Eden Nairobi: Our full report

Eden Nairobi is a small boutique hotel in the Karen-Langata suburb of Nairobi, very close to Giraffe Manor ...

... and the AFEW Giraffe Centre.

Eden Nairobi is a lovely modern boutique guest house situated in lush green lawned gardens in a peaceful part of Nairobi. The Main House is a large dark wood-clad double-storey building with a tastefully furnished open-plan living room with dark wooden floors and cream coloured sofas around a huge open fireplace. Large pieces of artwork, by the former owner, dominate the walls, and a bar, offering a large selection of drinks, is tucked away under the wooden stairs. To one side is a large chunky wooden dining table flanked by matching wooden benches and two upholstered chairs. Three sets of French doors open onto a large covered veranda with more comfortable cream sofas and a dining table for al fresco meals. During our stay in 2018 we enjoyed our breakfast out here with views through the trees onto the lush gardens where there's a "woman-made" lake and outdoor lounge area.

Upstairs are three spacious en-suite bedrooms. The master bedroom has a large double bed, separate walk-in wardrobe, electronic safe and minibar with a selection of drinks (price list provided). French doors lead out onto a private covered veranda with a comfortable sofa. The bathroom has dark wood paneled walls and fun glass detail around the large mirror above the double basin. There is a separate shower cubicle and bath, and toiletries are provided. The other two bedrooms are slightly smaller but with similar décor and can be converted into either twin or double beds. The one en-suite bathroom has a large rain shower and the other has a shower over the bath.

Outside in the gardens of Eden Nairobi is a large modern building which was the former owners art studio. This houses three apartments and two studios, with one section of the building remaining a workshop for the current owner’s interior design company. It is possible for guests to visit the workshop and also make purchases from her collection. The three duplex apartments are light and airy with large windows; the living room and bathroom are downstairs (one of the sofas converts into a sofa bed for children) and upstairs is a large double bed.

At the far end of the former studio is a large open plan living and dining room, with fully stocked bar. Guests staying in the studios and apartments can relax and have their meals here or at the main house. Chunky wooden stairs lead from the lounge to the two studios upstairs. These are large spacious rooms also with large windows making them bright and airy. Each room has a large bathroom with separate shower and bath.

The staff at Eden Nairobi are used to guests arriving late (flights such as British Airways, KLM and Turkish Airlines land late meaning guests can arrive any time from midnight to 2am) and a complimentary light meal is provided.

The location of Eden Nairobi makes it ideal for visiting the Giraffe Centre (a 10 minute walk away) and the Elephant Orphanage. Further afield is the Karen Blixen Museum and Nairobi National Park.

Our view

We have thoroughly enjoyed both our stays at Eden Nairobi. Comfortable beds, nice lighting, sensible bathrooms, lots of power points and excellent food ticked all the boxes for us. With its semi-rural location, despite being just five minutes from the Giraffe Centre, this is a great choice for a comfortable start or finish to a Kenyan itinerary.

Lyndsey Marris

Kenya expert

Geographics

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Ideal length of stay: A stay of two nights will allow you to visit the nearby Giraffe Sanctuary and Elephant Orphanage
Directions: Eden Nairobi is about 30 minutes from Nairobi International Airport and about 20 minutes from Wilson Airport – depending on traffic
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Bed & Breakfast
Food quality: When we last stayed at Eden Nairobi we arrived really late (around midnight) and were still offered a light snack.

The following morning, we had breakfast outside on the veranda and were offered a choice of cereals, fresh fruit and yoghurt. A hot breakfast is also made to order.

Although we did not stay long enough to have any other meals, we believe a three course lunch and dinner are also available on request.

Dinner could be as follows – starter of carrot soup, pad thai salad or chicken liver pate with prices ranging from U$6.50 to U$7.50. This is followed by a choice of main – rib eye steak served with a red wine sauce, seasonal vegetables and garden salad (U$22), pan fried red snapper with pea mash and vegetables (U$18) or mushroom risotto (U$16.50). Your meal can then be finished off with either chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream (U$6.50), coconut pannacota (U$6.50) or chocolate tart with whipped cream (U$7.50)
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Drinks included: Drinks are not included, and range from U$2 – 3 for soft drinks and beer to U$35 – U$45 for a bottle of wine.

Children

Attitude towards children: The lodge doesn't accept under-12s.
Property’s age restrictions: Minimum age is 12.

Communications

Power supply notes: There's a backup generator.
Communications: There is WiFi in the rooms and good cellphone reception.
TV & radio: The rooms all have TV with a good range of channels.
Water supply: Mains
Water supply notes: Water comes from the mains supply, plus the property's own borehole.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: There are doctors and hospitals nearby
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: There are manned security gates at the entrance of the property and security guards patrol at night.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers around the lodge.

Activities

4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Elephant encounter

Extras

Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: Laundry is available at an additional cost
Money: There are safes in the rooms.
The lodge does not offer currency exchange but there are banks and ATMs nearby
Accepted payment on location: Most forms of cash and credit cards (MasterCard, Amex, Visa) are accepted.