Banana House – Boutique Hotel in Shela, Lamu

Banana House is a small boutique hotel in Shela Village on Lamu Island, known for its Swahili charm, personal hospitality and welcoming spirit. It is a relaxed base for couples, families and retreat groups.

Its story began in 1997, when Dutch traveller Monika Fauth arrived in Lamu and met a Shela local named Banana (Mohamed Ali Mbarak). Together they opened a small bed-and-breakfast in their home, where he cooked fresh seafood from the day's catch and she welcomed guests. More than twenty years later it has grown into a well-loved boutique hotel rooted in community and culture.

Rooms are set around gardens and a pool, which guests say offers great refreshment in the hot months. The kitchen sits at the heart of the house, with meals cooked fresh each day using local ingredients from the garden and the surrounding area, and breakfast is included.

Banana House is also a wellness destination, offering yoga, spa treatments and yoga teacher trainings. Rooms and booking are on the Banana House website.