Kano. Most people think markets, right? Ancient walls, all that history stuff. But here’s what I’ve been figuring out lately – this place has seriously good hotels too. Like, way better than you’d expect.
These aren’t just places to crash for the night – some of these spots are actually destinations. Fancy ones, even. The kind of places that make you want to extend your stay just because.
Look, whether you’re here for work (which, let’s be honest, most people are), or you’re one of those cultural tourism types, or you just need to decompress somewhere decent… picking the right hotel matters. A lot. These five hotels? They deliver!
Top Hotels in Kano
1. Bristol Palace Hotel
2. Tahir Guest Palace
3. Prince Hotel Kano
4. GK Guest Palace
5. Zaytun Hotel Kano
Top 5 Hotels in Kano
1. Bristol Palace Hotel
So Bristol Palace… wow. The first time I walked in there, I felt seriously underdressed. The lobby? Chandeliers everywhere, marble floors that probably cost more than my car. It’s one of those places where you immediately think ‘yep, this is five-star territory.’
They’ve got 114 suites – and I’m not talking regular hotel rooms here. These are legit suites. The kind where you spread out and actually forget you’re not at home. Well, except your home probably doesn’t have room service this good.
But here’s what really got me – their conference setup. I attended this business thing there, maybe 400 people? The space handled it like it was nothing. Crystal clear sound, proper lighting, the works. Makes sense why all the big corporate events end up there.
And the restaurants… plural, because there are several. I tried the continental place, and honestly? Better than some spots I’ve been to in Lagos. The local cuisine restaurant was interesting too, though I’ll admit I played it safe with the jollof.
Expensive? Sure. You wanna feel like royalty in Kano? This is well-suited for you.
Location: 54-56 Guda Abdullahi Rd, Farm Centre, Nassarawa/Farm Centre, Kano
Room price; From #125,000
2. Tahir Guest Palace
Tahir Guest Palace is… huge. Like, confusingly huge when you first get there. Over 300 rooms, which explains why it feels like a small city inside– it doesn’t feel chaotic though.
The rooms, though – that’s where they surprised me. Some of them have hot tubs. Imagine you’ve been dealing with Nigerian traffic all day; that’s when you appreciate those touches that seem little.
Multiple restaurants here, too, which is smart when you’re dealing with this many guests. I bounced between the local spot and the international one depending on my mood. The spa was decent – nothing groundbreaking, but it did the job after a long day.
Business travelers love this place, and I get why. The meeting rooms are solid, the WiFi actually works (miracle!), and there’s enough space that you’re not tripping over wedding parties every time you want to grab coffee.
It’s not cheap, but for what you get? Fair deal, honestly.
Location; 4 Ibrahim Natsugune rd, Nasarawa GRA, Kano
Room price; From #45,000
3. Prince Hotel Kano
Prince Hotel caught me off guard. From the outside, I wasn’t expecting much – it looked pretty standard. But then I got inside and realized they’d actually thought this through. The grounds are what sold me. Instead of cramming everything into one building, they spread out, like the gardens, walking paths, and actual breathing room. In a city like Kano, that space feels like luxury itself.
Room options all over the place – you can go basic if you’re watching your budget, or splurge on their presidential suite if you’re feeling fancy. I went somewhere in the middle, and it was totally fine. Clean, comfortable, air conditioning that worked without sounding like a jet engine.
The pool area’s nice too. Nothing Instagram-worthy, but after a day in the heat? Perfect for cooling off.
Here’s the thing about Prince Hotel – it’s reliable. Plus, the prices won’t make you cry when you check out.
Location: Tamandu Rd, off Audu Bako wy, Nassarawa GRA, Kano
Room price; From #60,750
4. GK Guest Palace
GK Guest Palace is different. Smaller, quieter… honestly, it feels more like staying at a really nice friend’s place than a hotel. Which might sound like a bad thing, but hear me out. Sometimes, all you want is to come back to your room without navigating through a lobby full of conferences and wedding parties, not the chaos of a big hotel. That’s GK Guest Palace.
The staff actually remembers your name after the first day. The rooms are comfortable without being fancy. And it’s quiet – like, actually quiet. You can have a phone call without shouting over background noise.
Is it going to impress your business partners? Probably not. But if you need to get good sleep and recharge properly, this place delivers. Solo travelers especially seem to love it here.
Not the biggest room selection, and don’t expect a massive pool or anything. But sometimes less is more, you know?
Location: Around Kano City; proximity to the city core, likely in or near Sabon Gari
Room price; From #53,460
5. Zaytun Hotel Kano
Zaytun is not trying to be the biggest or the fanciest – just modern and efficient.
Check-in was faster than anywhere else I’ve tried in Kano. The rooms look like they were designed this decade, which is more than you can say for some places. WiFi that actually works, USB ports by the bed, that kind of stuff.
Location-wise, it makes sense. Easy to get to from most parts of the city, close to transport. If you’re someone who values convenience over everything else, this clicks all the boxes.
The restaurant’s pretty good too – nothing revolutionary, but consistent quality. And the staff seems to actually want to help, which… again, more than you can say for some places.
Price point’s reasonable. You’re not getting five-star treatment, but you’re not paying five-star prices either. Fair trade.
Location: Zungeru Rd, near Kano Airport/Flagged On The Strip area, Kano.
Room price; from #34,200
Conclusion
Bristol Palace, if you want to feel important. Tahir, if you like big, busy places with lots of options. Prince, if you want good value and some space to breathe. GK, if you need peace. Zaytun, if you just want modern and simple.
The thing is, Kano’s changing. It’s not just about the ancient walls and traditional markets anymore – though those are still amazing, don’t get me wrong. But the city’s also building something new, and these hotels are part of that.
So next time someone tells you there’s nowhere decent to stay in northern Nigeria… well, now you know better. These places will take care of you. Some are better than others depending on what you need, but all of them are way better than you probably expect.
Worth the trip, honestly. Both for the city and for where you’ll be staying while you explore.
