15 Kenyan hotels recognised among Africa’s best

The awards, held in Nairobi on Thursday, recognised 100 hotels across 21 African countries, selected by a panel of more than 95 international hospitality professionals. The ceremony also presented 12 Best-in-Class honours across specialist categories.

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the recognition would strengthen Kenya’s visibility in the global luxury tourism market and attract more visitors and investment.

Miano said the Magical Kenya Travel Expo had opened doors, created business and deepened partnerships.

She expressed hope that the engagements would translate into more visitors, longer stays and greater investment for communities nationwide.

Miano said the awards recognised the importance of quality service and distinctive experiences in determining a destination’s competitiveness.

“The hotels honoured tonight are raising the bar for African hospitality and urging the wider industry to keep investing in quality, innovation, service and distinctive experiences,” she said.

The ceremony marked the conclusion of the 16th Magical Kenya Travel Expo, which attracted a record 10,000 delegates from more than 40 countries to Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi. The three-day event brought together 400 exhibitors and 250 international buyers.

Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the awards demonstrated the depth and diversity of Kenya’s hospitality industry, which spans wildlife conservation, coastal tourism, gastronomy, culture, wellness and adventure.

“The establishments recognised demonstrate what is possible when we invest in quality, creativity, service and distinctive experiences,” Bitok said.

Tatler Asia Chief Experience Officer Sean Fitzpatrick said Africa was a natural choice for the awards programme’s first expansion beyond the Asia-Pacific region, where it has run for five consecutive years.

“Africa, and Kenya specifically, is where that passion has been pointing,” Fitzpatrick said, referring to the growing interest among Tatler’s global readership in travel and hospitality experiences on the continent.

The awards are part of a three-year partnership between the Kenya Tourism Board and Tatler Africa aimed at promoting Kenya’s premium tourism offerings internationally.

Next year’s programme is expected to expand to include the Best 100 Restaurants, Best 100 Bars, cruises and other travel experiences.

The other Kenyan properties honoured were &Beyond Ol Donyo Lodge, &Beyond Suyian Lodge, Angama Amboseli, Angama Mara, Arijiju, Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp, Finch Hattons Luxury Camp, Hemingways Nairobi, Ishara Mara, Loirien Mara, Mahali Mzuri, Ol Jogi, Sirai Beach and Sirai House.