House of Waine

House of Waine sits on two and a half acres in Karen, the quiet residential suburb on Nairobi's southwestern edge, off Bogani Road. The building dates from the 1970s, when it was a private home; it was later bought by a local family, refurbished over two years, and opened as a hotel. It holds that domestic scale: twelve rooms in total, set in landscaped gardens with a heated swimming pool.

Ten of the rooms are standard, each individually styled and named for a different theme, so no two are alike. Four can be configured as single, double, or twin; six can also take a third bed. Each has a marble bathroom, most with a separate shower and bath. The Malaika Suite adds two lounge areas, a dressing room, a spherical bathtub, and a balcony overlooking the pool and gardens. The Poolside Cottage sleeps three across two rooms, with an open-plan lounge, dining room, kitchen, fireplace, and a private garden — useful for families or guests who want more separation.

All rooms include a complimentary non-alcoholic minibar, Wi-Fi, satellite television, tea and coffee, and daily fresh flowers. Dining happens in several settings: the main dining room, a breakfast terrace with garden views, a pool pavilion suited to lunches, and the garden itself. The bar and a lounge with a fireplace handle evenings.

The Giraffe Centre at Langata is three kilometres away. The Kazuri Beads workshop and the Karen Blixen Museum are both within a kilometre or so on foot. An airport shuttle is available on request.