Nairobi, KenyaGigiri
Tribe Hotel
Pan-African design hotel
Pan-African design hotel
Built to break away from traditional corporate lodgings, it functions as a lively pan-African meeting ground where diplomats and artists cross paths.
“One of Nairobi’s most distinct hotels with a strong African voice, Tribe Hotel doubles as a cultural hub.”
What it’s good at
Notable
Chieftain concierges guide guests through Nairobi galleries and studios of local artists.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Forbes Travel Guide, Condé Nast Traveler and Wallpaper*.
The style is a cosmopolitan one, with art from all over Africa adorning airy, free-flowing interiors, and architecturally there’s hardly a straight line in sight.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
The grounds connect directly to the Village Market complex, and the walking trails of Karura Forest sit ten minutes away.
The rooms
Local textiles brighten cool stone walls, and glass-walled bathrooms come stocked with fresh Kenyan ground coffee.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The heated lagoon pool curves through tropical greenery, hiding submerged granite seating beneath a gentle waterfall.
The spa
Candlelit hallways lead to treatment suites for Kenyan coffee scrubs and a traditional rasul mud chamber.
The gym
The 24-hour studio curves along mirrored walls fitted with cardio machines and a Technogym Kinesis station.
Jiko Restaurant
Chefs cook seasonal Kenyan produce over open flame beneath ceiling wells draped in hanging greenery.
From the moment you arrive, you’re enveloped in a sanctuary of contemporary Kenyan elegance tucked within the leafy, upscale enclave of Gigiri.
At the table
Glass-roofed garden terraces sit draped in Spanish moss, and the rooftop lounge serves cocktails into the evening.
How it began

Brothers Shamim and Hooman Ehsani began with a list of twenty things they disliked about hotels, commissioning a building without right angles.
“Inside, a four-story glass atrium and more than 800 pieces of artwork create a striking nightclub-like space in which modern architecture and traditional African forms intermingle.”
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.