Villa Rosa Kempinski is a large, polished luxury hotel in Westlands, the part of Nairobi where hotels, restaurants and nightlife sit close together. It stands on Chiromo Road, within walking distance of the University of Nairobi and the Nairobi National Museum, so it is one of the few top-end hotels where you can reach a major sight on foot in daylight. The hotel has 200 rooms and suites in a dozen categories, from comfortable Deluxe rooms to a vast Presidential Suite, and the rooms are spacious, with plush bedding, large bathrooms and views over the city or the gardens. The facilities include a heated outdoor pool with sun loungers and a poolside bar, Kempinski The Spa with massages and body treatments, a health club with fitness and yoga classes, and a garden. Dining centres on Cafe Villa Rosa, which serves international dishes through the day, alongside a coffee shop, a bar and a terrace. Service is formal and attentive in the Kempinski manner, and the hotel has an environmental certification, which is unusual for a city hotel of this size.
Location and getting around
Villa Rosa is about half an hour from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by car, helped by the Nairobi Expressway, and the hotel offers limousine and town-car service. Westlands’ restaurants, rooftop bars and shopping centres are a short ride away, and the hotel is also well placed for the city centre and for safari pickups, which often start from central and Westlands hotels. Use the hotel car, a taxi or a ride-hail app after dark rather than walking.
The rooms
The standard rooms are generous in size, and the suites add separate living areas and extra space for families or longer stays. A few rooms face the road, and a few guests have commented on traffic noise from the nearby expressway, so ask for a quieter room away from the road when you book. Free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage and free self and valet parking are included.
Who it suits
Business travellers, couples and families who want a large full-service hotel with a pool, a spa and plenty of dining, and visitors who like to be close to the museum and the university district. It is a very comfortable place to rest after a long flight or a few days on safari.
Good to know
Breakfast is charged separately on some rates, so check when booking. Check-in generally begins in the afternoon and check-out is at noon, but late check-out can often be arranged if the hotel is not full. The hotel does not allow pets, and many rates include free cancellation, so look at the terms before you book if your plans might change.
Why stay here
- ✓Heated outdoor pool
- ✓Poolside bar
- ✓Kempinski The Spa
- ✓Health club with yoga classes
- ✓Cafe Villa Rosa restaurant
- ✓Garden and terrace
- ✓Free parking
- ✓Airport limousine service
Good questions
Where is Villa Rosa Kempinski?+
It is on Chiromo Road in Westlands, Nairobi, within walking distance of the University of Nairobi and the Nairobi National Museum.
How far is Villa Rosa Kempinski from the airport?+
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is about half an hour away by car, and the hotel can arrange a limousine transfer.
Does Villa Rosa Kempinski have a pool and spa?+
Yes, there is a heated outdoor pool with a poolside bar, Kempinski The Spa for massages and body treatments, and a health club with fitness and yoga classes.
