A unique concept featuring huge, modern hotel apartments for the same price as a regular hotel room.
Location: Located in a quiet residential area of Kilimani, just a short drive from Nairobi’s central business district, Palacina Hotel offers a calm, leafy retreat from the city without sacrificing convenience. It’s well-placed whether you're heading to meetings in town or flying out of Wilson or Jomo Kenyatta airports, both within 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. The neighbourhood has a secure, upmarket feel and is close to good restaurants, shopping centres, and cultural spots like the Nairobi Arboretum. For travellers who want the best of both city access and sanctuary, Palacina strikes a useful balance.
Rooms: Palacina’s suites are spacious, stylish, and designed with longer stays in mind. Think polished hardwood floors, warm neutral tones, and generous touches - private balconies, walk-in closets, kitchenettes, and large bathrooms with both a shower and bathtub. There are also serviced apartments for those staying a little longer, making it a popular choice for business travellers, families, or anyone wanting a bit more room to spread out. It feels more like a refined private residence than a typical hotel, which is part of its charm.
Amenities: There’s a clear focus on comfort and understated elegance here. Guests can relax in the leafy courtyard garden, enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, or make use of the small but well-equipped gym. The on-site Bistro restaurant is a highlight - offering a relaxed, ambient space with a well-curated menu of international favourites, good wines, and excellent service. Room service is available, and the lounge areas are perfect for casual meetings or a quiet afternoon read. It’s a calm, grown-up space that suits independent travellers who appreciate privacy and quality.
Activities: Palacina isn’t a stop for safari-style activities, but it’s a strong base for exploring Nairobi’s cultural and historical highlights. The team can help arrange visits to the Nairobi National Museum, Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre, or even game drives in Nairobi National Park. For downtime, the nearby shopping districts in Kilimani and Lavington offer boutique stores, coffee shops, and wellness spots. It’s ideal for guests wanting a refined, restful city break or an easy overnight before heading off on safari elsewhere in Kenya.
Sustainability: Palacina has quietly integrated sustainability into its operations without compromising its elegant atmosphere. The property makes efforts to reduce water and energy consumption, uses solar water heating, and avoids single-use plastics where possible. Local produce is prioritised in the kitchen, and much of the artwork and furnishings are sourced from Kenyan designers and artisans. While not overtly eco-branded, it’s clear the hotel values responsible hospitality and supports the local community in meaningful ways.
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When to visit Kenya
Find out the best time to visit Kenya with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is a great time for wildlife viewing. The landscapes are lush and green after the 'short rains' and newborn animals can been seen. It is hot, but brief afternoon or evening showers cool things down, without compromising your safari. Over on the coast the sea is clear, making it ideal for diving and snorkelling, and the days are warm and bright.
February
February is an ideal time to visit Kenya, and great for game viewing. The landscapes are green and thriving thanks to the short rains, and newborn animals will be hopping around the plains. There maybe a few afternoon showers which are welcome in the heat, and don't impact on wildlife viewing. Water clarify is excellent at the moment, which is good news for watersports enthusiasts. And if you want to spot a whale shark, now is the time to try.
March
Still a good option for wildlife viewing and diving, although with the 'long rains' just around the corner, expect wetter and hotter weather.
April
April brings the start of the 'long rains' which means game reserves and national parks become muddy and harder to drive around. Over on the coast it's hot and wet, so it isn't the best time of year to travel. Some camps and lodges close during this period.
May
The 'long rains' continue into May, making park tracks difficult to navigate in the mud, and the coast very warm and wet. There will be less accommodation choice at this time as several lodges and camps during this period.
June
June is a beautiful time of year to visit Kenya, with the rains receding to just light showers, and the long dry season not far ahead. The high grasses can sometimes make it more of a challenge to spot game, but the landscapes are lush and some animals may begin arriving early for the migration. At altitude nights can be cool, but elsewhere the temperature is pleasant.
July
July marks the beginning of the great migration into the Masai Mara, and with warm and generally dry weather, this is a great time of year to visit. Days are sunny, skies are blue and there isn't too much dust around, so it's a great time for photography.
August
The migration is now in full swing in the Masai Mara, with lots of river crossing action, so if you want to see those massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, now is the time to come. Game viewing in general is excellent and it's one of the most popular times of year to visit, so some of the main parks do become crowded. Temperatures are warm and dry.
September
Game viewing continues to be excellent, and the weather is generally dry so this is another ideal month to visit Kenya's parks. The bush is less dense and as animals gather around waterholes and rivers it makes wildlife spotting much easier.
October
October is a great time if you want to avoid the crowds and don't mind the temperature slowly starting to rise. There may be a few short showers, but game viewing remains excellent with the end of the migration, and it's a good time to holiday anywhere in Kenya.
November
November heralds the start of the 'short rains' and with hotter temperatures some camps are closed. The Mara however is still open, and despite sometimes stormy skies, game viewing is still good. Fewer crowds and lower prices make this an attractive month to visit. Over on the coast water clarify is good for snorkelling and diving.
December
The 'short rains' are bringing the landscapes back to life, and as the plains start to become green again, wildlife viewing remains good, and it's a great time for birding. Some camps are closed (mainly in the north of Kenya) but many others remain open. The showers tend to fall in the afternoons and don't impact greatly on a safari. Take advantage of reduced visitor numbers and lower prices.
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