Classic Kenya: Bush and Beach

About Hemingways Nairobi, an SLH Hotel

Tucked away within the tranquil, leafy suburb of Karen, Hemingways Nairobi is a grand, manor-style hotel that offers you a sophisticated and peaceful retreat. The contemporary-colonial architecture features pale façades, deep verandas, and elegant colonnades. Its location provides a serene garden setting while remaining close to Nairobi’s key attractions and Wilson Airport.

The spacious, light-filled main house includes a lounge and bar that open onto terraces overlooking manicured lawns, with the Ngong Hills visible in the distance. You can enjoy meals at the signature brasserie, which offers terrace dining, or have a drink at the bar, which is supported by a curated wine cellar. For your well-being, the Hemingways Spa provides treatment rooms, a sauna, and a steam room. The hotel also features a modern fitness center and an outdoor swimming pool with a sun deck. A classic afternoon tea service and an on-site boutique complete the offerings.

About Giraffe Manor

Set within the leafy Nairobi suburb of Karen, Giraffe Manor is an iconic 1930s brick and stone manor house that offers you a truly unique experience. The historic, ivy-clad building features tall mullioned windows and elegant interiors filled with period details, all surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and terraces.

The manor’s prime location on private grounds borders a sanctuary for Rothschild’s giraffes, and these gentle giants are often visible right from the property. You can enjoy delicious meals in the manor’s dining room or on the terrace, complemented by a curated wine list and a classic afternoon tea service. For your relaxation, the manor offers spa treatments in quiet rooms, and a boutique is available for you to browse. Access is straightforward from either of Nairobi’s airports, placing you in this enchanting world as soon as you arrive.

About Hemingways Ol Seki Mara Camp

“Perched high on a rocky ridge within the exclusive Naboisho Conservancy, Hemingways Ol Seki Mara isn’t just a lodge; it’s a contemporary masterpiece designed to capture the soul of the Maasai Mara. The camp’s design-led architecture features distinctive high, scalloped canvas roofs and sweeping decks that create a sense of light and space.

The open-plan lounge and bar is a sophisticated space that flows onto a panoramic dining deck, providing a stunning setting for your meals. You can enjoy delicious, restaurant-style dining here, complemented by a curated wine list, all while taking in the magnificent view. For your relaxation, the camp offers a swimming pool and a boutique, and massages can be arranged on request. As the sun dips below the horizon, gather around the crackling firepit where you’ll be captivated by the incredible canopy of stars shimmering above. You’ll arrive via a short game-drive transfer from a nearby airstrip – a journey that’s not just a transfer, but an immediate adventure where wildlife sightings are common from the moment you arrive.”

About Sala's Camp

Located at the confluence of the Sand and Keekorok rivers, Sala’s Camp offers you an intimate safari experience in the southern corner of the Masai Mara. The camp features elegant canvas tents on raised timber decks, with an open-sided lounge and bar that lets the sounds of the bush flow through.

The central lounge and bar area is the perfect spot for you to relax with a drink, with tasteful contemporary décor creating a comfortable atmosphere. Meals are a special occasion here, served either in the main dining tent or at private tables set up along the riverbank, with a curated wine selection available. You can also cool off in the camp’s plunge pools at the tented suites, unwind with available spa treatments, or gather around the firepit in the evening. Located near the Tanzanian border, the camp is reached via a 4×4 transfer from a nearby airstrip, offering a captivating opportunity to spot wildlife along the way from the moment you arrive.

About Hemingways Watamu

Hemingways Watamu is a well established coastal retreat set along the white sands of Watamu Beach on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast. Overlooking the calm waters of the Watamu Marine National Park, the resort has long been associated with deep sea fishing, tropical relaxation and classic Kenyan hospitality.

The property features spacious ocean facing rooms and suites designed to capture the sea breeze and maximise the uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. Light interiors, wide balconies and comfortable furnishings create a relaxed and airy environment that reflects the laid back rhythm of the coast.

The surrounding marine park offers excellent snorkelling and diving among coral reefs teeming with colourful fish, while traditional dhow excursions and boat trips provide opportunities to explore nearby islands and mangrove channels. Guests can also unwind beside the large swimming pool, enjoy fresh seafood cuisine or visit the nearby village of Watamu. With its beachfront setting and long standing reputation, Hemingways Watamu remains one of the most appealing coastal escapes in Kenya.

About Kinondo Kwetu

Resting at the quiet southern end of Diani Beach, Kinondo Kwetu is a beautiful coastal lodge that feels like a private home. The architecture is classic Swahili style, with whitewashed coral-stone buildings, high makuti thatch roofs, and deep, shaded verandas. The entire property is nestled within a lush coastal forest and gardens that open onto a quiet stretch of beach, giving you a wonderful sense of seclusion.

The central dining and lounge areas are open-air, allowing the sea breeze to drift through. You can enjoy delicious, home-style meals on the terraces, complemented by a curated wine list. For your relaxation, the lodge has two swimming pools, a spa for a range of treatments, and a sauna. An on-site boutique is also available. The property is reached via a road transfer from the Ukunda airstrip, and you will often spot colobus and vervet monkeys in the trees along the coastal road.