Lake Victoria
Nestled into the banks of beautifully maintained gardens alive with monitor lizards and birdlife, these stone-and-thatch cottages, 6km north of Sena, are…
Must-see hotels in Kenya
Northern Kenya
Hands down the most extravagant, yet serene, place to stay in northern Kenya. Its half-dozen Moorish-style 'tents' (each the size of a small house) have…
Lake Naivasha
Right on the shoreline, this gorgeous budget spot has comfortable bandas (thatched huts), simple twin rooms with woolly blankets and one of the cleanest…
Amboseli National Park
This wonderfully conceived site is one of the most exclusive ecolodges in Kenya, commanding a superb elevated spot with perfect Kilimanjaro vistas. The…
Masai Mara
Some of Mara North's most beautiful lodgings, Serian (which means 'serene' in the Maa language) overlooks the Mara River with the Oloololo Escarpment as a…
Tsavo West National Park
Run by the same people as Severin Safari Camp, Kitani is located 2km past its sister site, but is equally good value. These thatched concrete bandas …
Amboseli National Park
Set on its own private 24-sq-km conservancy close to Kimana Gate and with its own airstrip, Tawi Lodge is our pick of the places southeast of the park…
Kenya
Easily the pick of the accommodation if you're not staying in the park, the Lutheran Guesthouse occupies a handsome house on a farm 1km west of the…
Lake Naivasha
This charming guesthouse is run by the charismatic and elegant Dea. The main house has three guest rooms and is a gorgeous chalet of Swiss inspiration,…
Watamu
With five rooms facing Kenya's best beach and a further 18 set back around a second saltwater pool, this boutique hotel works a sleek, dreamy vibe. Expect…
Diani Beach
Among the loveliest of Diani's beachfront boutique hotels, the Maji – which means 'water' in Swahili – is simply gorgeous. The water feature in the…
Nairobi
The fabulous collection of stylish suites – at what was one of the first genuine boutique hotels in Kenya – is perfect for well-heeled sophisticates who…
Nairobi
Sophistication and style are the hallmarks of this stunning boutique offering. Every room is different according to its theme – the slate-grey colour…
Northern Kenya
One of the remotest camps in Kenya, Kitich falls squarely into the luxury-tented-camp category, but staying here is unquestionably a wild-Africa…
Mbita & Rusinga Island
One of the finest places to stay in Kenya's corner of Lake Victoria, Rusinga Island is an exclusive lakeside lodge with its own private air strip. The…
Masai Mara
Considered one of the premier camps in the area, and run with the kind of casual efficiency that brings guests back, Kicheche Bush has well-spaced,…
Nanyuki
Founded by a friendly local-turned-Londoner-turned-local-again, Kongoni has five, concrete circular bandas as well as some newer rooms that are simple but…
Kenya
Built by the local community, these timber-and-canvas bandas with coconut-palm-thatched roofs get the balance right between being genuinely rustic yet…
Kisumu
At last, a top-end hotel with Lake Victoria frontage. Rooms here have some lovely hardwood furnishings in the safari tents, while the artful use of…
Tsavo West National Park
This luxurious tented camp, arranged around a stream full of crocs and hippos, is now looking fancier than ever after a renovation. The 17 massive,…
Diani Beach
With just 10 individually decorated rooms and an elegant lobby and common area filled with West African carvings, this intimate hotel is all about…
Eldoret
This swish business-class hotel, 2km from the city centre, is hands down the best place to stay in Eldoret. The large rooms are smart and stylishly…
Nairobi
Almost equidistant between the city centre and the National Museum, this place is a terrific budget choice. Billing itself ‘economy with style’, it…
Masai Mara
Whether you're camping or looking for a little more comfort in one of their simple safari tents, Crocodile Camp, close to Talek Gate, is an excellent…
Nairobi
This stunning, artfully designed lodge inhabits a rise overlooking Nairobi National Park from its southern boundary and the Mbagathi River. It's a…
Southern Rift Valley
This classy tented camp is the ideal place to rest in this remote corner of Africa with luxury, riverside safari tents that let you hear the night sounds…
Kisumu
It may be a touch removed from the centre, but this wonderful place has appealing, brightly painted rooms that are among the best in urban western Kenya…
Southern Rift Valley
A relatively recent addition to the Serena Hotel chain's fine portfolio, this classically styled tented camp at the northern end of the lake has…
Kenya
A fine addition to Lumo's portfolio of accommodation, this tented camp is outrageously good value by East African standards and the seven safari tents…
Nairobi
Stylish decor, attention to detail in everything from the mattresses to the pillows, and a commitment to donating its profits to worthy causes, Acacia…
Kenya
Offering 10 wooden log cabins complete with king-size beds, this is the top place to stay in the area. Just under 4km away from Naro Moru, the hotel is…
Kenya
Treetops is sold through the Outspan Hotel in Nyeri, where check-in happens. From here guests must drive themselves to Treetops, where they dine, sleep…
Southern Rift Valley
Inside the private Soysambu Conservancy and named for the shape of the mountain formation that cradles it, the Sleeping Warrior is exquisitely remote – it…
Amboseli National Park
Lying at the heart of Amboseli, on the edge of a dense acacia forest, Ol Tukai is a splendidly refined lodge with soaring makuti (thatched roofs of palm…
Kilifi
Both an ecolodge and a backpackers, this place gets it so right. The fantastic owners, staff and guests have created a living, breathing space that's a…
Masai Mara
A traditional Maasai manyatta (village) 2km north of Sekenani Gate, offering a homestay with the Maasai. During your stay you'll help with daily chores…
Lake Naivasha
Within a private 400-acre conservancy and dairy farm, this beautiful place makes the perfect weekend escape from Nairobi. The rooms are stylish, high…
Lamu Island
Wonderfully situated right on the waterfront, this is the beating heart of Shela. Owner Carol knows everything there is to know about Lamu (and provides…
Northern Kenya
Undoubtedly the most unique and memorable place to stay in Samburu. Massive thatched roofs cling to crooked acacia branches and tower over cosy, palatial,…
Malindi
Drowning in a riot of bougainvillea, this makuti (thatched-roof of palm leaves) guesthouse overlooks a kidney-shaped pool in a secure, gated property. The…
