As a seasoned traveller I'm aware that one of the most allusive things one can get on holiday is a sense of relaxation and calm. So many things have to be "right" to allow a guest to feel totally relaxed. After staying at Karen Gables it just became my favourite place to stay. Firstly, its a small luxury set up, just a few rooms so it feels much more like your own home than most soulless commercial hotels. Beautiful, yet comfortable furniture add to this effect as well at the plethora of small details such as a refreshing welcome and immaculate landscaping. This is the type of place you come to sit in the garden and relax far from the noise and bustle of the city, take a swim in the pool or walk through the garden to peruse the many water features. As evening approaches, the many fireplaces are lit and one can settle in the many nooks with a book with soft music playing through the house. The meals are excellent and the cocktails delicious, all served at an appropriately relaxed pace to ensure you have time to savor the moment.…
We stayed at Karen Gables both before and after staying in some safari camps in Kenya. It was a great spot in Nairobi to bookend the camps. It is unusual – apparently built as a house but subsequently converted to a small hotel by the owner. It looks and feels quite old but in fact is quite new, intentionally built to an old style. We liked both rooms we stayed in – rooms 1 and 6 both on the first floor overlooking the pool and gardens. However one warning – room 6 has an open bathroom – only divided from the bed by a partial height screen – so if you like your privacy consider specifying not to be in this room. Both rooms were large and comfortable. The hotel grounds are pretty, including a pool and numerous places to settle down with a book, or a drink or both. We had several dinners in the hotel, which were good food and well presented. The staff deserve a special mention. They were always very friendly and helpful and excelled when on each of our early departures – the second at 4am. We were presented with tea, coffee and breakfast to take with us. Karen Gables is highly recommended as a base in Nairobi. …
Wat een heerlijk hotel met een pachtige weelderige tuin. We hadden ons geen betere start van de vakantie kunnen voorstellen! Een heerlijk ontbijt op het terras en een erg vriendelijke Nederlandse eigenaar!
Reisezeit: Mitte August Nach 2 Nächten im Haus Karen Gables würden wir diese Unterkunft jederzeit wieder wählen und bedenkenlos weiterempfehlen. Ein tolles Haus mit großzügigen, komfortablen und sehr sauberen Zimmern. Das Badezimmer war mit zwei Waschplätzen ebenfalls sehr großzüig. Schöner und großzügiger Garten mit Möglichkeiten zum Erkunden. Das Frühstück war sehr lecker und kein lässt keine Wünsche offen. Aufgrund unserer geplanten Aktivitäten haben wir Lunch und Dinner jeweils auf dem Weg zu uns genommen (nicht im Haus Karen Gables) Jederzeit ein sehr netter, freundlicher und zuvorkommender Service. Eine Unterkunft, in der man sich wie zuhause fühlt. Vielen Dank an dieser Stelle nochmals an das gesamte Team für die tollen Tage im Haus Karen Gables.
This was our final one day stop, before a late flight back to London. The owner, Chris, was wonderfully hospitable and we were so happy to meet him. The house is a beautiful classic Dutch style and it feels like stepping into a movie scene. Whilst there we visited the nature walk and local souvenir shops. We'd also visited the Karen Blixen house museum. Compelling if you love the book/film. Lovely gardens stepping down a green and forested hill. Very peaceful and relaxing.
I stayed at Karen Gables with my sister and parents for 3 nights before leaving on a two week safari. Having Karen Gables as our introduction to Kenya and a base in Niarobi was absolutely perfect. Tucked away in the Karen neighborhood, Karen Gables was quiet and a beautifully landscaped setting. The staff was incredible and extremely kind. My father had broken his leg three weeks before out trip and was on crutches. Everytime he went up or down the stairs, someone was there to help him. William and the whole team took such care with him that I will be forever grateful for. The rooms were more than comfortable and the showers were fantastic after a long day sightseeing and shopping. We were able to have clothes laundered on our last day which was very helpful on our return trip. The breakfast provided was delicious. Fresh fruit and bread with a small but varied cooked to order selection. The breakfast was so good, we ended up having dinner there every night. Having that available made adjusting to the time change so much easier. The kitchen also makes a delicious Masala Chai, if you like tea. The coffee was also amazing. Overall, I cannot recommend Karen Gables enough and know that I will stay there again when I come back. …
My nine year old daughter and I stayed here for two nights upon arrival in Nairobi before beginning our safari. This property is gorgeous, so comfortable and peaceful. Our room was beautiful and more than I expected. The staff was extremely kind and so good with my daughter. She also adored the house dog Max. I felt comfortable lounging around this property by the pool and inside the house. This feels similar to a "bed and breakfast" type hotel, but most of these I have stayed at in the past, I did not feel like I could relax in rooms around the house or pool. We both felt completely welcomed to relax around this home and welcomed to enjoy the property. I did arrange a massage while staying here and it was amazing! It was outside under one of the covered buildings and it started to rain which added to the relaxation. The food here was delicious. This was one of the most beautiful and comfortable properties I have ever stayed at. If I ever return to Nairobi, I will be staying here again!…
We stayed here for two nights last October. It was a great place to recover from our 24 hours of travel time. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The food was excellent. The rooms were large and well appointed. It was a nice quiet out of the way place in Nairobi.
I cannot recommend this hotel highly enough. Staff were very welcoming and friendly. We only stayed a couple of nights and really wish it could have been longer. We felt totally relaxed and rested as though we had been there a week. Food was excellent. We would not hesitate to stay there again. Diane and Ken Cox from UK.
I booked this hotel for my visiting parents who were staying over in Nairobi for a couple of nights before we met them and travelled to the Coast together. From the initial inquiry to departure, the whole experience was fantastic, very personalised and with excellent communication. My parents intend to stay over a few extra days in Nairobi next time they visit Kenya, just so they can visit Karen Gables again! Highly recommended.
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