Majlis Resort
Manda Island, Lamu
Accommodation
The Majlis Resort in Lamu impresses with a great location directly on Ras Kitau Bay, very good design and stylish architecture. The resort consists of three two-story houses with different room types, the restaurant, two pools, the spa, the reception and the water sports center. Three different bars, one at the main pool and two beach bars become very popular in the evenings. The resort is surrounded by beautiful gardens with many palm trees and exotic plants.
The en-suite Garden Rooms are on the ground floor of the houses and have a shaded veranda that is screened off to allow some privacy. The Sea View rooms on the second floor are about the same size, but have a terrace or veranda with ocean views. The family rooms are either Garden Rooms or Sea View Rooms that are connected by an intermediate door. The Junior Suite on the upper floor offers additional space for a lounge/living area. Finally, the Royal Suite is the combination of two Junior Suites (total space 260m²). All rooms have air conditioning, ceiling fans, minibar and safe.
The main restaurant offers international cuisine, with emphasis on Italian, Indian and Swahili dishes. Snacks and light meals are also served at the bars. Should you wish to have lunch or dinner in Shela, you can book a boat transfer (two minutes) for example to Peponi. Or perhaps you would like to visit the floating bar, a restaurant that is anchored in the waters off Lamu Town.
Location
Majlis Resort is located directly opposite Shela on Manda Island and is part of the Lamu Archipelago in northern Kenya. From the hotel you have the most beautiful views of the ships and dhows that sail Ras Kitau Bay.
The flights from Nairobi to Lamu take about an hour. The airport is located on Manda Island, from where visitors are transferred by boat to their booked accommodations. The Swahili feel, the historic setting of Lamu and the journey by boat to Majlis will never be forgotten. The boat ride from the airport to Majlis takes only about 15 minutes.
The Lamu Archipelago consists of four islands: Lamu Island, Manda Island, Pate Island and Kiwayu Island. Lamu town is the capital of Lamu District and also the oldest Swahili settlement in Kenya, comparable to Stonetown/Zanzibar in Tanzania. Its origins date back to the 12th century when Lamu was an important trading post on the coast. The architecture of Lamu and also of the neighboring village of Shela has been largely preserved and a walk through the narrow streets is an experience and historically very interesting. Unesco classifies Lamu as a world heritage site. Everything is transported by wheelbarrows and donkeys, because the alleys are much too narrow for cars.
Activities
Kayaks and SUPs are at your dispoal but please be aware of the current in the channel and enquire with the staff first. In the evening the sunset dhow trips start. A good number of beautiful dhows majestically sail up Ras Kitau Bay and pass Majlis to a point where the sailors can watch the sun set while enjoying some snacks and drinks.
The Majlis has a fleet of different motor boats that can be booked for transfers to Shela or Lamu or for half day and day trips, for example to go around Lamu Island or for a snorkeling trips to Manda Toto or Kinika Island. Deep sea fishing is also possible.
There is a rudimentary outdoor gym ("Jungle Gym"), an indoor gym, a spa, and since the owner likes to cycle, mountain biking is offered on Manda Island and Lamu Island.
Good to know
Water temperatures are between 28 and 32C° all year round and it can get quite hot in Lamu. Most of the rain falls from May to July. From June to October the winds are stronger and therefore expect higher waves. Water sports and fishing are best done in the calmer months from November to March.
Majlis Resort on the map
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