Stay in Karen for Design Week Africa 2026
Design Week Africa 2026 runs from 23 to 26 September at KICC in Nairobi's city centre. Karen Plains Hotel gives architects, interior designers and visiting studios a calm base in Karen, south-west Nairobi, with a desk in every room, Starlink Wi-Fi and a team that looks after everything around the exhibition programme.
Come for the event. Let us help with the rest.
Check availability & book direct Ask your KPH concierge on WhatsApp
- 23–26 September 2026
- KICC, Nairobi city centre
- Hotel in Karen, south-west Nairobi
- Check-in from 12:00 · check-out by 10:00
- Breakfast from 7:00
Why design practices stay with us in Karen
Space to think after the halls. Every room has a work desk, and Starlink Wi-Fi lets you send drawings and sourcing notes the same evening. A generator covers guest rooms and Wi-Fi during power cuts.
One conversation for the whole studio. Studio teams rarely land on the same flight. We help you plan rooms, airport transfers and venue transport in one thread, with invoices and receipts on request.
Karen as part of the trip. Kenyan, Swahili and traditional African cooking is at the heart of our kitchen, Cave à Manger sits in our own arcade opposite the Waterfront, and Karen's restaurants make an easy setting for a studio dinner.
Rooms for your stay
Our finest room, with a king bed and extra space to spread out drawings.
Deluxe Room with Bathtub and Balcony
A private balcony and a freestanding bathtub. Our most requested room.
Private balconies and freestanding bathtubs come with selected room types, as shown on each room page. Some of our premium rooms have a hot tub. Ask us which are free for your dates.
Your trip, personally arranged
| Service | Who provides it | How it's priced |
|---|---|---|
| Airport transfers | Arranged by KPH | Per vehicle, one way: JKIA sedan US$55 (up to 3), JKIA 4×4 Land Cruiser US$95 (up to 6), Wilson sedan US$45, Wilson 4×4 US$85 |
| Transport to KICC | Arranged by KPH | Quoted on request |
| Lunch and dinner at the hotel | KPH kitchen | US$40 per day for both meals; packed breakfast on request |
| Laundry | KPH | Wash, dry and fold, US$20 per bag |
| Kenya itineraries, Nairobi navigation, personal shopping | KPH concierge | Arranged on request; costs quoted |
| Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Centre tours | Bookable guided tours via KPH | Priced per tour; quoted |
| Longer safaris | Travel Corporation Limited (partner) | Quoted by Travel Corp; park fees extra |
A Design Week plan for a visiting studio
Sample plan (not the official programme). Check the Design Week Africa website for exhibition times.
- The day before opening: land at JKIA or Wilson, take a private transfer to Karen and check in from 12:00.
- 23–26 September: breakfast from 7:00, or a packed breakfast for early starts. Leave for KICC with time to spare, then log sourcing leads at your desk each evening.
- A quieter afternoon: Giraffe Centre or a half-day in Nairobi National Park resets tired eyes before the final exhibition day.
- Follow-up day: keep one extra night for supplier visits or a studio debrief. Check-out is by 10:00, and we can store luggage if your flight leaves later.
Getting to KICC from Karen
KICC is in the CBD, across the city from Karen. Allow generous time at peak hours, particularly on opening morning. Journey times vary with Nairobi traffic; check a live traffic app for your schedule. Venue transport can be arranged and is quoted on request, and there is free on-site parking if you are driving yourself.
Stay a little longer
- Meet the giraffes on a Giraffe Centre tour.
- Spend a morning on a Nairobi National Park half-day tour.
- Extend into a longer safari planned and operated by our partner Travel Corp. Park fees are extra and sightings are never guaranteed.
- Unwind at Manama Spa & Barbershop, our partner spa a short drive away on Lang'ata Road, with free pickup and drop-off for staying guests. Treatments are booked and paid with Manama.
What guests say
"What truly makes this hotel unique is the staff — always smiling, always ready to help, and they genuinely make you feel welcome."Amir, United States · Booking.com
Questions
Is Karen Plains Hotel close to KICC?
No. We are in Karen, south-west Nairobi, and KICC is in the city centre. Plan daily transport around traffic.
Can you help us book rooms for a whole studio?
Yes. Send us your team size, arrival dates and room preferences on WhatsApp and one person will help coordinate the rooming list, transfers and invoices.
Are you connected with Design Week Africa?
No. We are an independent hotel. Exhibition entry and tickets are arranged separately with the organiser.
Can we add a safari after the exhibition?
Yes. We book Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Centre tours, and our partner Travel Corp quotes and operates longer safaris.
Book your Design Week stay in Karen
Choose your own dates, including arrival or follow-up nights.
Check availability & book direct
Travelling as a team? Request a team stay quotation on WhatsApp, or call +254 796 989 928.
Live rates and availability are shown in our booking engine. Extras such as transfers, meals, tours and spa visits are quoted and confirmed separately.
Cancellation and prepayment terms depend on the rate you choose and are shown before you pay. See our cancellation and refund policy.
Planning more: Planning your Nairobi stay for Design Week Africa · A Nairobi accommodation checklist for visiting design studios · Conference stays · Group stays · Business travel · Plan your stay
Event details checked on designweek.africa in September 2026. Please confirm the latest programme with the organiser. Karen Plains Hotel is independent and not affiliated with Design Week Africa.
Karen Plains Hotel, Karen Plains Arcade, Karen Plains Road, Karen, Nairobi · +254 796 989 928 · info@karenplainshotel.com