The Majlis Resort

Room Types

The Majlis Resort offers the following room types:

The beach hotel facing Lamu island comprises 25 superbly-appointed Superior & Deluxe Rooms, Junior & Royal Suites divided into 3 villas.

The Villas
Each villa opens onto the white sand beach and boasts a private veranda with panoramic sea views. The rooms are spacious with traditionally high, beamed ceilings, large windows and terraces with spectacular views of the beach, garden, swimming pools and Indian Ocean.

Each villa was constructed making use of the archipelago’s natural resources, combining white coral blocks with hand-carved timber. Particular attention was paid to integrating the villas among the indigenous trees and plants, to enhance the preserve the beauty of the local surroundings.

Tastefully designed and decorated with tailored fittings, all rooms evoke the East African heritage with doors and furniture hand-carved according to the local Lamu tradition.

The Suites
Suites boast a large bedroom area with a king-size bed draped with highest-quality linen bedding and roll-down netting, a generous en-suite bathroom, a private veranda , electric fans, and a safe. Each room is also fitted with air conditioning to guarantee a peaceful night. Wireless internet access is available.

The en-suite bathrooms feature a hot and cold water shower and a classic “baraza” seating area covered in cushions.

Restaurants & Bars

The Majlis Resort offers the following restaurants and bars:

The Majlis Restaurant
The restaurant is a focal point of the hotel due to its unique architecture as well as its excellent cuisine which includes International, Italian (seafood, pasta, wooden pizza oven and home-made ice cream) and Japanese dishes (sushi, sashimi, and tempura).

The Restaurant roof reaches 14 meters high and is built in the local tradition of casuarinas and mangrove poles, covered in very long palm leaves ('makuti' in Swahili). The Restaurant combines an open-plan veranda on the ground floor and terrace/bar on the first floor, offering panoramic views over the Ras Kitau bay.

The Majlis Restaurant offers the finest dining in the Lamu archipelago, featuring the best in local produce and fresh seasonal ingredients. We regularly purchase seafood in the morning from local fisherman returning from the sea on their way to market. The Restaurant's cuisine tastefully combines international dishes with the best local produce.

Breakfast is served with the morning sun streaming through the open plan dining area. Guests are offered fresh fruits, home-baked breads and pastries, cereals, eggs as well as a full English breakfast.

The Restaurant is open at lunch and features an extensive à la carte menu offering daily-catch seafood, fresh salads, pasta, wood-fired pizzas and a range of international dishes.

Dinner service in the evenings offers an ever-changing menu created by the Restaurant's chefs, sure to satisfy the most discerning palate. The chef's seek to make the most of seasonal produce and fresh seafood, locally sourced. We also offer romantic, candle-lit dining 'al fresco' under the stars.

The Majlis Bar
The Bar and lounge areas are one are an ideal place to meet with friends in Lamu for a cocktail or to relax during the day enjoying light snacks. Guests are invited to enjoy the evening drinks at sunset or admire the stars after dinner.

A wide selection of alcoholic beverages is available at the Majlis ranging from fruit juices to cocktails, beers, wines, champagnes and spirits.

There are two bar areas within the hotel. The pool bar is situated inside the Majlis building and the terrace bar on the first floor of the restaurant, both offering panoramic views from Manda Island of the Ras Kitau bay.

All Inclusive

An all inclusive meal basis is not offered at this hotel. The Majlis offers full board and half board rates. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are not included.

Activities

The Majlis Resort offers a variety of Activities. The natural surroundings of Lamu are spectacular and offer a variety of activities to suit all tastes and to keep active all day long.

The ocean’s wonders can be admired on diving and snorkeling trips in the Lamu archipelago. Regular trade winds allow visitors to windsurf or kite-surf along the never-ending Shela beach facing the hotel. Action-seeking guests can enjoy water-skiing, wake-boarding or knee-boarding in the calm waters off the central bay.

Game drive safari to Lake Kenyatta

The Majlis is ideally located to offer you the best of Kenya’s beach & bush without having to commute too far during your holidays. Across from Lamu Island, on the mainland, lies Lake Kenyatta, an area of pristine indigenous bush, rich in wildlife, including zebra, topi, hippo, waterbuck, buffalo, warthog, elephant and other seasonal game. The Majlis offers a half day safari with a guide from Kenya’s Wildlife Service. Depending on the tide level, it is possible to organize the trip in the early morning or late afternoon. Departure is from the hotel by boat to reach Kenya’s mainland (15-30 minutes depending on the tide level) and then by Jeep (15-40 minutes) to reach Lake Kenyatta and the wildlife area. This trip is for maximum 4 persons and requires 24 hours notice.

Waterskiing & wakeboarding

Depending on the tide level and wind direction, waterskiing is possible in the Ras Kitau bay or in the mangrove channel (Takwa creek) which is just 5 minutes away. We have a range of water-skis and wakeboards both for adults and children.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing is possible on the seafront of the hotel in the Ras Kitau bay. Our captains are available to set-up the equipment and will be on duty to help our guests.

Snorkeling

The Lamu archipelago offers some of the finest snorkeling in the Indian Ocean to explore untouched coral reefs and discover an astounding array of exotic marine wildlife. Daily excursions are organized on our motor boats to a destination of your choosing, including a picnic lunch on an isolated beach. Two of the most highly recommended sites are Kiniyka Island (30 minutes south-east of Lamu) and Manda Toto Island (40 minutes north of Manda Island).

Kayaking

The Majlis has on offer two wooden canoes and also a single and a double fiberglass kayak which can be used on the seafront of the hotel or in the mangrove creek. The mangrove is a fascinating place to explore and encounter many species of colorful birds and fish. If you wish to engage into an adventurous paddling tour, we recommend a tour at high tide from the seafront of the hotel to the pontoon in the mangroves or vice versa. Estimated time for this adventurous trip is 30-45 minutes. Please ask our staff for directions.

Deep-sea fishing

Deep sea fishing in the Lamu archipelago waters is famous worldwide both for its variety and for the quantity of sport fish caught, including Marlin (striped, black and blue), Sailfish, Tuna, Dorado, Wahoo, Barracuda, Giant Trevally and Kingfish. The best fishing season is from October through to April and is a wonderful way to spend either a half or full day out on the Indian Ocean. Deep-sea fishing requires 24 hours notice.

Fitness & Wellness

The Majlis Resort actively promotes healthy living and fitness offering:

Gym

The Majlis has two gyms, one located close to the pool bar with several fitness machines (runner, exercise bike, multi-functional equipment) and one in the garden called "the Jungle gym". The gyms offer a wide variety of equipment to exercise the whole body and are popular with both adults and children (over 6 years of age) who want to stay active all day long.

Swimming

Swimming can be done in the two pools of the hotel or in Ras Kitau bay. For guests who wish for some adventure, we recommend to swim from the hotel across the channel to the beach of Shela village on Lamu Island. The distance is about 800 meters and estimated time is 20-25 minutes depending on the current in the channel. One of our boats can follow the swimmer(s) to the other side and provide transport back to the hotel.

Mountain biking

The Majlis has several mountain bikes which can be used all day long by our guests. From the back of the hotel, there is a dirt road that leads to the coral quarry of Timboni (6-7 kms) and also to the Takwa ruins (10-12 kms). If requested, our sports coordinator is available to accompany our guests on the trip.

Massage

We offer a range of massages which include basic massage, energetic massage and facial treatments. The treatments range from 30 minutes to 50 minutes depending on the massage chosen. The massage can be organized in the room or in the massage banda located on the beach seafront.

Weddings

If you are contemplating the romantic idea of a wedding or honeymoon in Kenya with an idyllic beach as the backdrop and the sounds of the Indian Ocean lapping against the shore, then look no further.

The Majlis is an ideal location for your wedding, honeymoon or renewing your marriage vows. Your ceremony will be one of the greatest occasions throughout your life’s journey and the Majlis will ensure that you celebrate in style and make your day truly memorable. We offer a flexible service tailored to your exact requirements, be it for a group of friends and family joining you or just for the two of you.

The Majlis can arrange intimate weddings on the beach or on the beautiful mangrove pontoon. The ceremony is very simple and is overseen by the Local District Officer. The Majlis choir will sing for the bride, groom and guests. We can also organize for a welcome singing and dancing by the 10-15 maasai, a professional photographer, special cake and flower arrangements, and we can accommodate any banqueting requirements.

Families

The Majlis is a child-friendly hotel for families who are looking for a short break or a holiday in the Lamu archipelago. The Majlis caters to families with special children's areas, family-friendly room layout, and kid-friendly meals.

The hotel offers a dedicated playroom and an outdoor playground area on the beach to keep the kids engaged with various entertainment facilities, toys and coloring materials. This area is supervised by dedicated nannies. Kids can also safely swim in the sea or in either one of the two swimming pools with pool attendants on duty all day long. Our room accommodation offers a wide choice of options for families with kids. We have interconnecting rooms, triple rooms and we can add baby cots and extra beds upon request. The Majlis' restaurant chefs are available to meet any special request while cooking nutritious meals that are tasty, attractive and fun for children.

The Majlis is a very safe place for kids of all ages. The hotel can only be reached by boat as there are no roads nearby the hotel. Our internal security is on duty day and night to keep the hotel safe.

Excursions

The Majlis Resort offers Boat and Cultural Excursions:

Boat Excursions

Excursion around Lamu Island by boat
Lamu Island is the island facing the Majlis hotel. Depending on weather, the trip around Lamu Island can be arranged clock wise from the open sea or by following the channel between the mainland and Lamu Island. The boat will stop on the beach of Kizingo point. On the way back, there is an option to visit the Matondoni or Kipungani villages. The trip is typically organized by speed boat but our dhow sailing boat can also be used. This is a half day trip and can take up to 3-4 hours. The Majlis will provide for a speed boat with captain and drinks. A barbeque lunch can also be arranged at your request.

Excursion around Manda Island by boat
This is a half day trip on the other side of the island with stop-over in Manda Toto, a small island made up of sand off Manda Island. Access to the other side of Manda Island is possible by navigating into a narrow mangrove channel on the west coast of the island. The excursion can be organized with a speed boat or by dhow. This is a half day trip and can take 3-4 hours depending on the stops. The Majlis will provide for a speed boat with captain and drinks. A barbeque lunch can also be arranged at your request.

Excursion to Kiwayu Island by boat
Kiwayu is a small island in the north eastern part of the Lamu Archipelago, situated in the Kiunga Marine National Reserve. The main attraction on Kiwayu is the tidal pools and snorkeling/diving pools located on the eastern side of the island . We can organize a boat trip to the island with picnic lunch. This is a full day trip and it takes about 1 hour & 1/2 one way by boat. Fishing can also be organized on the way to Kiwayu.

Cultural Excursions

Trip to Lamu Town
Lamu Old Town was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO's World Heritage Centre in December 2001. UNESCO describes it as: “The oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, retaining its traditional functions. Built in coral stone and mangrove timber, the Town is characterized by the simplicity of structural forms enriched by such features as inner courtyards, verandas and elaborated carved wooden doors”. Most important attractions are the fishing and vegetable markets, La mu Fort, Lamu Museum and the whole stone Town. This is a half day trip to be organized preferably in the morning when there is a lot of activity in the local markets. A guide will be available to show the Town and accompany our guests.

Trip the Matondoni village on Lamu Island
Matondoni is a local fishing village and dhow building site. The village is located on the western side of Lamu Island, about 8 kms from Lamu Town. The village is famous for traditional handicrafts such as weaving straw mats of palm leaves and making ropes of coconut. The excursion can be organized as a half day trip and it can be done by motor-boat or on our traditional Mozambique-style dhow sailing boat. This is a half day trip and it can be combined with a visit to Lamu Town.

Trip to Takwa Ruins on Manda Island
The Takwa settlement is situated on the south side of Manda Island, in the Lamu District. It was founded around year 1500, and abandoned around 1700. The Great Mosque at Takwa is relatively well preserved. The other structure remaining of importance is the Pillar Tomb, which has an inscription with the date of 1681-1682. It is reported that when Takwa was abandoned, its inhabitants settled just across the bay at Shela on Lamu Island. This is a half day trip and it can be organized by speed boat and by dhow (30 minutes), depending on the tide level. For those wishing to be more active and do some sports, we organize also a mountain bike trip to Takwa from the hotel (about 10 kms one-way) which takes about 30-40 minutes one way.

Trip to Pate Island
Pate Island is the largest island in the Lamu Archipelago and it lies between the island of Manda and Kiwayu. Main attractions in Pate Island are Faza Town, Pate Town, Siyu Fort and the archeological site of Shanga.