We will arrive from South Africa on April 6 at 2:50pm for one night. Then fly out at 10am April 7 for Tanzania.

We arrive back in Nairobi at 3:30pm April 13 and fly out for Dubai at 7:30am April 14.

My first thought was to stay at the House of Waine both nights. They will pick us up take us to the Elephant Orphanage then on to the hotel and back to the airport for the April 6-7 stay. And, of course, do the round trip airport transfers for the April 13-14 stay. Not cheap though.

The April 6 stay at the House of Waine is not as much a concern as we are not so rushed. The hotel sounds very nice and all inclusive. The one thing I can't seem to find out...do they have A/C??

However, the April 13 stay is rushed with the early flight. I wonder if the Intercontinental at $410 with a club room or the Hilton with an excutive room at $180 would be better. Are they closer to the airport given our the early flight?

Is the Intercontinental worth $200+ more than the Hilton?? It is about the same price as the House of Waine all things considered and it does have A/C.

Thanks for the help.

House of Waine has A/C. It is 30 minutes from NBO when no traffic.

For faster airport transfers and simple overnights I much prefer the Panari. Better value for money than the usual international chain hotels.

The April 6 stay at the House of Waine do they have A/C??
You shouldn't need A/C. The climate here is temperate. It's not muggy like Mombasa. Few hotels have or need it.


the Intercontinental or the Hilton Are they closer to the airport given our the early flight?

Not particularly better for the airport. But for an early flight traffic is not such a worry. Rather than town hotels try Holiday Inn WEstlands. At that time it will only add 10 minutes and it's more restful than town hotels... plus it should be less expensive than the other choices.

Is the Intercontinental worth $200+ more than the Hilton??

No

But you might consider the Serena Hotel too... very nice, very well run.

HOW does have a/c, but doubt you'll need it. Nights in Nairobi are cool.

As to the early flight 14th April, and will arrival back in NBO at 3:30pm, you can certainly return to HOW, but I'd also consider the Panari. The hotel is a short 10/mins from JKIA for your early check-in.

Though admittedly, at that very early hour, even the downtown (or any located in the burb of Karen) hotels would work. Yes, there is traffic, but not too bad early mornings. I've made the trip in 30/min.

Thanks everyone.

Good to know that the House of Waine has A/C and that it will be cool in Nairobi. I have asthma and sometimes there are pollens or dust in the air that make me have to close the windows and turn on the AC for relief, if possible.

I looked at the Panari, the 2008 rates are $300 plus another ~$50 for breafast so that is pushing up to the price to close to the HOW and InterContinental. It doesn't get that good of reviews. Is it really OK? I have read there is a good place to eat dinner in the complex, though.

We will arrive at NBO around 3:30pm that last day, but I guess that would be heavy traffic time, so it could take us 2 hours+ to get to HOW or InterContinental.

For the 7:30am departure (5:30 at the airport) the next morning...going to the airport would only be a 20-30 drive if stayed in town, right?

The House of Waine sounds very nice and we would like to see bit of Nairbo the first time through. Since we arrive mid-afternoon and have a later departure the next morning-10am, I thought we might fit something in.

What is the trip like to HOW in the afternoon, would we really have time to stop at a place of interest on the way? The hotel seems to think so. Or would we be better off staying in town?

I stopped by at Panari for lunch when I flew back from the Mara into Wilson and I had to catch a flight at NBO. They charge $300??? I'm surprised ......

If you are paying more than $250 per standard double room B&B for the Panari I suggest you change agents!

I have stayed at the other international chains and the Panari is better (please do not trust all those reviews).

Remember, you are staying just for one night. The Panari is clean, efficient and convenient with good food and attractions in the complex and just fine for an overnight.

But not to be compared with HOW and the other boutique-style lodging.

For the first stopover when you're visiting Sheldrick, I'd stay at HOW as it's closer to the orphanage than downtown hotels.

Heading back to NBO at 5:00am, you'll be within 30 min drive from downtown or most suburbs. Staying in town doesn't have a big advantage in this case.

Well the 2008 price lisited on the Panari website for a standard room is $305 for a double plus an extra $22pp for breakfast. That is $349 for 2008. Since the 2009 prices will be higher, this seems to put it close in price to the Intercontinenal which has given me a price of a little over $400 for a B&B room the night we need in 2009.

I know you have to take reviews with a grain of salt. I can usually read between the lines and know if the hotel will be OK for us. I will have to think about this some more and see if the agent can get a better deal. I didn't include this in the rest of the package.

Think I will stick with HOW and the Orphanage stop for the first over night in Nairobi. The Hotel sounds neat and the stop sounds like fun.

Thanks

If it will help, I know several couples who are staying at the Panari this August and September who are paying $260 B&B per double INCLUDING airport transfers!

Thanks, That is a much better deal than what is offerred on the web site.

If you wish to stop at the Sheldrick Orphanage late afternoon*, you have to adopt a baby ellee or two; then advise the Orphanage when you wish to visit. See their website where you can adopt a chubbette for $50.

*the regular hours are 11am daily for 1/hr only open to the public; only adoptee parents can visit later in the day.

Thanks Sandi,
I have already looked into that thanks to an earlier post. We plan to "add to our family". Just working on the travel details.

Have we all gone crazy that we are paying $200 - $400 for a few hours on layover stops in such cities as Nairobi or do we have so much money that the price is irrelevant? "Comes the Revolution!" ZZ

Exactly - what I did on arrival in NBO. I transferred directly to Wilson. Then they have the Aviation club or something (can't remember the exact name of it). Just around the terminals of safari link/Air Kenya etc etc., you can pop in pay something like $20-$30 US to shower and change and you catch your safari transfer.

I would have loved it if things had worked out with the "big bucks", long haul flights so we could pop right over to Arusha and start the safari!

However that is not possible given the timing of the various flights coming from South Africa to and from Tanzania and onward to Dubai.

So to answer your question......
"Have we all gone crazy that we are paying $200 - $400 for a few hours on layover stops in such cities as Nairobi or do we have so much money that the price is irrelevant?"

Price is not irrelevant. However we will pay what the going price for a hotel we see as comfortable and safe in the city in which we have to overnight. You and I may differ on which hotel meets that requirement but......

We are long past the age where we can/will sit in a airport for some 16hours- 3:30pm to 7:30am. We want good meal, a comfortable bed and a good nights sleep so we can enjoy eash day of the trip. Actually $200-$400 is a very small percentage of the cost of this long exciting trip.

Thank you all for you helpful information . We will let our agent get a room for the last night at Panari. This seems to be one of those cases where the agents do get a better deal!

Hari,
It's the Aero Club http://www.aeroclubea.net/facilities.htm

Hi Patty,

Thanks ---- yes, that's the one! and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs to freshen up after a long flight and are waiting to connect to your safari at Wilson.

Good tip, Hari.