Reviews of Macushla House
Wildlife sightings and reviews
53 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Macushla House and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Mr & Mrs LN
London
"Macushla House review"
2 nights Arrived 30 Sep 2015
"Macushla House is in pretty grounds and is good for the Game Park, Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Sanctuary. It is a very long drive in heavy traffic if you want to explore the centre of Nairobi.
The staff we talked to had not even been to the Orphanage or giraffe sanctuary so they could not provide information for us of what to expect. (Please take a bottle of water when you go!) Neither could they discuss things to do and places to go in and around the area. This could be easily rectified by taking the staff to these places and providing more leaflets in the information stand.
We stayed in the cottage rooms. They were clean and nice - great for people travelling together or for a family. Could use a mosquito net over the bed and possibly a fan.
Restaurant food was nice and was cooked to order so took a while which left time for a nice drink at the bar.. Picnic lunch was very basic - could be a lot more interesting.
If you get a taxi from the hotel make sure you find out from the owner the usual rate before you book and make sure that rate is agreed with the taxi driver. Personally, we would rather have booked a vehicle for the day and had the freedom that would have allowed us. There was a wedding shoot around the pool so we did not use it." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
The staff we talked to had not even been to the Orphanage or giraffe sanctuary so they could not provide information for us of what to expect. (Please take a bottle of water when you go!) Neither could they discuss things to do and places to go in and around the area. This could be easily rectified by taking the staff to these places and providing more leaflets in the information stand.
We stayed in the cottage rooms. They were clean and nice - great for people travelling together or for a family. Could use a mosquito net over the bed and possibly a fan.
Restaurant food was nice and was cooked to order so took a while which left time for a nice drink at the bar.. Picnic lunch was very basic - could be a lot more interesting.
If you get a taxi from the hotel make sure you find out from the owner the usual rate before you book and make sure that rate is agreed with the taxi driver. Personally, we would rather have booked a vehicle for the day and had the freedom that would have allowed us. There was a wedding shoot around the pool so we did not use it." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Poor
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Ms Heidi
Chicago
"Great Service"
2 nights Arrived 18 Sep 2015
"Macushla House was a nice place to relax and enjoy a couple of nights out of the tent. It was in a secluded part of Nairobi in an area called Karen. We felt safe and relaxed at the house. It was a bit of a drive from the airport which was a bit treacherous and dirty to get to but upon arrival we were happy to be there.
There were a few other guests at the house while we were there, not a very social, exciting atmosphere but it was a beautiful place to enjoy our time. The room was very dark and old. It was spacious and comfortable but seemed dated and different. The bathroom shower was pretty strange. It was just a shower head that drained directly into the floor. No tub, curtain or separate area. My husband had a lizard in his shower and i had a caterpillar on my toothbrush one morning. It wasn't a big deal, but I didn't really agree with the open window, no screen in the bathroom. I don't like to be naked with the creatures at the same time!
The pool was beautiful and we loved all the fun decorations around the house. My husband and I enjoyed dinner both nights and drinks by the fire as we played chess. Wi-fi is included in the main areas but there really isn't much to do here otherwise. We adored our server, Stephen! He did a fantastic job and really made us feel at home." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 6n in Seychelles; 2n in Kenya
There were a few other guests at the house while we were there, not a very social, exciting atmosphere but it was a beautiful place to enjoy our time. The room was very dark and old. It was spacious and comfortable but seemed dated and different. The bathroom shower was pretty strange. It was just a shower head that drained directly into the floor. No tub, curtain or separate area. My husband had a lizard in his shower and i had a caterpillar on my toothbrush one morning. It wasn't a big deal, but I didn't really agree with the open window, no screen in the bathroom. I don't like to be naked with the creatures at the same time!
The pool was beautiful and we loved all the fun decorations around the house. My husband and I enjoyed dinner both nights and drinks by the fire as we played chess. Wi-fi is included in the main areas but there really isn't much to do here otherwise. We adored our server, Stephen! He did a fantastic job and really made us feel at home." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 6n in Seychelles; 2n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs D
London
"Comfortable and friendly stay"
2 nights Arrived 5 Sep 2015
"Gave us just what we wanted for a two night stay and well situated for giraffe sanctuary, elephant orphanage and Karen Blixen House- highly recommended."
See all these reviews: 11n in Tanzania; 2n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Family
Surrey
"Lovey hideaway in Karen, close to attractions"
2 nights Arrived 22 Aug 2015
"Due to our late departure from the UK, we arrived in the early hours of the morning, after a 45 minute drive from the airport. The owner and two other members of staff were waiting for us to offer us a warm welcome and show us to our room. The room was very clean and spacious, as was the bathroom. The beds were extremely comfortable and the shower functioned adequately. Bottled water was provided in the room.
In the morning, tea was brought to our room and then a good cooked breakfast was served to order in the lovely dining room, where free wifi was available. We learned that we were the only guests there and it really felt as if we were special guests in a family home. The very personal service continued, even when other guests arrived later that day. For dinner, we ordered a simple meal of spaghetti and tomato sauce which was plentiful and served with the same good service.
We did not have chance to use the pool, but we had a quick look at the well kept gardens which we would have enjoyed relaxing in if we had had the time.
We were very close to the Giraffe centre and the location was ideal for all the places we wanted to visit. We felt very safe as there were security gates at the entrance. We had passed many large, impersonal hotels on the way from the airport, so we were glad to be staying at a place with so much character.
Every member of staff treated us with great courtesy at all times. It was an excellent start to our holiday.
We left at 7.30am and it took us about an hour to get to Wilson airport, but it was a particularly busy time of day." See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya
In the morning, tea was brought to our room and then a good cooked breakfast was served to order in the lovely dining room, where free wifi was available. We learned that we were the only guests there and it really felt as if we were special guests in a family home. The very personal service continued, even when other guests arrived later that day. For dinner, we ordered a simple meal of spaghetti and tomato sauce which was plentiful and served with the same good service.
We did not have chance to use the pool, but we had a quick look at the well kept gardens which we would have enjoyed relaxing in if we had had the time.
We were very close to the Giraffe centre and the location was ideal for all the places we wanted to visit. We felt very safe as there were security gates at the entrance. We had passed many large, impersonal hotels on the way from the airport, so we were glad to be staying at a place with so much character.
Every member of staff treated us with great courtesy at all times. It was an excellent start to our holiday.
We left at 7.30am and it took us about an hour to get to Wilson airport, but it was a particularly busy time of day." See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W-J
UK
"Peaceful retreat in Nairobi"
1 night Arrived 24 Feb 2015
"After a delay at immigration we finally arrived at Macushla just before midnight. We were greeted by welcoming smiles and an offer for the chef to make us some food. We declined this and retired to the very comfortable bed. Our room offered all we needed (including a hairdryer) though the bathroom could do with a little updating. When we mentioned the next day that we had found the room rather hot as we had not acclimatised a fan was quickly provided which made our second night more comfortable.
The staff, especially Peter, were very friendly and helpful and owner Caroline made a point of introducing herself to guests. When she discovered we were cat lovers she also invited us to help with feeding time for some of her six feline friends. Her dog was also about.
We spent a day at Macushla just relaxing in the garden by the pool and watching the antics of the resident vervet monkeys and then enjoyed a delicious and very good value dinner.
Whilst Macushla is further from the airport than some hotels the major part of the transfer time was taken up with getting out of the car park at the airport. It is obviously not practicable if you just need somewhere for a few hours before flights but if you have most of a day or can even stay two nights we think it is excellent. Karen is one of the nicer areas of Nairobi and the surroundings of Macushla are very quiet and peaceful. Our transfers with Southern Cross all went smoothly and the drivers were friendly and polite. We particularly appreciated our driver staying with us at Wilson airport until he was sure were going to get the right flight as the Coastal paperwork was unclear to us. We were flying into Tanzania and the point of immigration had been changed.
Whilst we just relaxed the Giraffe centre or Karen Blixen’s house were within walking or short trip away." See all these reviews: 11n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
The staff, especially Peter, were very friendly and helpful and owner Caroline made a point of introducing herself to guests. When she discovered we were cat lovers she also invited us to help with feeding time for some of her six feline friends. Her dog was also about.
We spent a day at Macushla just relaxing in the garden by the pool and watching the antics of the resident vervet monkeys and then enjoyed a delicious and very good value dinner.
Whilst Macushla is further from the airport than some hotels the major part of the transfer time was taken up with getting out of the car park at the airport. It is obviously not practicable if you just need somewhere for a few hours before flights but if you have most of a day or can even stay two nights we think it is excellent. Karen is one of the nicer areas of Nairobi and the surroundings of Macushla are very quiet and peaceful. Our transfers with Southern Cross all went smoothly and the drivers were friendly and polite. We particularly appreciated our driver staying with us at Wilson airport until he was sure were going to get the right flight as the Coastal paperwork was unclear to us. We were flying into Tanzania and the point of immigration had been changed.
Whilst we just relaxed the Giraffe centre or Karen Blixen’s house were within walking or short trip away." See all these reviews: 11n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr S.
Clontarf
"Comfortable small hotel in the Karen suburb"
1 night Arrived 4 Sep 2014
"Only spent one night at Macushla House. Service was good and staff were very friendly. Room was clean and décor is interesting.
Nice not to be in a large hotel. Bit of a distance from Nairobi airport." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia; 3n in Rwanda; 2n in Kenya
Nice not to be in a large hotel. Bit of a distance from Nairobi airport." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia; 3n in Rwanda; 2n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Mr & Mrs H
SC. USA
"Macushla House review"
2 nights Arrived 2 Sep 2014
"Good location, very friendly welcome and willing to serve a late dinner and/or drinks."
See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Mrs S
Kansas
"Macushla House review"
2 nights Arrived 2 Sep 2014
"Macushla House was just as it was described; a boutique hotel in the middle of a lovely residential area. Our hosts and accommodations were wonderful. We arrived fairly late in the evening but were still offered dinner. We chose to have a glass of wine and retire to our rooms. My room was lovely including a sitting room, bedroom, and bath.
The rooms were located in a separate, new building a short walk from the main house. This was very acceptable.
Our guide took us anywhere we wanted to go the next day. We went to a bead factory, a glass factory, and bought some keepsakes to take home. My only issue was the ride to the glass factory. It was too long and very bumpy. The guide had never been there, but he was willing to take us. A noe should be made that the trip is very long and difficult but worth it." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya
The rooms were located in a separate, new building a short walk from the main house. This was very acceptable.
Our guide took us anywhere we wanted to go the next day. We went to a bead factory, a glass factory, and bought some keepsakes to take home. My only issue was the ride to the glass factory. It was too long and very bumpy. The guide had never been there, but he was willing to take us. A noe should be made that the trip is very long and difficult but worth it." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Feedback Response
Kitengela Glass is at the end of a rough 9-kilometre track, and travellers need to allow a good half-hour to get there from the main road. As an unusual visit, which we don't currently mention on the Expert Africa website (it is covered in the Rough Guide to Kenya), we agree it's very worthwhile place if you have time. We have asked our drivers in Nairobi to check they know the route and are aware of the road condition!
Mr R
Newberg
"Macushla House review"
4 nights Arrived 10 Feb 2014
"Our host/owner Grant was very accommodating and helpful. The staff was excellent especially our server/bartenders Peter and Stephen. The food was quite good and besides an excellent breakfast we eat dinner there each night because it was convenient and good.
The rooms were quite nice and interestingly decorated. However I would suggest in the room in which we stayed (Room 4 as I remember) the shower head and bath tub fixture really needed to be replaced and the toilet seemed to leak while refilling which seemed to take forever to refill the water tank and was quite noisy.
The decore of the inn itself was lovely and the fresh flowers throughout were lovely and the fireplaces in the main living areas were lit on request each evening as a chill took to the air when we were there." See all these reviews: 6n in Kenya
The rooms were quite nice and interestingly decorated. However I would suggest in the room in which we stayed (Room 4 as I remember) the shower head and bath tub fixture really needed to be replaced and the toilet seemed to leak while refilling which seemed to take forever to refill the water tank and was quite noisy.
The decore of the inn itself was lovely and the fresh flowers throughout were lovely and the fireplaces in the main living areas were lit on request each evening as a chill took to the air when we were there." See all these reviews: 6n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs H
Hampton
"Macushla House review"
1 night Arrived 25 Aug 2013
"We thought Macushla House was lovely and the staff were very welcoming.
We enjoyed an excellent, cooked to order, breakfast next morning. Our main regret was that we did not feel we had sufficient time to enjoy the place given that we arrived at 11.00 pm and had to be up to leave at 5.30am to avoid the traffic.
On reflection, we thought we might have welcomed staying another night or perhaps staying somewhere closer to the airport even though it would not have the same atmosphere or introduction to Africa." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
We enjoyed an excellent, cooked to order, breakfast next morning. Our main regret was that we did not feel we had sufficient time to enjoy the place given that we arrived at 11.00 pm and had to be up to leave at 5.30am to avoid the traffic.
On reflection, we thought we might have welcomed staying another night or perhaps staying somewhere closer to the airport even though it would not have the same atmosphere or introduction to Africa." See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania; 1n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Average
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
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