From it's famous history of the "Thorn Tree" where everyone used to leave messages to it's famous guests such as Winston Churchill and Ernest Hemmingway.
We found it a bit dissapointing, perhaps because we were expecting so much more or because we'd somehow managed to build it up in our minds to be the "Place to stay" while in Nairobi. Our unanimous opinion - for the 5 of us and 3 different choices of rooms - was that while very nice indeed, for the price, we had seen much nicer hotels and lodges throughout our 10 day stay in Kenya.
That, again, is our honest and personal opinion.
There is indeed a thorntree that runs up the center of the hotel and into it's 2nd floor. A small sapling as the original had to be removed and a new one has been replanted. There is a wooden barricade now surrounding the new planting.
The rooms were wonderfully comfortable, as most 4 and 5 star hotels in Nairobi are. Spacious, comfortable beds. Larfge bathrooms complete with the "bidet"!
Internet cafe, choice of restaurants and very large breakfast which is included as part of the meal plan with your room.
It's main selling feature is also (in our opinion) it's worst. They are ideally situated smack dab middle of downtown. Easily within walking distance to shopping, numerous stores and large retail areas.
They are also, it appears, in one of the busiest sections of Nairobi because of this and the traffice right outside the door or open air restaurant is non stop! You cannot hear yourself speak because of all the noise from the pedestrians walking by or honking of horns from the heavy heavy traffic.
Our dreams of sitting back an relaxing at the outdoor cafe watching life go by became dashed and we quickly sought refuge in a quiet (and crowded) lobby of the hotel.
