There are two kinds of travelers: those who think their accommodations are just a place to sleep at night and the other group who believe that where you stay on a trip is part of the EXPERIENCE. In case you’re wondering, I’m in the second group! I agonize over where we’ll stay even more than I do our itinerary. This is because I’m the kind of traveler who makes time to relax on every trip, and if I don’t like where I’m staying, that ruins the whole relaxation aspect for me.
Having visited Kenya twice and counting, we’ve had the pleasure of experiencing some truly remarkable stays. In this post, I’ll share some of my favorite places to stay in Kenya, two places I’m eager to return to, and one place that, while it didn’t quite capture my heart, I believe could still be a great fit for certain travelers.
10 Best Places to Stay in Kenya While Traveling
Here are 10 wonderful accommodations for tourists visiting Kenya:
Amboseli National Park
These two recommendations are for safari-goers headed to Amboseli National Park:
Kibo Safari Camp
We stayed at Kibo Safari Camp during our safari in Kenya and we enjoyed it so much. The staff are so hospitable, the food was the best we had during our first visit to Kenya, and the beds were so comfortable.
When you stay at a place, it’s the small but repeated experiences that affect you the most (things like location, shower pressure, mosquito protection, etc.), and all of these were A+ at Kibo. The camp is farther from the park than Ol Tukai, but it didn’t bother us too much–I felt safer sleeping outside the forest, ha!
Ol Tukai Lodge
Ol Tukai Lodge is a larger, nicer lodge that we could have upgraded to during our safari. Our guide took us here for a break during one of the game drives, and we got a chance to tour the property. The location is to die for: you can see elephants drinking and bathing from the pool/restaurant, and the grounds are beautiful. However, it is pricier than Kibo. If you’re willing to splurge and stay within the park itself, this is worth a try.
Nairobi
Much of our Kenya stay was spent in Nairobi. Here’s where we lodged:
Villa Rosa Kempinski
This is the truest 5-star stay I’ve ever experienced as a traveler. From the decor to the staff to the food and services, Villa Rosa Kempinski wowed me every step of the way. It’s a centrally located property right in the heart of Westlands, with restaurants and malls less than 10 minutes away.
There are also three restaurants on the property, one of which was in my top 3 Nairobi food experiences. It’s also really quiet for a hotel in the city center, and we felt well cared for by the end of our 7-day stay.
Radisson Blu Upper Hill
We stayed at Radisson Blu Upper Hill during our first visit, and while I liked the property and the food here, it just felt cold. We’d been trying out the Radisson chain after a great experience in Rwanda, but this hotel (and the entire chain, to be frank) feels better suited to business people and conferences. I also hated the location in the business district.
Our second visit and stay in the Westlands area felt like night and day from the first one. However, if you’re in Nairobi for business reasons, you might love this place.
Loccid Apartments
Experiencing a city from a hotel alone can feel restrictive for me. I tend to go out less, especially when the hotel has an on-site restaurant and gym. So nowadays, we always split time between a hotel and Airbnb so we can rest at the hotel and feel taken care of and also spend some time navigating the city, shopping for groceries like locals, and even finding a local gym.
We stayed at this Loccid Host apartment, and it was the perfect little two-bedroom in the Westlands. I loved the furnishings and how well-lit the apartment was during the day. With security guards at the gate and an entry code, we felt totally safe during our stay. There’s also a washer, although you need to go the the roof to hang your laundry. Finally, there’s a gym (which I loved) and a pool.
The A-Frame
Alisa’s A-Frame is a charming, quaint one-bedroom home in the Karen area, and we ADORED our time here. The location is unbeatable: Five minutes from restaurants like Matteo’s and Talisman and less than five minutes from the Dojo Wellness Club (which I loved). The only cons are that there’s no washer (the host does provide handwashing detergent) and the stairs up to the loft bedroom are pretty steep, so no kids under 12 are allowed.
Diani Beach
If you’re in Diani, this is our top recommendation:
Swahili Beach Resort
@afomastravels Diani, like many Kenyan towns has a lot of accommodation options. Our goal in this beach town was to RELAX. So we chose a resort and half-board plan (this means breakfast and dinner are complementary). Diani beach was hugely impacted by the pandemic so many hotels have closed completely and just a few are doing OK. Swahili Beach Resort is thriving. Our friend who’s lived in Diani his whole life said it’s the best resort there so 😉 We loved the customer care, the food was DIVINE here, and the location was just what we needed. You can book on their website. Our stay in a Standard Double cost us $690 for 3 nights (including breakfast & dinner for two). Book in advance—at least a month out. #travelkenya #dianibeach #travelafrica #traveltiktok ♬ Going Home – Yider(伊德尔)
Swahili Beach Resort in Diani is one of my favorite places to stay in Kenya! The architecture is lovely, and the cuisine is excellent. It’s also right on the beach, with multiple restaurants on the property.
Lamu
Here’s where we recommend staying in Lamu:
Kijani Hotel
I loved Kijani because of the attentive staff and the reliability of their restaurant. The pool was also so relaxing, and we used their laundry service, which delivered surprisingly well. I loved the hammock beds outside the rooms and waking up to the sound of the ocean every day.
Peponi Hotel
We didn’t actually stay here, but we ate here several times on the trip. The food was okay sometimes and disappointing at other times, but the location is fantastic, and the hotel is beautiful.
Masaai Mara
The Masaai Mara is on my bucket list for when I want to see more big cats, but if you’re headed there soon, consider this recommendation:
Olare Mara Kempinski
After staying at the Villa Rosa Kempinski, I became a huge fan of the Kempinski chain. Olare Mara Kempinski is their Masaai Mara property. We saw photos and videos of the place during our stay at Villa Rosa and I’m sure the same exceptional service from Villa Rosa is what customers will experience there.
We’re hoping to return to Kenya again soon, maybe to Watamu and Malindi! You can expect an update to this post when we do. Which Kenya stays have you particularly loved recently?
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