Peponi Hotel

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 1960s. The story begins on the family’s final holiday in Malindi; Aage 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 to move to 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.

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 hideaway holiday from modern life.