Choosing the right hotel in Nairobi, Kenya for before and after your safari adventures in Masai Mara and beyond will go a long way in ensuring your Kenya travels are stress-free and unforgettable for all the right reasons.

Whether you’re traveling Kenya with no budget in mind or seeing the best of Africa on the cheap, you’ll find an excellent hotel in Nairobi, Kenya when you keep reading. In addition to the Nairobi Hotels I stayed at, I tried hard to find the coolest and most unique hotel experiences in Nairobi for you!

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Best Nairobi Neighborhoods to Stay in

Nairobi is a huge, bustling city that is the leading business travel destination in all of Africa! If it’s your first trip to Nairobi, I recommend you stay in Westlands or Nairobi City Center. Both these areas are safe with proximity to the top restaurants, nightlife and things to do in Nairobi. Most hotels listed below are in Westlands or Nairobi but a few are not.

Related Post: 3 Easy-to-Miss Requirements for Traveling to Kenya for US Citizens

Best Budget Hotels in Nairobi, Kenya (Under $100/night)

The King Post

If you want to feel like you’re staying in an old world palace with mahogany furnishings and a magical air, stay at the King Post in Westlands, one of the most unique hotels in Nairobi, Kenya. At the King Post, all rooms are apartments with a full kitchen, private bathroom and four-post bed draped with a mosquito net. Many of the rooms also have balconies. There’s also an on-site bar, restaurant and fitness center. Aside from the unique vibe and decor, your favorite part of this hotel will likely be the Instagram-worthy pool that’s surrounded by architecture and greenery.

Get the best rate on The King Post here.

Lotos Inn & Suites

This Westlands hotel gives you excellent value for your money. Each suite is spacious with a kitchenette and balcony, and the rooftop bar and lounge has amazing food (including Chinese food!). There’s no pool or gym but the location makes up for that! Lotos Inn is located walking distance from Westgate Mall and a short drive from the top attractions in Nairobi, including the Nairobi National Museum.

Get the best rate on Lotos Inn & Suites here.

Razana Hotel

If you’re catching a flight to Masai Mara or other safari destination at Wilson airport, stay at Razana hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. It’s right around the corner from Wilson Airport and you’ll be amazed at how nice the hotel is for the bargain of a price per night. The sparkling clean rooms have comfortable beds and flat screens with access to Netflix. The restaurant meals and breakfast will not disappoint and there’s even a nice gym on the top floor!

Get the best rate on Razana Hotel here.

Related Post: Easy African Safari Outfits for Ladies

Best Mid-Range Hotels in Nairobi, Kenya (Under $200/night)

Best Western Plus Westlands

This Westlands hotel in Nairobi, Kenya has modern furnishings, a fitness center and an on-site restaurant serving African, Indian and Italian cuisine. Its prime location puts you in close proximity to the Nairobi National Museum, Kumbu Kumbu Art Gallery, Sigiria – Karura Forest and much more. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised by the Asian rooftop bar with snacks and 24-hour service!

Get the best rate on Best Western Plus Westlands here.

Sarova Stanley Hotel

The Sarova Stanley Hotel originally opened in 1902 and it’s the oldest hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. It’s known as an iconic hotel in Kenya that’s been a traditional pre- and post-safari meeting spot for decades. Legends like Sean Connery, Grace Kelley and Ernest Hemingway have stayed here, and there’s even a suite named after Karen Blixen, the author of Out of Africa.

Get the best rate on the Sarova Stanley Hotel here.

The rooms here are a bit outdated, but what the hotel lacks in renovations it makes up for with five-star service, amazing food and colonial charm. The Sarova Stanley has three on-site restaurants, and one of them is actually known as the best Thai Restaurant in Nairobi—and I’d have to agree.

This was the first place my husband and I stayed when we arrived in Kenya and it really brought Kenya history to life. We enjoyed all three on-site restaurants (especially Thai Chi), but our favorite spot was The Exchange Bar. The moment you walk in you feel like you’ve entered a time machine! The plush leather furniture, old school fans, gramophone and old telephone all give you a taste of a bygone era. Plus, the cocktails are great and they have an amazing selection of Scotch.

Get the best rate on the Sarova Stanley Hotel here.

The Drexel House Kenya

Tucked away in a garden in Karen, Nairobi, you’ll find a boutique hotel in an old colonial mansion. This small oasis is the perfect spot to start or end a Kenya honeymoon or romantic getaway due to the quiet, secluded feel.

Aside from the cozy rooms, The Drexel House Kenya will make you feel right at home because the people who run it go above and beyond to ensure your stay in Nairobi is 11/10. And don’t be fooled by the small property—there’s a spa, infinity pool and on-site restaurant. It’s also in a great area for riding bikes with bike rentals available on the premises!

Get the best rate on the Drexel House Kenya here.

Best Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya for Luxury Travelers ($200+/night)

Nairobi Serena Hotel

You can’t go wrong with a stay at Nairobi Serena Hotel in Nairobi city center. This stunning, five-star property gives you luxury-level hotel treatment but at a fraction of the price of most “luxury” hotels. All staff treat you like royalty and with three on-site restaurants, two bars, a gym and large swimming pool, everything you need is just an elevator ride away. The rooms are spacious and up-to-date and we thoroughly enjoyed all our meals here and the live music in the bar!

Plus, Nairobi Serena Hotel is just a five-minute Uber ride to the Nairobi National Museum—which is definitely worth the visit!

Get the best rate on the Nairobi Serena Hotel here.

Tribe Hotel Nairobi

Let me start by saying that I cannot WAIT to stay in this hotel the next time I’m in Nairobi. My husband and I took an Uber here to have dinner at Jiko, the on-site restaurant, and we were stunned by how beautiful and hip Tribe Hotel is. Aside from the amazing restaurant, you’ll love the beautiful pool, ultra-friendly staff and stylish rooms equipped with Kenyan coffee.

Get the best rate on the Tribe Hotel here.

Villa Rosa Kempinski

If you’re looking for a predictable, luxury experience similar to what you’d get in North America, stay at Villa Rosa Kempinski. This hotel is gorgeous, inside and out, and you have everything you need here to truly unwind after a few days on safari in Masai Mara. Aside from lounging in your spacious room, you can swim in the outdoor pool, enjoy fabulous craft cocktails at the bar or get a massage at the spa.

Get the best rate on Villa Rosa Kempinski here.

Trademark Hotel

Located right next to the US Embassy, Sigiria – Karura Forest and Village Market Mall, Trademark Hotel will give you the ultimate luxury experience in Nairobi. This beautiful property has a spa, expansive fitness center and two on-site restaurants serving African and Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine. You’ll spend your stay lounging in a cabana by the rooftop pool, sipping drinks at the rooftop bar or enjoying an unforgettable meal at the Harvest Restaurant. Between Trademark Hotel’s modern aesthetic and top-notch concierge, you won’t have a single thing to complain about during your stay in Nairobi.

Get the best rate on Trademark Hotel here.

Enjoy Your Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya!

I hope this list helped you narrow down your hotel search and led you to your perfect hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. If you end up staying in any of these hotels before or after your safari adventures, I’d love to hear what you think in the comment section!