Lonno Lodge Watamu, Kenya

Italian and Swahili architecture fuse in this fort-like villa on a quiet spot on Kenya’s Watamu beach. The friendly owners delight in sharing their charming home with others, while the expansive gardens have ample space for privacy.

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Description

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Location

A 15 mile (25km) drive from Malindi Airport, located at the north of Watamu beach. Leaving the tarmac road, the isolation of the spot is hinted as you travel along a dry, sandy track to arrive at the gates, no other hotel in sight. The beach is only accessible at low tide, offering walks down into Watamu town (about a 20-minute walk away) but at high tide the sea races in and crashes into the craggy cliffs.

Style and Character

Built by an Italian architect for him and his wife to live in, Lonno Lodge is more home than hotel. The accommodation is housed in a beautifully-designed building that has numerous roof terraces from which to admire the wild coastline. A short walk away is the swimming pool, which is located next to the restaurant, bar and reception area that are housed under a vast thatched roof. The buildings calmly blend into the rocky grounds interspersed with trees and plants. Come for wild nights and you’ll be disappointed, this is a place for slowing down the pace of life.

Service and Facilities

Activities are limited to a spa and a saltwater pool (which was far less salty than expected) and features in-pool seating. However, the owners actively encourage guests to explore the area, to give other local businesses in Watamu a chance to profit from visitors, and will happily recommend watersport operators. Staff are discreet and guests are mostly left to their own devices, and while there is no room service, guests can feel they can really unwind uninterrupted.

Restaurant
Bar
Pool
Spa
Wi-Fi
Fitness centre
Beach

Rooms

Lonno Lodge has eight suites composed of painted cream walls and exposed brick. They are fitted with Swahili-style beds, and dark wooden furnishings decorated with carved designs. An elegant selection of Kenyan paintings, fabrics and sculptures are displayed on the walls. The top tower room has wonderful views on its rooftop (accessed via a steep ladder) across the coast. Bathrooms are spacious and simple, with standard showers and no bathtub.

Food and Drink

Unsurprisingly, Italian flavours dominate the menu, with quality olive oils and breads decorating the table. Breakfast is a buffet of fruit, cereals and hot options, lunch is a two- or three-course affair and dinner is four courses. Ravioli and spaghetti dishes were full of flavor and a tuna steak was tender. The owners import wine from their own vineyard in Italy, while also offering a short selection of other international wines. The menu is fixed and meal times are set, and guests can decide the night before how many meals they would like the next day.