An Idyllic Oasis on a Beguiling Beach … in Lamu, Kenya!

Most visitors arrive in Kenya seeking glimpses of abundant wildlife and sweeping panoramas across vast savannas. Few sojourners consider the safari nation as a sun-splashed Indian Ocean beach vacation hot spot.

But Lamu, a beguiling Indian Ocean archipelago on the north coast of this East African nation, will quickly turn a tourist’s head. Swahili villages in a tangled labyrinth of streets are especially picturesque. Their striking carved wooden doors, inscribed with passages from the Koran, display Omani influence.

The Lamu archipelago is also home to a collection of fine boutique hotels and resorts. At the forefront of stellar beachfront properties is The Majlis, an understated luxury property on a languid stretch of beach on Manda Island.

The Majlis was originally the private home of Stefano and Francesco Moccia, Ethiopia-born Italian brothers whose family returned to their ancestral home in the wake of the Ethiopian civil war, “The Derg,” in 1974. Twenty-five years later, the brothers returned to Africa and fell in love with enchanting Lamu.

When they built their home in 1999, there was hardly a hotel in sight, let alone an exquisite boutique resort. In 2007 they built a restaurant. Two years later, they began to construct their hotel. “We started with 15 rooms, then 20, then 25,” recalled Stefano. “Now we are at 40 rooms. I keep saying that we will stop, but somehow we keep building.”

Native and culinary art

At every turn of this luxury gem, you’ll see mesmerizing artwork representing not only Kenya but many other nations of Africa. “We come from a family of collectors,” Stefano explained. “You will see paintings from Kenyan artists; wood pieces from nearby Malindi and Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal; handcrafted carpentry from The Congo. If we see an art piece that we like, we can often copy it. We have amazing craftsmen and artists.”

The Majlis has six categories of rooms and suites, all exquisitely presented with an African motif. Superior rooms on the ground floor have double beds with mosquito netting, ceiling fans and air conditioning, mini-bars, safes, and basic furnishings. Deluxe rooms have verandas, some with views of Ras Kitau Bay and Shela Village across the channel. There are also spacious junior suites, a family suite, and a massive Royal Suite.

The colossal restaurant is sheltered by a two-story thatched roof. Its international team of chefs serves an extensive menu that includes Swahili and Indian dishes, from delicate cuts of meat to fish and curries, and such Italian dishes as seafood risotto and even pizza. Breakfast is buffet-style, and chefs are on hand to prepare specialty dishes such as eggs Benedict or Florentine.

Where to relax

A large, snake-like swimming pool is set center stage, winding between the reception and The Majlis lounge. It is a soothing tropical paradise shrouded by trees to shade from the scorching sun. A second pool is at the wing closer to the restaurant.

Of three bars, The Majlis is popular for group gatherings and sunset drinks. A beachfront bar plays modern music late into the night, and there is an additional bar in the restaurant building.

The serene Jungle Spa, on the beach, offers a wide range of massages, wraps, facials, and beauty treatments. In-room massages are available. There are also two fitness areas — one more traditional with weights and exercise bikes, a second in the garden offering a jungle gym.

The Majlis offers an exhilarating assortment of experiences custom-fit for any client. Boat excursions traverse the archipelago; keen anglers can fish among reefs and creeks; divers and snorkelers may discover the local marine life; kite surfing appeals to the more adventurous. Cultural trips introduce visitors to the people and lifestyles of Lamu’s towns and villages. Scenic flights round out the possible activities.

For the traveler who seeks to add a beach holiday with understated luxury to a Kenyan safari vacation, The Majlis in Lamu may be just the place.