Tamarind Tree Hotel

For your dining pleasure, quirky Tamambo serves a wide menu of dishes prepared at live cooking stations, and for a tipple, the vibrant Dawa Lounge offers signature cocktails by a heated pool. Try the hard-hitting Mamba Venom or Elephant Mudbath with coffee liqueur as a pick-me-up! Anyone who's set foot in Nairobi will likely have heard of Carnivore Restaurant, home of the famous 'Beast of a Feast', an all-you-can-eat experience with delicacies roasted on traditional Maasai swords. For lighter fare, head into Duka for a pastry.

Tamarind's rooms are some of the largest in the city and range from Standard to Superior Suites that all come complete with bright lounge areas. All rooms are decorated in warm tones with pops of mustard on scatter cushions and couches. The en-suites have a large rain shower, and each room has comfortable extras like blackout curtains, double-glazed windows, and coffee stations. The Family Suites have a large sitting area, which can be used as a second bedroom, and reams of closet space.

Head out to see the sights, ranging from the Sheldrick elephant orphanage to the sanctuary for endangered Rothschild giraffe, where you can share 'lunch' with the long-legged creatures. Get to know one of the area's famous residents at the Karen Blixen Museum, where 'Out of Africa' was written, and enjoy a cup of tea overlooking the very same hills. Then, discover the artistic side of the city at the various galleries and local markets - and make sure to leave room in your suitcase for something to bring home.