It’s worth staying at the Nairobi Serena Hotel just to have the chance to see their vast collection of artwork from all across Africa — this is a hostelry that celebrates its roots. Everything from jewelry to statues, tapestries to carvings, antique to contemporary is showcased in this, a most “African” hotel.

While the items on display in the public areas are of museum quality (I especially liked the mask collection), great care has been taken to use decorative motifs from across the continent in the hotel rooms as well, including hand-crafted furniture.

The hotel is an oasis of calm just outside the city center, separated from downtown by Central Park. It’s surrounded by lush tropical gardens with jacaranda, acacia trees and the riotous color of bougainvillea blossoms. My room had a panoramic view over the treetops toward the glittering downtown skyline, but reality did intrude when I read the guestbook on my desk. It noted, “We do not recommend that you jog in the parks or on the streets of Nairobi for security reasons.”

This is a classic, upscale Western-style hotel, with all the expected services and amenities including free WiFi, a business center, fitness center, swimming pool, hair salon and spa. Because it’s located outside the city center, there’s free parking.

The services at the Maisha Spa make it a popular post-safari stop. The facility includes a heated pool, steam and sauna rooms, gymnasium and aerobics studio. Maisha (which means “life” in Swahili) also offers massages, facials, body scrubs, aromatherapy and reflexology.

There is an elegant restaurant, Mandhari, for fine dining at lunch or dinner. The more casual Café Maghreb offers international breakfast and lunch buffets and a table d’ hôte dinner.

The Nairobi Serena Hotel is a member of Leading Hotels of the World. Room rates start about $300.