Peponi Hotel Lamu - Kenya

These Little-known Islands Off the Coast of Kenya Are Home to the Oldest Swahili Settlements in East Africa — Here's Where to Stay

"A five-decade-old, family-run oceanfront hotel on a curve of Shela Beach a couple of miles from the island’s main town. Staff welcome guests warmly and emphasize relaxation; interiors are cool, airy and white with a bright veranda overlooking glass-clear water. Renowned for excellent food and a lively-but-classy scene, the restaurant excels at classic Swahili dishes—notably maharagwe na chapati (red beans in coconut milk with soft chapati), ginger crab, linguine with crab, and barbecued reef fish. The property also offers modern watersports (kayaks, paddleboards, windsurfers and powerful ski boats), plus waterskiing in a sheltered channel that lets guests skim past sail-powered dhows. Managed by a long-time local family who organises itineraries, it blends village intimacy with resort comforts and often requires booking a year in advance during peak periods." - Jeffrey Gettleman