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!

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.

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.

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.