1. GREAT LOCATION

Overlooking the Central Park,  Nairobi Serena Hotel is located just five minutes’ walk from the Central Business District.

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Hotel exterior

 

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Hotel exterior at duskThe Exterior

The hotel is conveniently a 30-minute drive away from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (that is on a good day; traffic can be unpredictable so plan for a longer journey). The hotel offers free Wi-Fi in it’s airport shuttles which should keep you occupied while stuck in traffic.

It’s  location near the heart of Nairobi means that you’re within easy reach of the city’s various attractions such as the Nairobi National Park and the famous Maasai Market.

2. GREEN HOTEL

In this day and age of climate change, I try to do every little thing I can to reduce my carbon footprint. This includes picking lodging establishments that are making a conscious effort to be environmentally friendly.

If you’re as concerned about going green as I am then Nairobi Serena Hotel is the place for you. The hotel is committed to eco-tourism, uses local materials, recycles and conserves natural resources.

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Gift shop

 

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Lobby area

 

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Bambara LoungeThe Bambara Lounge

For their efforts Nairobi Serena Hotel recently won the 2015 award for Africa’s Leading Green Hotel. This is no mean feat; the World Travel Awards are recognized as the ultimate travel accolade for those who excel in the travel industry. This is the third time they have won the award having won previously in 2008 and 2009.

 

3. EXCELLENT FOOD

With 2 restaurants – Café Maghreb, an internationally-themed buffet breakfast and lunch venue, and Mandhari Restaurant which offers a la carte meals with a Tuscan-styled outdoor terrace – your palate is certainly spoilt for choice.

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Cafe MaghrebCafé Maghreb

 

Café Maghreb features a special ‘Seafood Night’ every Friday and a Kenyan Lunch every Thursday. For those with a sweet tooth there is a patisserie with a wide selection of traditional French pastries and gateaux, American muffins and spiced savouries.

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Patisserie

 

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Patisserie 2Patisserie

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Nairobi Serena Hotel_foodWide array of foods offered at the Restaurants

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I visited Café Maghreb during Nairobi Restaurant Week  2015 and for sure no other restaurant I visited afterwards matched up in terms of value and quality.

Mandhari Restaurant is the place to go to for a first class dining experience. The décor is elegant and the meals exquisite.

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Mandhari restaurant

 

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Mandhari Restaurant 2

 

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Mandhari restaurant 3Mandhari Restaurant

Throughout the year the restaurant hosts internationally renowned chefs who showcase the authentic cuisine of their countries in a series of themed weeks.

And as the ultimate activity for the day, head over to Ethiopian-styled Aksum Bar which overlooks the gardens. Featuring live bands on most  evenings It is the perfect way to wind down after a long day.

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Aksum BarThe Aksum Bar

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4. GREAT SERVICE

We tend to take customer service for granted until we get terrible service. Nairobi Serena Hotel is a member of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World therefore you are guaranteed great service.

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Welcome

Having stayed at other Serena properties, I can attest that the service has been above par.  Staff are always friendly and polite, waiters are always smiling. All the staff aim to please.

 

5. CONVINIENT

Gym, unisex hair and beauty salon, anything you need is never more than a phone call away, not even their 24-hr room service.The rooms are well appointed with a total of 183 rooms there is a range of rooms and suites designed to fit every traveler’s needs.

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Standard deluxe dbl roomStandard deluxe dbl room

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Nairobi Serena Hotel_Presidential SuitePresidential Suite

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Nairobi Serena Hotel_Garden suite

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Nairobi Serena Hotel_Garden Suite 2The Garden Suite

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I am not one for going regularly to the gym but if that’s your style you can visit Maisha Fitness Centre. There is even a heated pool so you do not have to worry about swimming outdoors during Nairobi’s ‘winter’. I’m more of a spa girl and the Beauty Treatment and massage  services have got me covered.

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Maisha gym

 

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Maisha gym 2Maisha Fitness Center

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Nairobi Serena Hotel_Pool area

.Nairobi Serena Hotel_Pool area at duskHeated exterior pool. The weather in Nairobi can get very chilly especially during the nights

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Nairobi Serena Hotel_Maisha Spa

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Nairobi Serena Hotel_Maisha Spa treatment roomThe Maisha Spa treatment room

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A fully-equipped business centre, if you are visiting on business and on-site wedding and honeymoon services if you are looking to say “I do”.

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Confrencing

 

Nairobi Serena Hotel_Confrencing 2The Conference room

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Nairobi Serena Hotel_Banqueting

 

Have you stayed at the Nairobi Serena? What was your experience?

 

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13 Comments

  1. June 22, 2015 at 10:36 am — Reply

    Love the upside down umbrellas. Looks a pretty nice place actually

  2. Manesha
    June 22, 2015 at 11:57 am — Reply

    The pictures are beautiful, I have been at the Serena for various events but most recently the wedding :). You rem that? The pictures make me feel like staying there :)!!!

  3. June 22, 2015 at 7:24 pm — Reply

    This hotel looks fantastic! I’m not much of a gym person either, but would love the kickboxing bags. I haven’t done that in years! The cafe looks awesome and l would enjoy eating there for sure. I am book marking this for when l eventually make my way to Nairobi.

    • June 27, 2015 at 9:50 am — Reply

      It is fantastic and the food is to die for. You and Dana should plan so that your trips to Nairobi coincide 🙂

  4. June 22, 2015 at 7:44 pm — Reply

    Gosh those suites look so lovely and plush. It’s always great to hear about a hotel that makes an effort with eco tourism. The safari lodge I stayed in during my honeymoon in Tanzania is now under the Serena management too and if it’s still similar to the service I experienced when I was there, I was very impressed with that property so would happily stay at a Serena property again in the future!

    • June 27, 2015 at 9:44 am — Reply

      Shikha I just read your posts and now I want to go visit. I have stayed in one of Serena’s tented camps but it was definitely not as luxurious as the one at Selous.

  5. June 22, 2015 at 8:15 pm — Reply

    Great reasons to keep this hotel in mind for the day that I finally make it to Nairobi!

    • June 27, 2015 at 9:46 am — Reply

      Yes, finally. I hope Nairobi makes it to your list next year.

  6. June 24, 2015 at 10:49 am — Reply

    Looks beautiful Rachael! Yay! #wkendtravelinspiration!

  7. Gareth Muroki
    June 26, 2015 at 12:11 am — Reply

    Amazing pics, I would never have imagined Nairobi Serena was soooooo beautiful

    • June 27, 2015 at 9:29 am — Reply

      It is beautiful!

  8. Cherotich
    July 2, 2015 at 6:02 pm — Reply

    I love the review 🙂 And the pictures are amazing! I want to run there! 🙂 Great coverage Ray 🙂 Keep up the good work

    • October 5, 2015 at 9:20 pm — Reply

      Thank you! Such comments warm my heart.

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