. Coffee is poured from the traditional brass pots and you can guess what our jam and marmalade is made of.

Dinner is distinguished by a plethora of new ways of celebrating seafood with ginger, lime and garlic. Mangrove crabs, warm water lobster, squid, giant prawns and fish of all varieties. 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.

You may choose to dine either outside at the grill, under colourful bougainvillea, where you can dig your feet into fresh white coral sand or in the dining room. Or on the terrace, overlooking the ocean and the movement of dhows and local fishermen.

Should you prefer a light snack and not leave the bar, fresh rock oysters are available or a range of samosas and sandwiches all day. You may even prefer to have them sent to your room with a cold passion juice or a local beer.