Fairview Hotel Nairobi – one of Africa’s most cherished heritage hotels – is joining Vignette Collection, a growing family of one-of-a-kind hotels in destinations to remember.

The 99-room boutique hotel, affectionally known as Upper Hill’s living garden hotel, represents the brand’s first in Africa and first on the continent to join IHG Hotels & Resorts’ leading Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, now the second largest in the world.

Central to Vignette Collection is the balance of individuality and belonging, with each property unique in its identity yet united by the shared vision to offer a more authentic way to travel. Fairview Hotel Nairobi is a rare urban oasis, offering the next generation of thoughtful venturer serenity in the heart of the city.

Kaliq Essop, General Manager, Fairview Hotel Nairobi, Vignette Collection said: “At its heart, Fairview Hotel Nairobi has always been a place where people come together, a living garden sanctuary in the middle of the city. Joining Vignette Collection allows us to honour our history while elevating the guest experience through thoughtful design, intuitive service and purpose-led hospitality. This next chapter is about celebrating who we are: proudly Kenyan, rich in heritage, and committed to creating unforgettable stays that feel deeply personal.”

Nairobi’s signature bluestone and lush botanical gardens distinguish the hotel’s early 20th Century architecture and characterful charm. Elegant arched windows, wrought-iron details, spiral staircases and tranquil courtyards frame the hotel’s 99 beautifully renovated rooms and suites, scenic outdoor swimming pool and fully equipped fitness centre. The nine versatile meeting and event spaces also include a hidden underground Pango Wine Cellar, ideal for intimate gatherings.

A rich selection of dining and social spaces include three signature restaurants – Mukutan, Pwani and Giuseppe – each serving distinct palates, rooted in flavour, creativity and atmosphere. At the heart of the lobby, the garden-inspired Atrium Coffee serves aromatic blends, fresh pastries and light meals, while the contemporary Nthome Fireplace - accented with bamboo and a softly lit hearth - provides a warm, inviting setting for guests to unwind and socialize.

Just three years after the brand’s introduction, Vignette Collection has surpassed the halfway point in its initial aim to reach 100 open and pipeline hotels in 10 years. Fairview Hotel Nairobi joins a family of 27 Vignette Collection hotels now open around the world with a further 41 in the pipeline*.

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director India, Middle East and Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Welcoming Fairview Hotel Nairobi to Vignette Collection is a seminal moment – the continent’s official launch of Vignette Collection. A destination that is renowned for its rich history and unique landscapes, with an ever-increasing demand for authenticity and character in the luxury space. This is what Vignette Collection is all about – it is a brand which champions individuality, intrigue, and purpose, giving beloved boutique hotels like Fairview the freedom to retain their distinctive character while benefiting from IHG’s global scale and loyalty program. This launch is a powerful statement of IHG’s commitment and Vignette Collection’s ambitious expansion plans in the region.”

Each Vignette Collection property is united through key hallmarks Memorable Rituals and ‘A Means For Good’:

Memorable Rituals – bespoke to each Vignette Collection property – connect guests with the hotel’s unique identity, locality, and cultural landscape. Guests of Fairview can partake in SimuStories, an interactive storytelling experience which invites guests to unfold the hotel’s history and hidden intrigue through playful engagement. Upon arrival, each guest receives an anonymous list of numbers, which when dialled from the lobby’s vintage telephone reveals short stories of Fairview’s colorful past, unexpected surprises and behind-the-scenes anecdotes otherwise unknown.

Means For Good initiatives see each Vignette Collection hotel partner with a chosen non-profit organisation, working in partnership to spearhead positive contribution to the local ecosystem across responsibility, community, and locality. Fairview is working in partnership with the Kenya National Library Service to support literacy through book donations from guests and national community reading programs and encourages both guests and colleagues to participate in the national Mashujaa wa Kusoma reading competition, further strengthening its impact on local education.