I really enjoyed my time at stopover, location was fantastic and place looks amazing.

Recommend the penthouse, which has an amazing balcony ( view is brilliant) and great daybed for lounging. all rooms have a balcony and great views

Staff were always very helpful and I didn't experience them being pushy at all. They were very upfront about the wait times for food which was a long time. food was good however and found prices reasonable.

I left a good tip because this was a great place to stay and I recommend it to family and friends.

There is very little wor writing about this place except 'avoid it like the plaugue' and make sure you really want to visit Lamu, that you understand what you are going for. We were two women traveling alone, everything pre booked and we even had a Lamu contact to make sure we were safe. Still, oppressive, all eyes following us, no women to be seen for most of the day.
Stop Over was a lovely illusion at first sight but quickly deteriorated before our eyes as the fans didn't work, cleanliness was a real issue - and we had been living in huts that were more hygienic, the stench in the hallway was gag worthy, we simplyncould not wait to leave.
Forget eating there, dirty eater for tea, we both got ill and stopped eating there even though it wa paid for.
The 'manager' was present but absent in every way from his duties, all he wanted was our money and excuses for every issue to be resolved flowed trippingly off his tongue. No change at the end when we paid our tab, just a simple and blank brain staring at us.
Truly, the worst we have experienced in all of Kenya. They should gut it and start over!
Forget paradise, think parasites!
Find a place that respects you... Perhaps the guest house nearby which is a renovated palace, 300 years old, lovely and spacious with a kind and considerate owner. Birma or something like that, google it if you are interested.
Unlike many we couldn't wait to leave Lamu and Shela, fortunately our evening flight was cancelled so we got the earlier one..
It is safe, that I will say. Beyond at, I will be asking myself forever what people see in the location...

We spent 3 days and had such a great time
Frist the Staff (Patrick and his colleagues) were very professional
We had a wonderful welcome and they were always keen on helping us
The location cannot be any better straight on the beach: rooms have such an amazing view
The rooms are all great, but the one on the last 2 floors are obviouly better with the terrasse and the day bed facing the sea.
It was a lovely experience to have breakfast or meals served at no extra cost!!!!!! in the room/terrasse
In short, don't hesitate if you wish to stay in Shela, stopover is your place.
The food is also such a great experience ...
I would return there without hesitating

Stopover was in an idyllic location looking over to Manda Island and minutes from Peponi Hotel - which has AMAZING food and beer! The room was simple & very beautiful and I spent most of my lazing on the outside Swahili beds. Coming off the boat was a bit of a stench and guys were peeing whilst we walked on salty muddy water (gross!). The menu was limited though, they didnt have a lot of availability of food despite a great menu so I only ate there once.
However, the kitchen/waiting staff went out of their way and then some to accommodate your needs, tended to you with room service & escorting you around the winding streets...they were amazing guys! Only one warning - don't book with or fall for the *seemingly sweet Swale - who gives you lots of free info a first & offers boat trips. But we were on the most uncomfortable boat ever,and once we got to go, realised we'd been fobbed off looking at what other people had paid for and service they recieved. We were literally left in blazing sun to eat our lunch, whilst others were cooked for in huts on much larger boats that actually had seats rather than a stick of wood! Once we refused a guided tour to Lamu he lost complete enthusiasm and interest in us after spending days there and was actually very rude. He caused a lot of issues on checking out, despite disappearing and sending the guys to do it, who kept apologising for him. Such a shame, because the rest of the staff and the owner was really lovely and the place is simplistic BEAUTY! Just don't feel like you have to do ANY trips with Swale, he swears no-one is as trusting or reliable as him but actually he's quite a nuisance!!