Holiday rentals with outdoor seating in Manda Island

Authentic Swahili Town House on three floors. Lovely roof terrace. Amazing housekeeper Elizabeth who is very helpful and on hand.

Paradise! The Shanti Beach House was an exceptional place to spend our last week in Kenya. The staff was excellent and answered any questions that we had about the island, traveling to Shela/Lamu or the food. We never did try any of the restaurants as Katana’s cooking was magnificent. Any little hint of what we might like to try for a meal and he made it happen! The accommodations were exactly as described, but the outdoor shower was the best part! Leave your cares behind and unwind at this beautiful beach front property. I highly recommend!!

Samaki house was great place to immerse yourself in Lamu’s culture. The house itself boasts beautiful Swahili finishes along with a stunning view from the terrace. The location is within walking distance to several local restaurants, land marks and is located near the Main Street where all the local stores are. Moses, the house manager, was extremely helpful. Breakfast was an added bonus, and the provision of different breakfast options was very appreciated.

Spectacular. I don’t think any words can justify our incredible stay at Forodhani House but I’ll try. The house itself is jaw-dropping. Charming Swahili architectural elements with an open floor plan that maximizes the 180 degree sea view. The bedrooms are generous to say the least, with well designed en-suite bathrooms that rival 5-star hotels. Yes. You will be wowed by how it looks. But the best part of the house is how it feels. The way it’s designed, the cross breeze flows beautifully through the entire property. And still, somehow the house isn’t the best part of our stay. The best part is the house staff. Without too much fuss or fanfare, the staff preemptively cared for our every need. They remembered how we liked our tea and how we liked the lights to be at dinner. 5-star service from beginning to end. Then there was the food. every meal prepare by the in-house chef Cylus left us speechless. We didn’t eat dinner anywhere else. Core memory stuff.

The stay at Papaya House was fantastic. Nina was an amazing host and made sure all was going smoothly during our time there. The staff, Daniel and Safari, have been more than helpful and pleasant to be around. The food was delicious and the place was spotless. Shela is a cozy little town and from the house everything is walkable easily. The house itself is just gorgeous- the beautiful garden, the interior design and more than plenty of space to hang out or enjoy the stars at night. We hope to come back one day!

We fell in love of the island, the beach, the people and the wonderful house of Veronique! The house is 10/15 minutes from the beach, lost in the Nature of the island. In the evening is just so relaxing to look at the starts from the terrace with the sofa. The room is spacious, clean and the garden is immense and well preserved. One of my favourite stay in airbnb of all time!

Our stay at Ttunu House was absolutely incredible. The property is stunning and spacious, offering multiple areas to relax. The rooms are enormous and feature beautiful, immaculate bathrooms. The team made our experience even more exceptional. Cornelius, the house manager, was incredibly attentive and went above and beyond to accommodate our needs, arranging activities and offering fantastic recommendations. Chef Stephan's meals were delicious, and he was very flexible with our requests, even taking us to the market to shop for our stay. Jackson, the housekeeper, kept Ttunu House spotless and took care of our laundry every day. We truly lacked for nothing. Ttunu House is, without a doubt, the perfect place for a magical vacation.

Here's a polished but honest Airbnb review you can post for Naima: --- **Stylish, serene, and well thought out.** Naima is a calm, beautifully designed space with an emphasis on staying cool — both in style and temperature. The rooftop deck is a standout feature, perfect for relaxing in the breeze. Patrick was incredibly attentive throughout our stay and prepared some truly delicious meals. While it was a little tricky at first to find our way to and from the house (it's set slightly back from the shore), we quickly got the hang of it. The neighborhood is genuine and friendly, and the house itself is impressively well equipped. Highly recommended for a stay that feels both restful and rooted in the local area.

Staying at Abdillah's place in Shela was a genuine pleasure. From the moment we arrived, he welcomed us warmly, making us feel like part of the local community. The accommodation itself was authentic, with a charming balcony offering a serene view of the sea—a perfect spot to relax and soak in the surroundings.​ Airbnb Abdillah went above and beyond to ensure our stay was comfortable. He provided laundry services, safely stored our bags on our last day when we had a late departure, and even organized tours for us to explore the area. These thoughtful touches made our trip seamless and enjoyable.​ The neighborhood was vibrant and welcoming, allowing us to experience the local culture firsthand. Overall, if you're looking for an authentic stay in Shela with a host who truly cares about your experience, Abdillah's place is a fantastic choice.​

Feisal's place was amazing. The house sits on its own plot on Manda Island, just a quick boat ride from Shela and Lamu Town. We had a family of 5 adults, 2 kids, a toddler and 2 infants. There was more than enough space with a balcony on each floor and 3 bedrooms. The sea breeze was incredible and the pool did not disappoint. There is a long dock to go to the boat and as the level of the tide varied each day we enjoyed swimming in the sea some days and beachtime on others. Amina the housekeeper and her daughters kept the place clean and helped us with anything we needed. We hired a chef, Yousef, who cooked amazing meals and even grocery shopped for us. This allowed us to truly relax and our kids loved their time on the island..it was a true adventure for them. We visited the Takwa Ruins, shopped in Shela and ate at several local restaurants. The weather was gorgeous and when it rained it only lasted minutes. The internet speed was great both inside and outside and allowed for streaming and movie afternoons when the kids were tired. We would love to return some day!

Abdillah was patient and waited for me even though I arrived late by bus. He made me feel at home by taking me on an evening walk around Lamu and showing me great places to eat. He also recommended a reliable captain who took me to Takwa Island and Jaluo Village at a fair price. I truly enjoyed my short holiday in Lamu thanks to Abdillah. If I visit Lamu again, this is definitely a place I will consider staying at.