Fairmont The Norfolk

Step inside Fairmont The Norfolk and the bustle of Nairobi seems to melt away.

Open since 1904, this is one of Kenya’s most historic hotels, yet it wears its past lightly. Rooms and suites wrap around a leafy courtyard garden, where exotic birds flit between the flowers and a collection of vintage carriages. The city centre is only a short drive away, but it feels much further.

Days here can be as lively or as lazy as you like. Mornings begin with a generous breakfast buffet and live cooking stations on the Lord Delamere Terrace. Later, Tatu serves premium steaks and seafood with a South American twist on a patio overlooking the herb garden. As evening falls, Cin Cin Bar comes into its own with tapas, a long list of whiskies and live jazz. There’s also a relaxed poolside restaurant for lighter bites.

Between city tours and safari flights, swim a few lengths in the pool, work out in the gym or book a treatment at the spa. It is an easy place to recover after time in the bush or an elegant first night in Kenya.

ACCOMMODATION 

Rooms and suites blend historic charm with contemporary comfort, and many enjoy views of the courtyard garden. Fairmont Rooms are warm and inviting, while Deluxe Rooms offer more space, with some opening onto a private verandah. Families can choose interconnecting rooms. For more character, each Signature Suite tells a story from Kenya’s past. The 1937 Suites sit in the hotel’s historic wing, and the Karura Suites look out across the courtyard. For extra indulgence, Fairmont Gold offers an elevated stay.