Palm House

Palm House in Lamu (Shela Village) is a character-rich Swahili-style house stay built around a central palm-filled courtyard, designed for relaxed, private group getaways.

Photo of Palm House by #Bigsoul254 Bigsoul Entertainment on Google Maps

Swahili design with real atmosphere: The home is arranged around an open courtyard with a tall central Pemba palm, creating a breezy, indoor-outdoor feel that suits Lamu’s slow pace.

Room setup for families and friends: Palm House is configured as a whole-house stay with three en-suite doubles plus a triple, and additional swinging beds on an upper level—handy for mixed-age groups who want to stay together.

Rooftop living: A balustraded rooftop veranda is set up for dining, and there’s also a rooftop terrace with a bar and wide views over Shela Village with partial sea views—great for sunset wind-downs after the beach.

Staffed, home-style service: The house is typically run with on-site support including a resident cook, which can make meals feel effortless and more personal than eating out every night.

Walkable beach access: You’re about a short walk from Shela’s seafront and beach, making it easy to dip in and out for swims, long shoreline walks, and dhow-watching without planning transport.

Potential for stairs: With multiple levels and rooftop spaces, Palm House may feel less convenient for guests with limited mobility or anyone traveling with very young children.

Not a full-service hotel: This is a private-house style stay, so travelers expecting a front desk, daily “hotel” programming, or on-site spa facilities may find it more self-directed.

Village soundscape: Being in Shela Village can mean occasional local noise and early-morning activity, especially if you’re sensitive to sound.

Pros	Cons
Beautiful Swahili courtyard design with rooftop dining and views	Multi-level layout may not suit mobility needs
Great for groups: en-suite rooms plus extra sleeping options	More “private house” than full-service hotel experience
Quick walk to Shela seafront and beach for easy daily routines	Some village noise is possible depending on room location