Likely The Best Hotel in Watamu

A little piece of heaven in Watamu 🙂 What a fabulous stay we have just had at The Charming Lonno Lodge! We spent eight nights here, following a fabulous safari, as part of a "bucket list" trip to Kenya.

From the moment we arrived, when we were greeted by Silvia and her two gorgeous dogs, we were made to feel welcome and like treasured guests; the hotel itself is set in lush, pretty gardens, with a fabulous view of the Indian Ocean and that omnipresent roar of the sea as it hits the outlying reef. There is always lots to watch, whether it's the fishermen walking with nets at low tide, or the dhows which pass by, or the seabirds whirling in the breeze.

As it was a very special trip for us, we had booked Room One, at the top of the tower - admittedly, the number of steps is not for the faint-hearted (!) but it was so worth it to have such a beautifully designed and decorated space, with our own day bed on the roof. The room was spacious, the bed was large and comfortable, and the bathroom was quirky and delightful. It didn't matter to us that there was no air conditioning as all the windows mean that there is always a breeze, plus there are fans for keeping you cool at night.

The bar and dining area are also STUNNING, with an authentic African feel - light, bright, airy and breezy, with carvings and great decor. We would start our evening with a delicious cocktail, made by the sweetest bar staff, and proceed to dinner which is served at 7:30. The food is elegant and tasty - four courses - with a heavy emphasis on locally caught fish, so we dined very well each night. There is a small but well-curated wine list, and we had friendly service from the delightful staff at every turn.

There are lots of comfortable sunbeds by the pretty salt-water pool, and various little day beds and areas for privacy and peace. We had light lunches (eg salads, samosas), but you can also have a full lunch if you wish. We also treated ourselves to a massage each, which was blissful, and took place in the little rustic ocean-facing spa room!

We truly had a fabulous and relaxing stay; of many wonderful things, the highlight is the care and attention that you get from each of the lovely, warm, smiling staff - and we loved getting to know Silvia and Aldo who have brought their special vision into reality. We really feel we have left as friends and will have no hesitation in coming back to Lonno Lodge should we be lucky enough to return to Kenya.

Recommended, without any hesitation!!

Would not stay anywhere else 5 days of sheer bliss - quiet, relaxing atmosphere, unique style reflecting the environnement, lovely rooms and of course, great food. Our second stay at the Lonno lodge did not disappoint from the warm welcome from Silva and Aldo onwards. We love the rooms by the sea with the wind keeping the evenings cool and ( at least when we were there) mosquito free, the discrete service by all the staff and of course the sea views. Great massage by Janet as well.
Lonno lodge is also self sufficient in electricity and water so quite unique from the point of sustainability offering an electric TucTuc , electric bicycles or just relaxation and walking along the coast at low tide.

The Charmed Guest The place is very serene - beautiful views and the proximity to the beach means the temperature is just right.
The staff are amazing and the food is varied and prepared excellently.
The rooms are spacious and very well maintained.
I would like to give a special shout out to the host who goes out of her way to accommodate you and ensure you are enjoying your stay.
I look forward to going back.

Heaven What a gorgeous spot! The views are absolutely incredible! Such a nice end to the trip after a week of safari. All the staff were so wonderful and friendly, we were very sad to say goodbye. Sylvia was amazing at helping us with local excursions which was much appreciated

Beautiful, highly recommend. The best place to be for a quiet and relaxed holiday. Their unique style and services were remarkable. The room was clean, nice and spacious.
Sylvia was very friendly, kind and helpful whenever we needed anything. Best location too. Their architecture and environment is also very stunning. Enjoyed every moment of our time there.

Watamu's True Hidden Gem Without a doubt this has got to be one of the most niche and well curated hidden gems in Watamu. No loud advertising for this place is needed. You just have to know. The plush and lavish rooms with great ocean views are well decorated and very welcoming. Even more welcoming is Silvia and her husband who operate the place and have a keen eye on every personal detail making you feel like you are on a private island. Top notch service that will cater to you and an extremely personable charm from everyone there. This was a magical experience and highly recommended!

❤️❤️Practically Perfect in every way ❤️❤️ Wow what a wonderful small hotel! From the minute we arrived till we left we were blown away with amazing service, fantastic meals and attention to detail at its best ❤️
We stayed for 10 nights our room was beautiful, you could hear the ocean and the menus were varied, presented lovely and beautifully cooked 🌟
We both had the massages which were brilliant and we loved the salt water pool😃
We had such a relaxing holiday - loved the setting and gardens and walking along the coast - it really was good for our souls 🥰
Silvia and Aldo really made us feel welcome were wonderful hosts and was great catching up with them - they made use feel welcome and their staff are a credit to them both- the service was efficient, friendly and attentive and we had some lovely conversations 🤗
Kevin, Christopher, Stephen, Janet and the man on breakfast and afternoon tea were all brilliant and deserve a special mention 🥂
Thank you for such a wonderful stay - a wonderful bedroom and a holiday that was special in every way❤️
We were very impressed with how Silvia and Aldo has designed their hotel that has minimum impact on the environment and the climate with no stone unturned

Book this hotel - it’s absolutely awesome and will definitely return 🥰

A truly sensational stay We spent four wonderful nights here after a week on safari. The amazing owners Aldo and Silvia have created a stunning oasis of calm - welcoming, intimate, romantic and relaxing. The staff were all terrific, the vibe was perfect, the food a delight.

We were lucky to have the tower room, with a glorious view over the Indian Ocean. The walk along the shallows at low tide is a must, as is a visit to the snake farm in Watamu.

Can't recommended this place highly enough.

A truly sensational stay We spent four wonderful nights here after a week on safari. The amazing owners Aldo and Silvia have created a stunning oasis of calm - welcoming, intimate, romantic and relaxing. The staff were all terrific, the vibe was perfect, the food a delight.

We were lucky to have the tower room, with a glorious view over the Indian Ocean. The walk along the shallows at low tide is a must, as is a visit to the snake farm in Watamu.

Can't recommended this place highly enough.