Kenya Hotels and Accommodation

(Kenya, KE, East Africa)



Photo showing the Hilton Hotel in NairobiMost visitors to Kenya are sure to spend at least a few days and nights in Nairobi or Mombasa, even if the rest of their trip is spent exploring the national parks, traditional villages or coastal resorts. For this purpose, both cities offer a good variety of accommodation and lodging. However, as far as prices go, compared to elsewhere in Africa, hotels can seem a little on the expensive side.

Kenya is the home of the safari holiday, so as you'd expect there's almost a bewildering array of accommodation on offer. This ranges from just a few tents in the wilderness to luxury appointed lodges. Finally, since Kenya boasts mile upon mile of beautiful sandy beaches, resort hotels on the coast are perfect for winding down before the trip home.


Close-up image of Nairobi's Hilton Hotel

Where to Stay

Most of the larger, more upmarket hotels in Nairobi are conveniently located at the heart of the city. The Stanley Hotel has been frequented over the years by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Ava Gardner and Clark Gable. The Nairobi Hilton is unmissable thanks to its distinctive round tower, while the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel nestles within its own private tropical garden, belying its inner city location. Hotel shuttle buses, restaurants, health clubs and swimming pools are just some of the facilities on offer.

Cheaper town hotels, guest houses and hostels can be found in central Nairobi, as well as on the outskirts of the city. It is worth noting that, as is the case with most towns and cities in Kenya, guesthouses and similar lodging options aren't necessarily able to offer the option of an en suite bathroom or air conditioning. Options for budget travellers include the Wildebeest Camp, which has an interesting array of accommodation to suit most budgets. The Nairobi International Youth Hostel offers dormitory accommodation, as well as furnished apartments.

Picture showing Kenyan resort complex with swimming poolIt's safe to say that the further out of the city you go, the quieter your surroundings. As well as peace and quiet, hotels in the leafy southern suburban areas of Karen and Lang'ata tend to provide more in the way of character. They are also conveniently located for visiting the Nairobi National Park and many other nearby attractions in this part of Kenya.

For most visitors, accommodation on safari will form a significant part of their stay in Kenya. Whilst there are still plenty of resort-style lodges set up to cater for large numbers, smaller more intimate camps are becoming much more popular. The standard of accommodation at safari camps varies widely, ranging from those with just a few tents and relatively basic facilities to well-appointed tents and cottages which boast en suite bathrooms, and plenty of hot water. Perhaps one of the most famous of Kenya's safari hotels is the Treetops Hotel located in Aberdare National Park. It was here in 1952 that Princess Elizabeth heard that her father King George VI had died.