As the economy continues to recover from a severe Covid-19 pandemic beating, Kenyans and foreign tourists are increasingly booking hotels for the much-deserved vacations in Kenya, one of the world's most trusted destinations.
Globally, Trustpilot is one of the companies trusted by consumers to connect hotels and clients for ultimate service and experience.
The company, which prides itself in hosting reviews to help consumers shop with confidence, and deliver rich insights to help businesses improve the experiences they offer, has awarded Five Star Alliance a 4.8 star ranking on its list of top 10 hotels operating in Kenya.
Here are the 10 best Kenyan hotels to check-in for an unforgettable experience (not arranged in any particular order).
1. Fairmont Mara Safari Club
Tucked at the heart of Masai Mara Game Park, Fairmont Mara Safari club boasts 51 luxury tents that have a private viewing deck from where hippo and crocodile are regularly seen.
At the hotel is a reception area, retail shop, library equipped with Internet access, a beautifully decorated lounge area, and a lovely dining room.
"Dining at The Mara Safari Club is a safari in itself, made from the abundance of fresh Kenyan produce. At the Club, the pool, al fresco buffet lunches, and nightly activities of Maasai dancing, presentations, and discussion on the Mara's ecosystem and Maasai culture, all add up to create a truly unique experience," reads a description according to the ranker.
The hotel charges Ksh26,000 per night for a single person occupying the room while a couple sharing should be ready to fork out as much as Ksh 34,400.
2. Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel
Since its founding in 1904, the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel, located along Harry Thuku Road in Nairobi has been at the center of history realisation by the republic of Kenya.
The hotel was expanded in 1999 and subsequently renovated in time for its centennial, which it celebrated in 2004.
With a variation of two and three-storey buildings coated in brown paint, the hotel offers accommodations in 165 guest rooms and suites, has eight conference rooms, the largest seating 175 delegates.
There is a heated outdoor swimming pool, health club with gym, sauna and steam room and beauty salon among others.
Charges per night for the hotel ranges between Ksh12,000 and Ksh17,000.
3. Fairmont Mt Kenya Safari Club
The hotel stands on a 100-acre parcel of land overlooking Mt Kenya and boasts of 115 neatly kept guest rooms and has since hosted world leaders such as Winston Churchill and Bing Crosby.
The hotel has three floors painted in white with a well-manicured landscape to offer a unique blend of comfort & relaxation.
Since its construction, it has maintained the 1950s colonial architectural design with a luxury country club feel, complemented with independent quaint cottages.
To spend a night at the facility, visitors must be ready to fork out a minimum of Ksh29,000.
4. Sarova Stanley
Since being the first high-class hotel to be set up in Kenya in 1902, Sarova Stanley has continued to trailblaze when it comes to luxurious offerings.
Some of the internationally recognised guests who spent nights in the hotel include Edward Prince of Wales, Author Ernest Hemingway and singer Frank Sinatra.
Sarova Stanley delivers the charm and the heritage of the hotel whilst offering modern facilities, and legendary service to create Nairobi's best 5 Star hotel experience.
The hotel also boasts of a rooftop swimming pool, courtyard and a glamourous jazz bar.
A room retails at Ksh15,500 per night for visitors.
5. Nairobi Serena Hotel
For years, Nairobi's Serena Hotel has been considered as the city's finest hotel. It stands amidst lush tropical gardens with panoramic views over Nairobi's Central Park and the glittering downtown skyline.
Established in mid-1970s, the hotel was constructed from ecologically sympathetic materials with the interior decor reflecting a blend of Moroccan mystique and a breadth of African heritage.
The hotel has seven floors with the topmost dedicated to three spacious executive suites, four club rooms and an executive lounge.
A night at the hotel costs Ksh 19,500.
6. Sarova Mara Game Camp
Sarova Mara Game Camp stands at the heart of Masai Mara Game Reserve and offers comfort and relaxed living for guests seeking a getaway.
The camp includes 20 Club Tents, 51 Standard Tents, 2 Family Tents, the main restaurant, bar and a free form swimming pool that has its own pool bar.
The spacious tents with terraces include a luxe bathroom and Club Tents offer a view of the rolling plains of the Savanah.
It is located on the south of the reserve, some 260 kilometres from Nairobi which is an hour's flight.
A night at the facility costs Ksh37,500.
7. Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
Situated near the Kenyan - Tanzania border, Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge offers breathtaking views of Mt Kilimanjaro suitable for adventurers.
The facility has a swimming pool, dining area, lounge, campfire bar, and activities, including sundowner excursions to Observation Hill.
It has 92 guest rooms containing Manyatta themes with hand-painted walls and frescoes, ceiling fans, and mosquito nets.
Charges per night range between Ksh30,000 and Ksh 33,000.
8. Karen Blixen Camp
Located along the Mara River, Karen Blixen Camp offers one of a kind experience with 22 canvas tents located along the stream.
The hotel has a stylish restaurant, lounge, bar, and gift shop, all set on a raised wooden deck. The rooms have large beds, Persian rugs, and armchairs for the ultimate in camping luxury.
Each en-suite private bathroom has a flush toilet, twin wash hand basins, and outside showers with views of the sky.
A night at the camp costs Ksh11,600 per night.
9. Vila Rosa Kempinski
Since 44th US President Barrack Obama spent the night at Villa Rosa Kempinski in Kenya when he visited in 2015, the hotel has been known for its world-class service and impossibly expensive tasteful cuisine.
Sandwiched between towers along Waiyaki Way, the hotel spots a pink-ish exterior with good lighting.
The Villa Rosa Kempinski hotel has 200 rooms and suites distributed throughout 10 floors, including a Premier Suite and a vast 4 bedroom Presidential Suite on the top floor.
In 2019, the hotel introduced 24-carat gold Cappucino, an edible class of tea that retails for Ksh5,500.
A night at Vila Rosa Kempinski goes for Ksh18,500.
10. Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Located at Masai Mara Game Reserve, Mara Serena Safari Lodge boasts of a cluster of domed, mud-coloured huts encircled by a Bom of brushwood.
The lodge features individual rooms, each with its own balcony with a striking view, a sky-blue swimming pool and a spectacular restaurant, overlooking a water hole.
Its aesthetic accentuates a vast, gently rolling landscape of acacia-specked grasslands darkened by migrating wildebeest herds.
A night at the lodge costs Ksh26,000.
