Our Stay At Hemingways Nairobi

During our time in Nairobi for this trip, we stayed at Hemingways Nairobi in the Karen neighborhood. Truth be told, we stayed at Hemingways Nairobi last year and it was so wonderful, but so short. We stayed there for one night and then continued on for safari. This year, we knew we wanted to spend more time in the city and explore a bit more, while also being able to enjoy the property. Hemingways didn’t disappoint! If you’re looking for a nice (and luxurious) play to stay in Nairobi, today’s post is for you! 

Our Stay At Hemingways Nairobi

Tucked into the Karen neighborhood (about 35 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport), Hemingways Nairobi features 45 suites, a gym/spa/pool, gardens, fountains, restaurant and lounges. Each suite features a balcony that overlooks the lush green grounds of the property. 

Rooms At Hemingways Nairobi

We have stayed in both the Deluxe Suite (lower level) and Executive Suite (upper level) and both are incredible. The only difference we noticed was that on the upper level, the ceilings are higher. Not a huge deal either way! No matter which you choose, your room will have a sitting area, desk, dressing table, bed (with mosquito netting), and HUGE bathroom. 

I really can’t emphasize the bathroom enough, which seems like an odd focal point, but hear me out. The bathroom in the suites at Hemingways Nairobi are bigger than my living room. It was a true luxurious treat. They feature a toilet closet, walk-in closet, shower, claw foot tub, and separate his-and-hers sinks. There are also ample mirrors, cozy robes/slippers, and more than towels than two people could ever use.

To conserve water, you can choose to keep your towels and sheets each day, which we appreciated, and we liked getting the paper on our door.

Food at Hemingways Nairobi

It’s worth noting that breakfast is included with a stay and don’t miss it! The breakfast spread is delicious and includes pretty much anything you could want, including a full fresh fruit bar, homemade smoothies, made-to-order waffles, breakfast meats and omelettes, pancakes, baked goods, granola, yogurt and more. Be sure to order the Watamu Latte!

If you’re struggling with jet lag or have an early flight into the Bush, you can have breakfast delivered, so make a note of it with your butler. We did this for an early flight out to Tsavo National Park. Even though we were leaving at 5:30 (breakfast starts at 6AM), they delivered it to our room, no problem. 

We’ve also enjoyed lunch and cocktails at the in-house restaurant. Food was fresh and cocktails were tasty. 

Hotel Details We Loved 

The gym is kind of tucked away, so if you don’t look for it, you might miss it. That said, it has great machines and equipment to use at your leisure and the staff makes sure you stay hydrated with lots of fresh water.

Staff goes above-and-beyond to make sure you’re happy with your stay. Little details like asking if you want a golf cart ride to your room, if you’d like your laundry done, extra pillows, more water, etc etc. It just seemed like every time we encountered someone they were asking what they could do for us.

On Sundays, Hemingways hosted a jazz brunch. It’s $55 USD to eat and drink, which we didn’t take part in, but the live music is wonderful and we loved laying by the pool listening to the quality jams.

Is Karen neighborhood a good place to stay in Nairobi?

We say yes! It is a close proximity to some of the popular spots to visit like Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Giraffe Centre, Kazuri Beads, The Talisman, Karen Blixen House/Coffee Farm, and local markets. It’s also pretty affordable and easy to get a car from Karen to other parts of Nairobi. It’s definitely worth doing that one day to see the Maasai Market and eating at About Thyme. 

Overall, we have really enjoyed our stays at Hemingways in Nairobi and would recommend it for travelers passing through or staying a few days. 

Heading to Kenya? Don’t miss my Foolproof Kenya Safari Packing Guide or How To Spend 24 Hours In Nairobi.