The Nairobi Serena, corner of Nyene Road and Kenyatta Avenue (+254202725111, www.serenahotels.com) has great views and service and facilities befitting its status as a Leading Hotel of the World. The Norfolk Hotel, Harry Thuku Road (+25420216940, www.lonrhohotels.com) first opened for business in 1904 and has the stately demeanour of a grand old lady. The Fairview Hotel, Bishops Road, Nairobi Hill, (+254202713993, reserve@fairviewkenya.com) is an affordable country-style family-run hotel with great gardens and a variety of accommodation including family rooms. For those who can live without a bar, the Methodist Guest House, Lavington Green, Oloitokitok Road (+25420571080, www.methodistguesthouseke.com) offers a friendly environment, interesting fellow guests, comfortable no-frills rooms, and a reasonable restaurant.

Some of Nairobi’s most charming hotels are outside the city centre. The finest, smallest (six rooms) and most expensive is Giraffe Manor Koitobos Road, next Giraffe Centre, Langata (+25420891078, giraffem@kenyaweb.com, www.giraffemanor.com) where the taller inhabitants roam the grounds and peer through the dining room windows. The Kentmere Club, Limuru Road, Tigoni (kentclub@net2000ke.com), is an old colonial country amongst the tea and coffee plantations north of the city. Nairobi Parks Services Campsite, Magadi Road (+2542089261, nps@swiftkenya.com) has basic rooms and dormitories as well as campsites, a restaurant and bar.