In a world where so many hotels claim "luxury" status, this is one that delivers. The staff are welcoming and keen to oblige (you are even assigned a butler), the suites are grand and the setting is so tranquil and lovely it's hard to imagine you're in the middle of a traffic-congested city. There's not a murmur, apart from the birds and the fountains. And there's something other-worldly about the view of Karen Blixen's green hills from your balcony. The food is top-notch too – carnivores come miles for the steak!




Forty-five rooms (two are penthouse-style Presidential Suites) are set on a gentle hillside running down to a river. All are high-ceilinged and decorated in muted colours with brass, mahogany and leather accents echoing vintage East African safaris. The bathrooms are so huge they're the size of most hotel bedrooms. You'll enjoy the freestanding bath, rain shower, pop-up TV and balcony overlooking the bird-filled gardens. The main reason you'll be back though, is the impeccable service and care. And your private butler!
There is no limit to the luxury here, from having your suitcase unpacked by your personal butler, to the golf cart that drives you from your room to the dining room and the TV that pops up from an old school trunk.
Ask for a suite on the first or second floor to make the most of the views over the lush gardens and surrounding hills.
Hemingways has quite a formal vibe, so if you're looking for small and boutique, it might not be for you. Having said that, it's still an all-time favourite!
Hemingways Hotel can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Kenya trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Kenya trips featuring Hemingways Hotel or get advice and suggestions from one of our Kenya specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Hemingways Hotel start from around $280, or US$280, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.

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