Overall I enjoyed my stay here. The hotel is beautiful and I love all of the history. The room was very comfortable. However, the service wasn’t quite what I was expecting. Firstly, it took a long time to check in as they couldn’t find my booking which felt alarming. There was also some confusion over what was included with my booking upgrade. I also didn’t receive turndown service on the first night, and had to chase up about housekeeping on the first full day. After this though, it seemed like they had flagged the issues and were trying to make sure they didn’t continue which I appreciated. The breakfast was nice, although possibly not worth the $27. Overall, I would recommend this hotel as I think I just got unlucky. I also would stay again, particularly if I was introducing someone else to the city as it’s such a well preserved piece of history.
Sarova Stanley
Address: Corner Of Kenyatta Avenue And Kimathi Street, Central Business District (Cbd)Availability
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Reviews
Best historic hotel right on Kimathi Street, heart of Nairobi CBD Stayed/visited Sarova Stanley Hotel, Nairobi on Kimathi Street. This is Nairobi's most iconic hotel - 1902 building, right at Kimathi Street intersection with amazing aerial views over CBD as in my video. Location is unbeatable: 2 mins to Kenyatta Avenue, Archives, Moi Avenue shopping. Very walkable during day, matatus and taxis right on Kimathi Street. Security is top - thorough screening, 24hr guards, feels very safe for families. Rooms are classic heritage style but modern - clean, quiet, good WiFi and AC despite CBD noise. Thorn Tree Cafe inside is a Nairobi institution for coffee and business meetings. If you want central, safe, historic base in Nairobi CBD, Sarova Stanley on Kimathi Street is the best choice. 5 stars for location and service
The hotel is a piece of history. Sublime atmosphere that brings you back the 90s. The only downside is of course that being in the middle of Nairobi, after dark, you are basically grounded unless you move with a ride. But during the day the location is optimal. Now for the bars: Samuel made me the best negroni I ever tasted, even left behind the ones in Italy. The pool on the 5th floor coupling with the restaurant is a sight at the first seconds you see it. From the small window at the 8th floor the view is amazing, I also had there a random conversation with Maxwell that introduced me to the story of this hotel. Definitely will come again (when money and time permits…). Very splendid experience.
The Stanley Hotel is one of those rare places that exceeds every expectation. The heated swimming pool was a wonderful surprise. It was peaceful, beautifully maintained, and tucked away in a secluded setting that made it feel like a private retreat after a day of exploring Nairobi. What truly makes this hotel unforgettable is the people. Every staff member we encountered, from the front desk and concierge to housekeeping, the restaurant team, and the pool attendants, went above and beyond to make our stay exceptional. I have traveled extensively and can honestly say I have never experienced hospitality this genuine, attentive, and accommodating anywhere else in the world. The Stanley combines timeless elegance with world class service. It is not just a beautiful historic hotel. It is a place where every guest is treated as though they are the most important person in the building. Thank you to the entire team for making our visit one we will never forget. We cannot wait to return.
I am visiting from the United States and this is my first time in Nairobi. The Sarova Stanley Hotel has surpassed all of our expectations. We were immediately greeted upon arrival and accommodations were made for us to check into our room 3 hours early with no extra charge. Hot wet towels and beverages were brought to us while we were being checked in. The concierge brought us to our room and gave us a brief tour of its amenities. The room was very spacious and immaculately clean. All of the furnishings were in good condition with very little wear. Bottled water was provided, along with tea and instant coffee. We enjoyed the city view from our balcony, although it was a little noisy with the evening traffic. There is an absolutely divine heated outdoor pool on the roof. A sauna was offered to us after our swim. Beds were a little firm to our liking, but the pillows were quite nice. I asked for a late check out at 6:00 pm and was graciously accommodated for a minimal fee. The hotel arranged transportation to the airport at the end of our stay. I wholeheartedly recommend staying at the Sarova Stanley Hotel if you are visiting Nairobi!
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