“This was the perfect choice for our short layover in Nairobi – it really felt like a home away from home.  The house is beautiful and so are the staff – Christian and Clemence made us feel so welcome.  The bedrooms are spacious and beautifully presented and the house has various fireplaces and cosy corners to relax in.   There is easy access to Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Centre and the Elephant Sanctuary.  Highly recommended – we can’t wait to come back!”  

Jean, London

“This new small boutique hotel is absolutely fantastic – a spacious and beautiful house furnished with eclectic antiques gathered by its Dutch owner. The grounds make you feel that you are hidden away in paradise, surrounded by terraced lawns and a lovely pool.  Service is top notch and friendly, the food excellent.  Definitely a great place to relax when staying in Nairobi.  I’ll come here again.”  

Kirsten, Seattle

“An amazing location just a 20 minute drive outside Nairobi and close to the National Park, and located in one of Karen’s safest and best-established neigbourhoods.  Clemence and Frederick are perfect hosts and you can easily feel at home in their superb house.  Seamless service along with the relaxing atmosphere of the house and large garden makes for  a great experience.  We are looking forward to staying here again next time we visit Kenya.”  

Jasper, Frankfurt

  • Charming, private and spacious accommodation in the heart of Karen
  • Beautifully and comfortably equipped and furnished
  • Quick and easy access to central Nairobi and the airports
  • Friendly and accommodating staff, excellent cuisine
  • Swimming pool and 1.5 acres of tropical gardens with river frontage
  • Just 7 double/twin ensuite bedrooms and suites
  • From US$255 per single guest, bed & breakfast
  • 1 Master Suite
  • 1 Junior Suite
  • 3 Deluxe Bedrooms
  • 2 Superior Bedrooms
  • Upstairs Lounge with television and dvds
  • Open-plan dining room and drawing room
  • Sitting rooms and bar
  • Veranda with fireplace
  • Outside sitting and dining areas
  • Internet wi-fi
  • Back-up generator
  • 1.5 acres of leafy gardens
  • Swimming Pool
  • Poolside Bar
  • Lunch and Dinner available on request

Nearby Attractions

  • Dining and shopping in Karen
  • Karen Blixen House Museum
  • Karen Country Club and Golf Course
  • AFEW Giraffe Centre
  • Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
  • Nairobi National Park
Ngong Hills at Dusk - Karen

Ngong Hills at Dusk

The leafy and affluent suburb of Karen sits to the South West of Nairobi towards the foot of the Ngong Hills.  Karen still remains largely unspoilt by over-development or traffic jams and is an attractive and peaceful place to stay away from the city centre – which is easily accessed via ever-improving ring roads and bypasses.

Karen’s most famous resident is probably Karen Blixen, whose 6000-acre farm estate and coffee plantation covered much of the area, and whose Kenyan life is immortalised in the book and film Out of Africa.  Karen Blixen lived in Bogani House  on Karen Road between 1917 and 1931 – now owned by the National Museums of Kenya, it remains very much as it was during early colonial times and is open to visitors daily.

Karen Blixen House Museum - Karen

Karen Blixen House Museum

Ndege Road was originally a landing-strip for Denys Finch-Hatton, Karen Blixen’s lover. The nearby Karen Blixen Coffee Garden houses Swedo House, the original farm manager’s house from 1906, as well as the historic Grogan Macmillan House moved from downtown Nairobi in 2008 to save it from destruction.

AFEW Giraffe Centre - Karen

AFEW Giraffe Centre

The area’s wildlife and conservation attractions include the AFEW Giraffe Centre where feeding the several  resident Rothschild’s giraffes is a must.  The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s elephant orphanage is situated just inside Nairobi National Park.  Watching the baby elephants receive their 11am feed is always very popular, and anyone who ‘adopts’ a baby elephant can also visit in the late afternoon to watch the orphans being given their supper and put to bed.

Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage - Nairobi National Park

Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage

Nairobi National Park covers an area of 117.21 square kilometres (28,963 acres) and is easily accessed from Karen via Magadi Road or Langata Road.   The park hosts a wide and diverse wildlife population – it is common to see Rhinoceros, Lion, and Buffalo as well as large numbers of plains game, and the park is home to up to 500 species of permanent and migratory birds.  One can also visit the Animal Orphanage and Safari Walk – both situated at the park’s main gate.

Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park

There are numerous retail and culinary attractions in Karen – major shopping centres include Karen Crossroads, Galleria and a huge new mall The Hub on Dagoretti Road.  Boutique shopping centres for arts, crafts, clothes and souvenirs include Langata Link on Langata South Road, The Souk on Dagoretti Road and The Purdy Arms and Marula Studios on Marula Lane – all of which also house nice places to eat and drink.  Favourite restaurants and bars in central Karen include The Talisman and J’s Fresh Bar on Ngong Road and Haru Sushi Bar on Karen Road.

Talisman Restaurant - Karen

Talisman Restaurant

Karen Gables is situated just off Mbagathi Ridge in the heart of Karen, close to Karen Country Club and the Karen Blixen Museum. Access from Nairobi City Centre is via Ngong Road or Langata Road, and from the city’s two airports via Langata Road.

“This was the perfect choice for our short layover in Nairobi – it really felt like a home away from home.  The house is beautiful and so are the staff – Christian and Clemence made us feel so welcome.  The bedrooms are spacious and beautifully presented and the house has various fireplaces and cosy corners to relax in.   There is easy access to Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Centre and the Elephant Sanctuary.  Highly recommended – we can’t wait to come back!”  

Jean, London

“This new small boutique hotel is absolutely fantastic – a spacious and beautiful house furnished with eclectic antiques gathered by its Dutch owner. The grounds make you feel that you are hidden away in paradise, surrounded by terraced lawns and a lovely pool.  Service is top notch and friendly, the food excellent.  Definitely a great place to relax when staying in Nairobi.  I’ll come here again.”  
Kirsten, Seattle

“An amazing location just a 20 minute drive outside Nairobi and close to the National Park, and located in one of Karen’s safest and best-established neigbourhoods.  Clemence and Frederick are perfect hosts and you can easily feel at home in their superb house.  Seamless service along with the relaxing atmosphere of the house and large garden makes for  a great experience.  We are looking forward to staying here again next time we visit Kenya.”  
Jasper, Frankfurt

Standard accommodation rates

  • Double room, single occupancy – US$255
  • Double room, double occupancy – US$395
  • Suite, single occupancy – US$360
  • Suite, double occupancy – US$460
  • Master Suite – US$499
  • All rates are per room per night on a bed & breakfast basis including soft drinks
  • Other meals and drinks are available separately
  • Children under 12 are charged at 50% of the adult rate
  • Infants up to 2 years old stay free

These rates, terms and conditions are for resident guests and valid for stays up until 31st December 2024

Please contact us to make a booking

Please familiarise yourself with all our terms & conditions when making a booking