Nairobi
You wouldn’t expect to find a backpacker-friendly option out here in affluent Karen, which is why this friendly little spot is so appealing. The quiet…
Must-see hotels in Kenya
Mbita & Rusinga Island
Far enough from the bars to offer a quiet night’s sleep, this guesthouse sets a bar of its own in terms of value for money. The rooms are clean and the…
Nairobi
The focus here is on affordable comfort for business travellers, with attractive if somewhat sterile rooms. With a small gym and excellent breakfasts, it…
Malindi
Right by the ocean, with four pools and within walking distance of some good restaurants, Italian-owned Scorpio Villas offers excellent value for money…
Lake Naivasha
The conservation centre at the very lovely former home of Joy Adamson also doubles as a lodge with high novelty value. You can stay here in one of the 10…
Wasini Island
The 10 rooms here, which overlook the delicious turquoise ocean, are uncomplicated, with mosquito nets, flush toilets and small verandahs. Running water…
Northern Kenya
A short way out of town, this new place is also Lodwar's flashest place to stay, with large, cool, quiet, tiled rooms in a bungalow setting. It might be…
Kenya
Just before the park entrance near Voi Gate, this quiet place sits atop an impossibly steep hill and the views that result from this location are…
Northern Kenya
Drop your tent on the grass beneath acacias and doum palms, lie back in one of the clean, tiled, newly constructed rooms, or crash in the tidy domed huts…
Western Kenya
Named after Udo Savalli, a well-known ornithologist, this lovely KWS site is tidy, well maintained and has seven simple thatched bandas. Nets are provided…
Kilifi
This polished, makuti (thatched-roofed) place sits right on the beach and has a series of bright, comfortable, Swahili-themed rooms with high beds and sea…
Masai Mara
This welcoming camp, which has recently come under the orbit of the excellent Asilia company, is buried away among a patch of woodland but has views over…
Northern Kenya
The single rooms are starting to look a little old and damp but, by and large, this very friendly place has quiet, clean and comfortable rooms with nice…
Watamu
This lovely guesthouse, set amid a pleasant garden and thick woods, is just a short wander from the beach. Run by a Christian conservation society, it's a…
Kenya
This beautiful unfenced lodge lets the wildlife right in; keep an eye on your possessions, as the baboons and/or Sykes’ monkeys will nick your stuff…
Lamu Island
This beautiful 17th-century house is made from coral, wrapped around a tranquil, leafy courtyard. Add mid-sized, fan-cooled rooms decorated with pleasant…
Masai Mara
A fine tented camp in the heart of Olare-Orok Conservancy, Porini Lion Camp lacks the bells and whistles of other premier camps nearby, but the tents are…
Nairobi
An excellent choice that puts many of the more prestigious and pricier places in town to shame. The Fairview is nicely removed from the central hubbub and…
Watamu
With beach access and makuti (thatched roof of palm leaves) buildings clustered around a large pool, this is a great midrange option if you want to be in…
Laikipia Plateau
As you'd expect from the former home of multi-billionaire Adnan Khashoggi, this imposing lodge has over-the-top decor and high levels of comfort. Avoid…
South Coast
This tidy little complex has direct access to the beach and a choice of appealing, bamboo-finished hotel rooms (nab a sea-facing one) and self-catering…
Masai Mara
Set on a hill of dry acacia woodland about 3km back from Sekenani gate, this Maasai-run place offers fairly hot and simple safari tents, but the welcome…
Kenya
Perched on the edge of the Galana River, approximately 15km west of Lugards Falls, this has long been the swishest property in Tsavo East. In 2016 it was…
Laikipia Plateau
While in need of a makeover, the lodge sits right above the falls and does a great job of instilling that good old ‘I’m a colonial aristocrat on a hill…
Nairobi
Tucked away on a quiet street on Karen’s north side, this tranquil guesthouse offers large, comfortable rooms with contemporary artworks on the walls and…
Lake Naivasha
This stunning property off the southernmost tip of Lake Oloiden has fine views and captures that old-style feel that so defined the Lake Naivasha region…
South Coast
This waterfront base for deep-sea fishing and diving with a saltwater pool and an average (though beautifully situated) restaurant is a tranquil spot. The…
Lamu Archipelago
Overlooking a mangrove creek towards the southern end of the island, this camp is ideal for groups or families on a dhow sailing trip. You pay for the…
Kenya
A good choice in the town centre, Meru Slopes Hotel is behind the Nakumatt Supermarket. It gets consistently good reviews from travellers – it's the sort…
Laikipia Plateau
Refined accommodation (including four-poster beds under the stars) on a 247-sq-km ranch in northern Laikipia plus activities that range from walking…
Malindi
This charming place gets it all just about right – it has a beachfront location (and private beach area), a decent-sized pool, large and spotless rooms…
Western Kenya
A lovely site with flush toilets, showers, two covered cooking bandas (thatched-roof huts) and colobus monkeys in the trees above. It's close to the park…
Kenya
The best deal in town is actually a little way out of Nyeri. The small drive is worth it for the palm-lined, poolside ambience and general sense of…
Southern Rift Valley
Set on a private island, this intimate luxury spot can only be rented in its entirety. There's room for 12 in beautiful thatched bandas, and plenty going…
Southern Rift Valley
This simple, U-shaped resort sits just 1.5km from Lake Nakuru's main gate. Rooms come without fanfare or pretension but do sport mosquito nets, the price…
Kenya
Located 200m from the Trout Tree Restaurant, this self-contained cottage sleeps six. There is a kitchen, but meals can also be ordered from the restaurant…
Kenya
Those needing a bit of luxury can sleep in lovely, KWS-run Batian Guest House, which sleeps eight people in several different bedrooms. You are required…
Masai Mara
The safari tents here come in two flavours: the ‘superior’ are large with a wooden deck and a smart bathroom, while the 14 'standard' tents are smaller…
Masai Mara
The simple safari tents here come in two categories, with the cheaper tents being a little darker and smaller than the pricier ones. All have private…
Northern Kenya
Twelve absolutely superb riverfront tents that are so luxurious even budding princesses will feel a little overwhelmed by the surroundings. Exactly how…
