Holiday Inn, Nairobi

...experience of staying at the Holiday Inn in Nairobi came on the wings of a panic. I was travelling with my boss, and I had made the BIG MISTAKE of booking us into a convenient, small, and very cheap mission guest house where I frequently stay. It didn't take me too long to figure out that the boss was tired--after two weeks of travel in Africa--and, something really nice better be at the end of this day. So, I quickly slipped out of the meeting and ...
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The Holiday Inn (known locally as The Mayfair) is conveniently located in the Westlands area of Nairobi. It is not very far from the Westlands Shopping Mall and the Sarit Center ... both of which are very nice shopping centers...even by western standards. The buildings are a bit older--but, immaculately maintained--and ramble over a beautiful garden area.

Amenities:

The Holiday Inn has TWO swimming pools. ... more

My initial experience of staying at the Holiday Inn in Nairobi came on the wings of a panic. I was travelling with my boss, and I had made the BIG MISTAKE of booking us into a convenient, small, and very cheap mission guest house where I frequently stay. It didn't take me too long to figure out that the boss was tired--after two weeks of travel in Africa--and, something really nice better be at the end of this day. So, I quickly slipped out of the meeting and took up the less than helpful Nairobi phone book to look for something better. My eyes fell on "Holiday Inn" and I knew I had found the answer.

Location:

The Holiday Inn (known locally as The Mayfair) is conveniently located in the Westlands area of Nairobi. It is not very far from the Westlands Shopping Mall and the Sarit Center ... both of which are very nice shopping centers...even by western standards. The buildings are a bit older--but, immaculately maintained--and ramble over a beautiful garden area.

Amenities:

The Holiday Inn has TWO swimming pools. Each one is located in a very nice garden setting. One of the pools has a lovely eating area directly adjacent where the deluxe breakfast (included with your room) is served in the morning. There is also a spa and exercise facility as well.

In the lobby is a well stocked magazine shop with all the latest news periodicals, maps, and travel books for Kenya ... along with an assortment of African curios.

There are two other very nice clothing shops for outfitting the visiting muzungu to look good in the bush while tracking his lion; a beauty salon; and, a business center.

There is international telephone service available in the hotel ... for a price. A huge price...so, carefully read the telephone cost information in the room before calling. Internet is available at the business center...again, for a price. It is slow, expensive, and not as well equipped as the internet cafes available in the city.

Rooms:

The standard rooms are a bit on the smallish side and a bit "old" as well. They include a 19 inch TV, an in-the-closet safe, and either twin beds or a single queen size bed. The bathrooms are very nice, tiled, with tub and shower combination. A nice selection of shampoo, soap, and conditioner is located in a basket by the basin.

Executive rooms are nicely decorated with very nice touches. They include a mini-bar, a larger television in a nice cabinent, and the typical trouser hanger/presser as well. The executive rooms also have a nice location overlooking the garden area.

Food:

When I stay at the Holiday Inn I never fail to indulge myself in a favorite small "vice". I order--from room service-- the large rack of "baby back ribs" done up American style .... strip down to my shorts and tee shirt and "dig in" and enjoy myself. There is a very good selection of food on the room service menu, and the prices are quite reasonable ... in the range of US$8 to US$15 for a meal.

The Holiday Inn breakfast is nothing short of stupendous. There is more food available on the breakfast buffet than I normally see in a week. Everything is there from real NATURAL yogurt (the way God intended yogurt to be eaten) to cold-cut slices of meat, crepes, eggs any style you can describe, bacon, sausage....fried tomatos...pastry...the works.

Taxi service:

Taxis are available at the front door. The doorman will call a taxi for you and help you to negotiate the proper fare for where you are going. The drivers are known to the hotel staff...and, using them is fairly safe. I once had to move around Nairobi at mid-Night (NOT a recommended procedure) using one of their taxis and the driver was actually quite nice and knowledgeable about where and how to move around safely.

Since that first experience with the Holiday Inn, I have stayed there many times. I find the staff very helpful and they will go out of their way to assist you in anyway possible.

 

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