The Hemingways Nairobi hotel becomes Kenya’s first member of The Leading Hotels of the World

Hemingways Nairobi is the first and only hotel in Kenya to join The Leading Hotels of the World, the Hemingways Collection announced on 7 October 2026. Opened in 2013 in the leafy Karen district, south-west of the capital, the 45-suite hotel looking out to the Ngong Hills remains independent and keeps running its own operations.

☰Contents

1. Kenya’s first Leading Hotels member
2. In Karen Blixen’s neighbourhood since 2013
3. 45 suites, from Deluxe to the Hemingways Suite
4. Josper grills and an eight-seat wine cellar
5. Terres d’Afrique spa and a pool under the palms
6. How much is a night at Hemingways Nairobi?

Kenya’s first Leading Hotels member

The Leading Hotels of the World brings together more than 450 independent hotels in over 80 countries. Until now, none was in Kenya. Joining involves neither renovation work nor a change of ownership: the hotel stays independent and gains a showcase among discerning travellers and luxury travel agencies around the world.

“Joining The Leading Hotels of the World is an important milestone for Hemingways Nairobi and for Kenyan hospitality,” says Ross Evans, managing director of Hemingways Group, for whom the label offers “a stronger international platform” without giving up the independent spirit of the house. On the LHW side, Dean Bannon, vice president of membership and development, singles out the all-suite format, the personalised butler service and the connection with Kenyan culture.

In Karen Blixen’s neighbourhood since 2013

The Karen district, south-west of central Nairobi, takes its name from Karen Blixen, the author of Out of Africa: the hotel has in fact named two of its suites Blixen and Hemingways. With its wide avenues, gardens and views of the Ngong Hills, the hotel describes it as the most exclusive part of the city, a few minutes from Nairobi National Park, the Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Centre and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage.

Opened in 2013, Hemingways Nairobi is the flagship of the Hemingways Collection, which also includes a residence in Nairobi, a hotel in Kigali, Rwanda, two camps in the Masai Mara and a hotel in Watamu, on the coast. Wilson Airport, where light aircraft leave for the safari parks, is 20 minutes away: many travellers stay here before or after a safari. For comparison, our article on voco Nairobi Airport Suites covers the city’s other recent opening, out by the airport.

45 suites, from Deluxe to the Hemingways Suite

The 45 suites fall into four categories. The Deluxe Suite has a private balcony facing the Ngong Hills; the Executive Suite adds high vaulted ceilings, a separate lounge and a work area. Larger still, the Blixen Suite draws on Kenyan heritage, while the Hemingways Suite, the biggest, works like a small apartment with its own dining room and lounge. The MICHELIN Guide has awarded the hotel one Key, the distinction it reserves for hotels.

Josper grills and an eight-seat wine cellar

The Brasserie serves breakfast, then meat grilled in the Josper charcoal oven, homemade pasta and Watamu prawns, facing the hills. Every day from 3pm to 5pm, the terrace hosts an English afternoon tea, scones and clotted cream included. For something different, the Le Petit Chef dinner show projects a tiny animated 3D chef onto the table.

At the Hemingways Bar, leather Chesterfield armchairs and marble floors set the scene for cocktails made with local botanicals, whiskies and cigars. Behind a glass wall, the wine cellar seats up to eight guests for the chef’s tasting menus.

Terres d’Afrique spa and a pool under the palms

Open from 8am to 10pm, the spa offers massages, facials and rituals using Terres d’Afrique products and local plants, in treatment rooms that open onto the garden. The heated, palm-fringed outdoor pool, the fitness room and the private sauna and steam room complete the picture.

How much is a night at Hemingways Nairobi?

According to the official 2026 rate card, the Deluxe Suite costs 865 dollars a night for two in regular season (1 November to 17 December 2026), breakfast, taxes and service included. It rises to 1,060 dollars in high season, until 31 October and then from 18 December to 4 January 2027. The Executive Suite starts at 1,010 dollars and the Hemingways Suite at 2,245 dollars in regular season. Transfers from the international airport are charged from 100 dollars per vehicle.