Find the best Nairobi hotels, from luxury hotels, business hotels, tourist hotels, budget hotels and all Nairobi hotel deals.
Nairobi is a vast sprawling city with intermingling neighbourhoods and no clear ‘downtown’ destination. When booking the best Nairobi hotels you should base your decision on where to stay on your reason for being here.
Business Hotels, Nairobi
Business visitors will want to be in Nairobi CBD & Westlands where many offices are sited, and there is a great bar and restaurant scene. Alternatively, stay near the airport along the Mombasa Road for ease of getting in and out of the city.
Tourist hotels, Nairobi
Tourists will prefer hotels in Nairobi in the outer suburbs of Karen and Langata where the Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre are situated and there is easy access to Nairobi National Park.
Luxury Hotels in Nairobi
There are many Luxury hotels in Nairobi. Check my blog on 5 star hotels in Nairobi for the best hotels in Nairobi.
Best Nairobi hotels for Business Travellers
Nairobi CBD has lots of large internationally renown 4 and 5* hotels specifically catering to the business crowd. You will find these at the intersection of Kenyatta avenue, Uhuru Highway, and Kimathi streets. Prices here are steep but you can rely on a known standard and quality. For more reasonably priced hotels but still within hopping distance of the Nairobi city centre then check out the area between Uhuru Highway and Kenyatta Avenue.
The Nairobi CBD is all tall tower blocks and hectic traffic. It would be a crime never to leave the vicinity as Nairobi has so much more to offer. But if you are popping in and out for meetings in the Central Business District then these hotels are the best spot to lay your hat.
Best hotels in Nairobi CBD
Sarova Stanley Hotel
Part of the Sarova group of hotels, the Stanley is one of the older hotels in Nairobi this Victoria landmark has been updated with modern facilities and is perfectly located for business within the CBD. A five start hotel in Nairobi, its rooms retain an elegant grandeur. It has 4 restauranst, a heated pool and gym as well as extensive conferencing facilities.
Hilton Nairobi
This trusted brand is one of the more reasonably priced hotels in the CBD. It has 5 restaurants and bars, modern amenities, conferencing for 700, pool and fitness centre and a sweet spot in the CBD.
Best Airport hotels in Nairobi
If you are zooming in and out of Nairobi with little intention of staying and looking around then it is best to base yourself in one of the airport hotels in Nairobi
Mombasa Road isn’t the prettiest area to stay but is ideally for its proximity to transport hubs. The international airport, Jomo Kenyatta, sits at the Eastern edge of the city. Creep west and you will find Wilson airport which runs frequent flights within Kenya and to various East African countries. Mombasa Road is a good location for the new SGR railway which operates high speed trains to Mombasa.
The Panari Hotel
The Panari Hotel is only 10 minutes away from Jomo Kenyatta airport making it an ideal overnight base. A five star hotel in Nairobi, it has 3 restaurants and cafes and the promise of a good night out with 3 bars & lounges. There is an ice skating rink within the hotel if you fancy something different, as well as a gym and spa. It has expansive conferencing facilities.
Ole Sereni
The Ole Sereni sits right on the edge of Nairobi National Park and has one of the best views in Nairobi. You can arrive from the airport and in 10 minutes be enjoying a sundowner and watching a lion kill. This Nairobi hotels has 4 restaurants and outdoor heated pool maximize the view over the park. 5* rooms complement a hotel that’s modern and clean with ample business facilities but a view that really makes everything else pale in comparison.
Westlands
If you want to be at the heart of the action, then you need to be in Westlands.
Situated in the centre of Nairobi, Westlands has high end malls; the Sarit Centre and Westgate, a cinema and tons of bars and restaurants. It has a good smattering of 5 star hotels.
Try Urban Eatery, Fogo Gaucho, Mercado, About Thyme or Asmara for food. Seriously funky The Alchemist for some urban drinking or Brew Bistro for views and booze. Or check out my 5 best bars in Nairobi with a view for more ideas
Sankara Hotel
Five star hotel catering to the business market but hip enough to hang out in. Right in the heart of the city Sankara is a modern hotel with 156 sleek rooms. 6 restaurants and bars, a wellness centre and swanky rooftop pool and conference and meeting rooms if you must work.
Best Hotels in Nairobi for Tourists.
Tourists in Nairobi who are here for the animals (and why wouldn’t you be?) should base themselves in Karen. Karen is home to tourist hot spots the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, the Giraffe Centre, Nairobi National Park and the Karen Blixen Museum. Karen is an upper class neighbourhood with leafy green streets far away from the manic hustle of the city. It has some great restaurants, try Talisman or Boho Eatery and is the perfect place to relax on your stay in Nairobi. Accommodation tends towards exclusive guest houses and boutique hotels in Nairobi.
Karen and Langata
Karen Gables
This Cape Dutch inspired boutique hotel is situated down a quiet lane at one of the most prestigious addresses in Nairobi. Once inside you are spirited away from city life into a world of tinkling streams and nature filled gardens. A home away from home that will replenish your soul. It has just 4 bedrooms and meals are eaten at a large old fashioned dining table with other guests. It’s as close to Out of Africa as you will get without going on safari. Click here to book via Agoda
Karen Country Club
Karen Country Club is home to one of the countries top golf courses. A venerable institution this private members club offers accommodation at its residences, situated in a forested part of the grounds. Staying here gives you access to the clubs 3 bars and restaurants, the onsite spa, pool and gym and the option for golf in dazzlingly gorgeous surroundings. They have single rooms for business travellers and apartments which would fit a family.
Hemingways Nairobi
Part of a collection of luxury Kenya hotels, Hemingways elegance and serenity is unmatched in Nairobi. It houses an excellent restaurant, a sundowner bar with views over the Ngong Hills and an onsite spa and pool. Top end luxury, you’ll get all the holiday feels here.
Gigiri
Gigiri is close to Karura Forest, the fabulous Village Market mall and is a good place to locate yourself if you are headed north out of Nairobi to Nanyuki, Ol Pejeta or Mount Kenya.
The Village Market is the best mall in Nairobi. It may seem strange to recommend a mall as a destination but the bright, plant filled open space is a delightful place to hang out. Shops stocking international brands, local antiques and quirky curios sit shoulder to shoulder with over 20 excellent restaurants. The Village Market also hosts the Maasai Market once a week.
Gigiri is close to the wonderful Karura Forest a 2500 acre urban forest that spirits you away from the city. Perfect for a morning jog or an afternoon walk, there are many nature trails to explore and a damn fine restaurant The River Cafe to while away the day with cocktails if you find yourself with a spare afternoon.
Tribe Hotel
The Tribe Hotel Nairobi is the original Village Market hotel – a fabulous hotel in a great spot. 137 rooms, a top end restaurant a luxurious spa. This is a boutique luxury five star hotel that doesn’t feel like its in a mall.
Trademark Hotel
Brand new hotel within the Village Market. A glorious 215 bedroom shiny gem situated within the mall and offering access to all the shops and restaurants. The hotel caters to a business market but its location within the mall makes it a great spot for leisure and tourist guest too.
Luxury Hotels in Nairobi
The best Luxury Hotels in Nairobi are detailed in my blog 12 5 star hotels in Nairobi, but below are my top picks
The Giraffe Manor
The best Nairobi hotel – the Giraffe Manois is the most exclusive, most expensive and most memorable hotel in Nairobi.
The Giraffe Manor is a beautiful colonial-era building attached to the Giraffe Sanctuary. Set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest, 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. Guests at the hotel frequently share their breakfast with the giraffe, who poke their heads through the window. Its a gorgeous hotel, but it’s all about the giraffe.
Villa Rosa Kempinski
One of the best hotels in Nairobi. This towering monolith is as pink as its name and is full of all the luxuries and mod cons one could wish for. 200 rooms, 4 restaurants and bars, gym, wellness spa, conferencing facilities and easy access to all that Westlands has to offer.
Budget hotels in Nairobi
There is something to suit every budget in Nairobi. You could stay in a hotel for a few dollars to but these accommodations may be in unsafe areas of town or lack basic sanitation and amenities. If you are looking for the cheapest hotels in Nairobi then look take a look at this blog Cheap bed and breakfasts in Nairobi.
Booking Best Nairobi Hotels
There is a lack of travel agents in Nairobi so its easiest to book accommodation yourself. I recommend booking.com.
I also highly recommend checking all accommodation on Trip Advisor first. You can never be too careful when booking a hotel in Kenya.
Further Reading
15 Best day trips from Nairobi
The Best Spa in Nairobi – 7 top picks
Cheap bed and breakfast in Nairobi
24 Hours in Nairobi – 1 day in Nairobi, Kenya
Book Your Kenya Trip – Insider Tips
Find everything you need for visiting Kenya on my TRAVEL RESOURCES page.
Find everything you need for moving to Kenya in my THE EXPAT GUIDE TO LIVING IN NAIROBI book.
- Kenya Accommodation: Booking.com has the cheapest rates for hotels and guest houses in Kenya.
- Accommodation Reviews: TripAdvisor is my go-to portal for checking reviews on accommodation/restaurants in the local area. I never book without checking TripAdvisor first.
- ESIM: Airalo allows you to access the Internet from virtually any country without paying roaming charges
- Car Rental: Rental Cars is managed by Booking.com – guaranteed reliable.
- Tours and Guides in Kenya : Check out Get Your Guide and Viator – reputable companies that do tours within Kenya and East Africa.
- Travel Insurance: Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I recommend Visitors Coverage, which covers you for East Africa and offers ‘special insurance’ for safaris and adventure sports:
- Visitors Coverage
- Compensair – if you have a cancelled or delayed flight, you may get a refund.
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