sandi

Have WT check for rates at the Fairview Hotel or Country Lodge (the latter a lower cost option belonging to Fairview and using the same grounds) as alternative to The Stanley. However, I can't say the price would be that much less expensive. Unless you're looking for a flea-bag hotel, Nairobi is a big city with any decent hotel/s prices to match.

twaffle

Heymo, I use Macushla House in Karen for all my overnights in Nairobi and know many others who do also. $120 bed and breakfast per night. A comfortable, safe, lovely small hotel with good meals and excellent, friendly service. They do a la carte dinners and lunches as well. You can walk to the giraffe centre from Macushla and it is close to all the top tourist centres around Karen. I wouldn't stay in Nairobi if you paid me to, not with all that traffic.

heymo

Thanks. I'll loo into the Macushla House. Don't want a flea bag motel, but don't need a 5 star either (thought I know even a 5 star in other countries is not a 5 star here!)

moneyburns

Heymo,
Mr. MoneyB and I also stayed at Machusha - it was charming with lovely gardens, decent food, very nice staff and a wonderful overnight. It is a small inn and perfect to see the area around Karen.(but our toilet did run all night and I was too tired to get up and complain)

On our last night we did stay at the Norfolk, mainly because I am a Fairview member from long ago and was given a suite at a pretty good price. Mr. was exhausted from trying to keep up with the Massai guides- running, spearing, tree-climbing, etc so we went for it. Having not seen the original we thought it perfectly fine (given the upgrade) and I got to people watch - many weddings and safari goers so I liked it, while he napped.

Also took one of the only pictures of food on the entire 2-wk trip while there. They loaded our suite up with choc . cakes for some reason- and I felt bad we did not eat them.
In addition, in our opinion -as we are such food snobs (LOL) the best hamburger I had in 2 wks-. with crispy fries. yum (Unless you are a vegetarian;and the salads looked good too)

Depends on what day of the week you are in Nairobi. We were lucky; this was a Sat. - traffic not as bad as weekdays - although that is not saying much. I was terrified being driven around Nairobi - those folks are crazy. The Norfolk also picked us up at Wilson which was nice.
Anyway, lots of options esp. on a budget- go for Macushla...it is so charming.

I am not an expert on Kenya but just a bit obsessed - I could have stayed in the Mara an add'l 3 days (we stayed 7); a good guide will keep you away from the hoards and it is most special; and large enough to spread out over days. Drop another area, but the Mara is the Mara and it may change soon - do not miss it. Will be plenty of stories to tell the grandkids.

heymo

Thanks, moneyburns...I will definitely suggest Macushla. We might be able to drive past Karen Blixen's house if we stay in Karen as well!

As to Nairobi traffic...some of the scariest traffic I've been in has got to be Egypt. It made traffic in Sicily look like Mr. Rogers Neighborhood...(and THAT'S saying something!) Driving at night with lights off, changing sides of the raod abck and forth...if we can survive that we can survive anything!

atravelynn

Twaffle, who chimed in above, did a serious photo trip and just returned. Check out her link

http://safaritalk.net/index.php?show...42&#entry45842

At this moment, the report covers only the first couple days of the trip.

sandi

moneyburns -

Glad you had a great/best burger at The Norfolk, mine was terrible.

I specifically wanted burger as when I eaten here a few years earlier, before Fairmont took over, it was probably the best ever. Not this time. My medium-rare was dead! And, I didn't have the patience to wait for them to get it right, so picked at my fries and a few bites of meat... not my finest moment. Besides, their prices have doubled since 5/years earlier... ugh!

I made sure to tell the hotel about this as well their hairdryers... the worst any hotel can use anywhere in the world.

It's just not the same Norfolk Hotel as the original, but for the fact this time I didn't have to run the water for 30/min before it was hot!

Hey, I just go with the flow and rarely pitch a fit and this wasn't worth it!

moneyburns

Sandi, I am astonished! I was not going to order it (I did remember your visit reported with another fodorite)
But ...I was being "me" and specifically said, I've heard good and I've heard bad..so lets see the good tonight (with a smile of course)

We were lucky. But yes, food is such a toss up - and I had good and "so so" in camps, and never complained, but darn it, I wanted a good burger! I am not a big complainer but believe me a pic would not have been taken if not so good.

Now, at the back terrace overlooking the gardens, the service was lousy.

But, if you told me I could go this weekend, I'd be there!

The game viewing in Afreekah has always been good!

sandi

I too, having remembered the burger I had a few years earlier and just how delicious it was, wanted another. But, darn... this was a bust.

Ask Leely, who was across the table from me and saw the disappointment on my face. But it was more the wonderful company as we hadn't seen one another in a few years... catching up and laughs were more important... so screw the burger!

horses123

I have been to Kenya over 20 times. I see some of your itineraries include driving the whole way. If at all possible fly to as many parks as you can. You are wasting time driving, the roads are not good and you will miss game drives because your time is being spent driving. Oh yes I stay at Machushla and it is very nice with wonderful owners who do everything possible to keep their customers happy. The food is great and the hotel is priced right. Very charming. Beef is not always the best food in Kenya. Try the fish, it is generally very good.

sandi

horse123 (first and only post? )

Sure if there are flights going where you are, something I prefer. But, unfortunately there aren't airstrips everywhere and often driving is the best/only option.

As far as missing game drives... not so, as transfers from one area to another are done after a morning game drive/breakfast, arriving at next destination in time for lunch, then visitors go out on their afternoon game drive. If the itinerary is scheduled properly, transfers shouldn't be longer than 3/hrs... many visitors enjoy seeing the country, landscape, villages, stopping to meet locals and yes, shopping along the way.

I've yet to miss a game drive if doing road transfers.

cristeen

book marking. thanks!