When visiting a place that you’ve never been to before, it helps to pick a spot that not only has a variety of options for places to stay, but provides choices that are different from the usual hotels and similar places you spend your time off at. Those who have a vacation planned for Lamu, Kenya will be happy to know that they have a variety of rentals to choose from, all of which have their own unique environment, making it easy to access the town’s best sites and things to do and providing an easy way to relax on your down time. Check out the list we have below to see which Airbnb vacation rentals in Lamu, Kenya, best suit you.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on August 27, 2025.
1. Mansion with waterfront view (from USD 53)
Some of the best vacation rentals are the ones that give you a great view to wake up and go to bed to. One example is this 300-year-old Arab trader mansion, which provides views of Old Town and the waterfront. Antiques and artwork add to the scenery of the mansion, and the combination of the courtyard garden and terrace provides a great location for having meals on a sunny day. This option also comes with several roof terraces so you can take great pictures of the area and enjoy a nice breeze when the weather is nice enough.
Lamu, Kenya
440 meters (0.3 ft) from Lamu FortAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
moses the member of staff that took care of us was extremely helpful and full of good advicethe host was very friendly and helpfulmoses was available and helpfulhe was also very responsive to all the questions i asked prior to arrivalmoses is really helpfulLocation:
it was located very centrally and close to great restaurantsawesome location in a beautiful buildinglovely house in convenient locationthe location is within walking distance to great restaurants and shopsthe location is perfect right in the heart of lamu town and close to restaurantsCleanliness:
the home was clean and the breakfast was very satisfyingbrians house is a gem the interior is charming elegant and very cleanthe house is clean with stylish & lamu traditional design it's truly enjoyable to relax ourselvesRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
delicious fruit and coffee are served for breakfastwe stayed in the double room and the space is just amazingmake delicious breakfasts for us and the best seafood dinner i’ve had in agesthe whole house is in a beautiful swahili style with light colours and big roomsbig bedroom with a relaxing area nice big bathroom and some outside space
2. Lamu Island accommodation (from USD 28)
Those who enjoy water-based activities, whether they’re in a pool or at a beach, should consider this accommodation, which comes with a shared swimming pool in case you feel like having people over for a party and is located next to the seafront in case you love boating, exploring jetties and getting a tan on the sand. Visitors will have plenty of other nearby activities to choose from, including donkey riding, snorkeling, town tours, and visiting nearby islands. There’s room for three at this spot, making it perfect for couples and small groups of friends.
Lamu, Kenya
267 meters (0.2 ft) from Lamu FortAccommodates: 3
Top guest reviews
Host:
great service and advise from the hoststhe staff was very friendly with excellent customer servicethe staff were polite and helpful when i had questionsthe staff there were amazingstaff very friendly and helpfulLocation:
this is a great location in the citygreat location great place noisygreat place at the heart of lamu townthe place is ideal for coupleseverything was literally a walking distance the pool was also great when we were chilling outCleanliness:
clean and spacious roomsclean and spacious roomsthe place is clean and tidythe place was clean and as advertisedeverything was clean and more spacious than the picturesRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
o i would add that there is free wifivery spacious penthouse apartment with all the basic amenities one would need for their stay in paradisewe loved the pool and had some beers at the bar with an amazing viewthe room has a rustic charm with authentic swahili decor true to the character of the townit is a beautiful room with two beds and plenty of space for 3 or more people
3. Luxurious six-suite villa (from USD 85)
Couples looking for a romantic getaway and solo travelers looking for a quiet place to relax should make time to stay at this luxurious villa, which is located in the middle of the old town of Lamu so that visitors have an easy time getting to the shopping centers, bars, restaurants, and other fun spots in the area. All of the suites come with comfortable furniture, and the availability of Wi-Fi makes it possible to watch your favorite shows and movies while eating a meal you cooked in the fully-equipped kitchen. Activities that are available in the area include kite surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and watching turtles hatch.
Lamu, Kenya
180 meters (0.2 ft) from Lamu FortAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
safari and the staff were very welcoming and helpfulsafari abu and johnson were perfect hostsvery gracious hosts who take great care of youenviroment staff and everything just perfectbeautiful place and amazing staffLocation:
the location is close to the water and main streets in town and easy to findthe place is in a great location and is beautifully decoratedit's just beautiful the location is really handy for wandering around and it's easy to findbeautiful place in the centre of lamu town a short walk to the waterfrontit’s a beautiful and peaceful place in the middle of the old townCleanliness:
andavelo house is very clean and spaciousthe rooms were beautiful clean and well appointed and we loved a cool dip in the poolthe best place ever from the decor to cleanliness to the staffabsolute value for money well maintained quiet no mosquitoes clean the servicebeautiful and clean space but above all a fantastic staff - safari johnson and abhu are wonderful and accommodatingRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the room i stayed in was huge and with a private patiohuge rooms lots of fansthe house is so beautiful and our room was large with such attention to detail
4. Room in historical house with a pool (from USD 197)
Great places to stay are able to provide a memorable setting for its visitors, and this 18th century Swahili house is able to do so thanks to its original architecture and traditionally decorated ceilings and walls. The size provides enough room for 13 guests in case you want to bring family and friends along for the adventure, and a pool is available in case you want to get a workout in before hitting up the town or relax after a long day of activities. The kitchen comes with everything needed to keep everyone satisfied, and Wi-Fi is available, which should come in handy for movie night.
Lamu, Lamu County, Kenya
390 meters (0.3 ft) from Lamu FortSuperhost
Accommodates: 3
Top guest reviews
Host:
mbogo who looked after us while we were in lamu could not have been a more gracious hostduring our stay his sister fabienne was around she is also a very helpful and easy-going hostmbogo the caretaker is a very nice and helpful guyLocation:
great base to visit lamu town and other places on the islandRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
every morning we enjoyed a tasty breakfast overlooking the town and portwe felt welcome and the roof top terrass and the breakfasts where two highlights of our stay
5. Spice trader mansion (from USD 224)
Location plays a major part in a vacation rental being able to make your stay as enjoyable as possible, and this Andavelo house handles that well by being located in the middle of old town, making it easy for guests to access bars, malls, and restaurants while having an easy trip to the beaches and seafront. There’s room for two guests at this spot, making it perfect for couples, solo travelers, and best friends looking to get away for a while. Pickup and return to the airport is available to get here and back home quickly so that there’s more time to have fun.
Lamu, Lamu County, Kenya
326 meters (0.3 ft) from Lamu FortAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
the staff very very nice and helpfulthe staff was so accommodating thoughtful friendly and helpfulthe staff is incredibly friendly and helpfulthe host and property was an awesome experiencesafari and the team are so helpfulLocation:
wonderful house located about 5 mins walk from the town's main seafront dragandavelo is also in a great location in lamu townthe highlight of our stay in lamu was this house great location beautiful design and kind hospitalitywe would recommend this place to friendsCleanliness:
impeccably clean and food was devinethe house is beautifully furnished and cleanthe house is spectacular clean neat and modern; and much better than expectedthis is truly an amazing place it was immaculate with beautiful and historic details everywhereRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
my room was just lovely and the balcony with view magnificientour room was so incredible and the stay was divine
6. Jamala Guesthouse (from USD 48)
Finding a spot to stay that allows you to bring a bunch of friends or family members with you is hard to come by, but this guesthouse makes it a piece of cake by providing room for 10 guests. Several bedrooms are available to satisfy everyone.
This is a great option for those looking for an Airbnb in Lamu or Shela as it is situated in the old town so that your whole group can tour through museums, snorkel in the ocean, and watch turtles hatch in both towns in one day. The kitchen has everything necessary to make a nice meal for everyone, and the rooftop provides an excellent view of the area and a chance to show it off to people at home through photos.
Lamu, Lamu County, Kenya
143 meters (470.1 ft) from Lamu FortAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
lovely staff and breakfast is delicousand baji is a great hostthey were always available and very kind and nice peoplebaji was the best host my friends and i could ever hope forexceptionally great host who will connect you to the best of lamuLocation:
the location is also good to mei loved the central location which made it very easy to move around the townwonderful breakfast host location and true swahili stylegreat local tips very friendly & perfect locationi liked how central it was and how easy it made getting to the boats and motorcyclesCleanliness:
the house is spacious stylish and cleanRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the accommodation is great with comfortable beds warm shower good wifi on the bedrooms and delicious breakfastthe room was very clean and extremely spacious with a sea view balcony seatvery clean with good breakfast and a great view from the 3rd floorthe breakfast comes with fresh fruits and juice all of it put together well
7. Historic Amu house (from USD 47)
In case you want to plan a vacation that will allow you to include just about everyone you know, then it’s best to go with this Amu house, which has enough room for 16 people, making it perfect for bringing both friends and family. This restored 16th-century Swahili house comes with a hammock and daybeds to add options of relaxation to the numerous bedrooms that are already there, and a full breakfast is served in the morning to make sure that you and your group start the day off right. It will only take a few minutes to walk to the jetty and seafront, saving you time in getting to fun spots in the process.
Lamu, Lamu County, Kenya
184 meters (0.2 ft) from Lamu FortAccommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Host:
the host was very helpful and kindstaff are polite welcoming and accommodatingthe staff were incredibly friendly welcoming and helpfulthe staff at amu house is very nice and helpfulsamuel was a great host and always very helpfulLocation:
great location and very comfortableamu house is perfectly located in amu town and about a 40min walk to shelabreakfast was lovely the location perfect the locals so friendlythe location is great the rooms are spacious and beautifulwe really enjoyed our stay and the fact that it was really close to the jetyCleanliness:
clean spacious rooms and comfy large bedsvery historic decor yet clean and spaciousthe swahili breakfast was abundant everyday and the place was very clean with large roomsthe place is authentic and cleanthe place itslef is very clean and beautifulRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
a lovely compound filled with fruit trees surrounding the spacious roomswe got a great breakfast every morning with fruits eggs juice coffee and toastbreakfast on the rooftop terrace overlooking the town and sea was a particular highlightthe beds have a good quality and are provided with mosquito clamboosview wifi i love the house and kesh
8. Ttunu house
If space and luxury is a priority for you when choosing your vacation rentals, then it’s best that you stay at this Ttunu house, which has plenty of features designed to provide a comfortable stay, including roof terraces and living and lounging areas. There’s enough room for six guests at this mansion, which leaves room for you to bring the whole family or a large group of friends. You’ll be situated in the center of the old town, which makes it easy for you to get to bars, restaurants, and shopping centers while being in a peaceful area to get a good night’s rest.
286 meters (0.2 ft) from Lamu Fort
9. Petley's Inn
When it comes to helping guests experience as much as possible during their stay, Petley’s Inn has you covered, as it is situated in Lamu’s old town so that you explore museums, have fun at the beach, swim in the ocean, and eat out at restaurants in one day. A swimming pool is included in case you feel like relaxing or getting a workout in before you go out on the town, and a bed-and-breakfast is available so that you are energized enough for your scheduled activities. This spot has room for two guests, which suits couples, solo travelers, and friends.
Lamu, Kenya
79 meters (259.2 ft) from Lamu Fort
10. Historic and charming Maridhiya house
If you’re looking for a place to stay that brings you back to the historic past of the area, then we recommend spending your vacation at this Maridhiya house, which was built in the 18th century and comes with an architectural design that makes you feel like you’re staying in the past. Visitors will only have to walk to the seafront and take a short boat ride to the many beaches that Lamu has for people looking for a chance to relax. The area in which this house is located is quiet, which should make resting up for the next day a piece of cake.
Lamu, Kenya
291 meters (0.2 ft) from Lamu FortAccommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Host:
lovely accommodation with great staffit really felt like home and the staff like familythe house managers kahindi and dixon couldn't have been more helpfulthe house is beautiful as are the staff - kahindi and dixonand the people of lamu they are kind and friendly and welcomingLocation:
this is a wonderful place conveniently located in old town lamugreat stay at andrew's place in a beautifully restored lamu housewe definitely recommend andrew's placethe house is a beautiful place full of nice details and really good designCleanliness:
clean and well finishedthe place was safe and the beds were very cleankahindi and dickson were wonderful and the place was clean airy and spaciousRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
i highly recommend kahindi's cheese frittata for breakfastreally comfortable and well managed property
Unwind and explore in Lamu!
Very few spots in the world are able to provide vacation rentals that offer a different experience from the hotels and motels that travelers are usually surrounded by. That is not a problem with Lamu, as this town’s options provide a historic setting, a peaceful spot for getting rest, and easy access to the ocean and local attractions. Adding these conveniences up gives you an easy way to relax and have fun. Keep these offerings in mind for you next trip to Lamu so that your stay is a memorable one.
History
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