The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Kenya

Where to Stay if You've Never Been to Kenya

A Masai Warrior near Masai Mara National Park A Masai Warrior near Masai Mara National Park

If it's your first trip to Kenya for the activities and sightseeing, then you're in for a treat. But the biggest question is often where to stay for a first time visitor to Kenya. With so many amazing hotels to choose from, it can be tough to make a decision to make the most of your first trip here. That's where we come in! In this comprehensive guide, we'll help you find the best hotels for first-timers in Kenya. After analyzing all of the hotels based on price, location, amenities, ratings, and more, we have come up with our list of the best hotels in Kenya for first time visitors. We'll cover everything you need to know about these hotels, including the amenities, location, prices and ratings. So, whether you're traveling solo, with family, or as a couple on a romantic getaway, you'll find the perfect hotel if you've never visited Kenya beofre. So check out these terrific hotels, many of which have sparkling swimming pools, delicious restaurants, and top-notch amenities, along with the perfect balance of comfort, location, and affordability. So, let's get to it and discover the best hotels in Kenya for your first trip!

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Kilili Baharini Resort & Spa

Malindi, Kenya
5-star Resort with prices starting at $180 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Kenya
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

Located at Casuarina Road, Kilili Baharini Resort & Spa has great rooms from $180 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and scuba diving. It has a terrific 9.00 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only a short distance from the city center, first time visitors will especially love snorkeling, a bar, breakfast, child care, and laundry services at this relaxing hotel. You'll enjoy relaxing while having room service delivered. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Airport shuttle
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Breakfast in the room


Waterlovers Beach Resort

Ukunda, Kenya
4-star Resort with prices starting at $283 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

A great place to stay is Waterlovers Beach Resort which has nice rooms starting at $283. Offering an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and scuba diving, it also has a great guest rating of 9.40 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Diani Beach Road, P.O. Box 5444. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers snorkeling, a bar, a kid-friendly buffet, breakfast, and hiking which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just a short drive from the city center. The pool here was very nice, relaxing, and fun.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool


Ocean Beach Resort & Spa

Malindi, Kenya
5-star Resort with prices starting at $181 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

We found Ocean Beach Resort & Spa to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $181. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a casino, and a restaurant, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 9.20 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at Golf Beach Road. You'll also find a fitness center, scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, and a kid-friendly buffet which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just a quick trip from the center of town. That hot tub is terrific after a long day of sightseeing. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Casino
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool


Diani House

Ukunda, Kenya
Guest House with prices starting at $180 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Kenya
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

With terrific rooms from $180, Diani House, at Diani Beach Road provides an outdoor pool, a restaurant, scuba diving, snorkeling, and a bar. Its terrific guest rating is 9.99 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers hiking, rooms with kitchens, child care, laundry services, and golf. It's located just a short distance from the city center, too. Having the delicious restaurant in the hotel is an added bonus. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Swahili Beach

Mombasa, Kenya
5-star Resort with prices starting at $150 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.
  • Beach

Swahili Beach has a great guest rating of 8.50 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. The great rooms here start at $150 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at P.O. BOX 5202, Diani, South Coast, Mombasa. Furthermore, it also offers scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, a kid-friendly buffet, and breakfast, which is nice for first time visitors. Just a short drive from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. Don't miss the pool bar which offers drinks and a fun area to unwind. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool
  • Kids' club


Alba Hotel Meru

Meru, Kenya
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $106 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Kenya
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.

The great guest rating of Alba Hotel Meru is 8.50 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $106, and it's located at Milimani Road, Meru. We also love the a bar, rooms with kitchenettes, child care, laundry services, and cooking classes which are great for visitors. And since it's just a quick trip from the center of the town, the location is great, too. Being able to prepare food in the room is also very convenient. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Kids' club


Fairmont Mara Safari Club

Masai Mara, Kenya
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $350 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

A cool place is Fairmont Mara Safari Club because it has great rooms that start at $350. It has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a bar, and parking, it also earned a great guest rating of 9.30 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at P.O. Box 58581 Masai Mara National Reserve. Only a short distance from the city center, travelers will especially love a kid-friendly buffet, breakfast, hiking, child care, and laundry services at this convenient hotel.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Breakfast in the room


The Panari Hotel

Nairobi, Kenya
5-star Hotel with prices starting at $65 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Kenya
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.

The Panari Hotel offers skiing, room service, a casino, a restaurant, and a fitness center which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $65 (before taxes). It's located at Mombasa Road PO Box 4372 and has earned a guest rating of 8.30/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers a bar, parking, a kid-friendly buffet, child care, and laundry services which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just a short drive from the city center. Everyone loves a nice indoor pool, and the one here does not disappoint! It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Casino
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Jacaranda Beach Resort

Watamu, Kenya
4-star Resort with prices starting at $99 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • Beach

Located at P.O. Box 677 – Jacaranda Road, Jacaranda Beach Resort has great rooms from $99 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a fitness center, scuba diving, and snorkeling. It has a terrific 8.30 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find a bar, laundry services, cooking classes, a spa and wellness center, and free parking which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just a quick trip from the center of town. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkeling
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator
  • Saltwater pool


Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort

Ukunda, Kenya
4-star Resort with prices starting at $124 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • Beach

A great place to stay is Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort which has nice rooms starting at $124. Offering an outdoor pool, a pool bar, a casino, a restaurant, and scuba diving, it also has a great guest rating of 8.20 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Diani Beach Road. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers snorkeling, a bar, hiking, child care, and laundry services. It's located just a short distance from the city center, too. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkeling
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Casino
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
  • Kids' club


For more terrific hotel ideas in Kenya, make sure you also see Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Kenya, Best Beach Hotels in Kenya, Best Cheap Hotels in Kenya, Best Luxury Hotels in Kenya, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Kenya, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Kenya, Best Hotels for One Week in Kenya, Best Hotels for One Night in Kenya, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Kenya, Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in Kenya, or Best Business Hotels in Kenya.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Kenya?

Kenya Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$193

After analyzing 81 first time trip hotels in Kenya, we found the average first time trip hotel price to be a remarkably economical $193. Naturally, this destination has many fantastic first time trip accommodation options with a variety of prices. The price will vary by the hotel's amenities, available dates, and the general location. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Kenya.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 5-star hotels: $240
  • 4-star hotels: $168
  • 3-star hotels: $198
  • 2-star hotels: $69


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