Majlis Resort
Swahili-Italian fusion beach resort. Barefoot luxury with genuine architectural character — think carved coral stone, makuti thatch ceilings, and lantern-lit spa arches, not generic tropical resort.
Book room R18 or R28 specifically if a sea view from your Junior Suite matters to you — most Junior Suites face the pool and garden
Why It Matters
Designed with input from artist Julian Schnabel; started as a private Italian family villa; accessed only by speedboat; set in the UNESCO-listed Lamu Archipelago. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie famously chose it for New Year's Eve.
What started as a private holiday home for an Italian family quietly became one of Kenya's best coastal stays. Federico and Stefano Moccia, the founder's sons, now run The Majlis — a 39-room boutique resort on Manda Island that's only reachable by boat. The design DNA is unmistakable: white coral-block walls, hand-carved Swahili doors, traditionally high beamed ceilings, and a refined Italian eye for proportion running through every room and public space. And the setting is legitimately dramatic, with the resort looking out across Ras Kitau Bay toward the rooftops of Shela Village.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
Deluxe Room
At 50–60 m², Deluxe Rooms are a meaningful step up in space and come with a private terrace or veranda. Ground-floor units face the garden; first-floor units can have a partial sea view. Only R22 and R16 offer a genuine sea view — worth specifying at booking. Family rooms (R11/R12, R21/R22, R5/R6) are connected Deluxe Rooms joined by an internal door, making them the practical choice for families.
55 sqm
Family Suite
Connected Deluxe Rooms (R11/R12, R21/R22, R5/R6) linked by an interconnecting door. More spacious than a standard Deluxe and designed specifically for families. Views and floor vary by which pair of rooms is booked.
Junior Suite
The 50–70 m² Junior Suite sits on the first floor and adds a proper lounge/living area to the mix. Most look onto the pools and garden — only R18 and R28 have sea views. R28 is notable: no balcony, but it's exceptionally spacious with a sea view. Good pick for couples who want more room to spread out without going all the way to the Royal Suite.
60 sqmRoyal Suite
Two full Junior Suites combined into one 260 m² footprint — the most expansive accommodation on the property by a wide margin. Two bedrooms each with their own en-suite bathroom, a spacious living room, and a large terrace with outdoor seating. Panoramic sea views throughout. This is the go-to for families or groups wanting resort-within-a-resort privacy. Note: extra beds can only be added to R1, not R2.
260 sqmSuperior Room
The entry-level option at 35–45 m². Located mostly on the ground floor at the back of the villas — some have garden views, a couple have no meaningful view at all. Honest rooms: well-appointed with Swahili-style furnishings, but don't expect the ocean to be part of your daily picture. Good for solo travelers or couples who plan to spend most of their time at the pool and beach.
40 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The resort fleet covers island-hopping routes and full-day coastal explorations — including circumnavigation of Lamu Island. Can also book short transfers to Shela Village (two minutes by boat to reach Peponi restaurant).
Guided visits to Lamu Town — the oldest Swahili settlement in Kenya and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow donkey-and-wheelbarrow streets, 12th-century Arab-influenced architecture, artisan workshops. Worth at least a half-day.
Cast off into rich coastal waters for deep-sea or creek fishing. The resort's fleet of motor boats can be arranged for half-day or full-day fishing trips.
Ride Indian Ocean trade winds along an uncrowded stretch of coast. June through October brings the strongest winds — peak kite surfing season.
Kayaks and SUPs are available on the beach. Snorkeling trips head to Manda Toto or Kinika Island reefs. Water-skiing, wakeboarding, and windsurfing also available. Note: there are currents in the channel — check with staff before heading out independently on a kayak.
The owners are cyclists, so mountain biking is taken seriously here. Routes cover Manda Island and cross to Lamu Island. Good condition trails past Takwa ruins.
Sail the bay aboard a traditional Swahili dhow at sunset. The dhows glide up Ras Kitau Bay passing the resort while guests enjoy snacks and drinks as the sun drops. One of the signature experiences of a Lamu stay.
Aerial tours over the Lamu Archipelago offer a stunning birds-eye perspective of the islands, sandbanks, and channels. Private boat transfers also available for custom day trips.
Guided yoga sessions in the dedicated yoga shala, accommodating up to 15 people. Professional instructors available on request for private classes.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Private beach frontage on Ras Kitau Bay. Sun loungers and umbrellas available. One of the few beachfront properties in the Lamu area.
Available for corporate retreats, weddings, and private events. The resort can be booked exclusively for groups of up to 85 guests.
WiFi available in public areas. Some guest reviews note connectivity can be slow — a trade-off for the remote island location.
On-site kids club for younger guests.
Fully equipped gym with treadmill, exercise bike, and multi-functional fitness machines. Open 24 hours.
Open-air circuit gym set in the resort garden, built from coral block weights and natural materials. A genuinely unusual and characterful fitness option. Open to guests aged 6 and up.
Three pools set under indigenous acacia and palm trees, all with panoramic views over Ras Kitau Bay and Shela Village. Pools are built in the shade, providing welcome contrast to the African sun.
Dedicated activity coordination centre that organises and books all on-site and excursion activities, custom itineraries, and day trips.
The resort's in-house boutique. Items and merchandise for purchase.
Complimentary 15-minute speedboat transfer to and from Lamu Airport (LAU) on Manda Island. Arrival time must be communicated in advance.
BUILD YOUR THE MAJLIS RESORT PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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