Concierge.com's insider take:

Whether you're staying in this swank, Swahili-style hotel or one of its luxurious neighbors, all roads in Lamu lead to Peponi. For more than 40 years, the hotel has been Shella's favorite watering hole—a place where well-heeled expats, Kenyan sophisticates, and continental jet-setters mingle and make merry. The place is upmarket but dressed-down: Think bare feet, flowing tunics, and chunky native jewelry of the hippie-chic variety. The food is sumptuous, if something of an afterthought; Peponi is all about the scene. Island gossip buzzes around the timbered dining room, with the glass-paned doors open wide to catch the sea breeze. Tuck into ginger crab, spicy piri-piri prawns, or decadent lobster Thermidor, then rub elbows (literally) in the tiny fisherman's bar over a couple of Old Pals—Peponi's signature vodka cocktail. Outdoor dining under the bougainvillea is ideal for those sultry summer nights, while hotel guests can opt for private terraces overlooking the sea.

Open daily 7 to 10 am, noon to 4 pm, and 6 to 11 pm.