US-based hotel chain Hyatt has opened extended-stay residences in Nairobi's Westlands, tapping into the growing demand for long-term accommodation.
Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Nairobi, a dual-branded property, is the third property the chain manages in Kenya and adds 225 rooms to Westlands, an area that has seen a boom in new developments.
“It’s two hotels combined into one, but sharing the same spaces. For Hyatt Place, we are targeting the young, energetic, clientele who want to click Insta-worthy pictures, but want to work at the same time. We call them savvy explorers. At Hyatt House (which has apartments), it is for families travelling with children and working professionals seeking extended stays, work during the day, and get a place to relax in the evening,” Varun Talwar, the general manager, said during the opening of the hotel on Tuesday.
Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Nairobi Westlands General Manager Varun Talwar addressing participants during the official opening of Hyatt Place and Hyatt House in Nairobi, Westlands on March 18, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Pet-friendly
The hotel is among the growing number of luxury establishments set up in Westlands.
Last year, Marriott International Inc opened JW Marriott in Nairobi in Westlands, just next to Villa Rosa Kempinski. Other luxury hotels within the area include Mövenpick Hotel & Residences.
“Westlands is the place to be. It is more upscale and is connected to the business hubs. It is also in close proximity to the embassies, international organisations and corporate offices. In hospitality, I always say location matters the most. Here we’ve got the Westgate Mall right behind. Looking at it from a conferencing point, it is easy to just walk across from the cafes, to the business hubs,” Mr Talwar said.
The boom in Westlands comes at a time when Nairoibi's Central Business District (CBD) has seen a plunge in the number of luxury hotels. Mike Macharia, the chief executive officer of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers, said the shift is fueled by the lack of space to set up new properties in the CBD.
“You find that it’s just the hotels that were built a long time ago that are sitting there. Now there is an increase in the number of high-end hotels in Upperhill, Westlands, Hurlingham, along Ngong Road, Kiambu Road, and expanding towards Machakos. Westlands is becoming a hotspot for many luxury hotels because the city centre is expanding towards that side, and it will soon become a large metropolis,” he said.
Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Nairobi are among the few pet-friendly hotels in the country, with a floor and amenities dedicated to pet parents.
Hyatt has over 1,400 hotels spread across six continents.
Swimming pool area pictured at Hyatt Place and Hyatt House in Nairobi, Westlands on March 18, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Tough economy
Mr Macharia says that last year was a productive year for the hotel industry, which had an occupancy rate of 70 percent in all the hotels in the country. He, however, worries about this year with the coming to power of the US President Donald Trump.
“The policy shift in America is affecting some of our key business generators like USAid. However, we will have to evaluate the impact that it will have on the industry a bit later into the year,” he says.
But Mr Talwar is optimistic even in a tough economy: “I have been in this hospitality industry for over 21 years, and I was recently in Nepal, where the business economy was fluctuating, but something I noticed is that the hospitality industry will always flourish. There will be highs and lows, but if you’ve got the right number of people coming into the country and with the locals being more exposed, it will be a win-win situation,” he said.
Other hotels targeting extended-stay travellers include Kingfisher Nest which opened a newly renovated 115-room property in Westlands last month.
“We identified a gap, particularly in the extended-stay segment. Many guests were looking for accommodations where they could stay for four nights or more,” said Saheel Shah, Kingfisher’s director.
Digital nomads
Mr Shah said the surge in hotel suites can be attributed to the rise of business travellers, digital nomads, and expatriates who require more than just a standard hotel room.
Unlike conventional hotel rooms, suites provide larger living spaces, kitchenettes, and work-friendly environments, making them ideal for extended stays.
