Hotel
Giraffe Manor
A 1932 manor house in Lang'ata with just 12 rooms, famous for the Rothschild's giraffes that put their heads through the windows at breakfast.
Hemingways Nairobi
An all-suite luxury hotel in Karen with 45 suites looking towards the Ngong Hills, opened in 2013 as the flagship of the Hemingways Collection.
At a glance
- Type
- Luxury boutique hotel
- Area
- Karen, Nairobi, Kenya
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- hemingways-collection.com
Good to know
- 45 suites
- Ngong Hills views
- Private balconies
- Spa and wellness
- Gardens
- Leading Hotels of the World member
Why we recommend it
Hemingways Nairobi opened in 2013 in the green suburb of Karen and is the flagship of the Hemingways Collection, a small group of Kenyan hotels and camps. It is an all-suite property with 45 suites, and it is a member of Leading Hotels of the World as well as the Virtuoso and American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts programmes, which gives a sense of the level of service on offer.
The setting is quieter than the city centre or Westlands. Gardens surround the hotel, and many suites look out towards the Ngong Hills, the ridge that features in Out of Africa and the backdrop to much of Karen. Deluxe Suites have Ngong Hills views and private balconies, Executive Suites add high vaulted ceilings, a separate lounge and a work area, and two signature suites, the Blixen Suite and the larger Hemingways Suite with private dining and lounge areas, are designed for longer or special stays. Spa and wellness treatments are available on site.
Karen suits travellers who want a calm base close to the city's main wildlife sights. Nairobi National Park, the Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Centre and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery are all within a short drive, and golfers can play at the Karen Country Club nearby. Many guests stay here at the start or end of a safari, as Wilson Airport, used for flights to the Maasai Mara and other parks, is about 30 minutes away. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is about 40 minutes by road, depending on traffic.
The hotel is best suited to couples, honeymooners, families who need more space and business travellers who prefer a quieter suburb. It sits at the luxury end of the Nairobi market. Book well ahead for the signature suites and for peak safari seasons, and ask the hotel to arrange airport transfers and visits to nearby sights.
Karen also has a good choice of restaurants and cafés within a short drive, including Talisman and Cultiva, if you want to eat out for an evening. Traffic into central Nairobi can be heavy at peak times, so plan city sightseeing outside rush hours or allow extra time.
Hemingways Nairobi FAQs
How many suites are there?
45 suites, from Deluxe and Executive Suites to the Blixen Suite and the Hemingways Suite.
Do the rooms have views?
Deluxe Suites have Ngong Hills views and private balconies.
When did the hotel open?
In 2013.
How far is it from the airports?
About 30 minutes from Wilson Airport and about 40 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Is there a spa?
Yes. Spa and wellness treatments are offered.
What is nearby?
Nairobi National Park, the Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Country Club golf course.
Is it part of a hotel group?
Yes. It is the flagship of the Hemingways Collection and a member of Leading Hotels of the World.
How do I book?
Through the Hemingways Collection website or central reservations by phone.