Reviews of Andavelo House

Absolutely stunning, beautifully renovated historic Swahili building in the heart of the oldest part of Lamu Town. My suite was complete with the traditional carved grand bed of the mansion, so large it had a step to get up into it; a beautiful terrace with a view over the old town rooftops to the water; gorgeous carved plasterwork, traditional paintwork, and plenty of space and air. Safari the house manager was amazing, so thoughtful, pleasant and responsive to every small request. The dining and lounge floor also lovely, with a pool and comfortable, cool areas to relax. A very special historic property where you can immerse yourself in the grandeur and romance of Lamu's heyday: such a wonderful treat to stay here. I look forward to returning.

Beautiful room, very very spacious, quiet. Very helpful staff

An elegant property with tasteful interiors and benefitting from beautiful bones. Our room was situated on the second floor benefitting from a huge terrace just above and a huge bedroom that had a bed to match fit for royalty. The staff were attentive and with a great knowledge of the area with tours etc. The breakfast was wonderful and staff where always on hand to help. The only tiny was the location. It would have been nice to have been closer to the water front otherwise hard to fault in the car less wonder of a town that time forgot with Donkeys and friendly people. We would return when next in Lamu town.

The location was a few blocks up from the front but only a short walk down to the waterfront restaurants and the donkeys.

Staff were so friendly and so so helpful. Went above and beyond.

The property could be updated to provide more amenities. In particular the bathroom

The staff were exceptional, making our stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Safari, Abubakr, and Johnson went above and beyond to ensure we were well cared for throughout our visit. Safari's attentiveness and warm demeanor made every interaction delightful. Abubakr's dedication to our comfort and his resourcefulness when creating culinary delights such as Mango Soup were truly impressive. Johnson's friendly and accommodating nature added a personal touch that made us feel truly valued. Even when the power went out on the second day, their unwavering commitment and professionalism ensured we never felt inconvenienced. Their efforts made our experience truly unforgettable.

The facility is authentic and well-maintained. However, installing solar energy could enhance its value by ensuring an uninterrupted power supply. Additionally, as the pathway to the premises is often littered with donkey dung, it might be practical for guests and visitors to leave their shoes at the reception, with sandals provided for indoor use. Lastly, equipping the washrooms with bidet facilities would be a welcome improvement for the many who use them.

Loved everything! Every detail exceeded expectations from its preserved traditional Swahili architecture, plunge pool, and cozy pergola to the spacious rooms and comfy beds. The house is conveniently located, a short walk from the seafront and popular points of interest, with Mr. Safari and his team going above and beyond, from airport pickups to being just a call away. I loved the thoughtful addition of standing fans, which kept us cool in the Lamu heat! I’d 100% recommend Andavelo House! The location might be surprising initially, as you pass locals going about their daily lives and navigating some less-than-ideal surroundings (like open sewers and donkey dung). However, this is not a reflection of Andavelo House, which is a stunning oasis that makes the journey worthwhile.

Honestly, there’s nothing I didn’t like.

Nice architecture , loved the pool . enjoyed the board games - Game of thrones monopoly. Enjoyed reading the history books which were availbale. Its a quiet space and you can relax nicely. Safari the guest was very welcoming and helpful.

Location is a bit interior.

It’s clean very calm environment and the staff was amazing

Nothing

I loved the architecture and design of the House. It’s was magical place.

Andavelo House far exceeded my expectations. The place is beautifully finished, with very large rooms, extremely comfortable beds, nice bathrooms and a cool and pleasant sitting area downstairs. The plunge pool provided a welcome antidote to the heat. The staff were amazing, with Safari seeing to my every need, and Abu producing fresh and delicious meals. A real refuge.

Nothing!

Safari, the staff, is the best!

No generator. There are lots of brownouts, it was very hot

Fantastic room size. It was incredibly big, went during down season and managed an upgraded room ;) SAFARI!!! The man is as wonderful as all the reviews states. Book it :)

The place was really clean and decoration of the house is really nice. The rooms are very big and atmosphere was good. Safari was the hosting personnel and he was really helpful and welcoming. He took us from the airport without any issues.

As most of the hotels in the island, there is no AC here. But there was no breeze either. Although there are ceiling and standing fans, it was definitely too hot inside. You need to follow the narrow streets to reach out to the place and the location is a little tricky. There is a wifi network and worked good in the common spaces, however I couldn't connect inside the room.

Beautiful old house, decorated very well. Safari was so helpful with everything; arranging trips, transportation, dinners, etc. The dinners served to us on the rooftop terrace were an absolute highlight.

Nothing, it was just excellent .

I really loved the house itself. The architecture, all the details in the house in decorations, kitchen utensils... everything. It gave me a lot of inspiration, feeling of relaxation, rest as if i was at home. The team of management and service - just wonderful. Very professional, kind and present to help. A wonderful experience that I enclosed in my heart. Asante sana .

Safari was a fantastic host, very kind and helpful. The place itself is really stylish. The bed was comfortable.

There was dust on the sofa, the lamp, etc. The lightbulb in the lamp broke as soon as I plugged the lamp. So the maintenance could be better. The place is quite hard to find, strongly recommended to contact the property for the meet and greet. Around the place you have people living their traditional life, which is fascinating, but if you're looking for a smoother tourist experience you should rather go to Shela, this place may seem a bit too harsh to take. There are no windows, so you'll likely be awakened by the call to prayer in the morning.

Beautiful boutique hotel with large spacious rooms done up in a gorgeous Swahili style and a massive common area, right in the heart of Lamu Old Town's narrow roads. Safari, Johnson and Abu are really great. Safari in particular went out of his way to help us make our stay amazing, such as finding us a dhow captain to organise a private dhow trip. I'd 100% recommend Andavelo House for your Lamu stay.

A comfortable house, with very large rooms. Safari (the caretaker) went above and beyond to take care of me and made me feel very safe.

It’s a little deep into Lamu town, so can be a little confusing walking around