Where to Stay in Thika: Hotels and Lodges

Thika is 45km north of Nairobi on the Thika Superhighway, making it one of the most accessible out-of-Nairobi destinations in Kenya. Most people come for Blue Posts Hotel and its waterfalls, or as a staging point before heading further north to Mount Kenya country. The accommodation range spans one genuinely characterful colonial hotel, a modern golf resort, and a functional selection of town-centre options.

Blue Posts Hotel

Blue Posts is the most historically interesting hotel in Thika and one of the more atmospheric properties in all of central Kenya. Established in 1908 as a staging post on the route from Nairobi to the interior, it sits at the confluence of the Chania and Thika rivers — both of which descend in waterfalls within the hotel grounds.

The hotel has been through several ownerships and has aged accordingly. The rooms are older in style — don’t expect flat-screen televisions or contemporary bathroom fittings — but some have direct views of the forested gorge and the rivers below. Prices run from approximately KES 5,000 to KES 10,000 per night as of 2026, depending on room type. Breakfast is typically included.

What Blue Posts sells is not facilities but setting: a forested gorge, two waterfalls audible from most parts of the property, monkeys in the trees, and the atmosphere of a place that has been receiving travellers for over a century. The restaurant (covered in our food guide) overlooks the gorge and is the main reason many people stop here even for just lunch.

Book ahead, particularly for weekend stays. The hotel fills up with Nairobi residents on Saturdays and Sundays. Call directly rather than relying on third-party booking sites, which may not reflect real-time availability.

Thika Greens Golf Resort

Approximately 3km from Thika town centre, Thika Greens is the area’s best option for modern facilities. The resort is built around an 18-hole golf course and has a swimming pool, conference rooms, and a restaurant that caters to business and leisure guests.

Room rates run from approximately KES 6,000 to KES 12,000 per night as of 2026. The facilities are significantly more contemporary than Blue Posts — new plumbing, reliable Wi-Fi, larger rooms — though the setting lacks the gorge-and-waterfall character of the older hotel.

Thika Greens is the right choice for: golfers (obviously), corporate travellers needing reliable conference facilities near Nairobi, and families who want a pool and modern rooms as the primary draw. The restaurant is solid and the grounds are well-kept.

Safari Park Hotel Thika

A mid-budget option in the town centre, Safari Park Hotel Thika serves the commercial traveller market. Rooms run approximately KES 2,500–5,000 per night as of 2026. The hotel is clean and functional, with a restaurant and bar on-site. Facilities are basic but consistent: private bathrooms, mosquito nets, and Wi-Fi that works reliably in the main building if not always in all rooms.

This is a practical choice for travellers who want a predictable overnight stop without paying resort prices and who are spending most of their time at Fourteen Falls or Blue Posts rather than in their room.

Budget Guesthouses

Several basic guesthouses operate near Thika’s town centre and bus stage, charging KES 1,000–2,500 per night. These cater to matatu crews, market traders, and travellers in transit. Standards vary significantly — inspect the room and bathroom before paying. Hot water is not guaranteed at the lowest price points.

For budget travellers who can manage without it, these options free up money for activities or a meal at Blue Posts restaurant.

Who Should Stay and Who Should Day-Trip

Day-trip (most visitors): Thika is 45 minutes from Nairobi on the Superhighway, even in moderate traffic. A half-day covering Blue Posts for lunch and Fourteen Falls is achievable before returning to the city by afternoon.

Overnight at Blue Posts: The best reason to stay is the sunrise and early morning in the gorge before tour groups arrive. If you are also heading north to Nyeri, Nanyuki, or Meru, Thika makes a logical first overnight stop rather than leaving Nairobi early in the morning.

Overnight at Thika Greens: Golfers playing the course, or business travellers who need conference facilities and modern rooms close to Nairobi without Nairobi prices.

Getting Here

From Nairobi, matatus to Thika depart from the Machakos Country Bus station and from various stages along the Thika Road. Journey time is 45–75 minutes depending on traffic. Fare is approximately KES 80–150 as of 2026. By private vehicle or Uber/Bolt from central Nairobi, expect 45 minutes to 1 hour.

From Thika town centre, tuk-tuks and boda-bodas serve Blue Posts (approximately KES 100–200) and Fourteen Falls (approximately KES 200–400).

For day trips to Thika from Nairobi with transport included, half-day options covering Fourteen Falls and Blue Posts are bookable online. For more on what to do in Thika, see our guide to things to do in Thika. For a full overview of the town, visit the Thika city guide. For dining options in Thika including the market and Blue Posts restaurant, the Thika food guide covers what to eat in the area. For day trips further north from Thika toward Nyeri or Nanyuki, our Kenya getting around guide explains the bus and matatu options.