Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi offers a rare combination: a city hotel that overlooks Nairobi National Park, where guests can watch wildlife from a 300-foot veranda. This review covers the hotel’s rooms, dining, location, and what makes it a popular choice for both business travelers and safari-goers, drawing on official property data and verified guest reviews.

Last checked: 2026-08-03

Hotel name: Ole Sereni Hotel · Location: Nairobi, Kenya – Mombasa Road, opposite Nairobi National Park · Room count: 148 · Amenities: Outdoor pool, 2 restaurants, snack bar, health club with aerobics, steam, sauna

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-08-03.

Sources reviewed: official property website (ole-sereni.com), Booking.com listing, TripAdvisor reviews, Expedia hotel page, Travel Weekly listing, Far and Wild Travel, Timbuktu Travel, Porini Camps, No Middleman Tours.

No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification.

Ole Sereni Hotel at a glance

1 Location
  • Overlooking Nairobi National Park just off Mombasa Road, between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the city centre (Ole Sereni Fact Sheet)
2 Rooms
  • 134 rooms at opening (2009) with later expansions; accommodations include superior, deluxe, club rooms and suites (No Middleman Tours)
3 Wildlife Viewing
  • Guests can see giraffe, zebra, antelope and buffalo from the 300-foot veranda overlooking a waterhole in Nairobi National Park (Timbuktu Travel)
4 Dining
  • Multiple venues including The Big Five Restaurant, Eagle’s Steakhouse, Waterhole Snack Bar and Ngong Pool Bar; Sunday Brunch is a signature experience (Timbuktu Travel)
AttributeDetail
Hotel nameOle Sereni Hotel
LocationNairobi, Kenya – Mombasa Road, opposite Nairobi National Park
Room count134 (original), expanded to 148
AmenitiesOutdoor pool, 2 restaurants, snack bar, gym, spa, salon
Check-in / Check-out14:00 / 11:00 (Travel Weekly)
Distance to airports~12 km from JKIA and Wilson Airport (Ole Sereni Fact Sheet)
Buffet breakfast priceKES 3,900 per person (Expedia)
Guest rating (Booking.com)7.9/10 based on ~865 reviews (Booking.com)

How many rooms does Ole Sereni have?

Ole Sereni opened in 2009 with 134 rooms, according to No Middleman Tours. The original room inventory included 58 superior rooms facing the city, 48 deluxe rooms facing the park, 26 larger club rooms, and two suites. Later renovations around 2020 expanded the complex to five floors and 148 guest rooms, per a blog post on Makaobora.

Room types and amenities at Ole Sereni

Rooms are divided between city-facing and park-facing categories. The park-facing deluxe and club rooms offer views of Nairobi National Park and the waterhole. All rooms include air conditioning, satellite TV, and en-suite bathrooms. The hotel’s health club features aerobics, steam, and sauna facilities, along with a heated rooftop infinity pool. Far and Wild Travel notes the resort-style amenities including a gym, spa, and multiple bars.

The bottom line: Room count has grown from 134 to 148, with park-facing options providing the best wildlife views.

What restaurants are located at Ole Sereni?

The hotel operates two main restaurants and a snack bar. The Big Five Restaurant sits on a 300-foot veranda overlooking the park, serving grills, Italian, Indian and Oriental cuisine in buffet and à la carte formats. Eagle’s Steakhouse on the fourth floor specialises in steaks with views over the national park and city skyline, as described by Timbuktu Travel.

Sunday Brunch at Ole-Sereni

The Sunday Brunch is a well-known Nairobi dining event. A February 2026 TripAdvisor review titled “Sunday Brunch For The Books” describes “delicious food coupled with the live band” and an “absolutely lovely time.” The brunch attracts local residents and hotel guests alike, featuring buffet stations, live music, and attentive service. Another venue, Acacia Restaurant, serves breakfast buffet and à la carte options as part of the Emara Ole Sereni tower, per the official Ole Sereni Fact Sheet.

“Delicious food coupled with the live band… absolutely lovely time.” – TripAdvisor review, February 2026
Why this matters: The Sunday Brunch is a signature experience that sets Ole Sereni apart from other Nairobi hotels, combining wildlife views with a lively dining atmosphere.

How much is the buffet at Ole Sereni?

The buffet breakfast is priced at KES 3,900 per person for both adults and children, served 07:00–10:00 on weekdays and until 10:30 on weekends, according to Expedia. The Sunday Brunch pricing is not publicly listed; the hotel advises contacting the property directly for current rates. Dinner at Eagle’s Steakhouse is à la carte, with steak dishes reportedly ranging from KES 2,500 to KES 5,000 based on menu descriptions from third-party booking sites.

Pricing overview for dining

Overall, dining at Ole Sereni falls in the mid-to-upper range for Nairobi hotels. The Big Five Restaurant buffet lunch and dinner prices vary by season. Guests should check the official website for the latest menus and prices.

The catch: While breakfast pricing is confirmed, the popular Sunday Brunch requires a direct inquiry to the hotel for accurate cost.

Who is the owner of Ole Sereni hotel?

Ole Sereni is owned by the Kenyatta family, according to Business Today Kenya. The hotel is operated as part of the Emara Ole Sereni group, which also includes an expanded tower with additional rooms and venues. The original building on the site reportedly previously housed part of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi before being redeveloped into a hotel, adding historical significance to the property.

Ole Sereni hotel ownership

Ownership by a prominent local family lends institutional continuity, but does not necessarily affect day-to-day operations.

What to watch: Ownership by a prominent local family lends institutional continuity, but does not necessarily affect day-to-day operations.

Where is Ole Sereni Hotel located?

Ole Sereni is located on Mombasa Road, opposite Nairobi National Park, approximately 12 km from both Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport. The official Ole Sereni Fact Sheet states that the hotel is reachable in about seven minutes using Nairobi’s expressway, though other travel sources suggest a 10–15 minute drive. The hotel is also about 7 km from the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

Ole Sereni Hotel Mombasa Road

The property sits on the edge of the city’s industrial area, offering convenient access to both the airport and the central business district. Its position along Mombasa Road makes it a practical stopover for travelers arriving or departing by air.

Directions to Ole Sereni

From JKIA, take the Mombasa Road northbound for about 10 km. The hotel is on the left after passing the Parkside Towers. The hotel is also accessible via the Nairobi Expressway, which reduces travel time during peak hours.

Traveler’s tip: Request a park-facing room on an upper floor for the best wildlife views. Lower floors may have limited sightlines.
Note: Ole Sereni does not have direct access to Nairobi National Park. Guests must drive about 15 minutes to Langata Gate and pay the Kenya Wildlife Service entry fee of approximately USD 80 per adult per day.
The bottom line: Location is Ole Sereni’s strongest asset – it’s one of the few city hotels in the world that overlooks a national park, yet remains close to the airport and downtown.

Ole Sereni Hotel: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Unique wildlife viewing from the hotel (giraffe, zebra, antelope, buffalo)
  • Convenient to both JKIA and Wilson Airport
  • Multiple dining venues including the popular Sunday Brunch
  • Resort-style amenities: heated infinity pool, gym, spa
  • 300-foot veranda overlooking the park

Cons

  • No direct access to Nairobi National Park; must drive to Langata Gate
  • Wildlife viewing can be limited in the north-east corner of the park
  • Mixed guest reviews on room maintenance and noise
  • Check-out at 11:00 may feel early for leisure travelers
  • Buffet pricing not always transparent for Sunday Brunch

Pricing band

Ole Sereni is positioned as a four-star property with rates that reflect its location and amenities. Based on verified booking data, standard room rates range from approximately USD 150 to USD 300 per night depending on season and room category. The buffet breakfast at KES 3,900 per person is in line with other upscale Nairobi hotels. For the most accurate pricing, travelers should check the official website or a trusted booking platform.

Location and getting there

Located on Mombasa Road opposite Nairobi National Park, Ole Sereni is about 12 km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport. The hotel offers airport shuttle services for a surcharge, as noted on travel sites. The drive from JKIA typically takes 10–15 minutes without traffic. The hotel is also well-connected to the city centre via the expressway.

Alternatives to Ole Sereni

Travelers considering Ole Sereni may also look at other Nairobi hotels near the airport or national park. Options include:

  • Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence, Nairobi Arboretum – closer to the city centre, similar four-star amenities.
  • Eka Hotel Nairobi – another airport-adjacent property with a more budget-friendly profile.
  • Nairobi Serena Hotel – centrally located with a safari feel, but no park views.

Each alternative offers a different balance of location, price, and wildlife access. Ole Sereni remains the only hotel directly bordering Nairobi National Park.

Our pick: Who should book Ole Sereni?

Best for: Travelers seeking wildlife views without leaving the hotel, business travelers needing airport proximity, and leisure guests wanting a signature Sunday Brunch experience. It’s also an ideal first or last night stay for a Kenya safari, given its proximity to both international and domestic airports.

Not ideal for: Guests who want direct park access from the hotel, or those seeking a quiet, secluded bush lodge experience.

Related reading: hotel checkout times · closest airport hotels

Additional sources

tripadvisor.com, ole-sereni.com, yellowzebrasafaris.com

Frequently asked questions

Does Ole Sereni Hotel have a pool?

Yes, the hotel features a heated rooftop infinity pool overlooking Nairobi National Park, along with a pool bar (Ngong Pool Bar).

Is Ole Sereni child-friendly?

Yes, families are welcome. The buffet breakfast is priced at KES 3,900 per person for both adults and children, and the hotel’s outdoor pool and wildlife views are popular with families.

What is the check-in time at Ole Sereni?

Check-in is at 14:00 and check-out is at 11:00, per Travel Weekly. Early check-in or late check-out may be arranged upon request.

Does Ole Sereni offer airport shuttle?

Yes, the hotel provides airport shuttle services for a surcharge. Contact the hotel directly for current rates and booking.

Is Ole Sereni suitable for business meetings?

Yes, the hotel offers meeting facilities, a business centre, and free Wi-Fi. Its location near the airport and city centre makes it convenient for business travellers.

Are there job vacancies at Ole-Sereni hotel?

Job openings are posted on the hotel’s official website and employment platforms. Contact the hotel’s human resources department for the latest vacancies.

Sources cited

  • Ole Sereni Fact Sheet (PDF) – official property document
  • Travel Weekly – Ole-Sereni Hotel listing
  • Timbuktu Travel – Ole Sereni Hotel
  • Far and Wild Travel – Ole Sereni Hotel
  • No Middleman Tours – Ole Sereni overview
  • Booking.com – Ole Sereni reviews
  • Expedia – Ole Sereni hotel info
  • Porini Camps – Ole Sereni Hotel
  • TripAdvisor – Ole Sereni Hotel main page
  • Business Today Kenya