The Norfolk Hotel Nairobi Kenya
PO Box 58581 00200-Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
Star Rating: 5
LOCATION: When The Norfolk Hotel first opened in Nairobi on Christmas Day 1904, the Savoy Hotel in London was 5 years old and the London Ritz was still a year away. No other hotel in Kenya captures as much of Nairobi's splendid past and exciting present, and few hotels anywhere can claim a more romantic history. Adventurous visitors such as 26th American President Theodore Roosevelt, Lord Baden-Powell, the Earl of Warwick, Lord and Lady Cranworth, and the Baron and Baroness von Blixen have all been part of the Hotel’s history.
In 1998/99 the Reception, public areas, function rooms and restaurants were renovated, and the new Acacia Wing with 44 deluxe guest rooms and suites was built. Today, the Hotel boasts 167 luxurious guest rooms, an outdoor heated swimming pool, a fully equipped health club, a ballroom, four function rooms, elegant public areas and the choice of four dining venues.
Accommodation
ACCOMMODATION: All guest rooms are luxuriously furnished, have plush carpeting and deep velour soft furnishings. The guest rooms all have bedside lamps, dressing tables, and built-in wardrobes, besides luggage racks. Every room has a telephone and telephone directory, direct dialling facilities, a television linked to satellite dish, electrical mosquito repellent and air conditioning. Back-up generators in the hotel allow for 24-hour electricity.
All the bathrooms have 115\240 v shaving sockets, shampoo, body lotion, bath and shower gel and bathrobes, overhead showers/bath-tubs, flush toilets, washbasin, hot and cold running water, insecticide, water tumblers and the suites, jars of cotton wool balls and weighing scales.
Restaurant
DININGS & BARS: There are six restaurants in the hotel, each offering gourmet dishes fit for kings. Room service is also available 24 hours, and offers a choice of 2 menus. Besides a regular room service menu, a special children's menu is on offer. The Ibis Restaurant menu can be served in guests' rooms for lunch and dinner. The Ibis serves guests its menu on request from 1930 to 2200 hours.
IBIS RESTAURANT
The Ibis Restaurant is the perfect setting for both romantic evenings and business lunches. Leading off the Reception and Lounge areas, the restaurant extends onto a shaded terrace. Guests are entertained daily by a pianist from 1900 hours until closing time. The Ibis offers an a la Carte Menu featuring international gourmet cuisine. Open only for dinner and lunch, with a special businessman's menu on offer for lunch. Seating capacity is 84 people. The Ibis Restaurant is open Monday to Friday for lunch from 1230 - 1400 hrs, and for dinner from 1930 - 2200 hours. On weekends, and public holidays only dinner is served, from 1930 to 2200 hours. Last orders are taken at 2145 hours daily.
HIBISCUS BAR AND LOUNGE
Leading from the Reception area, the Hibiscus is bright and airy, and gives one a feeling of space and light. The main staircase leading to the upper floor sweeps majestically through the centre of the Lobby, and leaves one gazing over the luscious gardens of the inner Courtyard. Served here are tea/coffee, sandwiches and pastries, soft drinks, beer, wines, spirits and cocktails, and afternoon teas after 1500 hours. Seating capacity is 150 people.
The Hibiscus Coffee Lounge and Bar is open daily from 0900 - 2300 hours.
LORD DELAMERE RESTAURANT
The brasserie-look Lord Delamere Restaurant boasts a popular frontage grilling area. Open for breakfast and lunch, meals are a selection of grills cooked in view of diners, besides a salad bar, and a choice of displayed desserts. The buffet lunch is currently themed as follows: Monday - Hot and cold with a Carvery_ Tuesday – Chinese_ Wednesday – Kenyan_ Thursday – Italian_ Friday - Fish buffet_ Saturday - Hot and cold with Curry_ Sunday – Brunch. Seating capacity is 90 people. The Lord Delamere Restaurant is open for breakfast from 0630 - 1000 hours, for lunch from 1230 - 1430 hours and for Sunday brunch from 1100 - 1430 hours.
LORD DELAMERE TERRACE AND BAR
Having proved to be a popular rendezvous since 1904, the Terrace and Bar have been patronised by almost all the first European pioneer settlers. Steeped in history, the Terrace continues to be a favourite watering hole. The Terrace accommodates guests for meals and casual drinks. At the far end is a delightful bar, patronised regularly by Kenya's old and new ‘safari-hands'! On offer is a cosmopolitan a la Carte menu (including continental, Chinese, Italian and Asian) besides beverages, spirits and cocktails. A special children's menu is also available. Seating capacity is 182 people seated. The Lord Delamere Terrace and Bar are open daily from 0900 to 2300 hours (last orders at 2230 hours).
LORD DELAMERE PATIO
A new addition to The Norfolk Hotel, the Lord Delamere Patio extends off the Reception and Business Centre areas, although still part of the Lord Delamere Restaurant. The Patio seats up to 60 people, and is therefore ideal for cocktail parties and private dinner parties.
SWIMMING POOL RESTAURANT
Elevated from the pool, the Poolside Restaurant has a lovely canopied ceiling, with a soothing decor done in pastels. One side faces the pool whilst the other faces the Mugumo gardens. It is an ideal site for cocktail parties, group luncheons and dinners. The Poolside Restaurant is also the perfect setting for intimate, leisurely lunches. Light refreshments and drinks are served throughout the day, besides an a la Carte lunch. Seating capacity is 50 people. The Poolside Restaurant is open from 0900 - 1800 hours, for lunch 1130 - 1430 hours.
Facilities and Services
HOTEL FACILITIES & SERVICES: Guests can enjoy the tranquility of The Norfolk gardens, which feature interesting plants and birds_ besides the collection of antique modes of transportation in the grounds.
The heated swimming pool is normally manned by a pool-attendant from 0900 to 1800 hours. Separate men and women's changing facilities are available. Towels are provided here, along with mattresses for the sun-beds. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Tariku’s Hair Salon is open from 0800 to 1700 hours, and offers hair styling, manicure, pedicure and massage facilities.
The Norfolk Health and Fitness Centre features a well-equipped and maintained gym with modern equipment, aerobics tutorials, and the services of fully qualified health experts and masseurs. Separate facilities for men and women include changing rooms with showers, steam bath, sauna and restrooms. The Centre is located above the Poolside Restaurant.
Our Hotel Gift Shop is open from 0700 to 2100 Monday to Friday_ Saturday and Sunday from 0800 to 1400 and 1600 to 2000 hours. The Gift shop offers a large selection of souvenirs, postcards, books and memorabilia, as well as up-market Kenyan artifacts and jewellery. A selection of local and international newspapers and magazines can be purchased or orders taken for daily delivery to guests’ rooms. A smaller shop offering general amenities and souvenirs is also located near the Hair Salon.
All rooms are equipped with a colour TV. The hotel has its own satellite dish which receives the following local and international channels on a 24 hour basis: M-Net_ Movie Magic_ KTV Channel_ Supersport_ BBC News and CNN International. Local channels are KTN, KBC, Nation, TV Africa, Family TV.