KKay KiatThey provided three meals, if you are a Chinese tummy I had the chance to stay at Xiaomi Homestay in Kilimani, Nairobi, and it was a refreshing mix of comfort, convenience, and cultural charm.
Location & First Impressions
The homestay is tucked away in the lively Kilimani neighborhood, which makes it easy to access restaurants, shopping malls, and transport. The property itself feels modern, clean, and welcoming — a good balance between homely warmth and hotel-like comfort.
Comfort & Amenities
The facilities were a big plus. The gym was well-equipped, making it easy to keep up with workouts, while the swimming pool was perfect for relaxing after a busy day in the city. Both amenities added great value to the stay, especially for anyone who enjoys fitness and downtime in equal measure.
Meals & Dining Experience
One of the standout features was the inclusion of three daily Chinese meals. This made the stay very convenient, especially for anyone missing home-style dishes or simply wanting a reliable, flavorful option without having to step out. The meals were hearty, authentic, and gave a unique cultural touch to the experience.
Atmosphere & Service
The overall atmosphere was warm and peaceful. The hosts provided thoughtful service, striking a nice balance between giving guests privacy and being available when needed. It truly felt like a home away from home, with just the right amount of care.
DDominicI booked a 2-night stay over Saturday and Sunday while waiting for my 1am flight on Monday. I had just returned from a safari and was extremely tired, hoping to get some rest. Unfortunately, starting around 4am on Sunday, there was a lot of noise coming from the room directly in front of mine. It appeared to be a group occupying multiple rooms, shouting and moving between them.
I called the lobby twice, and while the receptionist was kind and responsive in contacting the group, the noise continued, and I eventually gave up on trying to sleep.
Later that afternoon, the tap and shower in my room stopped working. I had to call again to have it fixed, and even after it was restored, there was no hot water. I had a VERY cold shower.
That said, I genuinely appreciated the food and the aesthetic of the property—the African artifacts in the hallways and the soaring ceilings made the place feel very special. It’s the kind of atmosphere I’d love to return to. However, because of the disruptions and inconvenience I experienced, I don’t think I’ll be coming back unless necessary.
YYUSUFMU5What an amazing experience! Me and my wife have luckily travelled to many countries and stayed in a range of hotels and this was one of the most comfortable and welcome experiences. Our first time in Nairobi so we didn’t know too much about where to stay until we spoke to some people. They mentioned the area to be safe and also recommended this hotel as a great way to be comfortable in Nairobi. You have security in entrance and exit and they were super nice. All the staff in the hotel were accommodating and showed us around and had us alll the info we needed. We got breakfast included and stayed for 3 nights. The breakfast was exactly what we needed. You have a range of foods to choose from and I’m sure you’ll find something you like! The food at the hotel is halal which is great for us too. Our room was cleaned and refilled every day and they were respectful and details in their service. We also used the gym which was super great. Enough for you to get a good workout in too. The location is next to Sarit Centre, perfect to access the Masai Market (on specific days) and also shops of all kinds.
Big thank you to the team and everyone involved! Will definitely choose this hotel if I’m ever in Nairobi and also one I’d recommend to friends and family.
ผผู้เข้าพักThe hotel supposed to provide free transport to airport and while we checked in we indicated the time required as per the electronic notice board at 4 30am. The front desk told us the schedule shown was not updated. The free transport is only every hour as in either 4 am or 5am. We chose 4 am.
The next morning when went to the front desk, the manager in-charged mentioned there was no booking. At the same time, they advised us free transport is only for certain hour. They show us the updated notice. We do not have a choice but to pay for the transport to airport.
This is not fair to the guest that we are not informed of the change and the schedule and price charged changed overnight.
DD4MelAs usual. Excellent service. With the food breakfast choice. Only NOT enough milk chocolate doughnuts made. In the 5 weeks I stayed there.
They made plenty of dark chocolate. But, only once did they make white chocolate or milk chocolate doughnuts. For breakfast.
Little things like this matters to a man away from homeowners business and making the most of what he enjoys most. Without the “tut, tut”.
That’s not good for you..! 😛
JJason2023Good location if you want to be fairly central with a few minutes walk to plenty of bars. Uber is very efficient and cheap here if you want to travel out. The staff were very good and the restaurant/bar is 24/7 (I believe). Room was lovely. Overall, although I think Nairobi is a little on the expensive side, this was ok. I tried to book again for after the safari but it was more expensive so i went to the Swiss Belinn instead, which was cheaper and the same standard (a little further away but again, Uber and Bolt are super efficient and cheap here).
TIPS FOR FOREIGNERS COMING INTO KENYA:
1. Get your currency outside of Kenya, the exchange rate here, particularly at the airport, is absolutely awful - I found them to be offering upto 35% less than the actual rate.
2. You only really need a small amount of cash here - most places you will visit accept card.
3. DO NOT BUY A TELKOM SIM CARD. It is absolutely useless, even in Nairobi but does not work AT ALL on safari.
4. Uber and Bolt are very good here.
5. If you are doing safari and your trip does not include the national park fees (payable in USD), make sure you get those before arriving - the banks and ATMs here are very unreliable if you want USD.
6. Do not pay extortionate hotel prices for laundry - find a local company who will collect and deliver your laundry for a fraction of the price like Smartfua Laundromat.
7. If you go on Safari, try not to sit on the back of the vehicle - it gets VERY bumpy.
Have a great trip!