IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched its Vignette Collection brand on the African continent, bringing one of Kenya’s most enduring heritage properties into its luxury and lifestyle portfolio.
Fairview Hotel Nairobi, a 99-room boutique property in the Upper Hill district, becomes the first African hotel to join the collection brand. The move also marks the continent’s first addition to IHG’s broader Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, which the company describes as the second largest in the world.
The property traces its origins to 1931, when it was constructed as a Georgian colonial-style building featuring Nairobi’s distinctive bluestone. Originally operated by the Szlapak family, a Polish-Jewish family who arrived in Kenya in 1938, the hotel earned its reputation as “the country hotel in town” – offering a serene alternative to the city’s busier establishments.
The hotel sits on five acres of landscaped gardens along Bishop Road, approximately five minutes from Nairobi’s city centre. Its architectural features include arched windows, wrought-iron detailing, spiral staircases and tranquil courtyards that reflect its early 20th-century origins.
Strategic significance for IHG
The signing represents a milestone in IHG’s African expansion strategy. The company currently operates 38 hotels with over 9,200 rooms across the continent, with a pipeline of 35 additional properties totalling more than 6,500 rooms expected to open within the next two to three years.
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director for India, Middle East and Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts, described the addition as a “seminal moment” for the brand’s continental ambitions.
“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,” he stated. “This is what Vignette Collection is all about – it is a brand which champions individuality, intrigue, and purpose.”
Vignette Collection’s trajectory
Launched in 2021, Vignette Collection was designed to attract independent boutique hotels seeking the commercial benefits of a global brand while retaining their distinctive character and identity. The brand has exceeded its own growth projections, surpassing the halfway mark toward its target of 100 properties within a decade.
As of September 2025, the collection comprises 27 open hotels worldwide with 41 additional properties in development. Notable members include Ciel Dubai Marina – currently the world’s tallest hotel – alongside properties in destinations ranging from Washington DC to Porto.
The brand operates on two defining principles. “Memorable Rituals” sees each property develop signature guest experiences rooted in local culture, while “Means For Good” requires hotels to partner with non-profit organisations for community impact.
Property features and community focus
Fairview Hotel Nairobi’s Memorable Ritual takes the form of “Simu Stories” – an interactive experience where guests receive anonymous numbers upon arrival that can be dialled on a vintage telephone in the lobby, revealing stories from the hotel’s history.
For its community partnership, the property is collaborating with the Kenya National Library Service to support literacy programmes through guest book donations and community reading initiatives. Staff and visitors are invited to participate in the Mashujaa wa Kusoma national reading competition.
The hotel offers three signature restaurants – Mukutan, Pwani and Giuseppe – each with distinct culinary identities. Additional facilities include the garden-inspired Atrium Coffee in the lobby, the Nthome Fireplace lounge, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and nine meeting and event spaces, including the underground Pango Wine Cellar.
Kaliq Essop, General Manager of Fairview Hotel Nairobi, emphasised the property’s continuing identity: “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. This next chapter is about celebrating who we are: proudly Kenyan, rich in heritage, and committed to creating unforgettable stays that feel deeply personal.”
African hospitality market context
The signing aligns with broader growth across African hospitality. According to UN Tourism, the continent welcomed 74 million international visitors in 2024 – a 7% increase compared to 2019 and 12% higher than 2023. North Africa led recovery with a 22% increase in arrivals compared to pre-pandemic levels.
IHG’s Africa pipeline includes properties scheduled to open before the end of 2025 across Egypt, Morocco and South Africa, with InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town among the most anticipated openings.
Guests at Fairview Hotel Nairobi can access IHG One Rewards, the company’s loyalty programme with over 145 million members globally.
