Best hotels in Nairobi

With its prominent twin gables and broad porch, this boutique property is unmistakable. Karen Gables delivers all the warmth and charm associated with its classic Cape Dutch facade – mornings on the veranda sipping coffee, delicious breakfasts with homemade breads and jams, evenings by the fire. Set in the upmarket suburb of Karen in southwest Nairobi, the hotel lies peacefully in its surrounding greenery, undisturbed by the traffic jams and chaos of other parts of the city.

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!

Manzili Ndoto is a beautiful secluded courtyard house hidden in the leafy suburbs of Karen. It shares the property with Manzili Main House. Both houses overlook the beautiful courtyard boasting a lush swimming pool for a cool-off. Manzili Ndoto can be rented Exclusively and is comprised of a two-bedroom ensuite. The house also offers you a cozy beautiful lounge to unwind with a lovely fireplace to keep you warm in the evenings and overlooks the swimming pool courtyard.

Hamilton House is a private 1936 home in Karen, a quiet, established suburb of Nairobi, rented to one group at a time – so the whole place is yours. Bedrooms open onto the pool, an inner courtyard or the gardens, which stretch to five acres of wide lawns, old trees, a rose garden and beehives. Meals are cooked for you and shaped by the seasons, and dinner sometimes moves outdoors to the wood-fired oven, by candlelight. Wilson Airport, for safari flights, is about 20 minutes away, and the Giraffe Centre and Nairobi National Park are under 20 minutes’ drive…

Sitting pretty in the leafy Westlands neighbourhood, this polished city hotel manages to feel like an urban oasis despite being minutes from downtown. The formula's simple: European elegance plus Kenyan hospitality, served up across 200 rooms and suites. Seven restaurants mean you'll never tire of dining options (from Italian classics at Lucca to rooftop Middle Eastern fare at Tambourin), whilst the spa leaves guests afloat on Cloud Nine with its Kenyan coffee scrubs and baobab oil massages. With complimentary minibars (yes please!), a heated pool and impeccable service, it's the perfect launching pad before heading off into the wilds of Kenya.

You may be only stopping over in Nairobi as a start or finish to your safari, but why not do it in style? Just 5 kilometres from the booming city centre, Tamarind offers a fresh face to Nairobi with eye-catching, graffiti-style interiors, a large and very swimmable pool, and dining spots to suit any hour of the day, including the Duka Coffee Shop that stays open for all 24 for early morning flights and pre-game drive munchies. If you have the time (and energy) to explore the city, there are galleries, markets and eateries within very easy reach, and the unique national park offers some very fine wildlife-watching.

At Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill, every stay combines style, exceptional comfort, and convenience. Just 10 minutes from Wilson Airport and 20 minutes from Nairobi National Park, this hotel is ideal for business trips, safaris, and city escapes.

A retreat nestled in the idyllic suburbs of Karen, with childhood memories in every path from home to the forest and back. Take time and enjoy a distillery tour, or a tasting, or stay a while, sprawl out and imbibe the snug informal atmosphere.

Sometimes the answer is so obvious it’s hiding in plain sight. Four Points Sheraton at Nairobi Airport allows for seamless transitions in and out of Kenya’s capital city. With an impeccable front desk service and refined amenities, the hotel helps you catch your breath. Everything you need is at your fingertips – early morning breakfasts, gourmet restaurants, spa facilities, a rooftop bar and more – you won’t want for anything. If you’re en route to one of Kenya's wilderness places, a dose of luxury and a good night's rest here will help you conserve your energy for what really counts.

Clear customs in Nairobi and within 45 minutes you can be out in the bush amongst a myriad of birdlife and four of the Big Five. Positioned on the edge of Nairobi National Park, surrounded by acacia trees, the Emakoko is a firm favourite with those not quite ready to face civilisation after their holiday. Unpretentious and simple but with all the comforts hosts Anthony and Emma go out of their way to make sure you are looked after. With easy game viewing on your doorstep and a host of activities available this is a gem of lodge.

History, refined style and a peaceful atmosphere personify the Karen Blixen Cottages, built around the farmhouse that once belonged to the Blixen family. Sitting within one of the oldest landscaped gardens in Kenya, the estate provides a respite from the bustle of Nairobi, perfect to catch your breath before a safari or wind-down at the end of your trip. There are multiple, beautifully-designed spaces where you can really relax, but the estate is also within easy reach of Karen's many highlights. Learn about conservation efforts at the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage or endangered giraffe centre, or get to know the artisans at the local shops (and pick up a few souvenirs).

Ololo Lodge is an Australian-owned safari lodge that combines the atmosphere of bush-style living with the full service, amenities and comfort of a luxury city hotel. The lodge is situated right on the edge of the African wilderness, overlooking Nairobi National Park. Birds and animals in the park are visible from the terrace and restaurant as they move around the bush. There are a total of 16 luxurious rooms of various types at the lodge. The Kitchen at Ololo, the lodge's restaurant which also overlooks the park, offers delicious meals. Sustainable practices are incorporated into the lodges operations, which always makes our ears perk up.

Fairview Hotel is a tranquil property set within acres of lush greenery. Its colonial style, two storey buildings are scattered around the gardens, offering guests a peaceful oasis away from the busy Nairobi city. The location is central, secluded and one of the safest areas in town. It is part of the renowned City Lodge Hotel Group and offers friendly service, good food and clean accommodation. There are hotel rooms as well as serviced apartments for longer stays. The staff are among the friendliest and most efficient in Africa and the cuisine is excellent.

Nairobi Tented Camp is an authentic tented camp in boasting an uneatable location. Set beneath an indigenous canopy in one of Nairobi's most peaceful, forested neighborhoods, and just minutes away from the airport, Nairobi's biggest attractions are never far. The camp is on the doorstep of Nairobi National Park, a wildlife haven with guaranteed rhino sightings. Offering guests the opportunity to really get to know this unique destination and its wildlife, you'll enjoy the luxury of en-suite living ‘safari style’ in their comfortable tents.

Although every Kenyan adventure starts or ends with a night in Nairobi, it doesn't have to involve a run-of-the-mill city hotel. House of Waine is proof of this. Set well outside the central business district on 2.5 acres of soul-satisfying gardens, this boutique hotel starts your vacation off on the right foot. Once the family home of the Waine family, it still retains the feel of a stately, yet homely place to rest and regroup, or plan and prepare. Rooms are individually decorated to make every successive trip something to look forward to.

Keeping your time in transit through Nairobi stress-free will go a long way to preserving your hard-won safari serenity. Just minutes from the airport, the Crowne Plaza is as convenient as a they come – step out of the terminal into the complimentary shuttle and you'll be in the lobby five minutes later. The recent addition to the InterContinental Hotels Group has luxurious rooms, a 24-hour coffee shop/cafe, gym and spa, so your every need and whim can be met. This pricey option is worth every penny for helping you make a smooth transition in and out of the bush.