How a floating hotel 'gamble' has paid off

Hotelier Fridah Njogu. [Robert Menza, Standard]

The premises are located in the middle of the ocean off Lamu island and are a floating platform on pressurised plastic drums with authentic Makuti thatch to give it the Swahili architecture.

It lies in the middle of the channel between Lamu Old Town and Shella-Manda, 700 metres from the shore, where you need a boat to ferry you over.

"We offer a variety of foods and drinks to give you a taste you will remember. Mostly, we have varieties of food like seafood, African, and Swahili cuisines, and drinks -beers and a variety of Lamu-inspired cocktails using Lamu ingredients like Lamu limes, tamarind, coconut, and baobab. We are mostly open throughout serving a few lunches, and the vibes start during sunset time when we have the magical Lamu sunsets from the floating bar serving the magical cocktail," she said.

At the facility, grilled seafood is the favourite, with on-menu seafood like grilled fish (floating special), lobsters, prawns, calamari, octopus, and crabs.

To ensure the safety of the premises, the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) officers usually inspect the facility before issuing seaworthiness certificates and licenses.

''When I acquired the premises from the white owner, I had to invest all my savings to start this business. I took a gamble since I had no idea how to navigate through such a business. I was lucky since the previous owner," she said.

Daily chores

In 2020, she used almost Sh500,000 to refurbish the floating bar and restaurant, giving it a new lease of life.

The floating bar and restaurant on Lamu Island in Lamu County. [Robert Menza, Standard]

She says she never took any bank loans to finance her project.

She relied on her savings, which she described as adequate then. To help her in her daily chores, Fridah has employed a barman and chef on the floating deck, where she takes orders from clients who come for hearty meals and drinks. Her immediate family and close friends come in handy to help with work, especially when there are booked events at the premises.

The floating platform is moored on moorings and does not move but floats and can be moved after being towed by a tug to any convenient place within the scenic channel.

Fridah says owing to their popularity, they have had a steady increase in several international guests and locals from upcountry who keep flocking to the floating hotel.

For Sam Edington from Birmingham in the United Kingdom, a sip of his popular beer and grilled fish is a must whenever he comes holidaying in Lamu. "I like this place. Its services, food, and drinks make me feel at home away from home," he summed up.