Hemingways Nairobi

Kenya , Nairobi
NAIROBI, Mbagathi Ridge, PO BOX 146
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50 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

13 Nov 2025

Jessica

service was amazing!!!! clean rooms, nice staff, very accommodating. beautiful property too! lots of flowers.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Nov 2025

Christine

Yes. Lovely!

10/10

Exceptional

23 Aug 2025

Rebecca

Hemingways was one of the nicest properties I’ve ever stayed at. All areas of the hotel were impeccable. Room was huge and well appointed. Staff were helpful, kind and able to accomplish anything we needed. We experienced Sunday jazz brunch, a cooking class, the spa, afternoon tea and private dining within their wine cellar. Each experience better than the next. It was difficult to have to leave to head home. Thank you hemingways for an excellent time.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Mar 2025

LESLEY JANE NEEDHAM

Anyone who stays at Hemmigways, Karen, Nairobi will not be disappointed.
The property is often used as a pre or post safari hotel.
But I used it as my destination resort in its own right & I was thrilled with everything, especially the kind & thoughtful attention from all the staff.
Highly recommended.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2025

Verified traveler

The room was the highlight. Very clean, comfortable and well-sized.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

18 Sep 2024

Judy

Beautiful! Highly recommend for the staff who are wonderful, the facility which is beautiful, the food, and the attention received from Evans who helped our stay with taking us shopping for our safaris since our luggage did not ever arrive at the hotel! Don't know what we would have done! Thank you for helping us out! Can't go wrong at this beautiful hotel.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Mar 2024

Robert

A superb hotel with the most outstanding staff. Gorgeous grounds and rooms. Also excellent food.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2024

Shobha

Beautiful haven of a property. Excellent food.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Mar 2024

Claire

One of the best hotels we've stayed in. Beautiful room, good facilities and excellent staff.

Business_and_leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

18 Feb 2024

Dessa

We had a relaxing stay at Hemmingways after a 2 week safari. The property is beautiful and the grounds are spacious. All of the rooms are large and have balconies. Our only complaint was that the the air conditioning did not work in our room. They told us (for most of the day) that they were fixing it and just before we went to dinner offered us a fan. We asked them to move us, which they did, at 9 pm to a smaller room but cool!! Given the price of the room (almost $700), they should have offered some compensation, which they did not. Otherwise, we enjoyed the pool and massages at the spa were great.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jan 2024

Tyler

The food and drinks here were great. The entire staff were fabulous. I loved the infinity edged pool and being able to look down at the huge watering hole with animals coming to drink. Loved this facility and the entire staff

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jun 2023

Albert

This is an iconic hotel that is both modern and classic Kenyan safari style. A great place to stay over night before your safari to get rid of your jet lag

Business_and_leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Feb 2023

Denell

Extraordinary Hotel!!! What an amazing stay❤️

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Mar 2022

Irene

The property was beautiful and the staff provided incredibly service.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

05 Mar 2022

Dianne

Hemingway's Nairobi is the perfect get away. The amenities and Sunday brunch are spectacular.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2022

Daniel

Great place to relax and wind down.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

01 Feb 2022

Anthony

Architectural beauty, grounds setting is very peaceful and relaxing

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Aug 2021

Verified traveler

Superb service, beatiful (though small) garden, excellent food in the restaraunt.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jul 2021

Leasa-Marie

Amazing place to stay for a weekend, thou the restaurant was a let down!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jun 2021

Louis

Hemingway’s what a beauty you are!

Amazing, old school, beauty! What an amazing hotel! Beautiful gardens! The staff, service are friendliness is really amazing! Good food! Wish we stayed longer!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 May 2021

Nicholas

Great hotel!

Hemingways is an amazing hotel. The service level is incredible and Kennedy is amazing. We cannot wait for our next visit!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 May 2021

Verified traveler

Loved my staycation at Hemingways so much! The attention to detail in the property design & service is impressive!

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

10 Mar 2021

Verified traveler

Very nice retro-style hotel that opened in 2012. Spacious rooms and beautiful gardens. Located in Karen, where the filthy rich live. Little traffic in this area so no delays heading into the congestion of town. It is the part of Nairobi that was favoured by the wealthiest colonials, now replaced by diplomats and local tycoon-godfather types. Menu rather limited, but this may be a Covid effect.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jan 2021

Verified traveler

Hemingway’s

My go to hotel in Nairobi. The service , care and amenities are always top notch .

Business

10/10

Exceptional

02 Oct 2020

Tracy

Very personal and warm welcome at Hemingways - this is my second stay here. They are doing COVID-related health and safety measures with grace and attention to detail, so I feel very safe. Everyone masked up, hand sanitizer everywhere and offered personally on arrival.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

19 Mar 2020

I loved the special attention we received from the moment we stepped off the plane. I arranged a pick up from the hotel and when we got into the car there was water for us and the air conditioning was running. Our driver was so nice and caring. We arrived at the hotel which was absolutely beautiful and received special attention as well. We were checked into our room very quickly, even though we know we were early. The hotel staff was delightful. We also had a driver for the day and he was like our tour guide. Again, extremely polite and attentive. I would visit this hotel again.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

13 Feb 2020

Almudena

Beautiful hotel and excellent service. Breakfast was very nice too. Good facilities with a small gym and a great outdoor pool.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2019

Kim

The entire experience was just phenomenal - we canceled other hotels we were supposed to stay at during a multi-week trip to go back - that is how amazing it was! From the hotel itself, the rooms, the service, the food...I left wanting to hug the staff because that is how exceptional they were throughout every stay. I highly, highly recommend and we will be back!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 May 2019

Kelli

Absolutely Stunning

This is a really beautiful place to stay. The service is even better than the way it looks. The staff at the Hemingway Nairobi go above and beyond to make your stay absolutely perfect. I want to personally give thanks to the AM/PM Butlers (Both named James) and a very special thanks to Francis Ngunjiri for his exceptional service. This hotel is amazing. Yes will stay again.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

04 Mar 2019

Verified traveler

The staff was very attentive, professional and courteous.
The property is kept in excellent condition and the rooms were beyond my high expectations.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jan 2019

Elaine

Amazing Hotel.

Amazing hotel location. Very helpful friendly staff.
Food was delicious especially the king prawns on skewers.
Would definitely recommend staying here.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jan 2019

Verified traveler

Lovely hotel, great staff. Very good stay, will visit again.

10/10

Exceptional

15 Dec 2018

Gay

Above the rest in every way!

Possibly one the most accommodating, pleasant, comfortable, beautiful hotels in the world. Outstanding food, generous rooms, excellent spa service, phenomenal customer service by every member of the staff.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

21 Oct 2018

Verified traveler

Beautiful suites in in upmarket Karen

I had a one night stay here to relax after a busy trip around Kenya. The grand main building houses the restaurant, bar and terrace, with the spa and pool out th back. I was greeted and taken to my room by a butler, who showed me round. My suite was huge, with a four poster bed and effective mosquito net. The bathroom was giant, with a toilet, shower, two sinks, free standing bath and dressing room. I also had a balcony that overlooked the beautifully landscaped garden. I had fresh fruit and flowers in my room as well as tea, coffee, kettle and mini bar.

Breakfast had a large buffet, with interesting options such as Bircher muesli and watermelon juice, as well as the standard cereals, pastries and English breakfast. Dinner also had an extensive menu, with daily specials and a good wine list.

I requested a late check out and they could only accommodate a one hour extension on my room. I stayed by the pool until my late night flight and showered using the spa showers.

10/10

Exceptional

11 Oct 2018

Cathy

The property is breathtaking! Impeccably clean; the grounds, hotel, rooms, restaurant are all top notch. The staff is friendly, accommodating and everywhere you turn they are waiting to assist you. We arrived at mudnight and met our butler, the staff opened the restaurant for us and dinner was served. Nothing lacking. Best service I’ve had anywhere in Africa.

10/10

Exceptional

09 Oct 2018

jenni

Fabulous second stay

We had a less than satisfactory first stay at Hemingway’s, but when we returned a few weeks later they went out of thei way to make up for it. Great service recovery. Anyone can have an off day but it is how you treat a complaint that differentiates hotels.

This is a lovely hotel with lovely big rooms (junior suites), set in beautiful gardens. Staff are all very friendly and eager to please. Nice breakfast buffet included and the restaurant had a good variety.

Very peaceful and relaxing.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Sep 2018

Marco

Beautiful hotel!

Excellent hotel in a beautiful setting! Service is impeccable and the staff is extremely friendly. The restaurant is very nice, but I wish it served African dishes as well. I will definitely come back the next time I am in Nairobi!

6/10

Pleasant

18 Sep 2018

jenni

Spoiled by check in failure

It’s a lovely new hotel (although surprisingly does not have universal power points - the only place not to have them - we even had them in the Masai Mara). Rooms are beautiful - bug, nice views and good bathroom. Staff on the whole very friendly.

However our checkin was terrible. We arrived at 11:30 and check in is at 11. The receptionist did not even give us a smile or welcome us, but looked as though it was spoiling her day to deal with us. About the only comment was that she wasn’t expecting us until 12 and our room wasn’t ready, but it would only be a few minutes.

OK - we are pretty easy going, so we went and sat near reception. We were very tired and had flown on a light plane from Segera Retreat, which was very bumpy, so my husband was feeling quite ill and just wanted to lie down. When it got to nearly 1pm, I went and found a more senior staff member and finally 2 hours after check in time we were in our room.

George the concierge is terrific!

We were leaving again at 4:30 am so really didn’t have much time to evaluate the hotel. We are back again for a 2 night stay on the 3rd October, so hopefully will have a better experience, At the moment we are planning to return to the Norfolk which we have used in the past for Safaris always had a great experience there, but we thought we would try Hemingway’s this time,

10/10

Exceptional

31 Aug 2018

Maureen

Maybe one of the prettiest hotels in rooms I’ve ever stayed in. They upgraded me to the Meryl Streep suite so that was super nice!

10/10

Exceptional

05 Aug 2018

Verified traveler

Quiet, beautiful grounds and comfortable suites. Helpful staff.

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jul 2018

Verified traveler

Truly best in class boutique hotel. Service was outstanding

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2018

Adam

Amazing hotel in a beautiful part of Nairobi

Truly amazing experience at the hotel. Customer service was excellent, from check-in to the butler service provided to aid you with anything you require during your stay. The suites are quite something, with comfortable bedding, spacious layout and a balcony overlooking the hotel grounds (which is huge and beautiful). I also tried out the restaurant, with the food being very tasty. I would definitely recommend this hotel for anyone looking for a luxury experience in Nairobi away from the hectic life of the central business district.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jun 2018

Verified traveler

This is one of the nicest hotels I have had the pleasure of staying in across all cities and the service was outstanding!

10/10

Exceptional

29 May 2018

Beth

Excellent hotel on the outskirts of Nairobi

We spent just one night here but it was perfect. Serene, comfortable, great food. The bed was so comfortable. Breakfast delicious and the grounds beautiful. We especially loved the huge planting’s of Rosemary and lavender.

10/10

Exceptional

09 Apr 2018

Katherine

Thank You Hemingways for a Wonderful time!!!

Everyone working at a hotel is important, but concierges are the hearts and souls of the hotel and surrounding area, and even the country they represent. Our stay at Hemingways Nairobi was perfect because George and Kennedy (the dynamic duo) aarranged our trips with perfect drivers and guides. We made requests with rather complicated itineraries (visiting Denys Finch Hatton's grave, finding an esoteric stained glass window shop, arranging train tickets). Each request was handled with attention to details that we hadn't considered and the most efficient use of our limited time. They said not to worry and that they would do their best, and they did. Thanks to them we had a wonderful trip and were able to sleep at night. I am an old person traveling with my daughter, my husband had to stay behind and work. We have always used and appreciate the services of a concierge but this time we had the very best service ever and they made my entire family over the moon with happiness!!!

Family

6/10

Pleasant

25 Sep 2017

Happy traveler

Stunning hotel, management a bit muddled

This is one of those world-class hotels - the rooms are absolutely gorgeous, huge marble bathroom with rain shower, freestanding tub and closet, fresh roses, bottles of water and stocked bar. It is not inexpensive, and one expects the front desk and other amenities to match the grandeur and elegance of the hotel, but they seem to be rather in a muddle. We booked some simple arrangements in advance through the concierge (airport pick up, local tours) and got email assurances all was taken care of, but several times when we arrived per our reservation, they had never heard of us. This also happened twice at the hotel's own bistro. On that topic: the beautiful upstairs restaurant seems to be closed, and the bartender didn't put down his cell phone when we walked up for drinks. Again, in a place like this we expected service on par with the setting. Only dining choice is the brasserie downstairs, a rather casual spot with bright lights and movie posters, where food is not that great (underdone risotto, mediocre curries) although the soups were nice. If the weather is warm (it wasn't while we were there) it is much nicer to dine on the terrace overlooking the fountains and garden. Also: the spa is highly recommended - we both got absolutely world-class massages, much-needed after a week of game drives. Also important: we learned that if you add a tip via your credit card, it goes to the hotel. Bring cash (US is okay) if you want the server, masseuse, maid to actually get it.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

09 Aug 2017

Verified traveler

Very Nice Stay

Overall, I had an excellent stay at the Hemingways Nairobi. The property is gorgeous and spotlessly clean. The rooms are very luxurious, comfortable and well-decorated. I ordered breakfast in my room, which the staff forgot, but it was promptly sent once I called the operator. I would recommend staying here while in Nairobi.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jul 2017

Shar

It's an oasis!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the hotel. The staff is excellent-- always helpful, gracious, and efficient.

10/10

Exceptional

02 May 2017

Robin

Beyond expectations

A hotel made great by its superb staff.
Every member of the Hemingways team is a credit to their trade.
Thank you each and every one of you.

10/10

Exceptional

28 Feb 2016

Verified traveler

February at Hemingways

Very comfortable stay - room was great (we stayed in the Meryl Streep suite). Definitely do the City Tour as we managed to see rhino in the Nairobi National Park (as well as hippos, giraffes, zebra, crocodiles and buffalo). Be aware of the 10am checkout but we used the pool and the spa for the day until our evening flight and it was fine.

Partner