Is it worth the price for my final night in Africa?

We really enjoyed the experience. The giraffe come right up to the terrace; we got a great "fun" picture of me "kissing" young Barney -- my husband managed to get us lip-to-lip: timing is everything! I have it hanging in my office and people comment on it all the time.

We had a nice personal tour at the adjacent Giraffe Center, and they arranged for a courtesy car to take us to the Sheldrick elephant orphange for afternoon feeding time, which you can attend IF you have adopted a baby elephant.

The Manor has a nice country house atmosphere, especially when everyone gathers for dinner together. The food was good, if not truly gourmet, when we there. We had a very early flight to Kigali the next morning so, sadly, we missed breakfast when the giraffe come around and stick their heads in the windows, looking for treats.

It was somewhat pricey, but I'd do it again. We also stayed at the Norfolk Hotel on another Nairobi transit; this was a lot more fun!

We decided to stay in Jan 2008 on our last night. At that time the managers (and I am searching for their names in my notes) were wonderful. And I think that added so much to our experience. I had seen questionble reviews prior to our trip, and in hindsight, I'm sure the atmosphere of the Manor, and the experiences guests take away, is all about who's running it. That goes for most small inns and camps everywhere, really.

We wouldn't trade our experience at GM for anything. We love giraffes, so this was a dream and we could have spent as much time as we wanted with them. They gave us a bowl of food to take to bed, so in the early morning, you can feed the giraffes from your second story bedroom window. There were also warthogs everywhere, which we also love. The staff was lovely, too. Delicious food!

The rooms were comfortable, bathroom down the hall, a bit of dust on the mosquito netting which triggered more allergies (had bad allergies during our entire trip). But it was very relaxing, easy chat before dinner and there were no other guests there at the time.

I just found this article:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...nor-house.html

The managers had told us the property was for sale, something like 2 million dollars, but was having probate trouble. Anyway, it looks like new owners are on the scene, so a more recent review might help.

We ended up taking a day room as well, when the Intercontinental did not have our reservation. Paid out of pocket for it, and we should have thought this through when planning, but it was stupid to pack up just for a shower. Plus, we'd been out shopping all day with Kennedy as tour guide. So much simpler to come back to our luggage, then pack our new purchases, shower, and grab dinner on the way to the airport. Perfect, really.

Anyway, my two cents - what are the rates they are quoting right now? I would probably do it again, depending on the new owners.

We stayed there before going on safari and it was great since those were the first animals we saw. I've wondered if it would be as much fun after you've been on safari and seen loads of animals.

We stayed there last Feb and the new managers (young couple from england if I recollect correctly) were very friendly.
The lawn, the lounge everything was fine.

The dinner was next to nothing! For us vegetarians we got a WHOLE PLATE(!) of beans - that was it. Obviously the chef needs some training and also an idea of vegetarian options.

The chalet was nice but needs a thorough refurb. The toilet in partcular was really bad having carpet floor - looked extremely filthy. No minibar in the room but friendly delivery.

The breakfast room, where the giraffes come and stick their heads through the windows and get fed, was furnished in order to cope with the morning visits of the giraffes: long tables, very average china/cups and cutlery.

I particularly didn't like the giraffe circus. Too much of a show.

The warthogs roaming the lawn were quite nice.

I don't think the "experience" as a whole isn't worth the money they charge for B+B.

Sorry if that opinion might not suit your expectation. But it's really a circus.

Well it just looks like too much fun to pass up for 1 night at least. Altho not keen about the bathroom down the hall, for that price the bathroom should at least be in the room!

Current rates are $440 per person sharing FB.

Of course it's even more for myself as a single.

Are you able to adopt a giraffe here or no?

Local 2542 I'll be out shopping with Kennedy the day of flying out too, but the day rooms here are $310!!

Should I decide to get a day room I'd sooner go to Macushla House for $100.

Where did you go shopping? I know I'll need to buy another small bag as the duffel bag will already be crammed!

Will be searching for some Diana Carmichael things, her website says there's a store at the duty free at airport but I'd hate to get there and find that isn't the case when it's too late to turn back.

Her stuff can also be found @ a place called "Stuff" at the Village Market. Anyone ever hear of it?

We went to the Giraffe Center and elephant orphanage as a day trip from Niarobi. I think i ate lunch there or other "Colonial" home. Also did the shopping the the crafts place near there. Had private car to take us around. For our last late day/evening we stayed in the Serena Hotel in town. What an experience. The most beautiful locals are at the beautiful swimming pool. Most interesting people in bar and longue. I am certain I saw diamond smugglers, great white hunters, jetset lovies, and men wearing robes (no, not the hotel ones). Also good shops in hotel. We had arranged massages since our flight was not till midnight. Excellent professional massage French style. $35 for one hour. Lovely.. We had dinner brought to our room and finally left for the airport. I have no idea what this cost. We did have a day rate since we were not sleeping there. We used the beds, showered, took a swim. When I left I was in a much better mood for our long overnight flight. The hotel arranged transportation to the airport. The airport is a pit. We went thru 5 separate inspections for security. There is nothing to eat at the airport so if you want usual stuff, best to come prepared. The few sales areas we saw were not tempting.
Very strict security after giving boarding pass, Kenya security and then BA security. Not a good place to try to smuggle anything.

Hi

My wife and I stayed there a couple of years back. In my opinion it is fun but way overpriced - food and rooms are no better than average in my opinion but a lovely setting. I would only recoemment it if it is your first night of your first safari. At $200 to $250 pppn, that would be a differnet matter...

Phil

Giraffe Manor is under new management; the rooms have been redone and bathrooms are now all ensuite. Rates though are up there, whether FB, HB or Dayroom (this includes 1/meal=dinner before departing to airport).

No doubt, Giraffe Manor has a reputation worldwide, but comes at a price and having the "tall blondes" join you for breakfast and even later sundowners, is different, you can as easily feed the twiga from the Giraffe Center on the same grounds.

With only 6/rooms, if this is something you wish and want to spend the rates charged, you've gotta make reservations early as they do book up quickly most all year-round.

Thanks everyone!

Just found out my flight from ZNZ doesn't get in till 6:30 pm so with checkout the next day it hardly seems worth the $555 HB for a single. If I got in a few hours earlier allowing more time to enjoy the setting and this being my last night, I could easily talk myself into it.

Now if I could just get the picture of giraffe poking their head thru the window while I'm enjoying breakfast out of my head, I'm sure I'd feel a lot better about my decision!

Every time I blink, the prices get steeper since our trip! You're right, it doesn't make sense if you aren't arriving til late. We checked in about 10am and our flight out was the next night. So it made sense, and we splurged. But the day room was $110 - $140 if we had lunch, but we had lunch at the Talisman (excellent) (same as the intercontinental).

If you start a shopping thread, I'll try to remember where we went, but others will help. We could only shop in and near Karen. There were still riots going on, and Kennedy was wise in guiding us. He didn't feel it was super safe to go across the entire city. We were really interested in these large junk metal animal sculptures, but we will try on the next trip when we decide to go.

"Now if I could just get the picture of giraffe poking their head thru the window while I'm enjoying breakfast out of my head..."

You always need to leave something undone, so you have an excuse to go back!

Aahhh but I haven't booked my international flight yet and have a day that can be added on. It's also my birthday around that time and what a lovely gift this would be!!

Have tried to plan this trip knowing that a return to Kenya & Tanzania is very unlikely. And that's not to say I won't be back to other countries in Africa, just not these two. So am trying my best to get in as much as possible.

Recently heard a quote by Mark Twain,"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do."

I like his way of thinking!

Local 2542 - I'm sure prices have gone up but keep in mind I'm plagued with the "single supplement" at most places.