The Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel, a six-story hospitality asset on the edge of Nairobi’s Central Business District, has been listed for sale at Sh1.29 billion.
The listing, managed by Knight Frank Kenya, positions the property as a rare opportunity to acquire a fully operational hotel in a high-demand urban corridor.
According to Knight Frank, the hotel’s “excellent and serene location in the periphery of Nairobi CBD, away from the heavier foot and vehicle traffic,” enhances its appeal to both business and leisure travelers.
The property sits on a 0.366-acre corner plot along Murang’a Road, offering direct access to Westlands, the Thika Superhighway, and key commercial zones.
Established Brand, Diverse Amenities
Originally known as the Meridian Hotel, the property was rebranded under the Best Western Plus flag and now features 119 rooms, a rooftop swimming pool, a spa and wellness centre, fitness facilities, basement and ground-floor parking, conference space, restaurants, a bar, a lounge, and a coffee shop.
Knight Frank highlights that “the hotel has enjoyed good occupancy levels of over 60% over the last 3 years,” with strong demand for both accommodation and conference facilities expected to continue. The brochure further notes that “gross profit has shown steady growth,” supported by resilient corporate bookings and walk-in traffic.
Income Potential and Modernization Upside
The listing emphasizes the hotel’s potential for enhanced returns through targeted upgrades.
“The income potential of the asset can be improved by modernizing the hotel, enhanced marketing strategies, and overall revenue management,” Knight Frank states.
Supporting documents—including audited accounts, management reports, and title deeds—are available upon request.
The property is offered on a “walk-in walk-out” basis, inclusive of all infrastructure and improvements, making it attractive for investors seeking immediate operational continuity.
Sectoral Context: Closures, Openings, and Competition
The sale comes amid a shifting hospitality landscape in Nairobi. High-profile exits such as Hilton Nairobi (closed December 2022) and InterContinental Hotel (closed August 2020) have sparked debate about sectoral health.
Kenya’s hospitality sector expanded by just 4.1% in Q1 2025, a sharp drop from 38.1% growth in the same period a year earlier. Yet, hotel bed-night occupancy rose to 10.2 million in 2024, up from 8.6 million in 2023. Nairobi alone added over 2,000 hotel rooms in the past 18 months, intensifying competition and pressuring margins.
Despite these headwinds, Knight Frank remains bullish on the asset’s positioning: “We anticipate that the demand for hotel accommodation will continue as Nairobi CBD still enjoys vibrant trade.” The brochure also notes that “strong demand for both accommodation and conference facilities in the CBD is expected to continue.”
As Knight Frank puts it, “the key investment characteristics that highlight the capital value” include accessibility, occupancy resilience, and modernization potential.
Kenya’s Property Market Defies Global Trends with 425% Price Surge
