The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Nairobi

In Nairobi a pool is almost a given, and most of them are heated, so a swim is tempting even first thing in the morning. If you choose your 5-star hotel in Nairobi by its pool, the main decision is between a view and a garden.Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi · GigiriWith a view: On the fourth floor of Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi, the infinity pool looks out over the trees of Karura Forest, and the pool bar La Mer serves cocktails and small bites. Right at the top, on the ninth floor, the pool at The Trademark Hotel Nairobi overlooks Gigiri. You can swim all year at Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands: the indoor pool on the seventh floor has open wall sections that let in daylight and city views, with a steam room and sauna right next to it.

In the garden: At Hemingways Nairobi in Karen, a heated 15-meter pool sits among palms and gardens, open from 6 am to 10 pm. Glee Hotel Nairobi has its heated pool in the Atrium Garden, with a swim-up bar and views of the treetop skywalk. At Tribe Hotel Nairobi, the pool cascades down to the lower level, with a submerged granite table and an island where you can have dinner.

African rituals: Kempinski The Spa at Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi has nine treatment rooms, two of them for couples, plus a steam room, Jacuzzi and sauna; its treatments draw on African traditions. At the Maisha Health Club & Spa of Nairobi Serena Hotel, in-house guests use the sauna, steam room and gym free of charge, and you can book rituals such as Maisha Indulgence or Swahili Body Renew. The spa at Hemingways Nairobi works with Terres d’Afrique and local botanicals, with private treatment suites, a steam room and a sauna.Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi · WestlandsGemstones and sacred forests: The Shanta Spa at Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi uses KOS Paris products and Kenyan botanicals, with crystal-infused rituals and gemstone face yoga. The Kaya Spa + Studio at Tribe Hotel Nairobi is inspired by Kenya’s sacred Kaya forests, with a rasul chamber, a couples’ suite, Thai massage and treatments for mothers-to-be.

Short and sweet after the flight: A city hotel can become a spa destination the moment you arrive. At Glee Hotel Nairobi, The Spa by Glee is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm, with a sauna and Jacuzzi. And at The Trademark Hotel Nairobi, the Kaya Urban Spa includes a barber shop; with suitespot, room guests receive a complimentary Kaya massage there.

Prices start at 125 € at Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi and go up to 599 € at Hemingways Nairobi; in the center, Fairmont The Norfolk starts at 141 €. For Nairobi Serena Hotel, our travel advisors will get the rate for your dates. The table shows all ten hotels by location. You will also find all luxury hotels in Nairobi with their current rates in the hotel list below.

What is included almost everywhere: daily breakfast for two, at Fairmont The Norfolk on the Lord Delamere Terrace, plus an upgrade and early check-in and late check-out, each subject to availability. At Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands, the upgrade is confirmed at booking, though not from a room to a suite. At Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi, the Hyatt Regency and Hemingways Nairobi, the benefits apply from two nights, at all other hotels from the first night.

Hotel credit is worth a closer look. Four hotels add 100 US dollars, among them Glee Hotel Nairobi and Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi; at Fairmont The Norfolk, the credit is for food and beverages. Three more hotels add 25 to 50 US dollars.Tribe Hotel Nairobi · GigiriPlus extras at individual luxury hotels in Nairobi: The Trademark Hotel Nairobi invites suite guests to visit the Daphne Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and room guests receive a Kaya massage. At Tribe Hotel Nairobi there is a leather case, in suites a leather bag. A welcome gift awaits you at Glee Hotel Nairobi and Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands.

Points and status: You earn points at eight of the ten hotels. ALL (Accor), Marriott Bonvoy and I Prefer each cover two hotels, World of Hyatt covers Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands. At Nairobi Serena Hotel you earn Leaders Club points if you give your membership number when booking; Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi belongs to GHA Discovery. Because suitespot books direct rates, points and status nights count as usual.

When it is loveliest: Nairobi is a good base all year round. From July to October the Great Migration moves through the Masai Mara, so it pays to book early. In the rainy months the country is lush and green, the parks are quiet, and showers usually fall in the afternoon.

How long to stay: Before or after a safari, one or two nights at a 5-star hotel in Nairobi are enough; at three hotels the benefits start from two nights anyway. For the national park, the Giraffe Centre, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Karen Blixen Museum, plan three nights.