The Majlis, Manda Island

Accessible only by boat, with a superb beachfront location and fine views over the Ras Kitau bay and Shela village, this privately owned boutique hotel is designed to reflect Lamu´s traditional heritage and style.

The hotel, located on one of the islands of the Lamu archipelago, is surrounded by mangrove forests, palms, and white beaches. Originally conceived as an Italian family’s winter vacation home, The Majlis has a well-earned reputation as one of East Africa’s most intimate beach resort.

Seaside mansions

The property consists of three large beachfront villas. Each is divvied up into 25 rooms and suites: Superior, Deluxe, Junior and Royal, with verandas that open onto the beach, garden or the Indian Ocean.

The villas, built from the local white-bleached coral blocks, house unique African artifacts and family heirlooms as well as a private collection of art. The interiors tastefully combine Swahili, Arabic, Indian and Italian influences.

Rooms are decorated in an understated elegance chic. All are very spacious, with traditionally high, beamed ceilings and large windows, furnished with armchairs embroidered with multicolored pearls, luscious rugs and woodcarvings.

The dominating white serves as a canvas for a palette of warm colors of cushions and furniture, doors, four-poster beds, and lamps—hand-carved by local artisans.

The resort

The shared areas are beautifully kept, and much is made of the view of the bay. Our favorite spot for a sundowner with a view has been the ivory-white bar, delicately enclosed within a silver-grey plaster replica of a Maharajah’s ceremonial arch. Built close to the beach, the bar is located by the beautiful pool, shaded by old acacia trees.

Panoramic bay views are also ensured from the restaurant roof bar, which is topped by a soaring 14-meter high makuti roof. The open-plan central restaurant and a state-of-the-art kitchen boast seven chefs, who contribute to making the varied Japanese-Italian-Swahili-International menu.

in our opinion

With its tropical climate and idyllic scenery, The Majlis is a great place for families and couples alike—no wonder Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie picked the hotel to spend a New Year’s Eve.

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What we love

• Great location on the Manda Island, facing Lamu on Kenya’s North Coast, with superb seafront views over the Ras Kitau bay and Shela village;
• The chance to stroll along seemingly endless deserted beaches;
• Sundowner cocktails served on a thatched-roof terrace or in the impressive lounge bar next to the lovely pool;
• Tastefully designed and decorated rooms, with well-selected artifacts, all presented in timeless Lamu style—including hand-carved doors and furniture, matching the local tradition;
• The entire Villas may be booked and are very suitable for private parties;
• Unforgettable dhow sunset cruises.

What you should know

• The Majlis is only accessible by boat: it’s a 10-minute boat cruise from the Manda Island airstrip (Lamu). Trips to Lamu Town aren't included;
• The Majlis is a child-friendly hotel, with children’s areas supervised by dedicated nannies, family-friendly room layouts and kid-friendly meals.
• The beach immediately in front of the lodge doesn't have clear oceanic waters, plus at the time of our visit, the sea has eroded the sand quite a bit. However, the work to restore the beach was already ongoing;
• For us the food was a letdown, really didn’t match the rest of the experience (which was great overall);
• The full-board option doesn’t cover alcohol.