City guide

Nairobi

Where to stay, eat, explore and escape, from our home in Karen.

The latest

20 May 2026

A First-Timer's Guide to Nairobi

A complete first-timer's guide to Nairobi — what to do, when to visit, how to get around, where to stay, and how to make...

11 July 2026

Why Nairobi Is More Than a Stopover City

Most travelers rush through Nairobi on the way to somewhere else. Karen alone, wildlife, history, and a functioning national park inside the city, is...

18 April 2026

Safety in Nairobi: Which Neighborhoods Are Best and Why Karen Stands Out

Safety is the question most first-time Nairobi visitors have and few travel guides answer honestly. The common responses are either dismissively reassuring ("Nairobi is...

Where to stay

Our rooms

8 April 2026

Karen vs Westlands vs CBD: Where Should You Stay in Nairobi?

Where you stay in Nairobi shapes everything about your visit. The city has three main accommodation zones that visitors consider: Karen, Westlands, and the...

30 April 2026

Nairobi Neighbourhoods Guide: Where to Stay and What to Know

A honest guide to Nairobi's main neighbourhoods: the CBD, Westlands, Kilimani, Karen, Langata, and Gigiri. Who should stay where and why Karen is the...

Stay with us

Rooms at Karen Plains Hotel

King beds, en-suite bathrooms and a work desk in all five main rooms.

Food & drink

23 January 2026

Best Breakfast & Brunch in Nairobi

Nairobi does brunch the way it does everything else — slowly, socially, and with a strong sense of place. From leafy garden cafés in...

23 January 2026

The Carnivore Nairobi: Iconic Dining

No visit to Nairobi feels complete without experiencing Carnivore Restaurant, often described as Africa’s Greatest Eating Experience. For decades, The Carnivore has been a...

30 July 2026

A Local’s Guide to the Nairobi Street Food Festival

The Nairobi Street Food Festival returns to Jamhuri Showground this August. Here's what to know before you go.

Wildlife & museums

11 May 2026

What to Expect on a Nairobi National Park Game Drive

Everything you need to know before visiting Nairobi National Park — what animals to expect, best times for a game drive, entry fees, and...

22 January 2026

Giraffe Centre Nairobi: Getting There

For many visitors, the Giraffe Centre is the moment Nairobi truly comes alive. Standing eye to eye with endangered Rothschild giraffes, feeding them from...

22 January 2026

Visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

If you are searching for how to visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi Nursery, chances are you are planning one of the most meaningful...

11 May 2026

Karen Blixen Museum: What to Know Before You Visit

Your complete guide to visiting the Karen Blixen Museum in Nairobi — opening hours, entry fees, what to see, and how to combine it...

Music, art & shopping

20 August 2026

Nairobi's Live Music Scene: Where to Catch a Show During Your Stay

Nairobi's live music scene runs from major touring acts to regular weekly sets. Here's a practical look at what's actually on.

18 February 2026

The Creative Heartbeat of Nairobi: Art, Culture and Community in the City

Nairobi doesn’t introduce itself loudly. It reveals itself slowly, through conversations over coffee, through music leaking from open windows, through red soil on your...

31 January 2026

Best Boutiques for Shopping in Nairobi

From Kazuri Beads to KikoRomeo — a guide to Nairobi's best boutiques, independent shops, and creative studios. Many are minutes from Karen Plains Hotel.

10 February 2026

Taru: Art as Memory & Belonging Nairobi

At Karen Plains Hotel, we believe that hospitality is not just about rooms and rest — it is about storytelling, place, and presence. Art,...

Events

What's on this week

Events hub

Events in Nairobi, 2026

Dates, venues and stay guides for Nairobi’s big expos and festivals.

Every week

What's On in Nairobi

Concerts, exhibitions, markets and family days, picked by our team.

Getting around

18 April 2026

Getting Around Nairobi: Transport Guide for Visitors Staying in Karen

Transport is the practical question that shapes how you actually experience Nairobi. The city is large, traffic is real, and the options for getting...

10 June 2026

JKIA: A Complete Guide to Arriving at Nairobi's International Airport

Everything you need to know about arriving at JKIA — immigration, eTA, money, SIM cards, transport to Karen, and how to connect to Wilson...

11 May 2026

How to Get from JKIA to Karen, Nairobi

A practical guide to getting from JKIA to Karen, Nairobi — covering hotel transfers, Uber, taxis, and public transport with journey times and arrival...

Weekends away

Safari guide

17 June 2026

How to Plan a Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi

Everything you need to plan a Masai Mara safari from Nairobi: how to get there, when to go, how to choose a camp, what...

11 May 2026

Nairobi to Masai Mara: Road vs. Flight

Road or flight to the Masai Mara? A practical guide covering journey times, costs, pros and cons of both options — and how to...

26 January 2026

Ngong Hills Day Trip from Nairobi

There are places around Nairobi that reset your nervous system the moment you arrive. Ngong Hills is one of them. Rising gently along the...

Coming home

5 June 2026

The Diaspora Travel Guide to Nairobi: Where to Stay, What to Do, and How to Feel at Home

A Nairobi travel guide written specifically for diaspora visitors: where to stay, what has changed, how to navigate family time and practical matters, and...

5 April 2026

A Better Nairobi Base for Diaspora Visitors Coming Home

Diaspora

Coming home to Nairobi? Stay in Karen

Airport pickup, laundry, shopping help and a calm space of your own.

Good to know

Airports

Wilson Airport is about 15 minutes from Karen Plains Hotel. The drive from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) usually takes 45–75 minutes, depending on traffic. We arrange private transfers from both airports; see airport pickup stays.

Getting around

Uber and Bolt operate in Karen. Journey times across Nairobi vary a lot with traffic, so check a live traffic app before you set off. Our team can also arrange transport on request.

Paying at the hotel

We accept card and M-PESA, and invoices and receipts are available on request.

Plan your Nairobi stay with us

Check availability & book direct

Ask your KPH concierge on WhatsApp:

+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.

Cancellation and refund policy