Nairobi
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About Nairobi
The beating heart of Kenya, Nairobi is one of Africa's most cosmopolitan and vibrant cities. In the short span of 100 years it has risen from uninhabited swampland into a bustling modern capital city. A sprawling concrete urban jungle nestling beside the Nairobi River, it acts as a stepping stone to the Nairobi National Park - where wildebeasts, zebras, buffalos, giraffes, lions and cheetahs roam free - so it's the perfect place to go for a safari adventure. But there's more to Nairobi than a safari: with a wild nightlife, some great art galleries and national museums and a large European expat population, it makes for a colourful and unique introduction to the heartland of East Africa. The best places to stay in Nairobi include an elegant colonial-era country house surrounded by herds of giraffe!
What not to miss
- Don't miss the Nairobi National Park! Book yourself a safari to see giraffes, rhinos, zebras, cheetahs and lions!
- Visit the Nairobi Gallery for some excellent (and ever-changing) exhibitions.
- The Nairobi National Museum is a great place to immerse yourself in local history!
- Check out Bomas of Kenya for an introduction to local tribal history...
The colourful capital city of Kenya, Nairobi is a great stepping stone for exploring the National Park. Find out more by browsing our list of the best places to stay in Nairobi!
The best places to stay in Nairobi
Safari adventure
- Giraffe Manor is a 1930s manor house not only set in a location surrounded by a vast array of wildlife but also housing a herd of Rothschild giraffes. Dine in elegant surrounds while being entertained by the giraffes who revel in sticking their heads through the windows. A completely unique stay.
- Anga Afrika is a luxury camp set in a secluded location on the edge of Nairobi, well-positioned to access the nearby national parks. The six well-appointed tents are beautifully designed using regional fabrics and feature private terraces and indulgent bathrooms. The large pool is a plus and food is excellent.
Colonial style
- Karen Blixen Cottages offers twelve charming rooms, harking back to days-gone-by, set amidst some of the oldest gardens in Kenya, in a quiet Nairobi district. With a distinctly colonial feel, the cottages feature fireplaces, four-posters and beamed ceilings. The garden houses a lovely pool and there's a quaint restaurant too.
- House of Waine is a large colonial-style villa set in picturesque gardens in the quiet suburb of Karen. This family-run property features traditionally dressed rooms, filled with antiques, the best of which have four-posters. Expect a large pool, dedicated staff and easy access to Nairobi National Park.
Chic boutique
- Hemingways Nairobi is a boutique and luxurious option in the serene neighbourhood of Karen. Sumptuous rooms have a colonial feel with grand four posters, vintage style furniture and freestanding baths. With a classic cocktail bar, laid-back brasserie, swimming pool and spa this will be a tough spot to leave.
City style
- Palacina The Residence & The Suites is a collection of fully-serviced apartments and suites in the exclusive State House area. The design is contemporary and luxurious with a touch of Kenyan flare. Featuring an extensive spa and two pools (one inside and one out) this is the perfect place to truly unwind. The restaurant is superb too.
- Sankara Nairobi is a large luxury hotel located in Nairobi's prestigious Westlands neighbourhood. Rooms are spacious and contemporary with touches of traditional Kenyan style, while the floor to ceiling windows lend superb views. Featuring multiple dining options and rooftop pool, you'll be spoilt for choice here.
- Fairmont The Norfolk is somewhat of a local landmark and oozes elegance and old-world charm. A large property yet with an intimate feel; expect warm service and plenty of luxury. Rooms have been designed with the building's heritage in mind yet they have a clean contemporary feel. An indulgent city base.
- Tribe Hotel is a hip Nairobi offering in the smart diplomatic area of Gigiri. Suites amalgamate chic contemporary style with traditional Kenyan design resulting in a cool play of materials and fabrics. Boasting a luxury spa, large swimming pool (complete with a swim-up bar) and a superb fine-dining restaurant.
- Villa Rosa Kempinski is a grand dame of a hotel boasting superlative service and luxury amenities. Rooms are everything you'd expect from a 5-star property including plush bathrooms, private terraces and pared-back style. The restaurant offerings range from Italian to Middle Eastern, and there's an excellent spa too.
For an apartment or villa
- Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of villas and apartments in the nearby area.
Travel information
- The best time to go is between June and September, when the temperature ranges betwee 14 and 25 degrees, and when there is the least rainfall.
- Fly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
- If you want to rent a car, contact our partner Rentalcars.
Still not sure?
- Expand your search to include the best places to stay in Kenya
- or contact one of our Gurus for advice.
Weather
Monthly Weather in Nairobi
Best Hotels in Nairobi
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Palacina The Residence & The Suites Nairobi (Off Dennis Pritt Road) 28 rooms from €125
City Style - Fully serviced suites, an indulgent spa and an exclusive location all make this a very desirable staySwimming Pool - Indoor and outdoor poolsRomantic - Good for couples.Restaurant - Recommended.A collection of fully-serviced apartments and suites in the exclusive State House area. The design is contemporary and luxurious with a touch of Kenyan flare. Featuring an extensive spa and two pools (one inside and one out) this is the perfect place to truly unwind. The restaurant is superb too. See More
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Sankara Nairobi Nairobi (Westlands) 156 rooms from €169
City Style - Located in the prestigious Westlands area. Offering smart restaurant choices and exemplary serviceBusiness meetings - Offering 250 square metres of multi-functional event facilitiesSwimming Pool - Rooftop poolRomantic - Good for couples.A large luxury hotel located in Nairobi's prestigious Westlands neighbourhood. Rooms are spacious and contemporary with touches of traditional Kenyan style, while the floor to ceiling windows lend superb views. Featuring multiple dining options and rooftop pool, you'll be spoilt for choice here. See More
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Fairmont The Norfolk Nairobi CBD 170 rooms from €188
Families - With family rooms available and babysitting services provided this is ideal for those travelling with little onesCity Style - Offering old-world charm with contemporary services. The perfect combinationSwimming Pool - Outdoor poolRomantic - Good for couples.Somewhat of a local landmark, this hotel oozes elegance and old-world charm. A large property yet with an intimate feel; expect warm service and plenty of luxury. Rooms have been designed with the building's heritage in mind yet they have a clean contemporary feel. An indulgent city base. See More
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Tribe Hotel Nairobi (The Village Market, Gigiri) 137 rooms from €202
City Style - One of Nairobi's coolest spots; mixing contemporary design with a distinctly Kenyan ethosLocal markets - Head to Village Market on a Friday to peruse the Maasai craft marketGreat walks - Take a stroll through nearby Karura, a beautiful urban forestSwimming Pool - Outdoor poolRecommended by - Design HotelsA hip Nairobi offering in the smart diplomatic area of Gigiri. Suites amalgamate chic contemporary style with traditional Kenyan design resulting in a cool play of materials and fabrics. Boasting a luxury spa, large swimming pool (complete with a swim-up bar) and a superb fine-dining restaurant. See More
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Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi 200 rooms from €207
City Style - A sleek five-star property complete with everything you may needRestaurant - There are four restaurants on site to choose from including Sichuan, Middle Eastern and Italian.Spa - With steam room, hot tub and nine treatment rooms offering a wide range of spoiling therapies.Swimming Pool - Outdoor heated pool with pool barA grand dame of a hotel boasting superlative service and luxury amenities. Rooms are everything you'd expect from a 5-star property including plush bathrooms, private terraces and pared-back style. The restaurant offerings range from Italian to Middle Eastern, and there's an excellent spa too. See More
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Anga Afrika Nairobi 6 rooms from €279
Short break - With its proximity to the city this is an escape to the countryside that is very manageable just for the weekend.Back to Nature - Well positioned for easy access to many of the national parks near NairobiSwimming Pool - Outdoor poolFull of characterA luxury camp set in a secluded location on the edge of Nairobi, well-positioned to access the nearby national parks. The six well-appointed tents are beautifully designed using regional fabrics and feature private terraces and indulgent bathrooms. The large pool is a plus and food is excellent. See More
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Karen Blixen Cottages Nairobi 12 rooms from €315
Hideaway - Offering a lovely rural feel in the centre of Nairobi. A tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the citySwimming Pool - Outdoor poolRestaurant - Recommended.Full of characterTwelve charming rooms, harking back to days-gone-by, set amidst some of the oldest gardens in Kenya, in a quiet Nairobi district. With a distinctly colonial feel, the cottages feature fireplaces, four-posters and beamed ceilings. The garden houses a lovely pool and there's a quaint restaurant too. See More
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Giraffe Manor Nairobi (Langata) 10 rooms from €495
Back to Nature - With wildlife literally coming into the house and safaris included in the price this is a nature lovers dream.Families - A family friendly property and the giraffes are sure to keep children engaged.Great walks - Take a guided walk of the sanctuary.Full of characterA 1930s manor house not only set in a location surrounded by a vast array of wildlife but also housing a herd of Rothschild giraffes. Dine in elegant surrounds while being entertained by the giraffes who revel in sticking their heads through the windows. A completely unique stay. See More
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House of Waine Nairobi (Karen) 11 rooms from €495
Hideaway - A charming escape from the frenetic city centre, set in pretty grounds on the former property of Karen BlixenSwimming Pool - Outdoor poolFull of characterRomantic - Good for couples.A large colonial-style villa set in picturesque gardens in the quiet suburb of Karen. This family-run property features traditionally dressed rooms, filled with antiques, the best of which have four-posters. Expect a large pool, dedicated staff and easy access to Nairobi National Park. See More
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Hemingways Nairobi Nairobi 45 rooms from €522
Hideaway - A tranquil city escape set in the leafy district of Karen. A luxurious spot ideal for taking a break from the hectic cityGreat walks - Take a stroll through the 10-acre property down to the Mbagathi RiverSwimming Pool - Outdoor poolRomantic - Good for couples.Recommended by - Small Luxury HotelsA boutique and luxurious option in the serene neighbourhood of Karen. Sumptuous rooms have a colonial feel with grand four posters, vintage style furniture and freestanding baths. With a classic cocktail bar, laid-back brasserie, swimming pool and spa this will be a tough spot to leave. See More