Lamu Island is a small pleasant island, a perfect getaway for those seeking a peaceful holiday. It is here that Shela House Management has been running private holiday homes since 1992. The houses are designed to offer visitors a completely relaxing holiday in unusually luxurious yet eco-friendly setting.

The company was a pioneer of the village clean-up committee, which still exists today and was also a founder member of the Shela Bursary Fund. This has four luxury villas, ranging in size from accommodating 8 to 12 people, all are set in the winding passages of Shela and its surrounds. They have all been designed in a traditional Arabic style with a central courtyard and rooftop lounging area with the rooms coming off the bougainvillea covered walkways. With views out across the roof tops and the bay beyond these are all cool and peaceful surrounds in which to enjoy the island.

Beach House - A large house on the sea front with four double and one triple, en-suite bedrooms. On the first floor, raised above beach level, there is an edgeless fresh water swimming pool. It has a bar area and low comfortable baraza seats. Up the first flight of stairs is a large dining and living room, leading out onto an alfresco terrace.

Another door leads onto the wooden deck over the pool and to two double bedrooms with their own private terraces. The third floor comprises three bedrooms and an open terrace. From the rooftop you can enjoy panoramic views of the whole Lamu channel.

Palm House - Palm House sits between Shela House and the sand dunes and is designed around an open courtyard with a central palm tree. The living and dining areas look onto the courtyard and another small tropical garden. It is spacious, yet compact - with two double and one twin bedrooms on the first floor, all en-suite with private balconies. The second floor has an open terrace, which leads off to a small covered baraza area in front of the fourth bedroom. This master bedroom is furnished with wooden Lamu four-poster bed and has balconies on two sides. There is a super panoramic view from the covered rooftop, which has a bar, sun beds and baraza lounging area.

Shela House - Shela House is built on three floors around an open courtyard, the house well and a shady bougainvillea. An entrance hall leads into the courtyard, edged by a baraza sitting and eating area. Two staircases lead from the courtyard to the upper rooms and terraces. Shela House is an old house of great character, with ample room for nine people or two families. There are five en-suite bedrooms - three double bedrooms, another with two large four-poster single beds and a smaller single bedroom. There is also a nursery room with a cot and two beds, adjoining the major suite. A spacious second floor dayroom and terrace provide additional lounging or games areas, with a small library of books for all ages.

Much time at Shela House is spent on the two rooftops - here you can eat, sleep, play cards or just gaze out at the sea and surrounding islands. At night it is a perfect spot for stargazing.

Garden House

This beautiful private house is ideal for couples or small families. It is just a short walk from Lamu's stunning, white sand beach. The house which consists of 3 en-suite bedrooms, a lounge, dining room and roof terrace, is elegantly furnished with hand crafted wooden beds and sun loungers. The top floor features the master bedroom and roof terrace and offers a penthouse feel ideal for couples or parents wanting privacy. The staff are superb and will serve you excellent seafood diners in the beautiful walled garden under the light of oil lamps.

At Shela Houses, Your stay will be most pleasurable and pleasant