The Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel is a 4-star hotel in Nairobi located on Murang’a Road off Moi Avenue in Nairobi’s central business district.
The hotel is independently owned and managed by the Kurji family, an Ismaili Muslim family. The family acquired the property in 1987, when it was known as Kimani Court Hotel, before renovating and rebranding it as Meridian Hotel.
In 2015, the hotel was upgraded and partnered with the Best Western brand to operate as a 4-star facility under the Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel name.
The property is independently managed by the Kurji family, with Mr. Abdulali Kurji serving as Managing Director and Ms. Safiyah Kurji as Director of Operations.
Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel employs between approximately 139 and 200 staff members, including key personnel such as Chief Engineer Mark Nabiswa and Sales Manager George Muia.
As of September 2025, the property was listed for sale at KSh1.29 billion, indicating a potential change in ownership after decades under the Kurji family.
The Kurji Family Background and Ismaili Heritage in Kenya
The Kurji family is an Ismaili Muslim family based in Nairobi, Kenya. The Ismailis are a Shia Muslim community that places strong emphasis on community service, education, and religious values under the spiritual leadership of the Aga Khan.
Like many Ismaili families in Kenya, the Kurji family is believed to be descended from migrants who arrived from Gujarat, India around the early 1900s.
Taji Kurji, a former President of the Aga Khan Foundation, was a prominent figure within the Ismaili community. He was widely described as innovative in his leadership and development work before his death at the age of 83.
Riyaz Kurji was an international businessman and rally driver linked to the Alpha Group of companies, including Uganda Fish Packers. Born in Mombasa and later based in Dublin, he died in a road accident during the 2009 Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally.
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Nazmodin Kurji is also associated with the family and has reported interests in property in Westlands, Nairobi. He was linked to a 2016 legal dispute involving land ownership in the area.
Over time, they settled in Nairobi and became part of the long-established Ismaili community in the country.
The Ismaili community in Kenya is part of a wider global network that includes countries such as Burundi, Rwanda, South Africa, and Namibia.
Ismaili community recognizes Mawlana Hazar Imam, the Aga Khan, as its spiritual leader and is widely associated with business development and philanthropy.
Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel Features and Facilities
Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel is in Nairobi within walking distance of key landmarks such as the Kenya National Archives and major shopping and nightlife areas.
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It features approximately 119 to 128 rooms, all equipped with modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, safety deposit boxes, and coffee-making facilities.
A key feature of the hotel is its rooftop outdoor swimming pool, one of its main recreational attractions for guests. The property also includes a spa and wellness center offering services such as massage therapy, sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi, and a fully equipped gym.
For dining, the hotel operates two main outlets: Rendevous Restaurant, which serves à la carte dinner, and Beany Coffee Lounge, along with a lounge bar offering additional food and beverage services.
Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel also provides business and conferencing facilities, including meeting rooms, a business center, and audio-visual equipment, catering to corporate events and professional gatherings.
Additional amenities include free private on-site parking. The hotel is a multi-story building with an established history dating back to the 1980s, and it underwent major renovations and upgrades in 2015 to meet international hospitality standards.
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