escape to the island
THE PEPONI STORY
Swahili history
& charm
Early in 1966 the couple took a short flight up the coast for a day on Lamu island ending in the small fishing village, Shella, where they happened upon an abandoned Arab style house, perched solitarily like the prow of a ship at the begining of the long secluded beach leading to the Indian Ocean. With in 10 days of seeing this building the young family had the keys and moved to the island to start a hotel and in 1967 they opened Peponi. The hotel started small with only four rooms but over the years through Aage and Wera, then later their son Lars and his wife, Carol, Peponi has grown in size and popularity. Even having reached our 50th anniversary the hotel still retains much of the character and charm that it had from the beginning. Small and personal, it is the perfect rest after a safari or a hide away holiday from modern life.
WELCOME TO LAMU
Karibuni Peponi
Peponi Hotel is a small boutique hotel on the remote island of Lamu, situated in the Indian Ocean off the North Kenyan coast. Run by the Korschen family who happened upon the old building by chance in the 1960’s. The story begins on the families final holiday in Malindi; Aage 'Lemmy' and Wera Korschen had been farmers in upcountry Kenya until their land was acquired during independence. As Kenya had become home for them and their three children; Lars, Hanne and Nils, they tried to find a suitable replacement career. However after a few years and not much luck they solemnly come to the conclusion it was time to leave Kenya for Argentina and continue their life there. During these last days Aage decided that, before leaving, he must visit a part of the coast he had always been drawn to; the Lamu Archipelago.
What people say
“Peponi, one of the greatest little hotels of the world and unquestionably the place to stay on Lamu.”
— The Sunday Times —
