I said a little prayer as I walked back to the meet and greet line. About 5 people in from the end, there stood Patrick my driver! “Where have you been?” we both chorused.
He had been waiting for me since 6am. After an hour and a half, thinking I had perhaps missed the flight, he went to double check. Good thing he came back one more time. Hallelujah, I had been found!

I was grateful to have my prearranged transfer to an oasis in the city. No, I wasn’t staying at a standardized, international chain hotel like the Inter-Continental. Kenya has many wonderful small, intimate places with personality. As we drove from the airport, through now thick rush hour traffic, he told me the company owner would meet with me at 4pm.

The Fairview Hotel is a charming family-owned country hotel set in 5 acres of beautiful gardens within the city center. However, I was surprised that we had to pass through several check points with armed guards and finally a security gate to get into the hotel grounds. I inquired about this. We were near the Israeli Embassy which required a constant and high level of anti-terrorism protection.

I settled into my room. I was finally in Kenya.
After I freshened up, I went to the business center to send my husband a quick e-mail.
“Arrived safely. All’s well.” I needed him to be reassured, not worried about me long distance. I checked my e-mail for anything urgent. This might be my last connection until I returned in  a week.

I explored the property, finding the well-quipped fitness center and an invitingly lovely swimming pool at the back. All the wings were gated with key card access. More internal security.

I knew this was a business hotel, not a tourist hotel. I noticed a business conference in one of the meeting rooms and the restaurants filling with local business people at lunch time. It was obviously a popular little place.

I needed to rest and relax and think about what to do. My meeting with the safari company owner was crucial. I now had a question about the reliabilty of the company I was involved with.

And yet, here I was, in this well-chosen oasis in the city. Someone definitely had expertise and refined sensibilities.  A delightful surprise.
This was NOT one of the usual recommendations for visitors to Nairobi.

Note: professional photos courtesy of Fairview Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.

I said a little prayer as I walked back to the meet and greet line. About 5 people in from the end, there stood Patrick my driver! “Where have you been?” we both chorused.
He had been waiting for me since 6am. After an hour and a half, thinking I had perhaps missed the flight, he went to double check. Good thing he came back one more time. Hallelujah, I had been found!

I was grateful to have my prearranged transfer to an oasis in the city. No, I wasn’t staying at a standardized, international chain hotel like the Inter-Continental. Kenya has many wonderful small, intimate places with personality. As we drove from the airport, through now thick rush hour traffic, he told me the company owner would meet with me at 4pm.

The Fairview Hotel is a charming family-owned country hotel set in 5 acres of beautiful gardens within the city center. However, I was surprised that we had to pass through several check points with armed guards and finally a security gate to get into the hotel grounds. I inquired about this. We were near the Israeli Embassy which required a constant and high level of anti-terrorism protection.

I settled into my room. I was finally in Kenya.
After I freshened up, I went to the business center to send my husband a quick e-mail.
“Arrived safely. All’s well.” I needed him to be reassured, not worried about me long distance. I checked my e-mail for anything urgent. This might be my last connection until I returned in  a week.

I explored the property, finding the well-quipped fitness center and an invitingly lovely swimming pool at the back. All the wings were gated with key card access. More internal security.

I knew this was a business hotel, not a tourist hotel. I noticed a business conference in one of the meeting rooms and the restaurants filling with local business people at lunch time. It was obviously a popular little place.

I needed to rest and relax and think about what to do. My meeting with the safari company owner was crucial. I now had a question about the reliabilty of the company I was involved with.

And yet, here I was, in this well-chosen oasis in the city. Someone definitely had expertise and refined sensibilities.  A delightful surprise.
This was NOT one of the usual recommendations for visitors to Nairobi.

Note: professional photos courtesy of Fairview Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.