The best hotels in Kenya: nine places to stay, from Nairobi to the Masai Mara and Diani

Colonial style in Karen

Hemingways stands in Karen, on the edge of the city, in a white building with verandas and views of the Ngong Hills. It has only suites, and the garden and pool make it feel more like a country house than a city hotel.

This is our Nairobi pick, especially for the first and last night of a safari trip. The Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum are a short drive away. The city centre is far off, but you will rarely need it.

Nairobi's oldest hotel

The Norfolk opened in 1904 and is the oldest hotel in Nairobi, with rooms set around a tropical garden and the famous Lord Delamere Terrace, where safari-goers have met for more than a century. It is close to the National Museum and the university.

It suits you if you want a central stay with history. The buildings are old, and rooms vary in style and size. Have a drink on the terrace in the evening, before dinner.

Luxury in Westlands

Villa Rosa Kempinski is in Westlands, the district of offices, shopping centres and restaurants. It is a large and elegant hotel, with a marble lobby, a big spa and several restaurants.

It suits business travellers, or anyone who wants a classic grand hotel with everything in place. It sits on a busy road, so ask for a room facing the garden. The restaurants of Westlands are within walking distance.

A design hotel in Gigiri

Tribe stands next to the Village Market shopping centre in Gigiri, near the United Nations offices. The hotel is filled with African art and craft, and has a pool, a spa and a popular bar.

It suits you if you want a modern design hotel in a quiet district. It is some way from the centre and from Karen. The shopping centre next door has plenty of restaurants and a craft market.

Tents on the Talek River

Mara Intrepids sits on the Talek River in the middle of the reserve, with large tents on platforms, private bathrooms and verandas facing the river. The camp has a pool, a spa and a restaurant, and animals often pass close to the tents.

This is our safari pick, for first-timers who want comfort and a good location. It is larger than the most exclusive camps, so you share vehicles and dinner with more people. Book full board with game drives included.

The view over the plains

Mara Serena stands on a hill in the western part of the Masai Mara, near the Mara River. The buildings take their inspiration from Maasai villages, and the terrace and pool look out across the plains.

It suits families and anyone who prefers a lodge with solid rooms to a tent. It is close to the river crossings used by the wildebeest. The lodge is large, so ask for a room with a view.

Kilimanjaro from your tent

Kibo Safari Camp sits just outside the park, with tents beneath the trees and views of Kilimanjaro on clear mornings. The camp has a pool, a restaurant and a fire pit in the evenings.

It suits you if you want to see Amboseli for less than at the priciest camps. The tents are simpler than at the Masai Mara camps above. The mountain is clearest early in the morning, before the clouds roll in.

Pools and Swahili architecture

Swahili Beach is a large beach hotel built in Arabic and Swahili style, with white arches, several pools and direct access to the sand. It has a spa, several restaurants and activities for children.

It suits families who want space and plenty to do after a safari. The resort is big, and some rooms are a long walk from the beach. Ask for a room near the sea.

A small hotel right on the sand

The Sands at Nomad sits right on the beach at Diani, with rooms in low buildings among the palms and a restaurant by the sea. It is a smaller hotel, and the mood is calm and relaxed.

This is our beach pick, for couples who want to rest after the safari. There is little for children to do. Take a boat trip to the Kisite marine reserve to snorkel and look for dolphins.