Nairobi Book Fair Accommodation for Publishers and Visiting Teams
The 27th Nairobi International Book Fair runs from 23 to 27 September 2026 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Westlands. If you are bringing a publishing list, a rights diary or a team of authors to Nairobi, Karen Plains Hotel in Karen, south-west Nairobi, is a personal base for the whole fair.
Come for the fair. Let us help with the rest, from staggered arrivals to a little time in Kenya once the stand comes down.
Check availability & book direct Ask your KPH concierge on WhatsApp
- 23–27 September 2026
- Sarit Expo Centre, Westlands
- Hotel in Karen, south-west Nairobi
- Check-in from 12:00 · check-out by 10:00
- Breakfast from 7:00
Why publishers choose a Karen base for the fair
Five fair days, one steady routine. Breakfast from 7:00, a packed breakfast for early starts and optional lunch and dinner at the hotel keep a diary full of rights meetings manageable.
Arrivals that don't need to match. Your sales lead lands early, an author flies in for a book launch, and the rights director joins mid-week. We help you plan rooms and airport transfers for each of them, with one contact for the group.
Evenings that actually work. Every room has a work desk and Starlink Wi-Fi, so contracts, order notes and follow-up emails go out the same night. A generator covers guest rooms and Wi-Fi during power cuts.
Rooms for your stay
A freestanding bathtub for a long soak after a day on the stand.
Balconies and bathtubs are in selected room types, as listed 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 US$95 (up to 6), Wilson sedan US$45, Wilson 4×4 US$85 |
| Transport to Sarit Expo Centre | Arranged by KPH | Quoted on request |
| Lunch and dinner | KPH kitchen | US$40 per day for both meals |
| Laundry | KPH | US$20 per bag, washed, dried and folded |
| Boardroom or lounge | KPH | Ask us for rates |
| Tours and safaris | KPH tours; longer safaris by our partner Travel Corp | Quoted; park fees extra |
We look after people, not stock. Please arrange book shipping, storage and stand materials directly with the fair and your logistics provider.
A fair-week plan for a publishing team
Sample plan (not the official programme). Check the organiser's schedule for opening hours and events.
- Before the fair: the stand lead arrives first to settle in. Book any extra nights your stand preparation needs.
- 23–27 September: leave early for Westlands each day. Rights and sales colleagues come back to a desk and a meal; authors can join on the days of their launches or signings.
- Mid-week: send a bag of laundry so nobody runs short before the final day.
- After the fair: one follow-up night for school, library or distribution meetings in the city, then a Giraffe Centre or park visit before flying home.
Getting to Sarit Expo Centre from Karen
The Sarit Expo Centre is in Westlands, north of the CBD, on the other side of the city from Karen. It is not within walking distance. Journey times vary with Nairobi traffic; check a live traffic app for your schedule. We can arrange shared transport for your team, quoted on request, and there is free on-site parking if you have a car.
Stay a little longer
- A morning on our Nairobi National Park half-day tour. Sightings are never guaranteed.
- Our Giraffe Centre tour, a gentle outing if an author is travelling with family.
- A wine-paired dinner at Cave à Manger, in our own arcade opposite the Waterfront. Book your own table; we can suggest options.
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 the hotel near the Sarit Expo Centre?
No. We are in Karen and the fair is in Westlands, across the city. Plan shared transport and leave early.
Can authors arrive on different days from the rest of the team?
Yes. Each person can have their own dates. Send us the list and we will help match rooms and transfers to each flight.
Can you store books or display materials?
No. We can hold guests' personal luggage, but we don't store stock, samples or stand materials.
Is Karen Plains Hotel part of the Book Fair?
No. We are an independent hotel. Fair registration and tickets are handled by the organiser.
Book your Book Fair stay in Karen
Choose your own dates, including any early or follow-up nights.
Check availability & book direct
Booking for several people? Request a team stay quotation on WhatsApp, or email info@karenplainshotel.com.
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: Book Fair travel planning for publishers, authors and rights teams · Planning rooms, arrivals and fair days for a publishing team · Group stays · Business travel · Safari stays · Plan your stay
Event details checked on the International Publishers Association's listing for the 27th Nairobi International Book Fair in September 2026. Please confirm the latest programme with the organiser. Karen Plains Hotel is independent and not affiliated with the Kenya Publishers' Association.
Karen Plains Hotel, Karen Plains Arcade, Karen Plains Road, Karen, Nairobi · +254 796 989 928 · info@karenplainshotel.com