Makubwa House
House in Lamu
Reasons to book
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Includes essentialsPool, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Air conditioner and more
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About this house rental
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, sea view and a terrace, Makubwa House is situated in Lamu. The property was built in 19th century, and has accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi.
Amenities
Pool
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
TV
Beachfront or waterfront
Family friendly
Map of Lamu
Available Rooms
Three-Bedroom House
1 Queen • 1 Single • 1 Sofa • 2 Sofa • 1 King • 5381 ft²
Sleeps 9
+
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
££££
Reviews
100% verified reviews4.5
It was our first time in Lamu and Alejandra and Zion were great hosts, the communication was easy and they were very supportive. The house is beautiful and very authentic, it gives a very unique Lamu experience. It is located in the center of Lamu town, 2 minutes walk from the harbor.
The breakfast was made by Zion and it was delicious. Zion was a great help during the two days we spent at the house.
We travelled with a 8 months baby and the house is not really adapted for the baby. The house is spread over three floors and the stairs are steep.
The mattress in the room of the 3rd floor was a bit hard.
4.0
The house is beautiful and has a lot of character as you would hope/expect when staying in Lamu town. Caretaker Zion is wonderful and arranged everything we wanted. Transportation from/to the airport by Abdul was flawless and with a big smile of hospitality.
The beds are a bit hard and only one bedroom has airconditioning. We were there in the hottest time of the year, so that was unfortunate.
5.0
Alexandra and Zion were just amazing. You can see the passion of Alexandra about Lamu and about this historical building! It is perfect for a big group, and it's also amazing to work from there. I liked everything of the place, so relaxing and such a relaxed atmosphere!
Everything went well! So we don't really have something to complain about!
4.5
Great view and amazing house and service from the owner and the house manager who makes great breakfast
The mosquitoes nets have to been remplaced it has huge holes in them so you have to be-careful at night
5.0
The staff and manager of the house so helpful. Lots of advice and recommendations where to eat.
Also easy to find in the maze of Lamu, close to the jetty but far enough for a peaceful stay
4.5
The location is very central in Lamu Old Town. Close to the port so easy to get to when arriving from Manda airport and anywhere else you might be traveling in from.
The property is open and spacious, very clean and Zion was very helpful in making sure we had everything we needed for our stay. The property is well equipped and each of the 3 rooms a good size.
The pool was a nice option to cool off in.
Le Dolce Toro is a great nearby coffee shop with outdoor space and Peponi Hotel was a lovely spot for lunch/dinner.
It was super hot during our stay and one of the rooms only had a fan - it would’ve been great to have AC in that room too. The other rooms however did have AC which made it comfortable in those rooms.
5.0
amazing Swahili house over 3 floors. comfortable for 5/6 people in 3 rooms with more beds in open areas. absolutely stunning place could have spent longer there. we organised for the chef to buy some groceries and cook us breakfast which worked really well.
nothing - was perfect
4.5
Top balcony was the best. The breeze from the sea and the view was very nice.
There needs a bit of improvement in the kitchen. Cleaning-up and tidying-up more carefully could make the place better.
4.0
Location was conveniently central for exploration of the town, shops and a walk to Shela. The house was interestingly quiet and peaceful despite being in the middle of town.
Update of profile with a few current realities would be helpful for planning e.g. airport transfer fee (1500 plus 500 extra for bags, not 1000) or need to bring own bath soap.
5.0
We loved how it was so easily accessible to Lamu Town and even the shops nearby even at 11pm at night we could get from the house.
The house was extremely huge we really loved it that we could move around freely.
We could literally stay there forever Lamu is indeed so beautiful 😍
We highly recommend Makubwa House 👌
There was no microwave to warm food.
The swimming pool was too small.
5.0
The architecture of the home is authentic Lamu style, which brings you back in to time to a bygone regal era. And Mr. Zion, the caretaker, took care of us like royalty. We had him prepare a veggie traditional dinner, which was definitely fit for a King!
Nada!
5.0
Good view
Nothing
4.5
We spent New Year‘s eve on Lamu and had a fantastic time at Makubwa. The house is in the centre of the old town, very authentic with a nice rooftop terrace with view. The highlight was the sailing tour watching the dhow race. Many thanks to Zion, Bwana and Abdalla for their great support and hospitality.
4.5
Makubwa House is a big, hearty villa which is very well- run, with an attentive house manager (Mr Zion) and Bwana Dolphin; whose role extends to tour guide and chaperone. The staff offer what felt like a One-Stop shop where they were able to organise whatever I was looking for including cooked meals (according to my preferences), bottled water delivered to the house, recommendations for activities around the city and organizing trips, airport transfers, etc.
The day beds scattered around the house are amazing for lazy mornings after breakfast or hanging out after a long day. The pool adds a great touch; the perfect way to wind down after a day of exploring. I enjoyed how accessible the house was when arriving in Lamu; so daily commuting was a breeze.
There are some improvements being made to the house (a plus for future travelers!), so a few tools lying around as you enter the house, but no construction noise or disturbances, which was great. The wifi signal is only reliable on the top floor; with the lower 2 floors having limited coverage.
4.5
Great place! Beautiful house, just look at the pictures on booking.com. It really is like that.
Mister Zion who takes care of the place is a very good host, very pole pole. We all got very relaxed in the house, could have stayed there for weeks.
Nothing
5.0
This house is gorgeous and in a great location in Lamu Town. We felt very safe and the staff were great in helping us organise transport by boat, trips out and even restaurants to eat. Highly recommend staying here for an authentic experience in Lamu!
5.0
An amazing house, especially for groups, plenty of space, but if you are a solo traveller like me you won't regretted, felt safe and free. The decoration, design simply outstanding! A special thank to Zion ( good conversation) and Bwana ( helped me with tour, dhown trip ), everything went perfectly good.
4.5
Unique historic traditional storey building with antique furniture
Standard of cleanliness was low.
4.0
The house is in the heart of Lamu town, so very convenient to go anywhere, also close the the sea front, about 20min by boat to Shela. The rooftop room was amazing, where you can have the sea view at daytime and starry night. And there was an air-con equipped. Zion as the housekeeper were helpful and thoughtful
There was no hot water heater, so it was bit cold for the shower during the rainy season here.
5.0
The house was enormous..3x stories . What my sister & I loved was that we each had a whole floor to ourselves, giving us plenty of space. I was up on the rooftop which was breezy & plenty of space. So many places to relax. There was a plunge pool which we could dip into to cool off. It was very near the waterfront & the market place. Excellent location.
Nothing
4.0
It was a very big and charming house and the hosts were very helpfull and kind
When we were there it was difficult to sleep because it was very hot and the electricity was gone 2 out of 3 nights (the whole of Lamu - not only this guest house). Then the fans and the aircondition did not work, and it was very hard to sleep. Maybe the owner can add some more beds and mosquito nets to the upper floor/roof where it is a bit colder? Just in case it happens again.
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Lamu?
The average price for a rental in Lamu is £32 per night. This rental is £0 less expensive than the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Parking is not specified as an available amenity at Makubwa House. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Makubwa House. Enjoy the water!
Is Makubwa House pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Makubwa House?
We found 9 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, and laundry.
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