Holiday Inn Nairobi - one of the Lush Nairobi Hotels

Holiday Inn Nairobi, of the popular Nairobi hotels, straddles the affluent business and residential suburbs of Westlands and Parklands. It is located 5 minutes' drive from the city center and 20 km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the largest of the Kenya Airports.

Owing to its location, it is easy to access the leading Nairobi tourist destinations. These include the Nairobi National Park which is home to lions, rhinos, leopards, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust which runs a nursery for orphaned baby elephants and the Giraffe Center.

Rather than a single high-rise building, it is a low-rise hotel spread over some extensive gardens with mature cacti, palms and other trees. There is also enough space for a fish pond (inhabited by cichlids, I think). These both betrays the fact that it was built in colonial Kenya but also adds a country feel and an air of spaciousness to it. These probably account for the fact that many guests felt it was a lot better than the sister US and Europe Holiday Inns.

Accommodations

Each of the 171 rooms at the Holiday Inn Nairobi has a private bathroom, telephone, TV and tea and coffee making facilities as standard features.

The are 3 levels of rooms; guest rooms, executive club level and suites. A reading desk, lamp and safe are standard features in all the rooms. There is reliable high speed internet connectivity in all the rooms although an extra charge applies.

Some rooms have been reserved for non-smokers and paraplegics and the entire hotel has disabled access.

Services and Amenities

Holiday Inn Nairobi's services and amenities include the following...

• Recreations facilities include a health and fitness center, a sauna and 2 outdoor pools. One of these pools is secluded so you can try out a few swimming strokes away from prying eyes.

• The hotel has 2 excellent restaurants. Besides the Holiday Inn's legendary breakfast, Oasis Restaurant, located next to the pool deck, serves some scrumptious lunch and dinner. And, meat lovers should make a date with the Golden Spur Steak Ranch restaurant, which is famous for its succulent steaks and spare ribs. If you are particularly hungry or love generous portions, settle for the "all-you-can-eat" rib specials on Thursdays and Sundays.

• The business center offers everything from photocopying and secretarial services to computer rental and high speed internet

• Babysitting can be provided on request, enabling you to have a night on the town. There is also a jumping castle, trampoline and activity area (with playstations, drawing boards and video) by the Spur Restaurant to keep older children busy.

• Travel services that offer airline, car rental, tour and foreign currency exchange. Be forewarned though the hotel's forex rates will likely be more uncompetitive than those at forex bureaus.

Guest Reviews

This section highlights what real travelers liked and disliked about Holiday Inn Nairobi.

What Guests Liked

• The staff are friendly and courteous.

• The rooms are kept clean. The beddings are invitingly soft and there are lots of pillows.

• The lovely gardens offer a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. The grounds are surprisingly large for a city hotel and have huge mature gardens, manicured lawns, lots of shrubs and colorful flowers.

• It is often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well, this fact is not lost out on the folks at Holiday Inn Nairobi. Many of the guests feel that the hotel's breakfast, which is included in the room rate is remarkable. Lots of fresh fruit, fresh juice and cereals. In addition, eggs and pancakes are made to your specification as you watch. The lunch and dinner in the 2 restaurants is also superb.

• The gym is well-equipped and the instructors excellent.

• The hotel is located close to the curios triangle where you can pick up carved soap stone and ebony wood mementos at a bargain. The Sarit Center and Westgate, 2 of Kenya's busiest malls are just 5 minutes walk away. Here, you can find supermarkets, boutiques and cinemas. And, you can try out their food courts if you tire of the hotel food or just want to keep the hotel bill under check

• If you are heading for a safari and don't want to travel with your bulky luggage, Holiday Inn Nairobi will store it free of charge.

What Guest Disliked

• Some guests felt that the rate of over US$ 200 a night was rather pricey.

• The bathrooms could do with retiling and new bathtubs, showers and toilets.

• While the internet is fast and reliable, it is quite expensive.

• There are no ACs in the rooms, just ceiling fans. You may therefore not be able to cool down as much as you would want.

• Many rooms have thin walls so your neighbors' conversations and TVs can intrude on your cherished peace and quiet.

Summary

The Nairobi Holiday Inn offers the best of both worlds; Western luxurious hospitality as well as a country hotel feel. This is largely thanks to the hotel's lovely large grounds and the low-rise buildings.

The hotel also has warm professional staff and great food to make your stay there memorable.

If you are accustomed to the traditional Holiday Inn hospitality, then prepare to get surprised at the Holiday Inn Nairobi, undoubtedly one of the popular Nairobi Hotels.

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