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Reviews of The Library Hostel

PQFM+FW7, Mandera Road, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya

#7 of 214 hotels in Nairobi

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 89 hostel reviews

9.2

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.4

  • Comfort

    9.4

  • Location

    9.1

  • Facilities

    9.2

  • Staff

    9.6

  • Value for money

    9.4

  • Free Wifi

    8.9

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: June 17, 2025

    10
    Best stay in Nairobi
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing

    very comfortable and quiet hostel where you can meet a lot of people! Everything was super clean and the staff is really kind and helpful :)

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: June 15, 2025

    8.0
    Nice clean friendly hostel that feels safe
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 4 nights

    I had a single room. There was a foyer that lead to my room and the communal downstairs toilet. The door to the room had a glass pan between the door frame and ceiling, so that every time someone went to the toilet at nighttime light would shine into my room and wake me up. Half way through my stay I removed the foyer light bulb, replacing it when I left and providing the suggestion they put a piece of card over the glass (since the room was light and airy enough. There is a skyscraper getting built across the road, so construction noise from 7am to 6pm. Although this didn't affect my stay.

    Very safe. Hostel is location in a safe area of Nairobi with schools and embassys.. They have the front gate locked all the time and there is someone there 24 hrs a day including a night guard. Large very noice room and common areas, helpful staff.. Supermarket about 500m away. Crafty camelon brewery garden bar with music on sundays about 2.5km away (220 KES in uber) very nice. This hostel is a good safe base in Nairobi.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: May 30, 2025

    8.0
    Quiet Bungalow House Hostel with Garden
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Only 1 soft pillow was provided. Should have provided 2 pillows instead. Water controlled by pump to be switched on by Fred, manager early morning. Mosquitoes after dark, so shut all windows . Some bed bugs either on mattress or wooden bed. Should air room often.

    2nd gate to the right. No Signage ourside. Booked the only double ensuite room. King size bed. Mattress was firm. Hot showers anytime by switching on water heater. Can get chilly after sunset for Asians. Nice large kitchen, gas stove to cook, kettle, mugs, microwave, laundry area to dry clothes. Service of getting clothes washed provided. Safari trips can be booked too. Large sitting and dining area - indoor and outdoor. Overlook at garden. Use the mosquito netting when sleeping. Uber can find location. Safe quiet location. Walk 5 mins to Quick Mart for grocery or food.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 27, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Solo traveler
    • Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    No wifi on the bed!

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: May 26, 2025

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The cleaning especially around the bathrooms/showers could be improved. The doors are quite old and hard to close, therefore it makes a loud noise when opening and closing.

    This was our second time staying here as it was very comfortable. The hostel is in a great and secure location tucked away from the Main Street. There is a large supermarket in walking distance. The staff are all kind and very helpful. They have a large selection of books and the vibes are very home-like/chill. The dormitory beds fit the 2 of us comfortably and so we only paid for 1 bed which made it more cost effective. The lockers were big enough to fit our day packs plus more.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 11, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    A great place to meet new people and to connect It is a nice and quiet hostel

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: May 10, 2025

    10
    Good hostel
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Big house with garden, a lot of space. Comfortable beds, accommodating staff

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: April 27, 2025

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 4 nights

    Location means long walks or ubers to get to most places you might want to visit. Getting in or out often involves waiting for the gate to be unlocked (but this is fast & does make me feel confident about safety). Limited bathrooms (with 1 rarely warm shower) was fine with so few people staying there in April, but would be annoying at peak times with all the rooms full.

    Relaxed space- exactly what I needed to get some focussed work done on a research project. In low season I was able to get a 4 bed room to myself or shared with 1 other over a week. Kitchen was always clean and organised. Staff friendly. If you want to meet people & explore Nairobi, this may not be the hostel for you. If you want a comfortable & homely base for a while, it is perfect.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: April 27, 2025

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • 4-Bed Male Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    WiFi not reaching when you are in bed forced me to use my data (not reaching di well neither)

    Clean and comfortable)

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: April 26, 2025

    9.0
    Good place to relax
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I really enjoyed my stay at this hostel. It was very quiet and peaceful, with a perfect location and great internet connection. For an extra fee, you can do your laundry, and the washing machine works very well. Fred truly won my heart with his openness and sincerity. There are plenty of common areas for both work and relaxation, which I really appreciated. What I would improve: it will be nice to have more mosquito nets on the windows or around the beds. Also, I would love to see a bit more variety at breakfast. Currently, it’s bread, margarine, two slices of watermelon, Kenyan porridge, and coffee or tea.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: April 17, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    My second time here and I'll keep coming back. The location is very convenient. The facilities and access are top-notch.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: April 12, 2025

    10
    I was to say Library hostel was super and I enjoyed it so much.
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The hostel was difficult for my bolt man to locate because there was no signpost and after my exam at school bolt couldn't locate the place and dumb me on the road and after which the passerby trying to help, then boderboder also picked with fresh payment but still get stranded till we were eventually help by a dispatch rider. In all it was a nice experience though. Thank you

    The facility met my requirements, calm, friendly, understanding, good wifi, above all hospitality was topnotch. Thank you Library hostel for making my stay worthwhile.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: March 24, 2025

    10
    Lovely hostel, would stay again!
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Breakfast is nice but it was very simple, it could be a bit more elaborate.

    Really lovely hostel, most comfortable dorm bed I think I've ever seen. The private room (that we used a separate time) is also great. We came back several times and we would come back again here if we would go back to Nairobi! The owner is also really nice and helpful.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: March 16, 2025

    10
    Super!!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 10 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    This hostel is AMAZING!! I spent there 10 days and everything was perfect, clean, good garden, nice staff, wifi, silent but also full of interesting people to talk wit! Truly recomendable!

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 12, 2025

    10
    Great stay Fred is the best
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Sociable hostel. Fred works so hard and he makes you feel like you’re at home. Clean kitchen to cook in. I met the owner too she was lovely.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: March 10, 2025

    8.0
    Very nice
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There are some easy fix, mosquitoes nets at the windows would be nice, breakfast could be better than just bread and butter, also a man entered at 8 am in the woman dormitory to make beds for guests and it was not great, bed could have been done the day before.

    Very pleasant, calm garden, comfortable beds, nice staff

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 10, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Very clean and comfortable hostel. The location is good with uber,bolt and other taxi types available anytime. The area is safe and quiet. Staff communication is excellent. Beddings are comfy and spacious in a relaxed environment. The amenities are as indicated. Highly recommend when in Nairobi.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: February 24, 2025

    9.0
    Great place to base yourself
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    No mosquito nets (there are plenty of mosquitoes). The main hot water tank buzzes quite loudly until late because people forget to switch it off. One shower for 3 or 4 dorms. Also, it being a hostel, it's still prone to people being people

    I think I spent a total of 10 or 11 nights here between dorm and private (when I could get it). Communal space is lovely. Nice living room and outdoor area. Staff are great. I met lots of great people here. Dorm beds are comfy. I used as my Nairobi base for various excursions and could leave some luggage there. It's close to a good supermarket. The area is quite safe.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 19, 2025

    9.0
    I definitely recommend for solo travelers to stay here
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The property was in a great location, making it easy to explore the area. It felt very safe, which made my stay comfortable and worry-free. Everything was also very clean and well-maintained. Overall, a great place to stay!

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 5, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Quiet, clean, classy place to stay. Friendly.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 31, 2025

    8.0
    Very good value for the money paid.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The bathroom’s floor should be cleaned everyday because there is alot of hair and not just.

    The bed is amazing. Big and comfortable. The man who is there all the time is very helpful.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 21, 2025

    10
    Nice place to stay at Nairobi
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    On day three when I came here, the hot water was broken down

    I finally chose this hostel to stay because some Japanese reviewers said that this place is so clean. And, that's true. Unlike many hostels I have stayed before, the library hostel is so quiet and comfy. Perfect place for some digital nomads who want a place to work without so much distraction. I love this place, the bed is spacious. The location is also close to quickmart supermarket to buy daily needs. My Uber driver asked me when he dropped me in front of this place, why this house was called “library”? And I don't know exactly the answer but I just tell him that the owners love to read and there are so many books inside.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 18, 2025

    10
    Loveliest hostel in Nairobi
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    The breakfast is a little basic ahaha there could be a jam or spread beyond the bread and butter

    I loooved the beds, they are big, new and comfy! I also love that there is a very nice and relaxing atmosphere, you really feel like you are at home and you can unwind! everything is super clean and straightforward, the host is really really welcoming and helpful!

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: January 13, 2025

    10
    A peaceful nest in Nairobi
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    A great hostel to spend few days in Nairobi, a bit away from all the craziness of the city but still a perfect location. It was really clean, peaceful and the staff there is amazingly kind and caring, thanks for everything 🤩

    Stayed in December 2024

Showing 1 - 25

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