Kiembeni Resort

It’s a quiet place, and the food is good. Kiembeni hotel is near slaughter or juakali kitui, just a few meters from naivas supermarket, though it’s not very visible from the main road. Some rooms have been neglected. The conference halls are nice and away from city traffic noise.

In 2024, it was only 1500, but there was no hot water, the blanket wasn’t clean, and not a single power socket in the room worked. The room wasn’t very clean either. Two years earlier, the price was more than fair and the rooms were a bit outdated but still okay. I can’t stay there again.

The rooms are good for such an affordable rate, but don’t count on a restful night or great service. They’re beside a very loud restaurant or bar, where patrons were still making noise well past midnight. There also seemed to be a pack of dogs and cats causing a commotion next door. I thought it was a zoo. In the morning, no staff were around to unlock the gate when we wanted to leave at 7:15. That delayed our 8 hour road trip, which we were eager to start. The quality is good, but those other issues really affected the stay.

The staff make you feel welcome, and the marinated indigenous chicken is a real treat. In the middle of dry Kitui, this hotel feels surprisingly cool and inviting. The meals are generous and nicely prepared, and the place might even make you fall in love with Kitui Town.