Serviced apartments are transforming Nairobi’s hospitality sector, offering long-stay guests a blend of home comfort and hotel luxury, according to Head of Sales and Marketing, GemSuites Hotel and Luxury Serviced Apartments, Riverside, Nairobi, Benson Karibe.
He says the model caters to expatriates and business travellers seeking space, flexibility and amenities, with features such as wellness facilities, daily service and diverse dining redefining modern accommodation in the city.
Speaking on Tuesday during a Radio Generation interview on Tuesday, Karibe described the concept as a response to evolving travel patterns, particularly among international professionals and expatriates.
“We are luxury serviced apartments, and so basically what that means is that we offer the services of a regular hotel, accommodation, bed and breakfast,” he said. “Then we have apartments providing you with more space, more flexibility and more amenities.”
His argument comes contextually as hotels in Nairobi are increasingly becoming preferred spaces for dining and relaxation as residents seek convenience, security and premium experiences.
Industry players say hotels offer professionally prepared meals, wellness facilities and a controlled environment away from daily pressures.
For many urban dwellers, they provide a break from routine, social spaces for meetings, and access to amenities not always available in private homes, making them attractive lifestyle destinations.
Karibe explained that unlike traditional hotels, serviced apartments are designed for extended stays, often catering to guests who remain in Nairobi for weeks or months.
“These are people who are not just looking for a room for a one-night stay,” he said. “If you stay for a week, if you stay for a month, if you stay for three months, this is where the concept of apartments comes in.”
Located in the Riverside area of Nairobi, the property sits within a neighbourhood that hosts embassies, diplomatic offices and multinational corporations, a factor Karibe said influences the type of clientele it attracts.
“So basically, this person is living with a glimpse at home, but now with the additional luxury of this being serviced,” he said.
He distinguished serviced apartments from furnished units by emphasising the daily support provided to guests.
“Service means someone comes to that room every day to check on your cleaning, to check on any maintenance issues, change your linen, all those,” he said. “We are furnished and serviced.”
In addition to in-room amenities such as kitchens, living rooms and laundry facilities, the property integrates hotel-style services, including a 24-hour restaurant and conference facilities.
“It’s not a must that you make your meals. You can come down to the restaurant, there is flexibility,” he said.
Karibe also highlighted wellness as a central feature of modern serviced apartments, reflecting the expectations of long-term residents.
“We have the facilities that enable you to access the gym, access the spa, steam bath, the sauna, Jacuzzi, there’s a swimming pool,” he said. “We have yoga studio.”
He described space as the defining element of luxury within the establishment.
“The greatest luxury first is space. Our space is generous, we have the most spacious rooms,” he said.
Karibe noted that hotel classification systems, ranging from two-star to five-star, are largely determined by the range and quality of amenities offered.
“What makes these things different is because of the amenities, when you go to a four-star, you find there are more, when you go to a five-star, the quality goes on increasing,” he said.
Beyond accommodation, he detailed the dining experience, describing the property’s restaurant as offering a broad, international menu.
“We are continental. Basically our menu is wide, right from local, indigenous foods to continental meals,” he said.
He explained that breakfast is typically continental to cater to diverse guests.
“You have cereals, fresh fruits and fresh juices, pastries, hot meals, live station for pancakes, eggs,” he said. “That’s breakfast.”
Lunch and dinner menus, he said, include a range of options from meats to seafood, with flexibility depending on guest preferences.
“For lunch, you have beef to seafood, the grills, depending on your preference,” he said.
He added that the hotel accommodates dietary requirements for international guests. “We do halal meals, it’s very important that meals are properly made,” he said. “We are an international hotel, so we get all manner of guests.”
He said the shift towards serviced apartments reflects broader changes in urban living and travel, where guests increasingly seek both comfort and independence.
“For you as a guest, you just come and fit in, the apartment is set up with all the amenities that you need,” he said.
As Nairobi continues to position itself as a regional hub for business and diplomacy, Karibe suggested that demand for such flexible, long-stay accommodation is likely to grow.