Hilton HHonors - Hilton Nairobi hotel

Has anyone ever stayed here? What are the upgrades like? I am doing the safari award and have seen the posts concerning the safari portion, but not the Hilton Nairobi portion.

If you are still evaluating Nairobi hotels definitely check out the Norfolk Hotel. http://www.lonrhohotels.com/TNH%20home.html
It isn't the cheapest hotel in town, but it is very comfortable. Call them directly to make a reservation, you will have a bit more bargaining power. The Hilton is very nice, but has more of a business feel to it. Don't know about upgrades. Have a great trip.

We stayed at the Hilton and really liked it. Upstairs on the 2nd floor is a very cool library and bar. It is well located. At the time, we had no Hilton status but still had a good room. After being at the New Stanley for one night, the Hilton was paradise! Nairobi is cheap so whatever they do not give you will not cost much. When we were there, cokes were $.15 in town and $.18 at the airport. By the time we left, I was so accustomed to the low prices, I was complaining about the high prices at the airport! Til we got to Frankfurt and coke was $2.50! Reality time!

Be sure to go to the archeology museum. There is even a game park near town if you are not burned out. Not a great one. Since you will be at Amboseli, you might want to go to Mombasa. Very different. Lots of beach hotels. Eat at Tamarind on the Indian Ocean, most romantic restaurant ever! Have the seafood platter for two. In Nairobi, check out Tamarind (if you don't get to Mombasa) and Carnivore. At Salt Lick, wait til everyone goes to dinner, then go to the viewing tunnel to see the animals. Most tourists rush to eat even though dinner goes on a while. Otherwise, you will be frustrated trying to get to a viewing window. We had the place to ourselves at dinner.

From the Bloomberg News Wire (sorry, but no way to link to the story):
=============================================
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S., Germany and United Nations warned of possible terrorist attacks on Western targets in Nairobi, Kenya, with the U.S. government explicitly saying two prominent hotels in the East African capital were threatened.

Terrorists are eyeing the Stanley and Hilton hotels in downtown Nairobi, the State Department said it was told in an `anonymous warning.'' The naming of specific targets was unusual in a U.S. government bulletin.
"The timing of the threat is within the next several days," the State Department advisory said.

The alerts revived concerns about Kenya's vulnerability to an attack. In the wake of bombings in Istanbul last month that the Turkish government has linked to al-Qaeda, the U.S. reiterated that Osama bin Laden's group may be ready to execute a new round of attacks. "Other geographic locations could be
venues" for the violence, the State Department said on Nov. 21. Today's warning on Kenya didn't mention al-Qaeda.

The Hilton Hotels Corp. hotel has taken maximum-security precautions, ringing the facility with barriers to prevent a car or truck bombing and deploying 24-hour security throughout the site, an employee who asked not to be identified said in a telephone interview. The 300-room, 17-floor hotel was opened in Nairobi more than 30 years ago.
=============================================

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Billiken:
From the Bloomberg News Wire (sorry, but no way to link to the story):
=============================================
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S., Germany and United Nations warned of possible terrorist attacks on Western targets in Nairobi, Kenya, with the U.S. government explicitly saying two prominent hotels in the East African capital were threatened.

Terrorists are eyeing the Stanley and Hilton hotels in downtown Nairobi, the State Department said it was told in an `anonymous warning.'' The naming of specific targets was unusual in a U.S. government bulletin.
"The timing of the threat is within the next several days," the State Department advisory said.

The alerts revived concerns about Kenya's vulnerability to an attack. In the wake of bombings in Istanbul last month that the Turkish government has linked to al-Qaeda, the U.S. reiterated that Osama bin Laden's group may be ready to execute a new round of attacks. "Other geographic locations could be
venues" for the violence, the State Department said on Nov. 21. Today's warning on Kenya didn't mention al-Qaeda.

The Hilton Hotels Corp. hotel has taken maximum-security precautions, ringing the facility with barriers to prevent a car or truck bombing and deploying 24-hour security throughout the site, an employee who asked not to be identified said in a telephone interview. The 300-room, 17-floor hotel was opened in Nairobi more than 30 years ago.
=============================================</font>

Non-US/Non-UK hotel companies are looking better all the time in light of the irrational, excessive hate targetted at us/uk.

So long as I get stay credit toward 4 stays / 50k bonus

Woof! I've got reservations at the hotel in about 30 days, for two nights.

If I don't check in back here at the board, you guys can have my Hhonors points.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SST:

Woof! I've got reservations at the hotel in about 30 days, for two nights.

If I don't check in back here at the board, you guys can have my Hhonors points.

</font>

SST ... ummmm - how many points did you have? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Anyone stayed there? Might try for an award stay next week or so on way to Zanzibar. Not sure what award category it is in.

Is it pretty central to most stuff?



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Try and make it down to SYD for "OZ FEST 2004" - May 21-23 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/002905-3.html)

~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!

Can this place run only 10000 miles a night as Cat #1? Seems awful cheap for something that costs $100s a night to book?

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Try and make it down to SYD for "OZ FEST 2004" - May 21-23 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/002905-3.html)

~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!

Hmmm and I was looking to overnight in NBO on my way to KRT next month... guess I should look at other places in Nairobi....

Nairobi Hilton is partially owned by El Al, and as such is always a potential target for terror.

For 10,000 miles a night for a room they want $300 for with the 26% tax, I'll take my chances on Osama and Co. More dangerous crossing a road in SYD than staying at a Hilton anywhere. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Sadly there is no award inventory for the weekend we need, and hotel is lightly booked rez tells me. Anyone out there know how to tweak an award rez in this case, when not a diamond? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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Try and make it down to SYD for "OZ FEST 2004" - May 21-23 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/002905-3.html)

~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ozstamps:
Anyone out there know how to tweak an award rez in this case, when not a diamond? </font>

Contact the property directly. While no guarantee of success, chances are you'll be able to negotiate award cert acceptance.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ozstamps:
More dangerous crossing a road in SYD than staying at a Hilton anywhere. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif</font>

No kidding!

Jambo, bwana. Habari? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Mama Ngina street is near the heart of it all in Nairobi, just watch your personal security on the street (known as "nairobbery".) I suspect it's acute now, as major fires have burned in one of the most populous low income areas.

As to security from terrs, it's anyone's guess, and there is a number of fat targets in Nairobi, and perhaps even more in Mombasa. We live and manage our risks the best we can.

Cheers, and keep flyin'

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ozstamps:
Is it pretty central to most stuff?
</font>



[This message has been edited by JDiver (edited Feb 23, 2004).]

Well with the help of a friendly FT Diamond member we now have 2 x award nights. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

I'll be sure to watch what we carry walking on the streets!

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Try and make it down to SYD for "OZ FEST 2004" - May 21-23 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/002905-3.html)

~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JDiver:
Jambo, bwana. Habari? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
</font>

Habara gana, Masuri sauna. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by GUWonder (edited Feb 24, 2004).]

We resolved the dilemma of "State Department Warning" vs. "Free Nights" in the usual way folks around here do: Free is good.

The Nairobi Hilton has excellent security in the hotel. There must be 6-8 different security guards walking around the building all the time, with one at the elevator in the lobby (helpfully pushing the "up" button for you), and 2-3 at the airport metal detector at the door.

There's a big border-style counterweighted gate at the street which prevents anyone from driving up to the front entrance of the hotel until they've used a long stick with a mirror on it to scan underneath your vehicle, and all around. Again, 2 guards.

SO: perhaps you're protected from car bombs at the entrance, and from anyone carrying dangerous stuff into the hotel (bombs, guns, eyebrow tweezers).

OTOH: The hotel takes up most of a city block in downtown Nairobi. The streets which form the East and West perimeters of the building are typical city streets, with about 10' sidewalks between the curb and the building. No stopping a car bomb there.

IN SUM: I'd say the hotel is indefensible. They've done a great job of seeing that you don't get mugged. And it will be difficult to bomb the lobby. But determined terrorists will be a problem. HOWEVER, what do you think the chances of it are while you are there? Pretty darned small. We were in the hotel for 7 hours one day, and for 9 hours on our return. Worrying about it vs. spending $400 for a different, perhaps just as threatened, hotel didn't seem worth the energy.

And we liked the hotel. Dinner and breakfast were both good. Lounge food, though, is scanty.

Having recently stayed here at $120 US a night on the executive floor I was unimpressed.
The security is great and makes you feel safe however not once did I go through the metal detectors and my backpack was not searched once.
The hotel itself was in a bad way. One lift was not operating at all and one of the others doors was not closing properly.
Then reception rang me twice asking me for my details and how long I would be staying when on check-in stated two nights.
Numerous other problems on my 2 night stay but to top it all off they tried charging me for my bottled water when it says in a brochure free for executive floors and then trying to charge me two different US$ rates. One for the room and then the other for incedentals. I protested and was told it was company policy. I asked to see the policy. In the end I paid the one exchange rate but was not overly impressed at all and received no apology.
I have written to management but have heard nothing so far.
I would try elsewhere.

Having just returned ... agree with SST re security.

The White House is probably a more dangerous and less secure place to be staying that the NBO Hilton IMO. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Not only the measures he outlined but the hotel has an arcade that has closed off access now from hotel central. So the only way to enter is via the front doors.

I was never asked to go via the metal detector 'gate'. I think the likelihood of an Al Queda terrorist having fair hair, a ginger beard, an Aussie accent and being 6'2" and dressing as tourist badly as me is pretty low. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

The guards seem to allow obvious tourists to skirt it, and all others to go thru it. i.e. unlike most things security in the USA, they use common sense. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I share Randy Petersen's recent comments 100% re that Executive Lounge at the Nairobi Hilton during his stay. (http://www.insideflyer.com/articles/o2.php?key=74) One of the nicest you'll find in Hiltons ANYWHERE IMHO. Large, with classy 'British Gentleman's Club' type decor. We pretty much lived up there as Nairobi is so darn dangerous to go outside.

For 10,000 miles a night this is probably one of the best "value" Hilton stays I have made worldwide IMO. We were upgraded to a suite with no problems too.

Unlimited free booze, and despite the comments above I found that there was hot food there all day until about 11pm. Oddly the concierge there makes you sign a detailed chit each visit as to what you drank - for internal audit purpose only as there is no charge on your account registered.

The staffers there told us that Hilton takes them home each night in a staff vehicle as they will not permit them to walk or take transport after dark. I asked 2 separate African concierges there how they would fare walking around Nairobi streets at night with a camera and both said (seriously) they'd not get 100 yards without it being stolen.

Internet access on most of the floors on the building right opposite the hotel runs less than $US1 an hour. I foolishly used the hotel business centre for my first bout and paid THIRTY times that. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

Agree with Randy also on Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi ... for $US17 or whatever lunch was, it has the be THE best value lunch experience you'll ever find in a tourist spot. We loved the Ostrich - a wonderful lean and tasty meat.

There is a huge Nairobi National Park right next to the airport. HUGE. And animals are free to move in and out. for any FT'er with only a day free on Biz in Kenya I'd urge you to take a tour thru there in a van.

We saw a leopard lazing out in a tree that we did NOT see in a week of Tanzania game parks for instance. TONS of giraffes and Elephants etc and all that stuff too. A day trip to there, lunch at Carnivore and an surprisingly enjoyable Boma visit in the afternoon runs about $US100-$US200 (depending on how good a negotiator you are!) and I'd highly recommend it.


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Try and make it down to SYD for "OZ FEST 2004" - May 21-23 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/002905-3.html)

~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!

OK, I'm convinced - we'll be down later in the year http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, travelling BA First on day flights both ways, thanks to the AmEx 2:1 voucher http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

Just one question: tipping - is it International or US culture? Do guests tip left, right and centre or just when it is appropriate? And if so, what is appropriate?

OK, that's three question marks, but thanks for your indulgence.

No idea why the link to Randy's Kenya "trip report" is not working above but it sure did when the Inside Flyer email came through a few days back. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Anyway, someone else here might have a working link to post?

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Try and make it down to SYD for "OZ FEST 2004" - May 21-23 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/002905-3.html)

~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!

Here is a link to some pictures I took recently. One series is of a regular suite and the other series is of the presidential suite (room #809).

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4287472297

This is a link to my trip report. I do talk about about the Nairobi Hilton on two separate 1 night stays.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/004403.html

And finally here is the link to Randy's trip report:

http://www.insideflyer.com/articles/o2.php?key=74

[This message has been edited by andrzej (edited Mar 21, 2004).]

Are there airport transfers?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by davistev:
Are there airport transfers?</font>

Yes. They ask for your flight arrival and departure times to book the transfer (included).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by andrzej:

And finally here is the link to Randy's trip report:

http://www.insideflyer.com/articles/o2.php?key=74

</font>

That is indeed the same link as I gave above. Does not work anymore for me -- do others get it to open OK?



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Try and make it down to SYD for "OZ FEST 2004" - May 21-23 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/002905-3.html)

~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Roger:

Yes. They ask for your flight arrival and departure times to book the transfer (included).</font>

There is a special Hilton transfer desk at Airport next to rental cars.

They put us in a cab as it happened as our bags were late, and we never saw the cab bill. Hotel took care of it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif



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Try and make it down to SYD for "OZ FEST 2004" - May 21-23 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/002905-3.html)

~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ozstamps:
That is indeed the same link as I gave above. Does not work anymore for me -- do others get it to open OK?

</font>

WOW! what happened? It worked for me just few hours ago. Oh well, I tried http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by davistev:
Are there airport transfers?</font>

Was there last week and will echo what Glen said, the lounge was fantastic. Will have a bunch of pics in my trip report when I get back. The pool is quite nice and airy with a little bar and grill nearby. Lunch was great outside....

E-mailed the Hilton and they had a car waiting for me when I arrived. Was $10 USD for each way... couldnt complain as it was a 15 min ride from the airport to the hotel. Had a late afternoon check-out (no problem!)before being taken to the airport for my flight to Sudan.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by andrzej:
WOW! what happened? It worked for me just few hours ago. Oh well, I tried http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>For what it's worth I had the same issue with the link published in the email.

Security: I made the safari trip and was at the Hilton Nairobi in August 2003. At that time they had several security guards in the building and the lobby. On our first day we went to a small store to purchase sun glasses, which is part of the building complex, which we entered from the outside. I told them I wanted to charge the purchase and what they did was to open a back door that lead right into the Hilton. The employee took us to a business that had a charge card machine right off the inside lobby of the Hilton lobby.
I thought at that time that this was one of the reasons for the security guards because there was likely multiple ways besides the front door to enter the Hilton. Perhaps now with the new security guidelines, this might not be possible.

Is the Hilton Nairobi a building that is a potential terrorist target? My thoughts are that certainly it is a potential target, which would be considered by those wishing to engage in such activity. Hotels are clearly one of the targets for terrorists as has been shown already. This hotel would represent both an American and Jewish target. Certainly driving past the site of the old American Embassy site that was bombed
and knowing that a hotel on the Kenya coast was bombed shows a risk.

Yes I made the trip to the Hilton Nairobi deciding that I would have to be very unlucky to be there at the wrong time.

We were always waved past the metal detector also.

We ran across the street to the fast food chicken place. We gave the doorman our small camera, which he put right in his pocket. Just enough money for the chicken was on out person.

Lounge: You mean I passed up some complimentary refreshments? I passed up a cold Tusker? I was surprised to have to pay for bottles of coke several times, so I assumed there was charge for all refreshments. So that was just another erroneous assumption on my part.

Link: I have been trying to read Randy’s report with no luck here also.

Glen: Last but not least, we missed seeing the leopard on our trip. That is really cool, that you saw one right in Nairobi. I have seen various reports about that park, which seem to indicate it was so so. Will you have a Tanzania trip report somewhere?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Macken7:

Lounge: You mean I passed up some complimentary refreshments? I passed up a cold Tusker? I was surprised to have to pay for bottles of coke several times, so I assumed there was charge for all refreshments. So that was just another erroneous assumption on my part.

Link: I have been trying to read Randy’s report with no luck here also.

Glen: Last but not least, we missed seeing the leopard on our trip. That is really cool, that you saw one right in Nairobi. I have seen various reports about that park, which seem to indicate it was so so. Will you have a Tanzania trip report somewhere?

</font>


You bet you passed over THE best Hilton lounge I can recall being in. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

For the days we were there hardly another soul was ever there. This may have to do with the fact the room keys did not open the door! Entry involved persistently knocking on the door glass. The concierge sits well to one side, so he is never visible so you never know if he is there or not. And those guys do not move fast. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Had duty manager re-code our keys, but to no avail. One concierge said this had been an issue for months. So possibly a good chunk of those entitled to use lounge assume it is closed?

Probably for this reason there were never more than 2 or 3 others in a lounge that holds about 50 I'd guess. Because of the location it gets pretty "clubby" and we always struck up conversations with the others. A great experience. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

Randy's report seems to be temporarily not available due to a server problem:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum97/HTML/000957.html

I hope he finds time to post it in the "Trip Reports" Forum. Yes, I may even get around to a trip report on Kenya/Tanzania/Zanzibar this week.

That Nairobi National Park was MUCH better than I imagined, and I have been to Africa 3 times before on Safaris - in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Zululand and Botswana, but had never once seen a leopard close up until that park. A large male lounging on a high branch of an acacia tree well off the beaten path.

Nothing will beat the Ngorongoro Crater/Serengeti experiences probably, but for any FT'er on business with a spare day in Nairobi, the Park is only a 20 minute drive from Hilton door. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


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Try and make it down to SYD for "OZ FEST 2004" - May 21-23 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/002905-3.html)

~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by thezipper:

Was there last week and will echo what Glen said, the lounge was fantastic. Will have a bunch of pics in my trip report when I get back. The pool is quite nice and airy with a little bar and grill nearby. Lunch was great outside....

</font>

So ... where are the photos? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif



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Try and make it down to SYD for "OZ FEST 2004" - May 21-23 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/002905-4.html)

~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!

Lots of discussions all around Flyertalk about the African Safari award. Even Randy has posted a trip report on InsideFlyer.

I'm not on track to make Diamond for next year, so I figure this year's our best chance to cash in my quarter million and do the safari thing for ourselves.

I don't have many miles anywhere except USAirways, and I'm learning that my options for earning or redeeming USAirways miles are about zero, even assuming that the Star Alliance goes into effect by the time I fly.

So how are you folks flying from (East Coast) US to Nairobi? Best bet looks like flying BA to earn AA miles (around $1250 pp with taxes), although my AA account is probably non-existent anymore (and earning 25% of actual miles seems almost not worth it...)

Probably going to try for September (though I haven't called HH yet).

Help me out here?

Remember, you'll only earn AA miles on the BA LHR-NAI segment, not the transatlantic one [unless you fly AA]. LH should fly there, or else wait a year and SAA will be a member of STAR and you can fly there via JNB.

The other OW option besides BA is Swiss.
Another popular option is KLM through AMS.

CX140A YVR-JNB
KL award on KQ JNB-NBO

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Shareholder:
Remember, you'll only earn AA miles on the BA LHR-NAI segment, not the transatlantic one [unless you fly AA]. LH should fly there, or else wait a year and SAA will be a member of STAR and you can fly there via JNB.</font>
AA codeshares with BA and SWISS to Nairobi. Depending upon the time of year you are flying you can sometimes get the fare a bit cheaper by breaking it in LHR.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by terenz:
CX140A YVR-JNB
KL award on KQ JNB-NBO</font>

That's a very long way to Nairobi from the east coast. I did it just recently, but I was flying F CX. There is no way I would do this if flying in Y.

Since you can buy 10,000 HH points for $125. It makes sense to buy points and redeem rather than pay the $175 USD (pretty average price for this property). 10,000 points is an excellent deal for this property.

Has anyone ever stayed here? What are the upgrades like? I am doing the safari award and have seen the posts concerning the safari portion, but not the Hilton Nairobi portion.

I did this same safari package about 2 months ago. Here is a link to my report:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182477&highlight=andrzej

And here is the link to pictures of the 2 suites at the Nairobi Hilton and the the room at the Salt Lick Lodge. 2 room suite on the way out and the Presidential suite on the last night. Didn't ask, they just gave me the keys. It has been reported that that's pretty much the procedure. Some did not get the presidential suite, but I would think that only happens when somebody actually has reserved it. There are some important people that stay there. Overall you will be treated very good by the hotel when doing the Safari package. read my report(link above).

Picture link

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4287472297

Was passing through last month and stopped at the Hilton for the night. Made arrangements and they picked me up at the airport, no problems. Got a room on the executive floor... nothing special, but the bathroom had a recent renovation by the looks of it. The pool area is quite nice and they do have a outdoor restaurant... The Exec. Lounge takes you back to an english manor with all the cherry wood in the room. Simple breakfast fare with some hot items as well. Enjoyed my night there. Have some pics if you are interested.

Since you can buy 10,000 HH points for $125. It makes sense to buy points and redeem rather than pay the $175 USD (pretty average price for this property). 10,000 points is an excellent deal for this property.

I did the safari award last August. I requested to stay one extra paying night. The rate quote to me for that one night was less than the rates listed on hilton.com at that time. I would suggest that if you are doing the safari award and need extra nights to get a quote from your safari contact.

This applies only if you are fussy about (non) smoking preferences as you may be offered more expensive rooms only.

I have been playing around making a booking at this property at Hilton.com. What I noticed is while non-smoking rooms are offered, when you try to book a non-smoking room the system generally tells you they're not confirmable and to choose a smoking one instead (the same list of rooms comes up but with a fumey cigarette symbol).

At any rate, I tested the rates again to see if there was anything other than the best available rate which was an executive king ($140). Expedia.com and other engines indicated there were a plethora of rooms lower in price than what I had reserved. Tried to invoke the lowest rate guarantee but this was declined because the room type was different.

I went back to Hilton.com and chose smoking. Twin and queen rooms were offered at $80.

FWIW, I made a bookiing for this hotel last year for a stay next month and the only non-smoking rooms offered initially were kings.

It is not a Nairobi Hilton thing. It is the brain dead Hilton web site. The title should read "Caution: Rates on the Hilton site"

This is very common as the hotel approaches capacity and all of the non-smoking rooms are snapped up. As a habit, I like to display all rooms that don't meet my preferences.

Got 3 suites in 3 stays.

As Gold on SAF8 award, got 1614(?), the one right above the 15th floor lounge 1st night. This was a nice size suite and quiet.

Got 809 (Lamu suite) on return. Huge room (or 4) but too low and near the noisey pub (which closes down early).

Diamond GF got, on revenue stay, 1108 which is a 2 room suite with 2 tiny bathrooms. Not as nice as the 16th floor one but actually preferable to the Lamu suite.

As a Diamond, is it worth booking a room rate that is $20 more daily to include breakfast - or is whatever's offered in the lounge sufficient ('assuming' lounge access for Diamonds)?

Have stayed at some Hiltons where the lounge offering was quite sufficient (Metropole) and others where they just gave me a chit for the regular breakfast room (Tewkesbury). A couple of the other places I usually check for info (tripadvisers, etc) don't have this hotel reviewed - so relying that someone in this group has recent, personal knowledge - thanks.

Has anybody stayed at Nairobi Hilton? I am staying there for one night before heading into Masai Mara and was wondering what should I expect. I am HH Diamond, will I be receiving anything especial.

Thanks

p.s. This is during my Honeymoon.

We were there last week (gold) and were upgraded to a junior suite. Very pleasant indeed, on the 16th floor (hotel has 17 floors).

Welcome gift was a bowl of fresh fruit and ... not a bottle, not a knicknack, but a (pre-cooked) Christmas pudding accompanied by a spoon!

The lounge was closed, so we used the Resident's Lounge on the first floor (US: second floor) with complimentary drinks.

Tight security: on arrival, guests go through a metal detector and hand luggage is searched. Three guards patrol the entrance area with one more upstairs.

Arriving by road, the entrance is controlled by a barrier at which vehicles are checked underneath for explosives.

Make sure they know it's your honeymoon and you may get a senior suite!

I hope your honeymoon in the Masai Mara will be a memory to last a lifetime.

P.S. Tight security on leaving Nairobi airport, too. Checked baggage and hand baggage are X-rayed before you enter the terminal and hand baggage twice more before getting on the plane - at least for our BA flight. In spite of this, holdups nothing like as long as in the US. Nevertheless, best to allow plenty of time.

I'm guessing that most forum members who have stayed at the Nairobi Hilton have stayed as part of the Safari Award. If you search this forum and the trip reports forum for "SAF8" or "Hilton Safari" you'll find many descriptions of this hotel as part of that experience. I'm not sure whether the treatment would be any better but I don't know why it wouldn't, particularly if the hotel is aware of your status and of your honeymoon.

We stayed there in September on the Safari and were put into large suites (although not the Presidential Suite) each time (on the Safari Award you get a night in the Hilton both before and after visiting Salt Lick) (we're Diamond). The exec lounge staff is outstanding, Natasha in particular.

Although there is a walk-through metal detector at the entrance to the hotel, in my observation only non-whites who were considered not to be guests of the hotel were directed through it. We were always waved around.

Intersting observation - at NBO while you're waiting for your luggage you can see the "other side" of the conveyor where the luggage handlers unload the carts from the plane. All arriving baggage was X-rayed before being placed on the conveyor for arriving passenger pickup.

Enjoy your trip.

We were there last week (gold) and were upgraded to a junior suite. Very pleasant indeed, on the 16th floor (hotel has 17 floors).

Welcome gift was a bowl of fresh fruit and ... not a bottle, not a knicknack, but a (pre-cooked) Christmas pudding accompanied by a spoon!

The lounge was closed, so we used the Resident's Lounge on the first floor (US: second floor) with complimentary drinks.


We were at the Nairobi Hilton last week as well! Our experience differed - no Christmas pudding, and the executive lounge was open with Gordon staffing it. We left our two nights at the Nairobi Hilton to the end of our safari stay. Effectively it was 3 nights, as we flew out on the 11:20pm BA flight. We were given the Lamu (Presidential) Suite - very nice, and lots of fun to see several FT names in the guest book.

There is one restaurant - casual, but good. At night, they offer an Italian menu in addition to an eclectic menu offered all day.

I wanted to shop at Zanzibar Curio, a half block away - and the staff was insistent that it was too dangerous to walk there. Instead, we discovered the two shops at one end of the Hilton arcade - unbelievably cheap, compared to any roadside or hotel gift shops. For example, leather animal bookmarks that sold for $3 in roadside stands were $.20.

We had a quote from a safari company for an all day tour of Nairobi - $150 for car and driver, not including admissions. Gordon brought up Agripa, a 20 year old who can be found outside with the taxi drivers. We worked out an all day trip with him, for which he charged us the rough equivalent of $50. I knew where I wanted to go, and he and his brother drove us to each place with excellent commentary. Be sure to visit the Kenya Museum with Joy Adamson's pictures of tribal people - fantastic. In one day, we saw:


Railway Museum
Kenya National Museum
Karen Blixen House
Giraffe Center
Lunch at Carnivore
Bomas of Kenya - dance program, then tour of 11 tribal village replicas


Admissions will cost you as much as you pay the driver - and it is worth it. It was a terrific day.

Although there is a walk-through metal detector at the entrance to the hotel, in my observation only non-whites who were considered not to be guests of the hotel were directed through it. We were always waved around.



That seems to have changed. Last week, all arrivals had to go through the metal detector while we were there irrespective of skin tone.

That seems to have changed. Last week, all arrivals had to go through the metal detector while we were there irrespective of skin tone.

Agreed. We walked thru it each time we entered the hotel. While waiting for our ride to the airport, I did see two men enter, flash their room keys, and walk around it.

We were at the Nairobi Hilton last week as well! Our experience differed - no Christmas pudding, and the executive lounge was open with Gordon staffing it. We left our two nights at the Nairobi Hilton to the end of our safari stay. Effectively it was 3 nights, as we flew out on the 11:20pm BA flight. We were given the Lamu (Presidential) Suite - very nice, and lots of fun to see several FT names in the guest book.

There is one restaurant - casual, but good. At night, they offer an Italian menu in addition to an eclectic menu offered all day.

I wanted to shop at Zanzibar Curio, a half block away - and the staff was insistent that it was too dangerous to walk there. Instead, we discovered the two shops at one end of the Hilton arcade - unbelievably cheap, compared to any roadside or hotel gift shops. For example, leather animal bookmarks that sold for $3 in roadside stands were $.20.

We had a quote from a safari company for an all day tour of Nairobi - $150 for car and driver, not including admissions. Gordon brought up Agripa, a 20 year old who can be found outside with the taxi drivers. We worked out an all day trip with him, for which he charged us the rough equivalent of $50. I knew where I wanted to go, and he and his brother drove us to each place with excellent commentary. Be sure to visit the Kenya Museum with Joy Adamson's pictures of tribal people - fantastic. In one day, we saw:


Railway Museum
Kenya National Museum
Karen Blixen House
Giraffe Center
Lunch at Carnivore
Bomas of Kenya - dance program, then tour of 11 tribal village replicas


Admissions will cost you as much as you pay the driver - and it is worth it. It was a terrific day.

SanDiego1K,
If you only have time for one museum, would you recommend the Railway or National Museum? Did you dine elsewhere outside the hotel other than the Carnivore while in Nairobi? Thanks.

SanDiego1K,
If you only have time for one museum, would you recommend the Railway or National Museum? Did you dine elsewhere outside the hotel other than the Carnivore while in Nairobi? Thanks.

Go to the National Museum to see Joy Adamson's pictures. They are amazing. She did 600 of people from 50 tribes over a 6 year period. They are an extraordinary look at Kenya's indigenous people.

Keep in mind, though, that the Railway Museum will take you all of about 20 minutes. I was fascinated by the seat they put on the front of the engine so that folks like Teddy Roosevelt could game hunt.

We only ate at the Carnivore outside of the hotel. It is like a Brazilian churascaria. They bring you meat til you take down the little flag on your table. They have chicken, pork, and beef, as well as some wild game choices.

Go to the National Museum to see Joy Adamson's pictures. They are amazing. She did 600 of people from 50 tribes over a 6 year period. They are an extraordinary look at Kenya's indigenous people.

Keep in mind, though, that the Railway Museum will take you all of about 20 minutes. I was fascinated by the seat they put on the front of the engine so that folks like Teddy Roosevelt could game hunt.

We only ate at the Carnivore outside of the hotel. It is like a Brazilian churascaria. They bring you meat til you take down the little flag on your table. They have chicken, pork, and beef, as well as some wild game choices.

Thanks for your reply. How much time would be necessary for the National museum? Perhaps we could fit in both.

Jambo, bwana, I'm no SanDiego1K, but I heartily recommend the National Museum (and DO NOT WALK there, or much less, back if it is close to dusk!) You'll get a good glimpse at Kenya history and ethnic diversity, as well as the oft-mentioned paintings by Joy Adamson (most only know her for "Born Free", and don't know she was a brilliant observer of native traditions and painter - or that her husband George did much of the rehabbing, including the lions released in the Aberdares, that did not fear people but did like them for a meal.) There is also a very nearby snake park - the most likely place to see any snakes native to Kenya.

SanDiego1K,
If you only have time for one museum, would you recommend the Railway or National Museum? Did you dine elsewhere outside the hotel other than the Carnivore while in Nairobi? Thanks.

agurg, when are you going to be there?

We had a brilliant experience in the Maasai Mara, including a balloon ride over the incoming migration!

Has anybody stayed at Nairobi Hilton? I am staying there for one night before heading into Masai Mara and was wondering what should I expect. I am HH Diamond, will I be receiving anything especial.

Thanks

p.s. This is during my Honeymoon.

How much time would be necessary for the National museum? Perhaps we could fit in both.

1 hour? 1 1/2 hour? I tend to blitz thru museums, so take that into account in my estimates.

My husband walked over to the adjacent snake park. He says it is not well maintained, and found it of minimal interest. I highly respect JDiver who recommended it; perhaps it's gone downhill?

You might be right there- if the snake park hasn't been kept up, it would not be worth a look. (I wish they'd just close things like that if they are not going to take care of them...) I hereby UNrecommend it - if you visited and it were no good, you wouldn't respect me later. :)

(I actually DID go on a walking safari - to explore the possibility of doing a trekking safari at the base of Mt. Kilimajaro - where we came across a six-foot Egyptian cobra. THAT was impressive! In fact, that whole trip would make a very good book chapter.)

The Nairobi Hilton makes a good base for some local exploration - the Nairobi area offers a lot, as SanDiego1K has indicated; the Hilton staff can recommend a good driver with a reliable automobile.

On the menu at The Carnivore (http://www.tamarind.co.ke/docs/carnivore.htm) when we ate there: beef, chicken, pork, lamb, zebra, wildebeest, crocodile, impala, Cape buffalo... They claim to have a vegetarian menu, but I suspect that's not their specialty. (That's my male intuition for the day...)

1 hour? 1 1/2 hour? I tend to blitz thru museums, so take that into account in my estimates.

My husband walked over to the adjacent snake park. He says it is not well maintained, and found it of minimal interest. I highly respect JDiver who recommended it; perhaps it's gone downhill?

I use to sometimes stay at this hotel for work and always found the staff to be very friendly and helpful.

It sounds like they have tightened up security a bit, but when I was there I was always waved around the metal detector and never had any luggage searched.

I honestly don't see how some time spent in, and around, Nairobi could be anything other than a great experience.

SanDiego 1K - how was the Safari? Did you do anything special to get the Lamu (Presidential) Suite? I will be heading there in the near future myself and haven't seen reports from anyone who has been there in the last few months............

thanks!

SanDiego 1K - how was the Safari? Did you do anything special to get the Lamu (Presidential) Suite?

The safari was fine. There had been recent rain, and animals didn't need the water at the water hole at Salt Lick. We had better animal sightings elsewhere. We were told that two to three parties are there each week for the Hilton safari award.

As far as Lamu Suite, it has been oft reported that the Nairobi Hilton gives it to golds and diamonds when it is available the last night of their safari package. Randy Petersen had signed the guestbook; so had Nanook, who was at Salt Lick for her final night on our first night. It was preassigned to us; I am diamond.

agurg, when are you going to be there?

We had a brilliant experience in the Maasai Mara, including a balloon ride over the incoming migration!


I am arriving on April 26th. It is the long rainy seasson but we are taking our chances. I would appreciate any feedback from people who have gone on safari during the Long Rainy season. Thank you for all of your feedback so far.

You are indeed taking your chances. Some roads in the Mara may be unnavigable due to rain, washouts, etc. Grass in some areas will be higher and water will be more abundant, making it harder to see critters, which will also be more dispersed, instead of concentrated at waterholes. As well, the vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, some of their attendant predators, etc. will be in Tanzania, in the Serengeti (southern at that, possibly,) instead of in the Maasai Mara (the northern extension of the Serengeti ecosystem.)

OTOH, it will be less crowded, you will likely get some good views of local (non-migratory) critters, and it will not rain all day - most of the time, anyway. You may also see more younger animals. And you will not be bored... splendid views, lots to see... but definitely not what one would expect from July - September / October.

If I may ask further, where are you staying in the Mara / who is organising your safari in Kenya?

I am arriving on April 26th. It is the long rainy seasson but we are taking our chances. I would appreciate any feedback from people who have gone on safari during the Long Rainy season. Thank you for all of your feedback so far.

As far as Lamu Suite, it has been oft reported that the Nairobi Hilton gives it to golds and diamonds when it is available the last night of their safari package.We had a late (10PM or later) flight out of NBO, and although the Hilton extended our checkout until ~8PM, I can't help but wonder whether it negatively affected our chances for the Lamu Suite (but the suite we were given was excellent nonetheless - somewhat more nicely decorated than the suite we had on the first night which was otherwise the same size).

We had a late (10PM or later) flight out of NBO, and although the Hilton extended our checkout until ~8PM, I can't help but wonder whether it negatively affected our chances for the Lamu Suite (but the suite we were given was excellent nonetheless - somewhat more nicely decorated than the suite we had on the first night which was otherwise the same size).

I also have a late evening flight. Are they usually this generous with late checkout? I should mention that I'm not doing the Hilton safari package. I arranged my own safari and am using points for the Hilton. I don't know if that makes a difference. What kind of internet access is available at the Hilton? Thanks.

What kind of internet access is available at the Hilton? Thanks.

The slowest in the universe, I think! I wanted to do online checkin for our BA flight NBO-LHR, something which would take me around 30 seconds, perhaps one minute at home or in the office. At the NBO Hilton business centre, it took some 22 minutes :rolleyes: . Also, there were a lot of annoying popups.

As we left, I noticed an internet operation in the photo shop on the green opposite the entrance to the hotel. I have no idea of quality of service, but I guess the rates would be African rather than American ;) .

The slowest in the universe, I think! I wanted to do online checkin for our BA flight NBO-LHR, something which would take me around 30 seconds, perhaps one minute at home or in the office. At the NBO Hilton business centre, it took some 22 minutes :rolleyes: .

We were both at the Nairobi Hilton last week, so I am unsure what to attribute our vastly different experience with internet in the business center. I, too, did online checkin for our BA flight NBO-LHR. My husband and I were on separate record locators, and I was switching seats for both of us. I got it done in about 4 minutes.

You are indeed taking your chances. Some roads in the Mara may be unnavigable due to rain, washouts, etc. Grass in some areas will be higher and water will be more abundant, making it harder to see critters, which will also be more dispersed, instead of concentrated at waterholes. As well, the vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, some of their attendant predators, etc. will be in Tanzania, in the Serengeti (southern at that, possibly,) instead of in the Maasai Mara (the northern extension of the Serengeti ecosystem.)

OTOH, it will be less crowded, you will likely get some good views of local (non-migratory) critters, and it will not rain all day - most of the time, anyway. You may also see more younger animals. And you will not be bored... splendid views, lots to see... but definitely not what one would expect from July - September / October.

If I may ask further, where are you staying in the Mara / who is organising your safari in Kenya?


Thank you, JDiver, for this message as well as the Paddington Hilton suggestion. I am organizing this myself. I was in Kichwa Tembo September of 1998 and this time returning to Little Governor's Camp for my Honeymoon. As you imagine, I like to make it a unforgetable trip. My finance and I talked about it and willing to take our chances with the rain. As a resident of Seattle, a little rain does not bother us.

Thanks
agurg

I also have a late evening flight. Are they usually this generous with late checkout?

All I know is that they were extraordinarily generous and very agreeable when I asked if we could keep our suite til 9pm. You could email Lilian Nguti at the hotel and ask if advance; she is very responsive.

All I know is that they were extraordinarily generous and very agreeable when I asked if we could keep our suite til 9pm. You could email Lilian Nguti at the hotel and ask if advance; she is very responsive.

Thanks for the suggestion. Do you happen to have her email? I searched the Hilton site and couldn't find an email address for the hotel.

Do you happen to have her email?

I've just emailed it to you.

I'm guessing that most forum members who have stayed at the Nairobi Hilton have stayed as part of the Safari Award.




Not this little black duck. ;) But I do recall Randy Peterson did, about same time we were there.

Long thread on this Hotel from last year in this Forum if you check on 'search'.

10,000 miles a night (?) is the best Hilton value I've had in a LONG while. On reflection, maybe it was 20K a night, but darn good value whichever it was.

Getting back to the Hotel we stayed 9 months back and the metal detector deal in lobby they were not interested in for Caucasians dressed like us at least. They just smiled as you walked around it.

Lounge there in Hilton we found superb. Unlimited booze until pretty late. hot food in evenings, and a nice breakfast. Very British "clubby" decor. Had some great little parties with the guests who did show, and they were few and far between. At no time did our key open that door - we needed to knock and the guy (who you can't see) waddled over to open it up. I presume they have fixed that glitch?

Carnivore is of course now, and has been for 30 years an essential tourist stop Lunch was about $US15-20 IIRC. Ostrich meat was the one I remember best and liked best. And the crocodile was a nice taste too.

Extremely dangerous to walk anywhere even in daylight downtown. The staff are even sent home by taxi if their shift finishes in darkness hours. The Internet Cafe across road from Hilton I dashed across to nervously each day, and I travel to wacko places very extensively and very often, and do not scare easily. And Nairobi I had a very bad feeling about at all times.

If you take a private tour and yes $50-$75 will often cover a very full day, depending on your barganining skills, DO ask driver to take you to the wealthy areas and the VERY poor areas. Amazing contrast. And few bother.

Also almost everyone overlooks visiting the Nairobi National Park which literally is next to the airport. Saw darn near as many types of large wildlife there than a week on Tanzania Parks virtually. No idea why folks do not visit there, even if you are going on a more extensive game trip later.

Saw a leopard lazing on an acacia tree at very close range in perfect light, and did not see that anywhere else etc. I've been to Africa on vacation many times, and wildlife viewing in a number of countries, east and southern, and never seen that.

As we left, I noticed an internet operation in the photo shop on the green opposite the entrance to the hotel. I have no idea of quality of service, but I guess the rates would be African rather than American ;) .

Literally one tenth from my experience. And I need to spend quite a bit of time on line so it was well worth it. Up a few floors in the building opposite Hilton across main road. Very cheap phone calls too, about 5% of Hilton rates to USA.

Just be mindful to take NOTHING with you from room except the few bucks for the service and a soda. No watch, camera, jewelery. NOTHING.

Ignore totally the 200 touts on street offering touts, money exchange, all kinds of dope, their sister/brother, etc, etc.

At no time did our key open that door - we needed to knock and the guy (who you can't see) waddled over to open it up. I presume they have fixed that glitch?They can recode the keys in the lounge to give you lounge access. On both of our September '04 stays our keys didn't work as received from the front desk but the lounge staff (Natasha, not the "butler") recoded them on a machine they had up tere.

Also almost everyone overlooks visiting the Nairobi National Park which literally is next to the airport. Saw darn near as many types of large wildlife there than a week on Tanzania Parks virtually. No idea why folks do not visit there, even if you are going on a more extensive game trip later.

Saw a leopard lazing on an acacia tree at very close range in perfect light, and did not see that anywhere else etc. I've been to Africa on vacation many times, and wildlife viewing in a number of countries, east and southern, and never seen that.One advantage of Nairobi National Park over Salt Lick is that when you do see a cat, you're likely to have the animal to yourselves rather than sharing with with four other safari groups. At Salt Lick when one driver sees a lion he gets on the radio and everyone else races over to share. We watched three juvenile male lions about ten feet away from our van in Nairobi National Park.

We were both at the Nairobi Hilton last week, so I am unsure what to attribute our vastly different experience with internet in the business center. I, too, did online checkin for our BA flight NBO-LHR. My husband and I were on separate record locators, and I was switching seats for both of us. I got it done in about 4 minutes.

Good to know that your experience was much better than ours.

The first machine offered was u/s and, given your comment, I'm sure the second must have been contaminated. It was v-e-r-y slow - I pointed this out to the lady at the desk but I think she understood even less than I did about their system, which is clearly dial-up and not broadband. (And my wife and I were on the same PNR so it should have been quicker.)

I guess PhilC needs to make sure the system is operating properly before he begins!

I liked the Nairobi Hilton. We had a decent suite the first two nights we stayed there, prior to going to Salt Lick. Then we had the Lamu Suite for 2 nights when we came back. The staff is very friendly and helpful there. The odd thing is, once we got back from 6 days of peacefulness at Salt Lick, coming to Nairobi was a shock to the senses. We had planned to go to the National Museum on our return to the Nairobi Hilton, but just couldn't bring ourselves to leave the hotel, except to go across the street to the BA office.

You can read more on my report on the Trip Reports board here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387526&referrerid=225

SanDiego 1K, I'm looking forward to hearing your report of the Salt Lick experience and, especially, Tanzania. Have you done a report yet?

Per SanDiego1K:
The safari was fine. There had been recent rain, and animals didn't need the water at the water hole at Salt Lick. We had better animal sightings elsewhere.

How much activity was there at the water hole? Did you see the elephants at all and what other animals were at the water hole?

Nairobi National Park: ozstamps I still remember your initial post stating you saw a leopard in Nairobi! Pdhenry did you see a leopard at this park?

While in Nairobi, we did not visit the Nairobi National Park as I was under the impression at that time that it was a so so location to visit. On my next trip we will have to try it out for sure.

It seems that in the quest for the “Big Five” (lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard and rhino), one can generally hope to see the lion, buffalo and elephant as part of the Salt Lick safari experience. While there are many options out there, it would seem that the Nairobi National Park would be an option to round out the viewing of the Big Five in Kenya. I am not really clear at this point in time, how challenging it is or not to see the leopard at this location (ozstamps did it), The Lonely Planet states that the highest concentration of black rhino in the world is to be found at this location. So this is my game plan to round out seeing the Big Five.

Lamu (Presidential) Suite: We were given another room when checking in. I spoke to the lady behind the desk about this, who proceeded to go to the back and came out with the good news that we had the Lamu Suite. We had booked an extra night, so we ended up staying for two nights.

Walking in Nairobi: This subject continues to intrique me. To walk or not walk. I vividly recall this story from the Lonely Planet-“If you are the victim of a snatch theft, think twice before yelling “Thief!”. Nairobi people hate thieves, pursue them with a vengeance and if they can catch them, mete out instant, brutal often lethal punishment on the spot. One or more thieves lose their lives every week in Nairobi for this. The police may intervene, but not always.”

Ah, the Emerald City, well no, you should have no problem! :D

If the GM at Little Governor's is still Murray Levitt, give him a big hello... you'll recognize him, carrot-red hair, Kenyan by birth, had a double-sprung Range Rover to make speed OR when I last saw him. I believe he designed the small but brilliant Borana Lodge near the Aberdares. (Actually, last time I was at the bar, with its liberal sprinkling of bats hanging from the thatch, at Ndutu Lodge in Tanzania. Thought I'd maybe had one Tusker too many... I had no idea he was in the vicinity!)

My best wishes for a spectacular honeymoon, with lots of juveniles to enjoy - cheetah, kongoni, you name it... and the Lamu Suite at the Nairobi Hilton.



Thank you, JDiver, for this message as well as the Paddington Hilton suggestion. I am organizing this myself. I was in Kichwa Tembo September of 1998 and this time returning to Little Governor's Camp for my Honeymoon. As you imagine, I like to make it a unforgetable trip. My finance and I talked about it and willing to take our chances with the rain. As a resident of Seattle, a little rain does not bother us.

Thanks
agurg

Pdhenry did you see a leopard at this park?No leopard for us, but we did see a white rhino and a couple of freaking HUGE crocodiles. Plus the usual giraffes, zebras and the aforementioned loins. The sightings at Narobi Park were much closer than at Salt Lick - I had a fixed 180mm lens on my digital camera and found myself too close to a giraffe to get a picture of more than his head.

Not having had much exposure to 3rd world urban poverty, I'm not sure whether the street hassles we had as "rich white tourists" (there is no being inconspicuous in Nairobi) were typical or something more. We had men walking alongside us and trying to engage us in coversation (and muttering about racism when we made it clear that we weren't interested) as well as a small child beseeching us for a shilling so she could eat. We didn't walk more than a block to two from the Hilton (toward the north, never to the south or east) - just to a grocery store on the next corner up.

pdhenry,

No, Nairobi is famous, or is it infamous, for hassles, "Nairobbery" and scam attempts. You were not singled out - the guys trying to engage you in converation are scam artists, usually trying to give you some story about how they are running from (fill in the name of the current dictator or internecine war) and need your help... or worse. I actually had three follow me to my hotel with some threats - when Itold the desk staff they suddenly vaporised when it apeared the cops might be coming.

ALWAYS aks at the hotel where it is safe to walk in Nairobi, leave your jewerly and good watches in the hotel safe, be very careful with purses, documents and cameras. There is incredible poverty - and the repression under Daniel arap Moi did nothing for the average person except deprive him / her of opportunity. Also, be very cautious about your photos - no bridges, police stations, army or ranger posts, police or other officers; I had some cops try to confiscate my camera because I had taken a photo with a PLAIN CLOTHES cop in it!!! and again at NBO because after asking to photo a plane, another officer told me it was against the law to phito the president (arap idiot Moi again) and he MIGHT have been on the aircraft I trook a photo of.

It is also illegal to export Kenyan Shillings, iirc, and worse to tear them up (pictures of the president, of course,) but there are boxes for legitimate charities as you are in the departure areas of the airport you can drop spare "shillingi" in.

BTW, it may be you didn't see white (wide-lipped, weit) rhino? The black (hook lipped) rhino is native, and only exists in a few highly protected parks in Kenya nowadays, due to the incredible poaching effort by the people who want to export the horn to Yemen for the very prestigious purpose of making dagger handles :td: . Check your photos - the "black" has a hooked upper lip, kind of pointed downward, the "white" (a misnomer, as it is not white,) has a wide-mouth with no "hook" and is common in southern Africa (the local subspecies was wiped out in Kenya.)

The crocs CAN be huge - we saw some 6 meter / 18 foot crocs take yearling zebra and wildebeest at the Mara River during the migration, as I recall in 1985 or -86. Only thing that didn't fear them was the hige hippo (they kill more people in Africa than any other animal) that barged right into the middle of the feed. :eek: They gave him a wide berth, too!

Regarding leopards...we didn't see any. Period. But the two American couples we met at Salt Lick told us they had seen one there on their first day out.

One advantage of Nairobi National Park over Salt Lick is that when you do see a cat, you're likely to have the animal to yourselves rather than sharing with with four other safari groups. At Salt Lick when one driver sees a lion he gets on the radio and everyone else races over to share. We watched three juvenile male lions about ten feet away from our van in Nairobi National Park.

Yes, we were the only ones watch a Leopard preen itself on a branch for 15 minutes, only metres away. Not another vehicle for miles.

One advantage of Nairobi Park is that costs basically nothing to see in a day, and you are back at Hilton in 20 minutes!

The other Kenyan safari experiences are generally suffering from the almost un-controlled toursim and no-rules regime over past 40 years. I was in Amboseli 25 years ago and it was being ruined then due to the open-slather rules.

Tanzania where I was 9 months ago offers an object lesson on how safari tourism should be run. ^

Anyone with a chance should completely ignore Kenya and go to Tanzania IMHO - far less money and a far more pleasant experience.

The ride from NBO to Arusha Tanzania (the centre of all game activities basically) is interesting, cheap and only a few hours away by road.

We combined Salt Lick, the Nairobi Hilton, Amboseli, and game parks in Tanzania. I've posted what I consider to be the ideal 9 day safari in northern Tanzania (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=386947).

Anyone with a chance should completely ignore Kenya and go to Tanzania IMHO - far less money and a far more pleasant experience.

I have to disagree that a Tanzania safari would cost far less than a Kenya one. If anything I believe given comparable accomodations and seasons, Tanzania is more expensive even when comparing prices through local safari operators. I also believe that it's possible to experience a less touristed side of Kenya as long as you get off the main safari circuit. We made a decision to skip most of the more popular parks. The only place we're visiting where I expect to see the mini bus parade is Amboseli ;)

BTW, I'm not disagreeing that Tanzania offers a better model for tourism overall.

We made a decision to skip most of the more popular parks. The only place we're visiting where I expect to see the mini bus parade is Amboseli ;)

Phil, I hope that when you get home, you'll take the time to either post a trip report or post a suggested itinerary for Kenya, much as I did for Tanzania. I am intrigued by your statement, and would love to know once over, how you feel about your trip.

No Hilton there yet - nearest is at Sandton (http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=JNBSATW), a suburb of Johannesburg, I believe, and a nice Cat 2 - but if you want the "Africa experience" proceed directly to Botswana and take a camping safari, with an experienced outfit like Penduka Safaris (http://www.penduka.com.na/). No two two-hour runs a day, and the game is all around you 24/7. Cheaper than Tanzania, MUCH less touristy and impacted than Kenya - and you usually end up at Victoria Falls, a real wow!

If you do want to see the "real" wild Kenya as only a local can show you, forget the mass tour operators - use Tony (and now, son Gordeon) Church's Safaris Unlimited (http://www.safarisunlimited.co.ke/index.htm). They have been in business about 35 years, and can organize a super safari - even on horseback.

I made two reservations for nonsmoking rooms (a week apart) next month on the Hilton Web site; but when I got to the confirmation page, I got the message that nonsmoking rooms cannot be confirmed at this hotel. I made the reservations anyway, then started looking for an email address to request nonsmoking rooms since I am allergic to smoke. Hilton customer service doesn't have one, so I did a Google search and found this one: hilton@africaonline.co.ke.

I emailed about both reservations, asking for a reply in advance, and received a reply from the reservation supervisor in less than 24 hrs. She assured me I will get nonsmoking rooms.

Antoher hotel I have found difficulty making nonsmoking bookings with is the London Heathrow Hilton. :confused: Advance contact helps - a lot. But I am wondering why there is often a problem with booking non-smoking accommodations at a few H properties?

BTW, I'm not disagreeing that Tanzania offers a better model for tourism overall.

Well we agree on that. :cool:

I post and bump this thread as I note this Nairobi Hilton will leap from Cat #1 to Cat FOUR in the new Hilton award chart. :mad:

Absurd.

PLEASE REVIEW THIS THREAD BEFORE ANYONE GOES TO NAIROBI (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=518889&referrerid=3941) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=518889&referrerid=3941

mikey1003, that's a good point!

BTW, folks, there are at least a couple of threads dealing with the changes in Hilton award categories... including the Hilton Nairobbery. ;)

I am planning a trip to NBO and am considering the Hilton. Some questions:

1. How reliable is the airport transfer and is there any way to pay for it while making the booking? Is it easy to recognize them when arriving in NBO?

2. Can someone else makes a booking for me that incl breakfast and lunch and I pay for the rest if any? Would I have to show the credit card of the person who made the above pmt?

3. How much should I budget for food at their restaurants? Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I usually spend a couple of weeks a quarter at the NBO Hilton.

It's not bad, a little old, but if you can get a rate with breakfast it should be one of the cheaper nice hotels in Nairobi.

Usually if you're gold or higher you should get an upgrade to the exec floor. Not too much nicer, but the lounge is okay and they give you free mineral water and fruit every night. If you ask nicely they'll usually give you a junior suite (two rooms joined together with the wall knocked down - a big couch in place of the bed in the second room.

1 - you can just take a taxi - it should be a little cheaper. It would be about 15 bucks to the Hilton and there is a taxi stand inside customs.

2 - I have no idea - call the hotel and check

3 - the restaurants are expensive there. Within a couple of blocks walk there are some much cheaper restaurants. I would budget about:

breakfast: 1400 shillings
lunch: 1000 shilllings
dinner: 1500 shillings

1 - you can just take a taxi - it should be a little cheaper. It would be about 15 bucks to the Hilton and there is a taxi stand inside customs.

Are taxis safe for two women travelling together (no men along)?

Has anyone stayed here recently?

How easy is it to book reward stays? I have a safari in Kenya in August and plan to stay here at either end due to the vast number of points I have. I'm trying to do the whole safari as inexpensively as possible.

It's probably OK - and possibly better if you ask the staff to hire a reliable taxi driver for you. And other members have reported finding reasonably easy stays here, with good treatment.

Are taxis safe for two women travelling together (no men along)?

Has anyone stayed here recently?

How easy is it to book reward stays? I have a safari in Kenya in August and plan to stay here at either end due to the vast number of points I have. I'm trying to do the whole safari as inexpensively as possible.

The main benefits of the Hilton Nairobi are its central location and that it is relatively cheap compared to other hotels such as the InterContinental (which is 5 - 10 minute walk).

While you will get an upgrade to an executive room with club access (at least as Diamond) the rooms are quite small due to the shape of the hotel, and quite tired. The bathrooms are very small. Snacks in the club lounge are passable, but not sufficient to avoid going to dinner ;) Drinks only seem to be free from 6 - 8pm if I remember correctly. I had thought I was told only the first drink was free, but I order a few and was not charged.

I would strongly recommend the InterContinental and the Holiday Inn by comparison, although it is worth asking about a corporate rate at the IC, as the asking market rate is outrageous.

The Holiday Inn - while slightly away from the town centre, is quite comfortable, with good outdoor spaces around two swimming pools within the hotel complex, which dates back from the 1940's. The breakfast is very good.

Hope this is helpful.

Are taxis safe for two women travelling together (no men along)?

Has anyone stayed here recently?

How easy is it to book reward stays? I have a safari in Kenya in August and plan to stay here at either end due to the vast number of points I have. I'm trying to do the whole safari as inexpensively as possible.

Yes - it is safe, but get the hotel or restaurant you are leaving to call the taxi just in case. I provide some feedback on the hotel in another post.

Incidently, there were a small group of women staying at the Hilton Nairobi between Christmas and New Year, and they just moved around town in a group of 3 or 4.


However, I cannot give feedback on reward stays. The hotel is certainly cheap by international standards - I just do not think it is very good value for money, as while the lobby area is quite nice, the rooms are very tired.

I would review the political situation carefully before commiting to a safari in August.

Tanzania would provide another option you could look at if you are focused exclusively on East Africa.

Otherwise, I would suggest you look at Southern Africa (lots of options in South Africa - some cheap in Kruger Vally, day trips near Sun City). Botswana and Namibia are both very good, but more expensive. I am also hoping for more safari in my future - hoping to go north in Namibia in May :cool:

I am generally working while in Africa (most recently, worked in 10 countries in Southern and East Africa between mid November and early January - including spending New Year in the IC Nairobi), so my down time is quite limited.

Hope this is helpful.

Thank you both JDiver and ClubIC. I committed to the safari a few months ago since I'm using AA miles for the flights and plan to use Hilton points for the hotel. I'm only paying for the safari portion itself. As for the political situation, I don't mind some unrest - just so long as it isn't a full blown war zone.

I appreciate all the ideas on safety (good idea to have the hotel or restaurant call the taxi)

I usually just get cash at the airport - I assume that I can do the same in Nairobi (using an ATM card) rather than exchange booths.

Thank you both JDiver and ClubIC. I committed to the safari a few months ago since I'm using AA miles for the flights and plan to use Hilton points for the hotel. I'm only paying for the safari portion itself. As for the political situation, I don't mind some unrest - just so long as it isn't a full blown war zone.

I appreciate all the ideas on safety (good idea to have the hotel or restaurant call the taxi)

I usually just get cash at the airport - I assume that I can do the same in Nairobi (using an ATM card) rather than exchange booths.

Hopefully the political situation will have calmed down by then, although it is not looking good at the moment.

You should check the situation with your safari booking. Some companies are cancelling bookings, but perhaps not for as far out as August. At the moment, you would have good grounds to cancel your booking without charge.

You should also look at pricing carefully, as with the current unrest, the tourism industry is being very hard hit, and better deals may become available closer to the time.

Also remember, that Nairobi is the hub for Kenya Airways, which provides easy access to other countries in the region (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia) - all of which will offer good safari options in a much more stable political environment.

Uganda and Rwanda are particularly good for mountain gorillas for example, although please note that the fee to access these national parks has now gone up above $500 for three days. To get value for money, you do not want to go just for a day, and it can take up to a day to get to the areas in question.

Barclays is often the only bank that will give you cash advances off a CIRRUS ATM card or credit card. Sometimes the hotels offer a better rate than the airport, sometimes not.

You should also note that at least in some African countries (e.g. Uganda), the exchange rate offered for a small note (up to $20) is worse than offered for $100 for example.

Make sure any notes you have are relatively new - you do not want them to refuse to accept an old note.

Hope this is helpful.