Choose the area first
Lamu hotels sit in separate places. The old town is the cultural centre, with the museum, the fort and the market lanes. Shela is a village with a long beach a few kilometres away. Manda Island, across the channel, has the airport and the Takwa ruins, with a resort on the bay opposite Shela. Pick the area that matches your plans, then compare hotels inside it.
The hotels named below are examples with published location details. They are not a ranking or a recommendation. Rates change with the date and the season, so ask the hotel for your own dates, and read its terms on minimum nights and cancellations.
Lamu hotels by area
Location facts from the hotels' own published details, used as examples of each area.
| Area | Example hotel | What the hotel says about its location |
|---|---|---|
| Lamu Old Town | Lamu House | At the town's jetty. The airport is on Manda, and a private boat transfer is included for guests, about 5 minutes to the hotel. |
| Shela | Peponi | In the village, on Lamu Island, near the beach. Guests are met at the airport and taken on by hotel boat, and the transfer is part of its 2026 rate. |
| Manda (Ras Kitau) | The Majlis | On the bay opposite Shela. The hotel lists free boat transfers when you book direct. Opposite Shela does not mean in Shela. |
| Kizingoni, near Kipungani | The Cabanas | A beach location on Lamu Island, away from the old town and Shela. Kipungani is the neighbouring village, not a separate island. |
These are single examples. One hotel's price or position says nothing about the whole area. Do not read the table as saying the old town is always cheap or Manda always expensive.
Our pick: a walk from the Old Town
If you base yourself in the Old Town, this walk starts at Lamu House, the hotel used above as the Old Town example.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours that start in Lamu
Old town walks, carved door tours and sunset dhow cruises, with live prices and availability.
Rate example: Peponi in Shela, 2026
Standard double or twin for two people, per room and night, with breakfast.
| Season | Dates | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| High season | 15 December 2025 to 28 February 2026 | $460 |
| Mid season | 1 March to 30 April and 1 July to 14 December 2026 | $375 |
| Low season | 1 May to 30 June 2026 | $325 |
The hotel lists service charge, VAT, training levy and the airport boat as included. The rates run from mid-December 2025 to mid-December 2026, so ask the hotel for the rate that applies after 14 December 2026. A minimum stay can apply, and the hotel gives the number of nights on request. This is the price of one hotel in one village, not an average for Shela.
What each area is good for
A short guide, based on what is nearby and how you travel.
Old Town: museums, lanes and the waterfront
Sleeping in the old town puts the Lamu Museum, the fort, the doors and the market lanes within a short walk. Lamu House, for example, sits at the town's jetty. See the Lamu Old Town page for the sights, the prices and the etiquette.
Shela: the beach and a quieter evening
Shela suits a beach stay with day trips. The beach is long, the dunes are protected, and the old town is about 3 km away. Swimming needs care in front of the hotel at spring tides. See the Shela page.
Manda: close to the airport
Manda has the airport and the Takwa ruins. A resort on Ras Kitau lists free boat transfers for direct bookings, which makes the crossing part of the stay. You depend on a boat for every trip to Lamu Town, so ask about late return times. See the Manda Island page.
Kizingoni: a beach away from both centres
The Cabanas sits at Kizingoni Beach on Lamu Island, next to the village of Kipungani. This is a choice for guests who want a beach stay away from the old town and Shela. Confirm how you get to the town and back before you book.
Arrivals, boats and late evenings
Questions to ask the hotel before you book.
You reach every area by boat, because the airport is on Manda. Ask the hotel whether the transfer is included, who meets you at the airport, and what happens if your flight is late. Check whether the transfer is part of the rate.
Boat connections at night are not guaranteed. If you want dinner in another village, ask your hotel how you get back after dark.
Fly to Lamu rather than going by road. The UK Foreign Office recommends flying to Manda and advises against the road. Read the getting there page for flights and the safety page for the current advice of the UK, Germany and the US. For the best months, see the weather page.
Lamu hotels: frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay in Lamu?
It depends on your plan. The old town suits culture and short walks, Shela suits a beach stay, Manda is close to the airport, and Kizingoni is for guests who want a beach away from both centres. The table above gives one example for each.
How much does a hotel in Lamu cost?
The only rate quoted here is one hotel's: Peponi in Shela lists a standard double for two at $325 to $460 per night with breakfast in 2026, depending on the season. Other hotels and other areas have their own prices, so ask for your own dates.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
By boat. The airport is on Manda Island. Lamu House says a private boat transfer is included for its guests and takes about 5 minutes. Peponi includes the airport boat in its 2026 rate. Ask your hotel before you book.
Is Shela better than the old town?
Neither is better in general. Shela has the beach and is quieter, and the old town has the museum, the fort and the lanes. You can sleep in one and visit the other, since the two are about 3 km apart.
Can I stay on Manda and visit Lamu Town?
Yes, by boat. A Manda resort on Ras Kitau lists free boat transfers for direct bookings. Ask about the schedule and about late return trips.
Does this site sell hotel rooms?
No. This is an independent guide, not run by any hotel, hotel group or tour operator. The hotels named here are examples, and you book with the hotel itself.