Inquiries:

You can visit the hotel's website at: www.mountainrockkenya.com or check out Expedia.ca (Canada) or Expedia.com (USA) for the most and best deals on other accommodations in the Mount Kenya, Kenya area.

Location:

The lodge is located in the Mount Kenya region, 7km north of Naro Moru, 15km south of Nanyuki, less than 1km from the main road and within a 2-hour walk on a dirt road to the Mau Mau caves. The lodge is in a fairly secluded area on the lower slopes of Mount Kenya. 

Room Comfort:

The lodge offers a camping area, standard and superior rooms. We were provided with a standard room and it was the worst room we had during our travels around East Africa. The room was small, the mattresses on the beds were really worn down and folding at the edges. Moreover, the toilet in our bathroom didn't have a toilet seat. There was a small TV in the room but it wasn't plugged in as the TV had a European plug but the room had British sockets. There weren't any adapters in the room or at the hotel.

The lack of a toilet seat was a concern for us so we asked the manager if there was another room we could stay in. The manager showed us another standard room that was in worse condition then the one we were staying in, so we declined that offer after he said he would get us a toilet seat for the toilet in our room. Although his intentions were good, he didn't realize that the hotel staff would scrub a really dirty toilet seat on the lawn outside of the room in plain sight, which really turned us off from wanting it. Having witnesses the original state of our supposed new toilet seat, we declined that offer and figured we were probably better off without the seat at that point. Later that day, when we arrived from our walk, we were informed by the manager that they got us a clean toilet seat. When we later found that our toilet seat was from their common washrooms, we had enough and decided to switch hotels.

On the positive side, we didn't see any insects/bugs during our brief stay in the room. Unfortuantely, we can't say for certain that there are no bugs/insects in the room since we didn't spend the night there. 

Cleanliness:

It was hard to distinguish how clean the room or lodge was as it was really run down. Clean bed sheets and towels were provided but the bathroom looked grungy. The common bathroom near the restaurant were not clean.

Service:

The lodge can arrange many activities within the area, such as horseback riding, hiking on the nature trails, climbing Mount Kenya, and so on. There is a restaurant onsite and a common area for watching TV.

Food:

The food was okay. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in a buffet style and are similar to other lodges/resorts in Kenya. Beer was reasonably priced at 150 shillings. This was one of the best prices at hotels in Kenya.

Overall Value:

We ended up checking out of this hotel and going to the Leisure Lodge which was a new lodge in the area. The manager at the Mountain Rock Lodge was very kind and actually helped us with moving to another lodge. This was the first time in our lives that we checked out of a hotel prior to completing our stay. We don't recommend this place until it is renovated, but we aren't aware of any renovations taking place anytime soon though. Be cautious if you are making arrangements with a tour operator as it seems that many of them use this lodge for accommodations in this area. If that's the case, don't be afraid to ask to stay at a different lodge, (check out our review of the Leisure Lodge as an alternative).

Other Notes:

We found that the lodge has little to offer to their guests that are not on tours. We finished our hike to the Mau Mau caves by noon and were stuck at the lodge with nothing to do. Other lodges in the area have swimming pools, game rooms, tennis courts, etc. so at least if your stuck at the lodge there are things to keep their guests busy and entertained, rather than trapped and bored.  Furthermore, the hotel would not let us explore the area without hiring one of their guides due to the apparent dangers from wild elephants and some locals that are found in the area.

Photos:

Location:

The lodge is located on the top of a small hill in the UNESCO World Heritage Park called Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru National Park is situated approximately 164 kilometres from Nairobi, a two hours drive from Nairobi city. Specifically, the lodge is located approximately a 30 to 45-minute drive from the commonly used main gate. The location of the lodge is good for safaris since it's located inside the park. As far as being able to leave the lodge or explore the surrounding area on foot, it's not possible so if that's what you're after, stay somewhere in Nakuru. Furthermore, the lodge is gated in by an electric fence so there are no worries about animals coming to the lodge or you leaving the lodge.

Room Comfort:

There is a range of accommodations available from standard rooms to family rooms. We stayed in a cottage which was spacious and had a large private porch that overlooked an open grassy area where animals are seen grazing. Keep in mind that not all cottages have a nice view of the park as some have pool views while others are blocked by other cottages. Ask for a cottage overlooking the park grounds which is the best part about staying at this lodge. We were able to spot buffaloes and other animals from our porch which was a great and private experience. As for the room, the bedding was comfortable and a mosquito net was provided over the bed. Unfortunately, due to the strange lay out of the mosquito net, mosquitoes did manage to get into the bed area. Overall, the decor in the room was nice but simple. The bathroom wasn't large, but was sufficient for our needs. Security was present on the lodge grounds. Finally, we liked that the rooms were solar powered minimizing the environmental footprint on the park.

Cleanliness:

The room and bathroom were clean. The lodge lobby, restaurant and swimming pool area were also very clean. Some cottages, main bar and swimming pool could use some renovating in the very near future. The staff were dressed in clean, professional uniforms.

Service:

The service was great as is the norm in Kenya. Furthermore, the staff were very friendly, professional and courteous. Welcome drinks were provided during the smooth check-in process. Check-out was equally smooth. There is spa service, a business centre, a money exchange office and a swimming pool at the hotel.

Food:

The food was average. There was a decent selection of food, served buffet style, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Overall Value:

Although we really enjoyed our stay at this hotel due to the views of the surrounding area, we would stay elsewhere on our next visit to Lake Nauru National Park. It was a nice place to relax and watch the animals graze at the grounds in front of our cottage in private and at our own time. We recommend this lodge and the park to those visiting Kenya as long as you are not on a tight budget and you aren't a fussy traveler. We heard complaints about the food, size of rooms and type of blankets from other travelers during our stay, none of which we found problematic, so just be aware that this place might not be perfect for everyone. The rooms cost over US$300/night for the standard rooms on full board for 2 people. This might sound like a lot, but it's comparable to other resorts inside the park.

Other Notes:

Lake Nakuru is a great park to spot black and white rhinos and flamingos, and has a large reserve of over 300 species of birds, which make it an ideal site of bird lovers.

Our Rating: 3.9/5   Year Reviewed: 2009

For more information, visit the hotel's website at: www.lakenakurulodge.com or visit Expedia.ca (Canada) or Expedia.com (USA) for the best prices on another accommodations in Nakuru, Kenya.

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Location:

Kibo Safari Camp is a luxury tented camp site situated within the Amboseli dispersal area and borders the national reserve. The camp is located along a dirt road within a 5-minute drive to the Kima Park gates which are located on the very east-side of the park. Depending on which route your drive takes to the camp, the journey can be long and uncomfortable. Depending on your itinerary, some drivers try to avoid entering the park early which they would do by entering the park on the west end of the park and will instead drive around the park to get to Kibo Safari Camp. This route is about an hour longer and very uncomfortable as the roads are poor and really dusty. Make sure your driver takes the most direct route to the campsite.

Room Comfort:

We stayed in one of their 61 self contained tents which included a traditional sheltered veranda. The tent had a large comfortable bed and a separate area for the toilet, shower and sink. There was a mosquito net over the bed, but it was worn down and had several holes in it. The tent was not very spacious compared to other permanent tents we stayed in, but was a decent size considering it was still a tent. We wouldn't call the accommodations luxurious but they certainly were unique. We felt the accommodations were a hybrid between camping and a comfortable hotel stay. Electricity is available in the rooms but only during certain times. The campsite provided flashlights which were handy in the evenings and at night. We used the electrical outlet at the front desk to charge our camera batteries. We should also mention that the tents cannot be locked.

The camp also has a nice pool with fresh cold water from nearby Mount Kilimanjaro. Depending on the visibility you can see Mount Kilimanjaro from the pool area. There is an overpriced gift shop on site.

Cleanliness:

The tent was clean. The tent was also well-maintained and secure so there were no bugs inside our tent. The camp grounds and the gravel paths leading to the tents were well maintained and lovely. The common toilets near the pool could be cleaner, but weren't bad.

Service:

The service was great. We received a very warm welcome, a welcome drink and hot towel when we arrived. The staff was very friendly and not shy to strike up a conversation. The manager was very kind and personable. He introduced himself  and politely greeted us every time we saw him around camp.

Food:

The food was delicious. The chef at the restaurant was the best chefs we encountered during our trip to Kenya. He was one of the few that managed to bake delicious desserts and provided very enjoyable meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were buffet style and included a decent selection of food. The buffet was smaller than at other hotels in Kenya, but the quality of food at this restaurant was better. A local beer cost 250 shillings at the time of our stay which is overpriced for the area and accommodation type.

Overall Value:

Overall, our stay was comfortable and peaceful. The staff was very pleasant and friendly. We recommend this place to those looking for a different way to spend a night in Kenya but aren't quite ready for camping.

Other Notes:

After several weeks of eating buffet food, we finally had some free time and took the opportunity to go for a jog along the dirt road leading from the campsite. Although there is security at the gate, they did not notice that we left the camp grounds. Upon our return, we were sternly told that we are not allowed to leave the camp ground on foot, as there are wild animals in the area that could attack us. They were mainly concerned with the wild elephants that could pose a great danger if we encountered them during our jog. We were the first visitors to leave the camp grounds and the staff were shocked by it. There were many local children walking to and from school in the same area so we weren't scared to venture out. Where else would we have the opportunity to jog along the borders of a unfenced park known for its wildlife? Nevertheless, we did appreciate their concern but ignored it during our stay.

Our Rating: 4/5   Year Reviewed: 2009

Expedia.ca offers the best price for hotels in Amboseli National Park.  You can also visit the hotel's website at: www.kibosafaricamp.com

Photos:  

Location:

The resort is located approximate 2km from the entrance of the Lake Bogoria National Park and is 266 kilometres from Nairobi. The resort is set in a peaceful quiet surrounding that offers nice views of the surrounding hills. We really enjoyed this location because this was one of the few places in Kenya where we were allowed to leave the hotel grounds without any problems from the hotel staff. One morning, we went for an early morning jog and were able to enter Lake Bogoria National Park free of charge.

Room Comfort:

The accommodations range from rooms in a building to rooms in bungalows. We stayed in a bungalow, and although it was very nice from the outside, the room on the inside was very bland and simple. The room wasn't small but it wasn't spacious either but it did have a nice veranda that offered beautiful views of the surrounding area. The bathroom was also a moderate sized and had good water pressure and hot water in the shower. Our room had one double bed and a single bed and air conditioning. The bed was surrounded by a mosquito net. We were a little bit disappointed with the room because we expected more from a hotel that markets itself as a 'spa resort'. If they added some traditional paintings or other traditional decorations, it would really improve the look and feel of the room.

Cleanliness:

The room and bathroom were clean. The hotel grounds were well maintained. The staff was dressed in professional and clean uniforms.

Service:

The service at the hotel was great. A welcome drink and hot towel were provided upon arrival. Check-in and check-out were simple and efficient. The staff was courteous, professional and friendly. We had requested an early morning breakfast and they were happy to accommodate our request. There are 2 pools onsite, one with cold water and one with hot water. The hot water pool is a natural water pool that receives its water from the surrounding hot springs.

Food:

The food was decent. The buffet breakfast and buffet lunch offered a wide variety of foods. At dinner we received a 3-course meal and had the option of 2 dishes for all courses. During morning and afternoon, you can spot ostriches and monkeys on the grounds beside the restaurant. Just, watch out for the monkeys as they have become accustomed to stealing food from unsuspecting hotel guests at the restaurant. A beer cost 150 shillings which was very reasonable compared to other resorts in Kenya. One thing we didn't like was that we didn't receive our change after paying for our beers. It seems that the staff decided to keep their own tip rather than giving us our change back and allowing us to decide on the tip.

Overall Value:

The service was okay and the surroundings are beautiful, but the resort needs some updating to hold their "spa resort" appeal. It seems like the hotel is past its prime and due to the drop in tourism to this area the hotel does not have the means or incentive to maintain itself as it should. We like to think that should tourism to this area increase again, the hotel would upgrade its rooms. Nevertheless, we recommend this hotel due to its proximity to the Lake Bogoria National Park and the lack of other good accommodations in the area.

Other Notes:

This is one area of Kenya where you have freedom to explore the area on foot or bicycle. Although it's very hot in this area, the area is good for jogging, mountain biking, hiking, boating and wildlife spotting. The Lake Bogoria National Park is really beautiful and full of wildlife so take advantage of the fact that you can explore this area on foot.

Our Rating: 3.5/5   Year Reviewed: 2009

To explore Africa on a budget, check-out the Africa Adventure Tours. (Expert, Local, Small Group Guides).

Photos:

Location:

This lodge is one of the first lodges to be build in the Masai Mara game reserve and it sits at an altitude of 2104 meters and 206 kilometres south of the equator. The lodge is located just inside the national park entrance. Specifically, it's 240 kilometres from Nairobi which is approximately a 5-hour drive. Once at the lodge you are not permitted to leave the grounds on foot due to the surrounding wildlife. Wildlife is not actually visible around the lodge as the grounds are surrounded by a fence to keep the animals out.

Room Comfort:

We found the spacious, cottage style rooms with en suite bathrooms and verandas to be very comfortable. Accommodations consist of 50 traditional round large huts with thatched roofs. Each hut is divided into two rooms.  The furniture inside was authentic African wood furniture and fairly nice. The bathroom was also very large and spacious. The bed had a large curtain-like mosquito net that was pulled around the bed at night which we felt was more of a decoration than an effective way to keep mosquitoes away. The staff spray the rooms against mosquitoes in the evenings so they are not really a problem. The bathroom was rather basic and bland, but was spacious and functional. We really enjoyed the look and feel of our room.

Cleanliness:

The room was very well maintained and clean. In the evenings, a room attendant came by to turn down the bed, spray the room and prepare the mosquito net. The lodge grounds, restaurant and swimming pool were also very well maintained and clean. The staff was dressed in clean professional uniforms.    

Service:

The service at this lodge was great. Check-in and check-out were simple and efficient. Warm towels and welcome drinks were provided upon our arrival. There are plenty of staff onsite to ensure the guests are attended too. There is a large sitting area with a bar and fireplace with friendly staff talking to the guests. The staff always gave us a friendly smile and hello when we walked by. The hotel also offers nightly activities, such as feeding of the hyenas, or a traditional dance, and more.

Food

The buffet dinners and buffet lunches were good. It was similar to the typical food received at all inclusive chain resorts around the world, but it was delicious nevertheless. There was a good variety of food to chose from to satisfy most customers. We received a packed lunch on one of our safaris and the packed lunches were pretty basic. They consisted of a sandwich, boiled egg, fruit, juice and a dry cake.

Overall Value:

Overall, we enjoyed our stay here. The staff was great and the rooms were clean, comfortable and tastefully decorated. Even though this hotel is quite large and busy we found that the lodge is well staffed to ensure their guests are well taken care of. We would recommend this lodge to others traveling to the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Other Notes:

Most of the clientele at this hotel were seniors.

Our Rating: 4.3/5   Year Reviewed: 2009

For the best possible price of accommodations in the Masai Mara, please visit Expedia.ca. You can also visit the hotel's website at: sopalodges.com

Photos:

Location:

The 4-star Sarova Panafric Hotel is located in a quiet area in Nairobi off Uhuru Highway and Kenyatta Avenue, near Central Park. We found that there wasn't too much to do within walking distance of the hotel other than visit Central Park.  

Room Comfort:

The rooms were small yet comfortable. We stayed in two different double rooms and both rooms had two single beds pushed together. The beds in both rooms were identical and very comfortable. The bathrooms were also small but had all the necessities, including decent toiletries. Each room had satellite TV and wireless internet. The furniture in the rooms was outdated but adequate for Nairobi. In the evenings, after it rained, the staff usually plugged in a mosquito repellent lamp in the room to kill mosquitoes. Unfortunately, the staff wasn't always consistent in providing these as they forgot to provide one in our room 25% of the time.

Cleanliness:

The hotel rooms, pool, lobby and restaurant were very clean. The hotel staff wore clean and professional uniforms.

Service:

The service was consistent with the great service that is provided at hotels in Kenya. Check-in and check-out were simple and efficient. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. For security reasons, there was a security guard on every floor. The cleaning staff are also very kind and polite. We had an issue with our room and the staff responded to us before we could mention it to them. They quickly and efficiently attended to the issue and, with our permission, changed us to another room with out any hassle. They apologized immensely for the problem, even though we caused it. We thought their response time to the problem was fantastic and their ability to resolve the problem was outstanding.

Food:

Breakfast buffet is available at the hotel and was good. There was a good variety of options to satisfy everyone. We enjoyed it.

Overall Value:

Overall, this is an average hotel in Nairobi. Our rating would be higher if this hotel was classified as a 3-star hotel and not the 4-star that it is. The rooms are clean but small. The location is quiet, which depending on your criteria, could be a good or bad thing. The hotel should add a fitness center for the price.

Other Notes:

There was a very reasonably priced gift shop in the hotel, but, according to the gift shop owner, was closing permanently by the end of the year. We are not sure if there are plans for someone else to run a new gift shop at the location.

Our Rating: 3/5   Year Reviewed: 2009

Expedia.ca and Priceline.com offer the best prices for this and other hotels in this area. You can also visit the hotel's website at: www.sarovahotels.com

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Location:

Treetops Hotel is located in the forest at Aberdare National Park, and is a world-renowned rustic treehouse that is dedicated to game viewing. It was originally built in 1932, and became famous because this was the place where the then-Princess Elizabeth learned of her fathers death and ascended to the British Throne in 1952. Treetops lies in the path of an ancient Elephant migratory route between the Aberdare Mountains and Mt Kenya National park, and is strategically situated right in front of a watering hole and salt lick. There isn't much to say about the location, other than the fact that once you are at the hotel, you are not allowed to leave. 

Your trip to the Treetops Hotel will at some point involve their sister hotel called the Outspan Hotel. The Outspan Hotel is located outside of the Aberdare National Park in Nyeri town. To get to the Treetops Hotel, you can either take their free shuttle or have your driver drop you off directly at the gate, which can be difficult to find if your driver doesn't know where it is. To get back, you have to take their shuttle. The drive is about 30 minutes with their shuttle.

Room Comfort:

The rooms are small and basic, but most guests do not come here for the comfort but rather for the game viewing. Nevertheless, the rooms are outdated and uncomfortable. All rooms have twin beds and most have shared bathrooms, although there are a few that have en-suite bathrooms that you can upgrade to. Toiletries and two bottles waters are provided in each room. We should mention that there aren't any locks on the doors from the outside, meaning that you can't lock your door once you exit. On the inside, there is a latch to secure the door. The room walls are thin and you can hear the guests in the surrounding rooms.

We should also mention that the hotel is situated on stilts and once you are at the hotel you are not allowed to leave, not even to go outside.

Cleanliness:

The rooms and viewing areas were clean. The shared bathrooms were also fairly clean although they are starting to show their age.     

Service:

The service wasn't that good, but with so many guests there, it really didn't surprise us. Check-in is located at the Outspan Hotel and depending on how and when you arrive, it could be slow. For example, if you arrive independently at the same time as a large tour group, it will take some time to be checked-in. We arranged to have lunch boxes made at the Outspan Hotel for our hike in the Aderbare National Park but when we arrived at noon they didn't have them ready. We were told that it would take them over an hour to prepare them which we didn't really understand or accept. Instead, we told them to pack some fruit and pastries from their breakfast so that we could be off to our hike. 

Food:

The food at dinner was simple but decent. Dinner is served for everyone staying at the Treetops Hotel at a specific time in a relatively small room. Benches are set-up to seat approximately 16 people in a confined space, which made some people feel pretty uncomfortable. Dinner is a set menu but does have enough choice to satisfy most people. The food is passed along a sliding tray in the centre of the table so that you can take what you want.

Buffet breakfast is held at the Outspan Hotel and was relatively poor compared to other hotels in Kenya. The pastries kept running out and weren't replaced fast enough by the staff. The omelette station was understaffed to keep up with the demand. 

Overall Value:

The entire experience at this hotel felt cold and impersonal. There are too many problems with the way people are treated at this hotel to justify spending a night here, including:

• In the morning everyone is requested to wake up at 6AM to be driven to the Outspan Hotel for breakfast. With shared bathroom facilities, it makes it very difficult to plan when to get ready to be ready on time. It really did feel like we were being herded out of the hotel like cows so that the next batch of tourists could be brought in.
• There is too much chaos at this hotel with all of the people running around and talking loudly to truly enjoy where you are. We are surprised some animals actually came to the waterhole with all of that noise. The entire experience of seeing animals at that hotel felt unnatural and artificial. There are better hotels in Kenya to stay at to see wildlife from the window of your room that still feel natural.
• The buzzer system of spotting animals is suspect. We left our buzzer on all night and it only buzzed on two occasions, once for a hyena and another time for a rhino. If you look at the hotel's posted list of animals that come to the waterhole on a daily basis, it's very unlikely that on any given day, these would be the only two animals arriving there. The other interesting observation was that our buzzer did not buzz after 11PM. Again, it's unlikely that none of the 4 animals on their list came between 11PM and 6AM. Either their list contains animals that come to the waterhole during the day when no one is there, or the person responsible for buzzing fell asleep or none of the 4 animals came to the place between 11PM and 6AM. You be the judge.
• The hotel was very busy with tourists, mainly retirees, and did not feel African.
• The hype for this hotel is too great for it to live up to expectations. The fame of this hotel is based on an event that happened over 50 years ago. That part of the hotel barely exists anymore.
• There is no privacy at this hotel. You have to eat dinner with everyone and leave with everyone. When the buzzer goes off, everyone is at the viewing areas at the same time as well.
• There aren't any provisions at the hotel for special needs, such as wheelchair access for example.

Needless to say, we do not recommend a night at this hotel.

Other Notes:

There is a buzzer in each room that will sound when a particular animal arrives at the waterhole, which you can turn off at any point. There is 1 buzz for the arrival of a hyena, 2 buzzes for the arrival of a leopard, 3 buzzes for the arrival of a rhino and 4 buzzes for the arrival of an elephant. There are wildlife viewing decks on every floor which are large and easily accessed.

If you can arrange to do a hike in Aberdare National Park, then do so. We did arrange a hike, but unfortunately it was very short and was cut even shorter when we spotted a wild elephant long our path.

Our Rating: 2.5/5   Year Reviewed: 2009

Expedia.ca and Priceline.com offer the best prices for this hotel. You can also visit the hotel's website at: www.aberdaresafarihotels.com

Photos:

Location:

This fairly new hotel, built in 2008, is located at the foothills of Mount Kenya on a well manicured property. Specifically, this hotel is located 215 km from Nairobi, at Naro Moru, approximately nine kilometres off the Nairobi-Nanyuki main road and 5km from the Mount Kenya park entrance. The property is a great base for exploring Mount Kenya and the surrounding area. From the hotel grounds you can even get a nice views of Mount Kenya.

Room Comfort:

We stayed in a standard room inside a small building which consisted of 3 floors and included one of their restaurants and a common area. The room was small but comfortable. The bathroom was also very small but sufficient. The water in the shower took some time to heat up since, interestingly enough, the water heater was located inside the shower head, heating the water as it ran through it. The longer the water ran through it, the warmer it got. The decor and rooms were simple, colourful and basic, but nice enough to make our stay comfortable. Our room didn't have a TV, but there was a large-screen television set in the common area. During our stay the common area was occupied by a large group of people, so the staff offered to bring a TV into our room which we declined, but thought it was very kind of them. The area can get chilly at night, so in order to make us feel warm and comfortable they put hot water packs under our bed sheets while we were at the restaurant having dinner. They also provided several blankets so that the cooler mountain air wouldn't be a factor while we slept.

The variety of rooms range from standard rooms to larger superior rooms with fireplaces. Camping on-site is also an option at this lodge.

Cleanliness:

The hotel and lodge grounds were clean and well maintained. The staff was dressed in clean professional uniforms.

Service:

The service at this lodge was outstanding. Initially we weren't planning on staying at this lodge, but because we had an issue with our original lodge, Mount Rock Lodge, and decided to check-out early from there, we had the opportunity to stay here. In fact, when the manager of the Mount Kenya Leisure Lodge learned of the details of our experience, he personally picked us up from Mountain Rock Lodge and drove us to the Leisure Lodge, a 30-minute drive away.  The hotel staff was very welcoming and went above and beyond to ensure we were having a nice stay. During our stay, all of the staff knew us by name which is a very rare occurrence at hotels this size.

The lodge is new and parts of it were still under construction, but the staff ensured that we were not affected by the construction and were comfortable during your stay. The lodge has a business center, badminton courts, table tennis and two restaurants. There are beautiful gardens on-site and there is also a short nature walk to the nearby river. The staff is professional and friendly. Hot towels and welcome drinks were provided on arrival.

Food:

The hotel staff came to our room to take our order for dinner and breakfast to ensure they had sufficient time to prepare it and so that it would be ready at the time we desired. Although the food was a little heavy on the salt, we were truly satisfied with the meals as the food was good. The portions were large and prepared by a local cook, and finally felt like we were eating traditional African meals. The chef also came out to greet us after each meal to ensure we were happy. On our final morning at the hotel, we had requested breakfast 30-minutes earlier than their allotted time, as we had to get an early start to our day, and they were able to accommodate our request. It turned out that breakfast was served at a more relaxed pace than we anticipated, so we did end up leaving a little bit later anyway. Drinks were also very reasonably priced here as a can of local beer was only 140 Kenyan Shillings, the lowest amount charged by any hotel or lodge in Kenya during our visit.

Overall Value:

Overall, we enjoyed our stay here as the staff was very welcoming, professional and friendly. This is a lodge where they care about their reputation and want to ensure their guests leave satisfied and happy. As mentioned, the only negative thing we can say is that the room we had was fairly small. Nevertheless, we would highly recommend this lodge to anyone visiting the Mount Kenya region. It's a better option than the others lodges in this area. It was a pleasure to be a guest here.

Other Notes:

N/A

Our Rating: 4/5   Year Reviewed: 2009

For the best possible price, please visit Expedia.ca. You can also visit the hotel's website at: mtkenyaleisurelodge.com

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Location:

Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge is located in front of Lake Naivasha and has direct access to the lake. Due to its proximity to the lake you have the pleasure of seeing giraffes, zebras, waterbucks and other animals from the comforts of your living room when the animals come to graze on the grounds that are surrounded by the large cottages.  In the evenings and at night, the hippos also come to the hotel grounds to feed and if you're lucky, you can spot them. The lodge is also located close to the starting point for Lake Naivasha boat rides that can take you to Crescent Island. Seven kilometres in the opposite direction is the entrance to Hell's Gate National Park and approximately a 30-minute car drive to the park gates of Mount Longonot.

Room Comfort:

The accommodation comes in the form of a large hut that is divided into 4 large independent sections; 2 sections are on the upper level and 2 sections are on the lower level. Each section is rented as a room to lodge guests. The sections on the upper level have verandas overlooking the common grounds area, while the sections on the lower level have a table and chairs outside of the rooms. The rooms are large and comfortable and contain a king sized bed and a couch in front of the floor to ceiling window that provides a view to the common grounds area where the wildlife comes to graze. The bathroom is also pretty spacious. The furniture in the rooms is pretty basic but well maintained and nice. TV's and coffee makers are also provided in the room and as part of the daily turn down service, rooms are sprayed against mosquitoes while you are having dinner.

Cleanliness:

The hotel rooms and the hotel grounds are very well maintained and are also very clean. The uniforms that the staff wear are also very nice and professional.

Service:

The service at the lodge is your typical friendly and welcoming African hospitality type. The staff is very welcoming, friendly and will do everything in their power to make your stay memorable. A welcome drink and hot towel are provided upon arrival and turn down service is provided every evening. The staff at the restaurant is also very kind and professional. As an aside, the lodge has 2 nice large pools, tennis courts and a fitness center with a personal trainer on site. A souvenir shop is also located on the property

Food:

The food was very good, even though it is your typical hotel chain food. This lodge did however try to add more local flavour to their meals and provided a good variety of foods and deserts, such as local, international, vegetarian and meat plates to choose from. A can of local beer cost 250 shillings at the hotel which is pretty hefty but expected at this type of hotel. We traveled here on full board so we received breakfast, lunch and dinner. We ate way too much for our own good, so we can confirm that the food was pretty tasty; however, do no expect authentic African food as the food prepared at these chain hotels are catered to tourists and not locals.

Overall Value:

We really enjoyed our time at this lodge and therefore would have to say the overall value was great. We enjoyed walking around the large hotel grounds and the wildlife that visited them. We would highly recommend staying here and would definitely go back again should we find ourselves in Kenya.

Other Notes:

Once the sun goes down, you are prohibited to walk around the hotel grounds without a hotel security guard. You are asked to contact the security guard to walk you to and from the restaurant for dinner. This is due to the hippos visiting the grounds and the potential for danger. There is also a nice paved path on the opposite side of the cottages where you can go on walks (or jogs) where you will see lot of wildlife. I had the pleasure of jogging there one morning with the giraffes, zebras and waterbucks. Unfortunately I was not allowed near the dock at Lake Naivasha because the hotel security guards felt it was unsafe for me to go there.

Our Rating: 4.9/5   Year Reviewed: 2009 

For the best possible price, please visit Expedia.ca. You can also visit the hotel's website at: www.sopalodges.com/naivasha/home.html

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