Chester House or Natural Oaks Apts?
Trying to decide between these two for my first visit to Africa next month. Is it worth paying about $25 / night extra to be next door to Madhouse? At NOA, are taxis available 24/7 and how long does it take to get to the center considering the notorious Nairobi traffic? Does either place have in-room safes?
Recommendations welcome!
Letting the Cat Out the Bag
[QUOTE=Anzac; 1224514]Someone has suggested that the location of this hotel on River road is a dangerous area. Does this only apply to after dark or is dangerous at all times?
And what is dangerous? I've stayed in the dodgiest areas of Manila, Phnom Penh, BKK, Pattaya etc without concern. Any comments on how dangerous. Real or percieved Nairobi is compared to other cities mentioned. Bottom line. Is it that bad out by River Road, that the extra 40bucks to stay in the CBD is worth it?
Cheers.[/QUOTE]I have gone by many of the hotels in the CBD, but have only stayed at Hotel Central Park and Green Court Hotel. Both are on the other side of the track so to speak which is Tom Mboya and very close to matatu stands (noisy). If staying at a hotel that is somewhat quiet at night, then Kipepeo, Intercontinental, Hilton, Stanley, as well as WestBreezes Hotels would fit the bill. Chester and Terminal are close to Madhouse, but I was able to walk to all points of interest in CBD from both Green Court Hotel and Central Park Hotel day and night. I am an American black man so I don't stick out at night in the dodgier parts of town, but one would have no problem getting around CBD by taxi at night. Green Court Hotel daily rate is 1800KSH with breakfast included (better quality than Hotel Central Park and even some 4 star hotels I have stayed in Ghana!). No charge for overnight guests but you will be charged 300KSH for any additional breakfast for your guest. Hotel Central Park daily rate is now 2800KSH and overnight guest charge is an additional 700KSH. Breakfast is included with no additional charge for guest. The Hotel Central Park looks better in the lobby than Green Court (looks very much like a notel) , but Green Court rooms have mosquito nets and the hot water works better. Additionally, there is no parking lot for either of these hotels, but I experienced no problems being dropped off at either nor being picked up at either hotel. My assessment is that although these hotels are not Western standard hotels, they do feature clean, firm queen or full size beds, hot running water for showers (on demand electric heaters) , breakfast included, and security. The main reason they are not Western standard hotels is neither feature A / C or even ceiling fans which is no problem in November and December in Nairobi, but would be a problem come January.
Is it dangerous in CDB? Well I went out most nights and usually always walked from hotel to F2, Madhouse, Simmers, Club Spree and back and I never encountered any problems. I even toyed around with chatting up some streetwalkers but nothing came of that. Mostly settled on hooking up with Afro and AFF chicks as well as chatting up attractive ladies on the street in the daytime. Will post trip report later as I am knee deep in good pussy right now.