The Majlis Resort

Transfers from Lamu Airport to The Majlis are via boat as there are no roads on Manda Island. We considered this a bonus as you get to appreciate the beauty of the Lamu Archipelago and surrounding areas! The Majlis sits at one end of Manda Island, opposite the sand dunes of Shela, with a beautiful white sandy beach and a background of swaying palms. The hotel consists of traditional low level buildings scattered throughout the extensive gardens and includes 3 superb swimming pools. We had a adjoining rooms as we travelled with our daughter and these were spacious, well appointed and decorated with local art and artefacts. The beds were extremely comfortable with full mosquito nets at night. All of the staff were courteous, extremely friendly and looked after our every need. Special mention must go the Bonnie (Concierge), Florence (Reception), Enock (Pool Towels) and Freddie (Pool Bar) as they all went above & beyond to make our stay a memorable one. We arrived realising we'd left something important at home but Bonnie & Florence went out of their way to successfully solve the problem and for this we will be eternally grateful.....thanks again guys we really appreciated all of your support. Food served throughout the hotel restaurants was well prepared, well presented and very tasty but the menu was at times a little limited in the number of options. There are no negatives with The Majlis and its currently a hidden gem but we get the impression this part of East Africa is about to take off and The Majlis will rise *head & shoulders" above other local hotel offerings as tourism increases! As a family we are seasoned travellers and have experienced many wonderful hotels and destinations but The Majlis has gone to the top of our list! We will most certainly be coming back!

Here’s a more polished version of your review: The hotel is stunning and offers a wide range of amenities, making it easy to enjoy a full and relaxing stay without needing to venture out to Shela or Lamu Town. While the dining experience was enjoyable, I would love to see more variety in the restaurant menus. Incorporating Swahili dishes would not only add local flavor but also enhance the authenticity of the experience. During our stay, we dined at Peponi, where Swahili meals were available—something to consider for future menu expansions. Our room was spacious, comfortable, and consistently well-maintained, ensuring a restful stay. The staff across the hotel—from the Snack Bar to Ummi, Mediterraneo, and the pool—were incredibly warm, attentive, and helpful. A special thank you to Bonny, Oscar, and Edward, whose kindness and hospitality made our stay even more memorable. Overall, it was an amazing and unforgettable experience, and I would highly recommend this hotel!

The Majlis Resort was everything I wanted for a peaceful and luxurious escape. During my stay, the resort was quite busy, but the staff handled the increased demand with grace and kindness. Despite the full resort, I never felt like I was just one of many guests. The team worked hard to ensure each guest was treated with personal care and attention, making my experience all the more special. Leila, the manager at the boutique, deserves a special mention. She was incredibly helpful, offering personal recommendations for souvenirs and local crafts. I ended up purchasing a beautiful piece of jewelry, and it’s a reminder of the wonderful stay I had at The Majlis. She made my experience at the boutique feel very personal and special. The spa experience was another highlight. I had the pleasure of booking a session with Victoria, and she was absolutely amazing. Her expertise and calming presence made it the perfect way to unwind. The staff were truly exceptional, and despite the busy resort, they ensured that my stay was smooth and relaxing. The Majlis Resort is the perfect destination for anyone seeking luxury, tranquility, and outstanding service.

I spent a few wonderful days at The Majlis Resort, which was quite busy during my stay, but the staff were incredible at managing everything. Despite the full house, I always felt like a priority. They were kind, courteous, and went above and beyond to ensure that every guest had a pleasant experience. The level of service was outstanding, and it’s clear that the team is dedicated to making your stay as comfortable as possible. The resort itself is beautiful, offering a peaceful retreat with stunning views. While it’s not right on the beach, the private setting and serene atmosphere make it a great place to unwind. I had the pleasure of visiting the spa during my stay, and I highly recommend it. Eunice was my therapist, and she was fantastic. The treatment was so relaxing, and Eunice’s professionalism made the whole experience unforgettable. Nitai, the executive chef, also deserves special mention. Every meal was exceptional, full of flavor and beautifully prepared. The variety of dishes kept me looking forward to each new meal. The staff’s commitment to creating a relaxing, enjoyable experience, even with a busy resort, made my stay at The Majlis one I’ll always remember.

Beautiful,Fantastic,will definitely come back. had an amazing stay, an unforgettable one, the staff, The room was wow out of this world I did feel like aqueen for 3nights. The staff were very friendly and were very helpful Special thanks to The Manager Edward, who went out of his way to constantly check on us and made us feel homely. The restaurant staff Casper is an amazing waiter Newton, the ever smiling Barman Actually all the staff were amazing And many others, which I can not remember right now It's definitely worth it Despite the fact that it is expensive, everything was on point!

Our tour guide organised our honeymoon safari trip and thought majlis would be the perfect end. Looking at the photos we were very hopeful. We had 5 nights booked on a half board basis. The transfer was very smooth. On arrival we were picked up by a man holding up a sign for majlis and it was a quick boat transfer to the resort. However, from that point onwards issues became very apparent. We had the superior room which was clean but very basic. No toiletries are provided except shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, hand wash and body lotion. Slippers have to be purchased. Laundry is very expensive. There is no iron. There is a very basic hair dryer and kettle. There was no coffee and tea in the room so had to call reception and found out that instant coffee was out of stock. The hot water runs out very quickly so had several cold showers during our stay. The hotel has 3 restaurants but 2 offer the same food. The food is pretty basic. Service is very poor. Expect to wait at least 30 mins for food and to pour your own water and drinks. At dinner it became apparent there are a few (I assume wealthy) return guests who are treated differently to the rest of the guests. Only their drinks and water were kept topped up and they had their own waiter to respond to them urgently. I later found out these guests also have their own WiFi connection which is quicker and more reliable. I found this out when I was waiting to speak to the reception and one of these guests who came in after me was served before I was. I have been told by several guests and also hotel staff that the hotel across the channel (Peponi’s) offers better food and service. In fact some guests on full board decided to have their lunch at an additional cost there as the lunch and dinner menu at Majlis is the same. Beer is around 700-800 KES, wine and cocktails around 1200 KES, main meals start from around 1700 KES. Water is not free. Dessert offered is the same at all three restaurants. You can try reserving a table like we did but be aware that if one of the return guests was to request this table it would go to them as it happened to us twice. None of the three swimming pools are heated and can get quite dirty. The gym is very basic with one multi gym and dumbbells from possibly the pre historic era. There is no AC in the indoor gym. The AC in the rooms is also very noisy. We also tried booking a couples massage but despite being showed a leaflet (PDF and hard copy) as well as the couples treatment room we were told this was not available and had to book two individual massages which would of course be more expensive. I understand the spa is new but these issues should be addressed before being open to guests. The masseuse tried to bargain with me but I decided to take my business elsewhere. All in all, if you travel a lot and like to stay at nice hotels probably best to avoid this one especially at this price. We had a far better experience staying at tents on our safari.