Sarova Stanley Hotel, Nairobi

Hotels
9 (1650 reviews)
Corner of Kimathi Street and Kenyatta Avenue , Nairobi , ke

Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Health or beauty spa nearby
Offsite parking discounted rates available
Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Lift / Elevator
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great staff
Excellent food
Cons:
Expensive bar
Room card issues

Categories

Cleanliness
8.33
Cleanliness was generally good, but there were minor issues mentioned about room maintenance.
Service
9.8
Staff were consistently described as helpful and friendly, contributing to a positive experience.
Location
9.34
Central location in Nairobi was frequently highlighted as a strong point.
Room Quality
8.29
Rooms were clean but some reviews mentioned that the beds were not very soft.
Amenities
9.32
Amenities like the pool and spa were enjoyed by guests.
Value for Money
8.28
Some reviews mentioned that certain services, like the bar, were expensive.
Food and Beverage
9.33
Food quality received high praise, especially for the breakfast and specific meals.
Overall Experience
9.3
Overall experience was highly rated across multiple reviews.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-12 05:44

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodation
Experience elegance and comfort in our luxury rooms at Sarova Stanley, each offering stunning views of Nairobi. Relax in style with a seating area, satellite TV, and free Wi-Fi.

Culinary Delights
Indulge your taste buds at our 3 restaurants - from al fresco buffet-style meals at Pool Deck Restaurant to authentic Thai cuisine at Thai Chi. Enjoy a casual dining experience at Thorn Tree Café.

Wellness and Leisure
Unwind at Stanley Health Club with a fitness area, sauna, and steam bath. Stay active with yoga and aerobics classes.

Ready to elevate your stay in Nairobi? Book now and enjoy our premium amenities and central location.

Important information:

Guests are required to show a valid ID cart or passport at check-in.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: NBO

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Groups

    When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 5 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 5 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children from 6 years old to 12 years old stay for US$50 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    People 13 years old and over stay for US$70 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

9
Based on 1650 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.33
Service: 9.8
Location: 9.34
Room Quality: 8.29
Amenities: 9.32
Value for Money: 8.28
Food and Beverage: 9.33
Overall Experience: 9.3
C
Chris solo_traveller ke
8
Pros:

Great central location and very large rooms. Perfect for business travel as the room has a large desk to work from.

Cons:

Thai Restaurant was pretty poor - not really worth eating there - other food locations were of a far higher standard.

2026-06-20 via Nuitee
Y
Y2351KCsarahb Solo travel
10
Luxurious comfort
Pros:

The Sarova Stanley Hotel in Nairobi is, by far, the most beautiful hotel. It is both luxurious and comfortable. Every single staff member we encountered was so friendly and caring. The restaurants within are delicious and very high quality.

2026-06-19 via Tripadvisor
7
786marsb Friends getaway
10
Thai chi restaurant
Pros:

I had a great time at the Thai chi restaurant. Alex was our server. He was great and very helpful. The food was good and atmosphere was better.

2026-06-19 via Tripadvisor
B
Bandiless Business South Africa
8
Awesome 👌
Pros:

Nice place. The staff at reception were kind and helpful. The room was clean. The food was good. I enjoyed my stay. Thank you.

2026-06-19 via Tripadvisor
Q
Q8832ZAstephenw Couples Walthamstow, Waltham Forest, Greater London, England
10
Great Hotel
Pros:

Did a two night stay at this hotel and loved it. Wonderful staff and a lovely authentic hotel which you will have to go some way to beat in Nairobi. Had a wonderful meal in the Thai Chi restaurant with really memorable service from the staff who were very attentive to your needs and in providing assistance with menu choices. Can't recommend this place highly enough and would simply stay here and you'll be happy. Our staff member at the Thai Chi restaurant was the fantastic Alex.

2026-06-18 via Tripadvisor
L
leathead2024 Friends getaway
10
Friends and family holiday June 2026
Pros:

Had a lovely meal in the Thai restaurant on site. Staff and food was brilliant. Alex was very attentive.

2026-06-18 via Tripadvisor
N
noeliagX7766LV Couples
10
Amazing date
Pros:

Experience was amazing, specially Alex attention was outstanding, their suggestions were super tasty. Definitely worth it if you are in Nairobi spending a night!

2026-06-16 via Tripadvisor
J
J5975FLjanicew Couples Auckland, North Island
10
An Exceptional Heritage Hotel
Pros:

We had 3 nights at the Sarova Stanley in Nairobi before we went to do a safari in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and a further night on our return. This hotel might not have much street appeal but once you go through the heritage revolving doors you will stepping into wonderful hotel with an interesting history.
As two couples travelling a long distance to get to Kenya, we enjoyed the special experience of a Premium Club Room with those extras like check-in at the Club Lounge 102 and the drinks and canapés served between 6-8pm. We also had the services of Emily and Maxwell as our butlers and Maxwell was incredible with his professional understanding of making every guest feel special. Emily was a delight with her warm welcome.
Maxwell offered us a heritage tour of the hotel and we had an informative and interesting tour of the photos,The Exchange Bar and the suites. He shared great stories of the hotel and is obviously passionate the property and its history.
We were totally waited on in Lounge 102 by Maxwell who couldn’t do enough for us.
Other staff that we came in contact with were Margaret and Susan as Duty Managers taking the time to check how our stay was going, Patrick as Concierge and many whose names we can’t remember. At all times the staff were totally professional and friendly.
Our premium room was really large, well appointed with an amazing view of the streets below. Being able to watch the locals and the crazy buses from the safe distance of our room was a great bonus. Well done Sarova Stanley, a 5 star stay in the centre of Nairobi.

2026-06-15 via Tripadvisor
K
KenyaJoe Friends getaway Nairobi
4
Dissapointing experince
Pros:

I have been a loyal patron of this hotel since 2005 and, for many years, I have consistently received excellent service. Unfortunately, my most recent experience makes me to believe that the standards I once valued are no longer being maintained.

In May 2026, I visited this hotel with a group of friends. Whenever I am in Nairobi, it has become a tradition for me to enjoy a cold Tusker at the Exchange Bar. One of the things that made me particularly proud of my long patronage with the hotel was the customized beer glasses bearing my name. I had always been provided with one of the two glasses during my visits.

To my surprise and disappointment, neither of my personalized glasses could be found on this day that I visited. When I inquired with the barman, who appeared to be a new member of staff, he was unaware of their whereabouts. Although he made an effort to locate them, his search was unsuccessful.

He subsequently called the Bar Supervisor/Duty Manager for assistance. Regrettably, the supervisor was equally unable to provide any information and displayed a dismissive and unprofessional attitude throughout our interaction. He stood with his hands in his pockets and did not even face me while we were discussing the matter. As a long-standing guest, I found this level of customer service both disappointing and disrespectful.

What should have been an enjoyable evening with friends was overshadowed by this experience. This visit was intended to be a continuation of the excellent service I had recently enjoyed during my three-night stay at Sarova Whitesands. Instead, the experience left me feeling undervalued and disappointed.

After more than two decades of loyalty to this hotel, this was certainly not the standard of service I expected. Regrettably, this experience has caused me to reconsider whether I will return in the future.

2026-06-12 via Tripadvisor
J
Jón Reykjalín solo_traveller is
10
Africa top notch 🤩
Pros:

Nice atmosphere friendly staff ❤️
Great upper deck

Cons:

Nothing

2026-06-12 via Nuitee
G
Gregor solo_traveller de
10
2026-06-11 via Nuitee
J
joanadias14 Couples
10
Thai restaurant
Pros:

Very good food
Alex was very Nice with us in the Thai restaurant

2026-06-10 via Tripadvisor
C
Carsten solo_traveller no
9
Veldig hyggelig å være tilbake på Sarova Stanley.
Pros:

Veldig bra frokost. Veldig bra personale.

Cons:

Litt varierende kvalitet på maten.

2026-06-10 via Nuitee
6
649mitchym Business
10
Visited Sarova Stanley, guided by Steve Kinguli, Head concierge. Learned its history and operations; the experience was excellen
Pros:

My colleague and I are tour consultants from Africa travel boutique and Africa inspiration safaris, we went for a survey of rooms and inquiry for rates. We were welcomed and well received by the head concierge Steve Kinguli who also guided us through the whole hotel tour. On tour, he explained to us all history of Sarova Stanley how it started from 1902 as Ambassador,how it began, it's whole growth,how it developed and grew other more companies like Sarova panafric, Sarova shaba, Sarova lion hill etc.Whole history of it's clients from Presidents of different counties,Queen Elizabeth, Leaders and big men of the world and even well known musicians and actors.He explained to us in detail each piece found in hotel like the portraits, different objects like watches and stories behind it. He explained to us the room categories and their configurations.He also explained to us his duties as Head concierge and other staff that are there.He explained all operations that Sarova Stanley hotel handled. It was such a nice experience and educational .At the end he offered us contact for reservations and the sales team on how to acquire the rates.It was a lovely experience and we truly enjoyed it.

2026-06-08 via Tripadvisor
E
Extraordinary302480 Couples
10
Excellent hotel in Nairobi
Pros:

The hotel was wonderful, specially the restaurant Thai-chi. The food was wonderful, we ate there twice and the service from Alex was excellent.

2026-06-08 via Tripadvisor
7
787collinsm Business
8
Sarova Stanley, a real gem in Nairobi
Pros:

The hotels excellence dawned on is as soon as we arrived, Mr.Steve the head concierge received is well and we must say he's a treasure, notably in his ability to remember and take guests through the history of the hotel. Cleanliness is another area the hotel deserves a round of applause, truly Sarova Stanley is a gem and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to other travellers

2026-06-06 via Tripadvisor
G
gregoryisaaco Solo travel
8
Great Service
Pros:

Great & Exceptional Service!
Loved the general environment and the ecosystem.

2026-06-06 via Tripadvisor
S
Stay07305814641 Friends getaway
10
Wonderful ambience and great service
Pros:

Fantastic location, particularly when near the CBD. The atmosphere is wonderful; I enjoyed my time at the exchange bar, and the service was excellent. Nora attended to me, and I truly appreciated her service. Whenever you're in the CBD, you should think about dropping by.

2026-06-06 via Tripadvisor
K
kristingY6245YL Couples Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10
Comfortable room with expansive amenities and restaurants
Pros:

We had a lovely stay at the Sarova Stanley! The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The hotel first opened in 1902 and still has charming features with a lot of natural wood and ornate patterns. As self proclaimed foodies, we don’t typically eat at hotel restaurants, but we ate at each of the four restaurants and all were delicious.

The hotel also has very nice amenities, including a steam room, sauna, gym, and pool.

2026-06-04 via Tripadvisor
N
Nestor_Pagani Family Buenos Aires, Capital Federal District
10
Nice experience at the Sarova Stanley Hotel, Nairobi, and its Thai restaurant
Pros:

I’m particularly reviewing now the Thai restaurant at the hotel. Excellent food and excellent service by Alex.

For the rest of the experience of being at the hotel, I’d prefer to give opinions later as I arrived today. But the ambience is excellent, nice room, classic style with a lot of wood decoration in 1st half of XX century style.

2026-05-30 via Tripadvisor