The New Garden Hotel, Nairobi

Advantages: A taste of old colonial
Disadvantages: Can't think of any

...Stayed here on two separate nights on the Kuoni Leopard safari this July but it's used as the start point for a lot of Kuoni tours. Hotel used to be the Mayfair Court (stayed here in 94) and retains a lot of local flavour with pretty gardens, water features and an outdoor canopied breakfast restaurant where much food is cooked fresh to order. This overlooks a decent sized swimming pool but you aren't assaulted by chlorine. The room the first time was standard hotel chain fittings, nothing special. On our return we were in a spacious ground floor room overlooking the garden (where a wedding was taking place) with the most comfortable beds and pillows ever - so comfy that we tucked ourselves under duvets and watched TV from bed (we had been on the road for 14 days)! Big bars of soap in the bathroom. There is an excellent steak... Read review

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Advantages: Cebtral, safe and secure.
Disadvantages: A little pricey for what it is.

...This is a medium priced hotel situated in the centre of Nairobi. The staff there are excellent, and although I found it quite expensive - US$51 for a single room - I was quite happy with it. Breakfast was not included, but was available at a reasonable rate, and was very good. The hotel is well situated, close to good restaurants and bars, Internet cafes and shops. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and room service quick and efficient. The reception staff were always helpful, with giving directions, ordering taxis etc. Nairobi is a dangerous city, but there was always a lot of security staff around the hotel lobby, and on each floor of the hotel. A good place for one or two nights.... Read review

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Advantages: good facilities, lovely grounds, excellent staff, very secure
Disadvantages: some rooms a little dated

...I stayed here for two nights in April 2005, while on a stop-over to visit some friends. As a member of the Holiday Inn club, I have been completely sucked in by points collecting, and always stay in a HI if there's one in town. So I feel I know the chain pretty well, and I also know how much they can vary in standard, not just between countries, but even within towns. The Nairobi Holiday Inn was very different to most. It was converted from an old colonial hotel called the Mayfair Court, and has retained much of that old time character. It is a large hotel, with about 170 rooms, but there is a very personal atmosphere, and the staff are exceptional. Even though I was only there for a short stay, I was greeted by name every time I went to the reception, and even the gardeners and security guards never failed to say jambo in passing... Read review

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