One of the great historic hotels of the world, and one of the acknowledged ’sights’ of Nairobi, the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel is a Kenyan institution that has to be experienced. The exterior, which has changed little since the colonial era, features half-timbered mock Tudor black and white walls, covered in vines and creepers, a miniature bell tower and a taxi rank where old-style London black caps queue for business. A feature on Nairobi’s landscape since it  opened on Christmas Day 1904, the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel has featured in most of the many books and films about Kenya, and entertained such historic figures as Lord Delamere, Theodore Roosevelt and Karen Blixen. Recently exquisitely refurbished, the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel interior features an eccentric mix of cane chairs, sumptuous sofas, gleaming antiques, original black-and-white prints and massive oil paintings.

The Fairmont Norfolk Hotel began life as a tin shack in a temporary camp at the farthest point of the ’Lunatic Line’, the railway buit to link Mombasa to Uganda. The ’only place to stay’ for incoming colonials, it rapidly expanded to become ’the only place to see and be seen’. Once owned by one of Kenya’s best-known families, the Blocks, the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel has recently been taken over by the Fairmont chain, and is also a member of the ’Leading Hotels of the World’. 

Attractions 

The hotel has an excellent health centre with gymnasium, sauna, steam room, aerobic studio (daily classes), massage and a heated swimming pool. The hotel also offers its own hair-dressing salon and a selection of stylish boutiques. Unlike many other city hotels, the Norfolk offers its own secure car park.

Accommodation 

This atmospheric and beautifully appointed city centre hotel offers an unnusually wide selection of rooms, ranging from opulent suites to cosy cottage-style rooms set around a central garden courtyard, which features such quirky points of interest as a selection of antique cars from the colonial period. 

Specifically the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel offers 167 rooms dived as follows:

• Acacia Wing 44 rooms of which 35 deluxe rooms (10 double-bedded and 25 twins), 5 double-bedded ensuite executive suites each with a lounge area and bathroom, and 4 ensuite double-bedded Deluxe  suites each with sitting room, extra bathroom, and dressing room. 

• Karura Wing 26 standard rooms comprising 23 twin-bedded standard rooms and 3 double-bedded standard rooms.

• Delamere Wing 44 standard rooms of which 35 twin-bedded, 9 double-bedded. Of the 44, there are 8 pairs (16 rooms) of inter-connecting rooms, 15 of which are twin-bedded and 1 is double-bedded.

• Kijabe Wing 18 rooms, of which 6 are standard rooms and 12 studio suites) All double-bedded

• 1937 Block: 8 standard rooms. All double-bedded

• Mugumo Wing 27 rooms of which: 7 split-levelled duplex suites, 2 of which are double-bedded and 5 twin-bedded. 20 Deluxe  rooms, of which 7 double-bedded and 13 twin-bedded

All rooms at the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel have: Air conditioning,  Satellite television, Mini-bar, tea and coffee making facilities, safes, Hairdryers, free WiFi throughout, direct-dial phones, porters, valet service and 24-hour room service.  

Guest services 

All rooms at the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel have: Air conditioning,  Satellite television, Mini-bar, tea and coffee making facilities, safes, Hairdryers, free WiFi throughout, direct-dial phones, porters, valet service and 24-hour room service.  

The Fairmont Norfolk Hotel offers mobile phone reception throughout, medical services, airport shuttle (at a fee). The majority of rooms in this city hotel are no smoking: smoking rooms available.

Dining and bars 

Dining options at the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel include the famous Lord Delamere Terrace and Bar, which dates back to the original colonial hotel and is famous for the series of mad exploits that took place there – notably sundry members of the aristocracy riding their horses into the bar, shooting out the lights – and other such exuberant events. From this terrace, guests can see and be seen, plus take breakfast, lunch, supper or an excellent coffee. The Ibis Restaurant, which is one of Nairobi’s most highly-rated a la carte restaurants, looks out over the central garden courtyard and boasts a world-class menu and regular internationally themed events. The Poolside restaurant is light, airy and spacious and offers a range of excellent light but stylish options. The Fairmont Norfolk Hotel also offers a charmingly presented central bar area, which features numerous antiques, and original oil paintings.

Conference and event facilities 

The Fairmont Norfolk Hotel is one of Nairobi’s most popular conference and meeting venues. It offers an elegant ballroom with its own terrace and washroom facilities plus a number of equally tastefully presented function rooms and dedicated garden patio areas. (The Ballroom accommodates 200 guests, The Tinga Tinga Room 60 guests, 4 Executive boardrooms accommodating 6-20 guests – AV equipment available). The banqueting competence of the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel has been proven many times over. There is also a Business Centre with wireless internet connectivity available all over the hotel. The Fairmont Norfolk Hotel also offers its own shuttle bus/people carrier. 

Weddings and honeymoons

For a stylish ’Out of Africa’ wedding in the centre of town, yet with numerous charming photo-settings, the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel is hard to beat. Receptions can be staged in the elegant ballroom, in the grounds, around the pool or in the delightful Ibis Restaurant.

Ideally placed in the centre of Kenya’s capital city, the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel offers wedding venues, wedding catering, wedding flowers, wedding photography, pre- and après wedding events and a series of honeymoon offers and packages.

Child friendly

The Fairmont Norfolk Hotel welcomes children and can arrange baby-sitting upon request. Cots and extra beds provided. No age-limit for children. 

Location 

One of Kenya’s capital city best-known city hotels, the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel stands in Nairobi (capital city) city centre, and ideally placed for reaching either the central business district or the industrial area. Half an hour from Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (and other airport hotels), this pleasant city hotel is five minute’s walk from the Nairobi Kenyatta International Conference Centre.

Kenya city hotel: what to do and see while at the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel

This popular city hotel is ideally placed for tours of the city centre, the Nairobi Railway Museum and the Kenya National Museum. This city centre business hotel also lies approximately 7 minute’s drive from Nairobi National Park, the only ‘city park’ in the world. Wildlife sightings include lion, rhino, a wide range of plains game and hippo.

Other Kenya capital city attractions

The only capital city to boast a national park within 10 minute’s drive of the city centre, Nairobi’s National Park offers rhino, lion, giraffe and a broad range of plains game as well as an animal orphanage, Safari Walk and range of restaurants and shops. 

Kenya’s cosmopolitan city centre also offers a broad selection of city centre golf courses and city centre health clubs, a flying club, race track and more. This vibrant capital city also offers a wide range of city centre shopping malls and cultural and handicraft markets.