Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya. Land of the big 5, sun-soaked safaris and the endless beaches of the Kenyan coastline. Visitors pour into Nairobi all year round. They visit on honeymoons and ‘once in a lifetime’ trips to the Maasai Mara. They come to the city on business and on their way to the white sand beaches of Watamu and Diani. The wealthy Nairobi upper class, the influx of affluent expats and huge numbers of tourists mean that there is tremendous demand for 5 star hotels in Nairobi.
Luxury hotels in Nairobi are located in wealthy suburbs such
as Karen,
Lavington, Gigiri and Westlands. In Nairobi CBD, 5-star hotels are more
business-focused but still thrill with high-end facilities.
Explore my list of the best 5-star hotels in Nairobi.
Villa Rosa Kempinski
Villa Rosa Kempinski is one of the newer luxury hotels in
Nairobi. Opened in 2013, The Kempinski is renown for being one of the most
luxurious 5-star hotels in Nairobi.
Located about 15 minutes from Nairobi CBD along the frantic
Chiromo road. Its position near the hubbub of shops and restaurants that makes
up Westlands that makes it convenient for business people and holidaymakers.
Notable for its pale pink exterior, this hilltop hotel is
decadent in its frills and furnishings. It has 200 rooms, a spa, fitness
centre, outdoor swimming pool and 4 restaurants. The fabulous Tamourin – a
rooftop bar and restaurant is one of the best places to dine and catch a drink
in the city.
Each of the 200 spacious rooms is elegantly furnished and
come with minibar, desk and a flat-screen TV. Some rooms have balconies and all
have far-reaching views across Nairobi city.
Best Parts?
The Kempinski is one of the most extravagant hotels in
Nairobi. Visit Villa Rosa Kempinski if you are looking for over the top
indulgence in one of the finest hotels in town.
Worst Parts?
Sited along a busy road the hotel can be a little noisy,
particularly when outside at the pool or the rooftop bar. Bear in mind this is
a city centre hotel and Nairobi is a hotpot of traffic jams and building sites
all hours of the day.
Summary?
At the upper end of luxury hotels in Nairobi. A fabulous,
centrally located, hotel that is dripping in opulence. The restaurants are
excellent and the spa and pool area sumptuous.
The Giraffe Manor
I am mid-level miffed with The Giraffe Manor. All the other
luxury hotels in Nairobi have no problem with me having a little snoop around,
but the Giraffe Manor refuses to let me past its hallowed gates. To rub salt
into the wound, I live next door and drive past it every day. Perhaps the
privacy and secrecy demanded by this famous Nairobi hotel make it all more
irresistible. This hotel so beloved by Instagrammers that it claims to be one
of the most Instagrammed properties in the world.
The Giraffe Manor is a beautiful colonial-era building in
Hardy. It is attached to the Giraffe
Sanctuary, where tourists flock to hand feed wild giraffes. While we
peasants can feed Giraffe at the sanctuary for a couple of dollars the rich and
famous can sleep and eat with the rare and endangered Rothschild Giraffe. Set
in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the
Langata suburb of Nairobi, the Giraffe Manor is one of Nairobi’s most iconic
buildings. The original manor was built in 1930 and is an ivy-clad, stone-built
beauty. In 2011 a second building was built using original materials and in the
same inimitable style.
There is a restaurant, bar, terrace and excellent spa. All
prices are full board inclusive of alcohol.
There are 10 incredibly beautiful rooms and 2 suites at the
luxury hotel. Each piece of furniture is unique to the room, individually hand
chosen and often antique.
Best parts
The Giraffe, of course. The giraffes are
wild but used to humans and will poke their heads in the manor windows to pinch
your breakfast or glide elegantly past as you sit on the terrace.
As the hotel is adjacent to the Giraffe sanctuary you can
enjoy guided walks through the local woodland. With the high possibility of
bumping into a giraffe, warthog or bushbuck, or even the occasional leopard and
lion.
Worst parts
The cost. Your wallet will haemorrhage cash, but it may be
worth it for a truly once in a lifetime hotel experience and that, oh so
precious, Instagram photo. Read the full blog from The Battered Suitcase, here. She examines whether the cost
of the Giraffe Manor is worth it (and decides that yes, it is)
Summary
Possibly the most unique hotel in Kenya. Bespoke 5 star
luxury in a 1930’s Nairobi hotel located close to the bars and restaurants or
Karen.
Hemingways Nairobi Hotel
Mbagathi Ridge is the best road in Karen and its crowning
jewel is the exclusive Hemingways Nairobi Hotel. This plantation-style hotel
exudes quiet splendour in a rural setting. Karen is 15km away from the city and
probably too far for business meetings in Nairobi CBD but it has a leafy charm
that is not to be dismissed out of hand. Karen is the best place to base
yourself for Nairobi National Park, the Giraffe Centre and the David Sheldrick
Elephant Orphanage.
Hemingways Nairobi has a spa, outdoor swimming pool and five
star restaurant, serving contemporary European cuisine, and their famous Jopur
steaks. The hotel has an elegant cocktail bar and several meeting rooms.
Rooms are decorated in light breezy colours and have a
seating area, balcony or terrace, and en suite bathroom. The suites have a
dining area and well-equipped kitchenette. Free WiFi and parking.
Best Parts?
The setting overlooking the Ngong Hills and the countrified
elegance of the hotel transport you from Nairobi city into a bygone era. Dress
for dinner, sup cocktails on the terrace and watch the sun sinks into Karen
Blixen’s famous hills.
Worst Parts?
Not suitable for children. The idea of my kids screaming up
the quiet hallways is enough to bring me out in a sweat.
Hemingways 5 star hotel is for romantic nights and business
treats only.
Summary?
If you don’t need to be in the city centre this is the luxury hotel in Nairobi that I would stay in. Refined, rarified and rural.
Nairobi Serena Hotel
The Nairobi Serena Hotel is a 5 star hotel in Nairobi CBD.
Located right in the middle of town, it has great access to the central
business district as well as the shops, restaurants and bars that dot central
Nairobi. The Nairobi Serena hotel is the No. 1 choice for visiting business
people and is equipped accordingly with executive suites, meeting rooms, global
connectivity, business support and conference facilities. This luxury hotel is
a member of the ‘Leading Hotels of the World’ group.
The Nairobi Serena hotel is decorated in pan-Africa style
with art and design from across the continent.
The facilities include a fitness centre and spa, an outdoor
pool located next to the Askum bar. The Mandhari restaurant offers a fine
dining experience to the hotel guests.
Room are executive style decorated in bold African colours
and come with TV, air-conditioning and a private bathroom. Free Wi-Fi is
provided.
Best Parts?
The central location and business facilities make this
Nairobi hotel the ideal place for business meetings, conferences and visiting
executives. The hotel is efficient and caters to all your business needs.
Worst Parts?
Nairobi Serena Hotel is a business-focused more than a
high-end luxury. Whilst the pool with its towering palms and cocktail bars
mimics luxurious escapes it’s hard to forget you are in the centres of Kenya’s
bustling capital city.
Summary?
Great Nairobi business hotel in the centre of town.
Fairmont at the Norfolk
A national treasure The Norfolk opened its doors in 1904 and
has been keeping its guest in sartorial style ever since. A celebrated Kenyan
landmark this colonial-era building is set in tropical gardens and located just
3km from the CBD. While it doesn’t have the pomp and glory of newer buildings,
the hotel has a full range of facilities including a health club, fitness
centre and sauna, heated outdoor pool and 6 restaurants. The restaurants
include a steak house, wine bar, poolside restaurant and the historically
evocative Lord Delamere Terrace restaurant with a full a la carte menu.
The 27 suites and 143 rooms are plump with high thread count
sheets, colourful artworks and bright styling. Each room has a flat-screen TV,
marble bathroom, and views of the lush garden. Suites have a seating area and
many rooms have terraces that lead out to the gardens and pool.
Best Parts?
Staying in a piece of history. In the early 1900’s Nairobi
was still a frontier town, filled with wooden buildings, The Norfolk advertised
itself as the only stone-built, tiled roof hotel in the city. It was the
epitome of luxury, attended by dignitaries from all over the globe and serving
as basecamp, and a retreat for those wishing to explore Kenya and build a life
here. Staying in the Norfolk is to experience a piece of Kenya’s colonial
history.
Worst Parts?
It’s old. Is that a negative? Not in my book but it does
lack the finesse of some of the newer hotels.
Summary
Stay in a colonial-era hotel in the centre of town. A brick
and mortar story, telling tales of a frontier town.
Radisson Blu Hotel
The Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi is located in Upperhill, a
wealthy enclave close to the nightlife of Westlands and the business venues of
the central business district. Those visiting Nairobi and looking for a
recognisable name can rest assured that the Radisson group continues to deliver
its brand of upmarket décor, service and facilities within this recommended
hotel in Nairobi.
The hotel was built in 2015 and has contemporary interiors
and modern conveniences. It is located next to the Nairobi Arboretum a vast
forest that hosts a variety of indigenous trees, animals and birds. The
Arboretum offers hotel residents the chance to escape the Nairobi high rises
and spend an hour experiencing Nairobi as it was 100 years ago. This five star
hotel in Nairobi has a swimming pool, spa with sauna, steam rooms and a fitness
centre. The hotel has extensive business facilities with a vast 500 square
meters of event space including a ballroom.
The Radisson Blu Nairobi has 122 rooms and suites most of
with views over the Nairobi Arboretum. All rooms come with Apple TV, a work
desk, down feather blankets, 24-hour room service and free WiFi
Best parts
Its position next to the Arboretum allows residents to
experience some of the wonders of wild Kenya without travelling far from the
city.
Worst parts
Nothing really. It is just a bit dull by Nairobi standards.
I’ve not slept here and the few negative reviews on TripAdvisor are nothing to
be concerned about. It’s Radisson. It does what it says on the tin
Summary
A global brand name hotel that will reassure new visitors to
Africa of its continued standards.
Sankara Hotel
Sankara hotel is one of the top luxury hotels in Nairobi.
Sankara is part of the Marriot International Group, more specifically their
Autograph Collection which is their luxury hotels arm. Slap bang in the heart
of Westlands which is one of the best places for restaurants in Nairobi.
Sankara Hotel Nairobi is close to the business district and
is an ideal choice for someone looking for a well-known brand name hotel in the
middle of town.
The Sankara has 6 restaurants including Graze an
award-winning steakhouse, a Parisian themed restaurant and the
signature Sarabi rooftop bar which has expansive views of Nairobi and a
pool.
There is a gym, outdoor pool and free parking and Wi-Fi
throughout. Sankara Nairobi is decorated in a classy, elegant style: dark wood,
walls and floors with the odd pop of colour and works of art by famous African
artists.
The 168 rooms offer posh bedding, marble bathrooms, smart
TVs, ergonomic workstations and free W-Fi. Guests in concierge-level rooms and
suites enjoy access to the yummy Club amenities (Trust me, I’ve sunk more than
a few cocktails here in my time).
Best parts
The rooftop bar and pool are divine. In fact, for a chain
hotel (not my favourite) I really like Sankara which standard apart from its
competitors with more individualistic styling and some great restaurants.
Worst parts
It’s a chain. I’m such a snob. There is nothing wrong with
chain hotels. Chains are great. You know what you are getting, I just feel that
Kenya is wild and adventurous and Marriot Hotels… well they aren’t!
Summary
A reputable brand offering smart, stylish hotel with all the
facilities and some really good restaurants. A fab place to drink cocktails and
gaze across Kenya’s capital city.
The Sarova Stanley
The Sarova Stanley is the oldest recommended 5 star hotel in
Nairobi, pipping Fairmont at the Norfolk by just two years. The Sarova Stanley,
formerly called The Stanley was built in 1902 and occupies a prime spot in the
centre of the business district, on the corner of Kimathi Street and Kenyatta
Avenue. This Nairobi CBD hotel offers easy access to the shops, markets, bars,
restaurants and, of course, the business areas of central Nairobi.
The hotel has an outdoor pool, a fitness centre and spa,
ballroom. boutique shop, chemist and optician. There are nine meeting and
conference rooms with audio-visual equipment, and a business centre.
This 5 star hotel in Nairobi CBD has 3 restaurants: the
Thorn Tree Café; the Thai Chi Restaurant; and the Pool Deck Restaurant. The
Thai Chi restaurant has been voted one of the most authentic Thai restaurants
in East Africa and is worth a visit.
The Exchange Bar, named for the Nairobi Securities Exchange,
is the successor to the Long Bar, where local stocks were first traded in
Nairobi.
The Sarova Stanley has seen many incarnations, it began life
as The Victoria where it was four rooms above a shop. The café is named after
the Naivasha thorn tree in its centre. Travellers used to pin messages for
friends onto the thorns of the tree. The current tree is the third of the same
variety.
Its 212 rooms are large, sumptuously decorated, have
stunning views over the city and all come with free Wi-Fi.
Best parts
It’s a colonial landmark, a living piece of history that has
evolved with the city and grown into a formal, elegant and well-equipped hotel
in a prime part of Nairobi. The restaurants are top-notch and worth a visit
even if you aren’t staying in the hotel in Nairobi.
Worst parts
The Nairobi CBD isn’t the safest area of town, particularly
at night, so you may want to think twice before strolling around the area. The
centre of town location means the traffic is hectic and noise is continuous.
Summary
Beautiful, elegant, hotel with fine restaurants and
well-appointed rooms. Convenient city location if you don’t mind noise and
traffic.
Dusit D2
You will find this immaculate Nairobi hotel in the luxurious
Riverside Drive development, a place that houses offices, expensive cosmetic
surgeons and some delightful spots to eat. Riverside Drive is a hidden gem in
the hoi poloi of Nairobi’s central Westlands area, a place of cool stone
buildings, marbled floors and chunky crystal glasses of whisky.
Dusit D2 Nairobi has an outdoor pool, the award-winning,
Devarana spa and fitness centre. There are meeting rooms, a large conference
space and an onsite business centre.
The Dusit D2’s two cafés are invariably filled with business
folk and its bar and restaurant include the well-loved Soko restaurant which
serves traditional Kenyan food.
Dusit D2 Nairobi hotel has 101 rooms classically designed
with a muted colour scheme complimented with touches of ochre and mustard.
Fairly classic business hotel décor. Free WI-Fi throughout the hotel.
Best parts
Its clean, elegant lines and location in a business park
offer a quieter more serene option for a Westlands hotel. The Dusit D2 is run
by a Thai conglomerate and the service, bars and restaurants are as quietly
efficient as you would expect.
Worst parts
Lacking in character. If you are looking for a business
hotel or overnight for your family then this ticks the box. If you are looking
to experience Kenyan history or culture then you might want to look further out
of town or head to one of the older hotels.
Summary
A clean, bright, efficient, all-rounder that caters for
business and travellers needs. Offers a quiet retreat from the Nairobi traffic
but lacks that Kenyan pizazz.
House of Waine
Interesting fact. House of Waine is owned by my old
landlord. This boutique hotel in Nairobi is a family-run hotel located in
lovely leafy Karen ( just up the road from my old house). They run the hotel
with the same quiet efficiency in which they used to collect rent. A great
option for someone looking for a smaller, luxury hotel in Karen. House of Waine
sits on 2.5 acres of lush garden. You’ll sit outside and spot monkeys leaping
through the trees, the hyrax shrilling through the night and sometimes if you
are lucky enough, the distant call of a hyena. There is an outside pool, onsite
restaurant and bar.
House of Waine, Nairobi offers a meeting room for 20 people
with full AV equipment.
The 11 rooms are filled with light and immaculately
decorated with marbled bathrooms. There is the option to rent a cottage which
comes with its own kitchen and two bedrooms, a perfect place to stay with the
family.
Best parts
House of Waine’s setting in a typical Karen garden filled
with mature trees and wildlife. A great option for families visiting Nairobi
who can use the cottage and experience 5 star hotel luxury with the benefit of
their own space. Located close to Nairobi
National Park, Giraffe Centre and the elephant
orphanage as well as the Karen bars and restaurants.
Worst parts
House of Waine Nairobi is very much on the outskirts of Nairobi.
Whilst we have some great restaurants in Karen you are looking for bright city
lights, this isn’t the place for you.
Summary
High standard, boutique hotel in Karen with onsite
restaurants
Hermosa Garden Hotel
Hermosa Garden Hotel is brand new to Nairobi in 2021. A
behemoth of a place built opposite Hemingways hotel, it is modern in style.
With sandstone coloured cement, bountiful use of marble and a smashing swimming
pool which you can pay to swim in even if you aren’t resident at the hotel.
It’s in the same location in Karen as Hemingways but its position on the
opposite side of the road means its misses out on the Ngong Hills views.
Hermosa is rated as a Five Star Hotel in Nairobi and it has
a wealth of facilities to back this up with 3 bars, two restaurants, spa &
wellness facility, swimming pool, Sauna & steam, Curio Shop,
Business Center, Executive boardrooms and a large conference that can host up
to 150 People. It’s too early to see how people rate it but I’ve wandered
around and while it lacks the glamor of some of it’s counterparts it is sleekly
efficient in design and service. Perfect for business visits.
Hermosa has 30 rooms, including a presidential suite, and
king suite. Rooms have a large screen HD TV, a parlour, kitchen and fridge.
Best Parts
It’s huge outdoor swimming pool set in an abundance of
greenery. Mbagathi is a quiet lane giving the hotel a country feel even if the
architecture of the hotel doesn’t quite match with the ambience of the garden.
Full service, spotlessly clean and functional hotel ideal for business visits
or overflows from Hemingways.
Worst Parts
This five star hotel in Nairobi doesn’t make the best of its
country location or potential for stunning views. Apart from the quiet garden
you could be anywhere in Nairobii
Summary
Neat as a pin, brand new hotel in a lovely rural location.
Emara Ole Serena
The Emara Ole Sereni is the only five star hotel on this
list that overlooks Nairobi National Park. The Emara Ole Sereni occupies prime
position for animals gazing situated on the park border directly opposite a
watering hole. You can take a swim and search for lions or sip a cocktail and
watch the sun set over the park and the Ngong Hills in the far distance.
This is where it gets confusing. Ole Sereni is a well
established hotel in Nairobi, but recently they have built a second far larger,
far grander and far more five star hotel called the Emara Ole Sereni. Its
literally bumped up next to the original with the same views across the park
and the same proximity to Mombasa Road. As far as I can figure out the Emara
caters more to the business crowd with huge conferencing and meeting venue
whilst the quieter, less noisy Ole Sereni is more for tourists. Either way the
The newer Emara Ole Sereni is far grander with an amazing rooftop bar that is
rapidly becoming the place to be seen, the wonderful Acacia restaurant and a
cafe. Both hotels have rooftop bars, pools, park views and sumptuous decor.
Bedrooms at both hotels are ultra modern and contemporary.
The Emara offers small apartments for business people who are staying for
longer periods of time which come with kitchenettes. Both hotels have suites
with jacuzzi’s and balconies overlooking the park. All rooms have complimentary
Wi-Fi, large TVs, mini bars.
Best part
The location overlooking Nairobi National Park and the
rooftop bars and pools the celebrate this view. The hotels are very convenient
for Jomo Kenyatta International airport as they are just 15 minutes (traffic
prevailing by car)
Worst part
The confusion between the two hotels. Why build another,
better hotel next door. I’m so confused. Can someone clear it up for me please.
Plus its location on the Mombasa Road, the hotel has the park on one side but
on the other is possibly the worst road in the whole of Kenya. Beset by eternal
traffic and roadworks. The soundproofing stops the noise but nothing will stop
the fug of traffic fumes.
Summary
The Emara is one of the newest and most grand hotels in Nairobi. Both versions of Ole Sereni are perfect for short term business travellers or people passing through Nairobi that are looking for easy access to the airport and the chance to spot a lion.
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