Shella White House

I came for two nights and ended up staying a whole week 😅. Shela White is close to the beach, just a few meters away, and the rooftop has a beautiful view. Breakfast is simple but good, and the staff, especially Tom and Sam, were amazing and friendly. I’d happily stay here again when I’m in Lamu.

The rooftop is lovely, and the house is close to both the beach, less than two minutes away, and lots of great restaurants within five minutes. Breakfast was a nice place to meet and chat with other guests, though the house works well for families and friends too. Samuel, the house manager, made an amazing breakfast and sometimes lunch if requested, for an extra charge. He was always helpful and treated everyone with so much care and respect. On my last day he even packed food for me so I wouldn’t travel hungry 😭. The house was always clean, and they cleaned the room when I asked. My six nights there felt magical. I cried when I left, and I definitely plan to come back. I’d recommend it to budget travelers and everyone else too, haha.

Baraka, the housekeeper, was fantastic with just about every practical detail. He gave advice on things to do and where to find food, and was super helpful. The beach is also less than a three-minute walk away. I enjoyed my stay, but it would have been better if the house were cleaner and better maintained. It’s a beautiful place, but there’s quite a bit that needs attention. My bathroom drain kept blocking, and the bathroom could have been cleaner too.

The hosts were helpful and nice, and the rooms were good. There’s no restaurant on site, though breakfast is provided. A couple of minutes away you can find both very cheap local places and fine dining restaurants. The beach is about a two-minute walk, and the Lamu beds are spacious, set on two levels of terraces with a nice breeze and views. It’s really good value for money in Shela. The swimming pool is at the sister Janaatan hotel, around five minutes away.