Nairobi, the capital of the country Kenya, has grown tons since its days as a railway camp in 1899. Today, it is a commercial hub for East Africa and a major tourist draw. Travellers from across the world head to this game-rich destination for top-notch safaris and several other interesting things to do. While Nairobi National Park is easily the biggest attraction worth adding to your itinerary, a trip to National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi National Museum and Maasai Market would be entirely worth it, too. Else, you can consider hitching a driving or walking city tour to explore the bustling downtown with a local guide. Regardless of how you choose to plan your getaway, don’t forget to book neat accommodations. Listed below are the best 5-star hotels in Nairobi, Kenya. Check into one and you’ll not be disappointed. Scroll over to book now.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) hotel ratings, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on October 29, 2024.
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1. Villa Rosa Kempinski (from USD 336)
Great breakfast with healthy choices, excellent room service, and a variety of dining options.
Luxury pricing with great value for the amenities and service offered.
Convenient location in Nairobi with high security and easy access to downtown and the airport.
Spa, fitness center, pool, and various dining options including an Italian restaurant.
Plunge into a world of luxury at the 5-star Villa Rosa Kempinski. A charming pink-coloured building surrounded by manicured gardens, fountains and statues will welcome you into a lavish lobby. While you can book out and relax in one of their 200 well-appointed accommodations, you can also make use of a range of shared facilities to add to the experience.
The hotel’s spa and wellness centre is a highlight. You can indulge in one of the amazing body treatments here or make use of the hot tub, pool or sauna to unwind a bit. Although, if you prefer stepping out to explore the city, the hotel can help arrange local tours too.
Once you’re back, consider dining at the hotel’s on-site eateries LUCCA, Cafe Villa Rosa or Tambourin for a brilliant gastronomical experience.
Villa Rosa Kempinski
Address: Chiromo Road
685 meters (0.5 ft) from National Museum of Kenya
2. Fairmont The Norfolk (from USD 326)
Fairmont The Norfolk, built in 1904, is nothing short of a city landmark. Its lush campus features top-of-the-line accommodations, facilities and hospitality worth experiencing. You can choose from 143 well-appointed guest rooms and 27 spacious suites to spend a relaxing vacation.
In the daytime, you can stroll through the hotel’s verdant gardens and soak in the glorious Kenyan sun. As the evening draws in, the heated outdoor pool on-site is the perfect spot to head for a refreshing swim, or you can try out one of the excellent therapies at Pambo Spa.
If you wish to step out, you can get in touch with the hotel to help arrange a tour of the local landmarks or even plan out an excursion to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or Lake Nakuru National Park nearby.
Fairmont The Norfolk
Address: Harry Thuku Road
548 meters (0.4 ft) from National Museum of Kenya
3. Sarova Stanley (from USD 264)
Excellent breakfast buffet, extensive menu in two restaurants, and elegant bar, but service can be slow.
Great value for the money, especially for the central location in Nairobi.
Centrally located with easy access to attractions, but the neighborhood can be crowded and rough.
Spacious rooms, colonial decor, heated swimming pool, well-equipped gym, and club lounge.
Sarova Stanley is among the top 5-star properties located in the Central Business District of Nairobi. It opened in 1902 and has since hosted several illustrious names, including Edward Prince of Wales, singer Frank Sinatra and novelist Ernest Hemingway, among others.
They offer 212 equipped accommodations, each oozing quaint Victorian charm as well as modern comfort. While all the rooms and suites in this property offer a brilliant stay, you can check into their stunning suites for a thoroughly plush experience.
For a few hours of fitness and relaxation, you can head to the hotel’s fifth floor to The Stanley Health Club. You will have a gym, aerobics studio, swimming pool and several other facilities to unwind here. Additionally, Tulia Wellness Spa on-site offers some excellent body therapies and treatments that will beat the fatigue out of your muscles.
Sarova Stanley
Address: Corner of Kimathi Street and Kenyatta Avenue
1.48 km (1.0 mi) from National Museum of Kenya
4. Nairobi Serena Hotel (from USD 301)
The 5-star Nairobi Serena Hotel, located near the city’s Central Park, is a pleasing combination of hospitality, service, stay as well as gastronomy. Each of their 199 guest accommodations features quintessential pan-African decor and is equipped with all the modern comforts to make your stay worthwhile.
The spa and wellness centre, Maisha, is a top spot, where you can use one of the many facilities and experience unparalleled rejuvenation. There are four private treatment rooms, a 25-m (82-ft) heated pool, a gym, an aerobics studio and a range of superb body therapies worth trying out here.
And, when you get hungry, consider having a bite at the Moroccan-themed Café Maghreb, Kenyan-inspired Mandhari or Ethiopian-styled Aksum Bar on-site.
Nairobi Serena Hotel
Address: Kenyatta Avenue,
1.48 km (1.0 mi) from National Museum of Kenya
Nairobi Tour Guide
Jossec Safaris
I’m Claire Gitau, co-founder and safari guide at Jossec Tours and Safaris. My passion for being a tour guide stems from a deep love for wildlife and nature, nurtured by years of exploring Kenya’s beautiful landscapes. I believe in creating unforgettable, immersive experiences that allow travelers to connect with the natural world while promoting conservation and sustainability. At Jossec Tou... Read more
Tours by Jossec
5. Sankara Nairobi (from USD 329)
Comprehensive and enjoyable breakfast, extensive menu, delicious food with wide variety.
High room rates, overpriced breakfast, expensive dining options.
Centrally located in Westlands, walking distance to shopping centers and restaurants.
Rooftop bar with live music, rooftop pool, well-equipped gym, excellent security.
Step into the lap of comfort at Sankara Nairobi, where you can choose from 168 aesthetically designed guest accommodations. You can stay in and wedge out in the privacy of your room or consider exploring the hotel’s multiple shared facilities.
The Sankara Nairobi Health Club boasts a Turkish steam room, which is the perfect spot to relax your body. Once you’re done, you can head to the rooftop pool for a swim underneath the starlit sky. This can be followed by some light bites and drinks at Sarabi Rooftop Bar. There are five other restaurants and bars onsite so you will not run out of dining options.
Sankara Nairobi, Autograph Collection
Address: 05 Woodvale Grove, Westlands
1.85 km (1.2 mi) from National Museum of Kenya
6. Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi (from USD 207)
Good breakfast options, but the breakfast rate is considered overpriced. The hotel offers a variety of delicious foods, but some guests found the breakfast spread to be limited and the quality of certain meals to be lacking. The rotating restaurant is a standout, but some guests found the lunch buffet to be mainly carb-based.
Varies according to conference usage, but can be high. Some services, like laundry, may be overpriced.
Centrally located in Nairobi, with easy access to shopping areas and the airport. However, the busy location can lead to traffic and a tedious security process at the hotel gate.
Spacious rooms, free access to sauna and steam room, efficient room service, and helpful concierge service. However, gym hours are limited, and the swimming pool is not heated and lacks sufficient loungers.
The African-themed Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi is an amazing option if you’re looking to check into a 5-star hotel. Their 276 spacious rooms, suites as well as apartments are havens of comfort and are each equipped to the T. Some apartments are even outfitted with kitchenettes, so you can whip up light meals on your own.
In addition to great stay options, the hotel’s full-service spa offers some superb body treatments and therapies to relax your tired muscles. Else, you can use the lap pool for a refreshing swim session.
Once you get hungry, dining in the hotel’s 360-degree revolving restaurant, The View, is an experience that you must not miss. It is located on the property’s 24th floor and serves some brilliant Mediterranean delicacies.
Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi
Address: Mkungu Close, Westlands
1.8 km (1.2 mi) from National Museum of Kenya
7. Tribe Hotel Reopening Offer of Credit USD 50 (from USD 372)
At Tribe Hotel, you will find a pleasing mishmash of world-class hospitality combined with African tribal culture. A selection of carefully curated art pieces has been displayed across the property that you can stroll through and admire.
This luxury hotel offers 128 excellently appointed accommodations, including their top-of-the-line loft, penthouse as well as presidential suites. You can consider booking out one of these for an utterly indulgent stay. To add to the experience, don’t forget to make a trip to the on-site Kaya Spa and gym to refresh your body.
The African-inspired Jiko is the hotel’s signature restaurant, where you can savour some local fare.
Tribe Hotel, Nairobi, a Member of Design Hotels
Address: Market Road
5.38 km (3.4 mi) from National Museum of Kenya
8. Hemingways Nairobi (from USD 621)
A luxurious 5-star experience awaits you at Hemingways Nairobi. This boutique property offers 45 accommodations, including specially adapted rooms for guests with disabilities. Each of the suites features a private balcony so you can soak in the gorgeous Kenyan sun at any time of the day.
Else, you can head to the hotel’s sun-soaked terrace to spend time in the company of other guests. Alternatively, a trip to the on-site Hemingways Spa might also be worth it. You can try out the amazing exfoliating rituals, facial treatments or one of the other brilliant therapies offered here. An outdoor pool is also available for you to enjoy some swimming.
City tours of nearby local attractions can also be arranged by the hotel staff, in case you’d prefer to step out.
Hemingways Nairobi
Address: Mbagathi Ridge
14.36 km (9.0 mi) from National Museum of Kenya
9. The Boma Nairobi (from USD 154)
Excellent breakfast with a variety of options, good dining ambiance, and helpful staff
Reasonable pricing for a one-night stopover, good value for money
Conveniently located between the airport and city center, easily accessible with Uber/Taxi
Spacious rooms, good gym, pool, sauna, and steam room facilities
The Boma Nairobi is an upscale 148-room hotel worth considering. While all the accommodations are equipped to the T, the presidential suite boasts an en-suite kitchenette as well as a private hot tub for an ultimate stay experience.
Additionally, the sun deck is the perfect spot to head for some sunbathing. Alternatively, you can hit Kweya Spa to pamper yourselves a bit. A swimming pool and gym are also available at the property, so you’ll have ample to keep yourselves busy on-site.
The Boma Nairobi
Address: Red Cross Road, Off Popo Road, Off Mombasa Road
6.01 km (3.8 mi) from National Museum of Kenya
10. The Concord Hotel & Suites (from USD 120)
At The Concord Hotel & Suites, you can select from a range of 86 equipped guest accommodations. While you have the option to relax in the privacy of your accommodation, several shared facilities are also available to make your stay even more comfortable.
The spa on-site, ENSO, boasts some top-notch body treatments by skilled therapists that are entirely worth trying. Else, you can pack in a workout at the full-service gym. An outdoor pool is also available for those who’d like to swim a few lengths.
The Concord Hotel & Suites
Address: 31 Wangapala Road, off 5th Parklands
2.18 km (1.4 mi) from National Museum of Kenya
Never-ending charm of Nairobi
The vibrant capital city of Nairobi is a major centre for tourists. While wildlife safari is the biggest draw, there’s a lot more you can busy yourselves with. No matter whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, with family or as a friend group, a trip to Nairobi will be worth remembering. And, you can add to the experience by staying at a 5-star hotel such as one of the options listed in this article. So, get booking now.
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