Dhow House, Shela’s Premier Beachfront Villa
Nestled on 1.45 acres of lush tropical gardens in Shela, Lamu, Dhow House is a three-story, seven-bedroom beachfront villa comfortably hosting up to 14 guests in a beautifully serene setting, offering 360° views of the Indian Ocean with direct beach access, and one of the island’s only private pools.
Designed by Katy Barker to fuse European interior elegance with the spirit of the sea, its guest experience begins each morning with a lavish breakfast by a 5-star chef and unfolds with cocktails at a private coral bar, starlit candlelit dinners by the pool, and endless moments of serenity.
Praised by The Times as “top of the food chain” among Lamu homes and endorsed by Condé Nast and Harper’s Bazaar, Dhow House has welcomed luminaries such as Tracy Emin, Marianne Faithfull, and Paul Allen for an unforgettable retreat in unrivaled luxury.
The villa’s living and dining areas are thoughtfully interconnected, with a sunken living room at the heart of the home that opens directly onto the central courtyard for seamless indoor–outdoor flow. Just steps away, the adjacent dining area sits beside the fully equipped kitchen—creating an inviting, fluid space perfect for shared meals, lively conversations, and effortless entertaining.
