Tribe Hotel

Tribe Hotel is a design-led hotel beside The Village Market in Gigiri, the city's diplomatic district. It is a member of Design Hotels, part of the Marriott Bonvoy family, and its look is urban and loft-like, with warm African colours, unusual angles, granite and dark Indian slate. The architect, Mehraz Ehsani, used Kenyan materials throughout the public spaces, and three wings are linked by a sunlit atrium.

Art is a big part of the experience, and it is worth taking time to look around even if you are only visiting for a drink or a meal. The hotel has gathered some 900 hand-sculpted artefacts from across Africa, displayed throughout the corridors and lounges, so simply walking through the building feels like visiting a gallery. A well-stocked library offers a quiet corner to read or work between meetings.

There are 128 rooms and suites. Jiko, the restaurant, serves seasonal dishes using local and organic ingredients, many cooked over an open flame, and there is a rooftop bar for evening drinks. The heated outdoor pool is surrounded by waterfalls and gardens, and the Kaya Spa and studio, inspired by Kenya's sacred forests, sits alongside a fitness centre. Free Wi-Fi for Marriott Bonvoy members, free on-site parking, a 24-hour front desk, laundry, luggage storage, currency exchange, 24-hour room service, babysitting and an airport shuttle that must be reserved in advance add to the practical side. The hotel holds Green Key certification, an international eco-label for tourism businesses, and pets are not allowed.

Tribe suits business travellers visiting the United Nations and embassies in Gigiri, design-conscious couples and families who want a pool and a quieter suburb. The Village Market next door has shops, restaurants and family entertainment such as bowling, mini golf and a trampoline park, which is useful for a rest day, and Karura Forest is a short drive away for walks and cycling.

Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out at 12:00. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is about 25 km away and Wilson Airport about 16.5 km, so allow plenty of time for traffic, particularly on weekday mornings and evenings. For sightseeing in the city centre or the south-western suburbs, set out early or book a driver for the day.