Baitil Aman, Shela Village Hot

Shella Hotel - Baitil Aman

 

Accommodation & Dining at Baitil Aman

Baitil Aman has eight self-contained rooms with comfortable private outside seating areas. All rooms have overhead fans, mosquito nets, fresh flowers, wireless Internet access and peace.

The bar stocks non-alcoholic drinks. Breakfast is served from 7am to 10am in the Hajibiki Restaurant, on the terrace, or in the room. Lunch is available from 12 to 4 pm. You can also have a light snack, the choice is up to you.

Dinner is served from 7pm to 10 pm in the Hajibiki dining room. Our Swahili menu offers the chance to experience local dishes served in the traditional way, seated on Swahili mats on the rooftop under a beautiful sky full of stars with the sound of gentle breezes whispering through the palms.

 

The History

Rooftop Sitting Area

Baitil Aman Guest House was built in the eighteenth century by Hajj Abdalla as a gift for his bride, the beautiful Binti Luali of the Shella clan, the youngest and loveliest of her father Bin Jmaa’s ten children. Binti Luali was spoiled by her parents who loved her deeply. When it came time for her to be married, Hajj Abdalla went to ask her parents for their permission. They knew how much they would miss their daughter if she married and went away, so they decided to ask a very high price as her dowry in the hopes of disappointing her suitor and keeping their beloved child.

They asked for a full drum of money as her dowry, but Hajj Abdalla loved Binti Luali very much. He bought the plot of land on which this house now stands and built a mosque, known as msikiti wa Kindoro, and a palace, surrounded by gardens. As soon as he had finished it, however, the building collapsed in the night. Hajj Abdalla was very rich and had many servants, so with their help, he rebuilt the entire palace in a matter of days. Hajj Abdalla then sent one of his servants, Hajibiki, to Binti Luali’s family carrying the drum of money they had requested as her dowry. Hajibiki stood before them, her shoes decorated with silver string known as bulibuli, and presented Binti Luali with the title deeds to the palace as a gift from Hajj Abdalla, all the time singing a song from the groom to his intended bride.

In 1999, Sidiki Abdulrehman from the Timimi family, who is the son-in-law of Mohammed Salim Bahsan, began a seven-year project of restoration and renovation. He changed the landmark from a royal family house to a simple Guest House and named it Baitil Aman, which means ‘the house of peace.’

 

Rates for Baitil Aman

Book with Lamu.org and receive up to a 10% discount off the lowest advertised rates! Simply fill-out the form on the left to make your booking.

Single Double Triple Superior
High Season (Dec 20-Jan 10 & Easter) $150 $180 $320 $210
Mid season (July 1-Dec 19 & Jan 11-Easter) $80 $120 $190 $150
Low season (Easter-Jun 30)
$70 $100 $140 $110

 

Photos

Rooftop DiningRooftop DiningBaitil Aman Downstairs DiningBaitil Aman Downstairs DiningAntique Pots At The Entrance Of Baitil Aman HotelAntique Pots At The Entrance Of Baitil Aman HotelBaitil Aman Guest House Bed RoomBaitil Aman Guest House Bed RoomOutside Sitting Area With Garden In The BackgroundOutside Sitting Area With Garden In The BackgroundBaitil Aman Is Built Around A CourtyardBaitil Aman Is Built Around A CourtyardBaitil Aman Hotel EntranceBaitil Aman Hotel EntranceBaitil Aman Desk In Guest RoomBaitil Aman Desk In Guest RoomBaitil Aman Suite EntranceBaitil Aman Suite EntranceFresh Salad By Tanja MeyerFresh Salad By Tanja MeyerCarrot Soup By Tanja MeyerCarrot Soup By Tanja MeyerFried Glaced Mango By Tanja MeyerFried Glaced Mango By Tanja Meyer


Reservations & Fine Print for Baitil Aman

Dining Room at Baitil Aman

All prices include breakfast. Room rates are per room. Half board is available at $20 per person and night.

To make a booking and get the lowest rates online please fill-out the form on the left.

Upon confirming rates and availability, you will receive an electronic invoice and a deposit can then be made by credit card, paypal, m-pesa or bank transfer to confirm your booking.

On receipt of your deposit, your hosts at Baitil Aman will send you a confirmation and a statement.

Guest Reviews

Average Guest Rating from: 3 user(s)

Overall rating 
 
4.6
Service 
 
5.0  (3)
Location 
 
4.7  (3)
Value 
 
4.0  (3)
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Overall rating 
 
5.0
Reviewed by DN Smith   

A Perfect Coast Experience

This perfect guest house, in the style of the old Swahili palaces in Shela, is more of an experience than a hotel. I stayed here with a friend, but it would be the perfect romantic getaway for a couple. The rooms are gorgeous, large, and clean, and the staff is amazingly friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend having dinner there at least one night, because the chef cooks the best food I had in Shela and the rooftop restaurant is gorgeous. The location is perfect, a 5 minute walk from the quiet, beautiful beach. I was sad to leave the place and the people!

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Overall rating 
 
5.0
Reviewed by daniel   

real swahili experience, incredible styling + design, excellent location

stayed as a couple November 2010. we were blown away by the incredible beautiful design of this very old townhouse in shela. and all of it appears to be incredible authentic swahili design.
the house is very beautiful, the design touches a real treat, and the rooms themselves are gorgeous.
the location is great: 5 min walk from the beautiful nearby beach and the great peponis restaurant / bar.
the area in shela around the house is beautiful too.
only flipside is noise of mosque for 10 mins in the early hours but that's something you will quickly get used to - and adds to the experience.
highly recommend it. incredible value too. and very lovely relaxed staff - in fact the whole island is nice and chilled out people!

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Overall rating 
 
3.7
Reviewed by K_Australia   

Charming Little Guesthouse

We stayed one night at Batil Aman, and paid US$120.

We stayed in one of the rooms on the top floors, with the traditional Swahili roofs. The decor was simple and tasteful. Both the bedroom and the bathroom was well appointed. The bed was large and comfortable. The sheets and towels were clean. The fresh flowers were a very nice touch. The hot water system is solar-powered, and unfortunately was only luke-warm due to it being a cloudy day that day . The bed was large and comfortable. The mosque next door wakes you up at 5am, but that's a part of the experience.

Tip: Get the room on the top floor

Stayed August 2011, traveled as a couple

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4273 Visitors     

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