Nairobi Airport's BEST Hotel? Crowne Plaza Review!
Nairobi Airport's BEST Hotel? Crowne Plaza Review! (Prepare for Truth Bombs!)
Okay, okay, let's get real about hotels near airports, shall we? They're usually…well, you know. Functional. You’re not expecting romance; you’re expecting to survive a layover. But the Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport? That’s where things get interesting. Strap in, because this isn’t your run-of-the-mill TripAdvisor regurgitation. This is real talk, folks. And yeah, SEO's gotta be in there somewhere. Let's get this messy, honest review underway!
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Accessibility: The Good & The… Less Good?
Alright, immediate buzzkill – the website says they have "Facilities for disabled guests". Great! But the devil’s in the details, right? I didn’t personally traverse the whole thing in a wheelchair, but from what I saw, the elevator access is solid, which is a huge win. Facilities include accessible rooms - no surprises. The layout seemed generally navigable, with enough space in common areas. That said, ALWAYS CALL AND DOUBLE CHECK. Hotels often say they're accessible, and then reality hits you like a rogue luggage cart. (Note to self: that would be a great name for a band.)
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges: I'd say a qualified YES. Again, visual inspection points towards usability, especially in the main restaurant areas.
Internet: The Lifeblood of the Modern Traveler (And My Job!)
Okay, Internet access – wireless, aka Wi-Fi [free] in all rooms… and everywhere else! HUGE. This is a non-negotiable these days. And the Crowne Plaza delivers. The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! headline is absolutely true, and the Internet access – LAN option gives you a backup. Seriously, I don't know a single person who uses LAN anymore, but it's there! I needed to upload some hefty files, and the connection held up like a champ! Also, Wi-Fi in public areas? Yep. You’re covered. Fast, reliable, a godsend after a long flight.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Wanderer (or the Exhausted Traveler)
Where do I even begin? This is where the Crowne Plaza really shines. Okay, let's be real: the hotel’s main Restaurants are solid, and there are plenty to choose from! Restaurants are a given, but here's the juicy stuff:
- Breakfast [buffet] – HUGE buffet. I’m talking endless options. This is where the Asian breakfast can be located.
- Breakfast takeaway service: I was so tired I forgot (it's a feature!)
- A la carte in restaurant: Well, I'm looking for something more original
- Buffet in restaurant: Yep.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Always.
- Coffee shop: Yes, a good one!
- Happy hour: Ah, the sweet relief!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Absolutely. From local fare to international flavors, you're covered.
- Poolside bar: This is the life.
- Poolside Bar: Because sometimes you need your beverage to be, well, poolside. Snack bar: handy for that late-night craving.
- Room service [24-hour]: Game-changer. Especially when jet lag hits at 3 AM.
- Vegetarian restaurant: No issues at all.
- Western breakfast: The usual suspects are there.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: A nice mix of cuisines, really something for everyone.
The bar is also excellent. Seriously. Picture it: you've survived a 16-hour flight, you’re bleary-eyed, and all you want is a strong drink. The bar here delivers. It was like a tiny oasis of sanity in the madness of the airport.
(The Anecdote You Didn’t Know You Needed): I remember one evening, completely shattered from travel. Ordered room service. I'm talking room service [24-hour] – a total lifesaver. And guess what? It arrived PERFECTLY. Cooked to order, correct order. It was perfect. Simple pleasures.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: More Than Just a Bed & a Shower
This is where the Crowne Plaza REALLY surprised me. Airport hotels and Spa, Sauna, or Swimming pool? Usually, nope. But this place actually has them all! YES!
- Body scrub: Not my style
- Body wrap: Nope.
- Fitness center: A good one.
- Foot bath: Pass
- Gym/fitness: Great facilities, good equipment. Got my workout in.
- Massage: Yes, yes, YES! Heaven after a long flight.
- Pool with view: One word: stunning.
- Swimming pool: Absolutely, beautiful, big!
- Spa/sauna: A proper one.
- Steamroom: Very relaxing to destress.
The Spa/sauna is a proper spa, not just a token gesture. The pool? Absolutely gorgeous. And the Pool with view is magnificent. I’ve never felt so relaxed before boarding a plane.
Cleanliness and Safety: Because, Well, You Know…
Okay, let's tackle the elephant in the room: COVID-19. Crowne Plaza seems to be taking things seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good.
- Cashless payment service: Great! Especially now.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: A reassuring promise.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere, which is a HUGE plus.
- Hot water, linen, and laundry washing: Important.
- Hygiene certification: Good to see that.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Makes sense.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They're trying.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Good.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice
- Rooms sanitized between stays: reassuring.
- Safe dining setup: Yes.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Important
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Crucial.
- Sterilizing equipment: Definitely good to know.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
The list is extensive, so the following is a summary of key elements:
- Air conditioning in public area: A must-have in Nairobi.
- Business facilities, including meeting/banquet facilities and meetings. (Good for quick stopovers.)
- Concierge: helpful.
- Currency exchange: Convenient.
- Daily housekeeping: excellent.
- Doorman: always a plus.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Hope they are well-maintained.
- Gift/souvenir shop: handy for getting some last-minute gifts.
- Ironing service: a plus!
- Laundry service: helpful.
- Luggage storage: good.
- Safety deposit boxes: safe.
- Smoking area: Well organized, doesn't interfere.
- Terrace: great place to relax
- Airport transfer: easy to arrange and efficient.
- Car park [free of charge]: Great!
- Car park [on-site]: So convenient.
- Taxi service: always available.
For the Kids: I Didn't See "Babysitting service", BUT… - I didn’t travel with kids, but the hotel seemed pretty kid-friendly overall.
Rooms: The Details That Make a Difference
Okay, the rooms. They are lovely.
- Bathrobes: nice touch!
- Coffee/tea maker: essential.
- Complimentary tea: Yes!
- Desk: Always needed for remote work.
- Extra long bed: Great!
- Free bottled water: A godsend in a hot place.
- Hair dryer: Needed!
- In-room safe box: A requirement in today's world.
- Mini bar: Always needed for late-night cravings
- On-demand movies: Nice.
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Reading light: Always a plus.
- Refrigerator: Helpful!
- Satellite/cable channels: Standard.
- Seating area: Nice.
- Shower: Excellent.
- Slippers: nice.
- Soundproofing: Important!
- Sofa: yes.
- Toiletries: good.
- Wake-up service: essential for early flights.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Crucial.
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's sterile itinerary. This is the real deal, a chaotic, glorious, slightly-hungover chronicle of how I, against all odds, survived a stay at the Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport. Pray for me. Actually, just keep scrolling, you'll understand.
The "Uh Oh, I'm In Nairobi" Itinerary: Crowne Plaza Edition
Day 1: The Arrival & The "Where's My Baggage?" Blues
- 06:00 AM (Give or Take): Ugh. The alarm. The pre-flight panic. Did I pack enough snacks? (Spoiler alert: never.) Landed in Nairobi. The air smelled like… well, like Africa. It's potent. I felt a jolt, a mix of excitement, exhaustion, and this deep undercurrent of "holy guacamole, this is actually happening."
- 07:00 AM - 07:30 AM: Immigration. Let's just say, my passport photo is never going to win any beauty contests. Survived the stare-down. Stamp! Freedom! (Sort of. Still in the airport.)
- 07:30 AM - 08:30 AM: The Baggage Carousel of Doom. (Dramatic music playing in my head). My bag? MIA. Poof! Gone. Vanished. I’m starting to envision a travel documentary featuring a crying protagonist in very unflattering, ill-fitting airport clothes. Filed a claim. Tried to remain optimistic. Ordered a coffee. (It tasted like airport coffee. You know the drill.)
- 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM: Shuttle to the Crowne Plaza. The driver was a beast at navigating the traffic. Holy potholes! The dusty roads, the vibrant colours, the utter lack of rules… it was sensory overload. I loved it.
- 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Check-in & Room Inspection: The lobby? Impressive. Gleaming marble, ridiculously attentive staff. The room? Clean, modern, and blessedly air-conditioned. Thank the travel gods. First thought: "This bed looks amazing. I should nap." Second thought: "I have no luggage. Grrrr."
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Panic Shopping Spree (aka "Wearing the Hotel Robe for Far Too Long"). No clothes! Panic! (See prior grievance). Hotel gift shop to the rescue! Bought a very expensive, very floral, very "I'm desperate" t-shirt and a toothbrush. The struggle is real, people. Contemplated wearing the hotel robe to breakfast. Decided against it. Just.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at the "Baraka" Restaurant: Okay, I can't remember the name! But here's a rambling anecdote: the food? Delicious! I was starving! They had a buffet. Buffets! (The gods are listening). I tried everything. My stomach is thanking me, and my tastebuds are doing a happy dance. I went for seconds. And thirds. I'm the embodiment of the "tourist who's secretly a bottomless pit." Also, the view was of… the airport. Which was oddly comforting. Made me feel less alone in my luggage-less predicament.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Poolside Therapy & Contemplating the Universe. The hotel pool: a shimmering oasis. I spent two glorious hours soaking up the sun, sipping a ridiculously overpriced (but oh-so-worth-it) cocktail, and trying to calm my frazzled nerves. Also, wondering if I should learn Swahili. "Jambo! How do you say 'Where's my freakin' luggage?'" I think. Didn’t get far.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM : Back to the baggage claim: This is where you'll see the "struggle" of travel. I'm waiting and waiting, it seems everyone else from my flight has their baggage… I start to imagine a comedy of errors. Imagine, a travel documentary starring me (me) in very unflattering, ill-fitting airport clothes, looking for luggage. My clothes are in the luggage of doom, I'm sure their having much more fun.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Room service, and the existential dread of an empty suitcase. "I need to update something," that was the words to my thoughts when I opened the door to my hotel room and saw my suitcase empty. sigh
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel's "Velocity Bar": This place was more upbeat. Ordered a local beer (Tusker, of course!) and a burger. The burger was perfectly cooked. The beer? Refreshing. And finally, the airport drama, my baggage? Finally, found. I was so happy, so relieved, like, "oh my goodness, this is the best day ever."
- 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Sleep: After a day like today? No issues. Just a deep, deep sleep.
Day 2: The "Exploring Nairobi (and Remaining Luggage-Aware)" Adventure
- 07:00 AM - 08:00 AM: Breakfast & Pre-Trip Anxiety: Breakfast buffet again! Ate like I hadn’t eaten in a week. Seriously, I may have set a new personal best in the "sausage consumption" category. Checked my phone for updates on my luggage (still there!). Pre-trip anxiety: it was starting (I swear this is getting to me).
- 08:00 AM - 12:00 AM: The Karen Blixen Museum & Giraffe Centre: Taxi-time! Traffic again! Swerved around some traffic. The museum was fascinating. Really, it transported me. The Giraffe Centre? OMG, I fed a giraffe! It licked my hand! Slobber and all. Magical. Silly. Made me feel like a child again. Amazing. (Photos to come. When I get them off my camera…)
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at a Local Cafe: Drove down the roads, saw the countryside. A place that felt authentic. (Name escapes me, sorry, memory. But delicious, local food, a place I felt welcome and felt like I belonged.)
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Shopping for "souvenirs". (Found some nice ones) & Back to the hotel.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The "What To Do With My Life" contemplation: Time for the pool, the water felt soothing. Time to think. I contemplated my existence. (That’s a joke.) Read a book. Watched the planes take off. Realized that the airport, for all its chaos, was kind of exciting and liberating.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant (not the buffet): The restaurant had such a great atmosphere. I wanted to leave the buffet behind. Ate some great food. Really enjoyed it.
- 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Packing, and More Worrying: Trying to be a good packer. (I'm terrible at it). It's harder when I have an entire suitcase waiting to be packed. Re-packing my "emergency" outfits. I’d be so happy to go home and unpack my own place. But I'll definitely be coming back, next time… when I've learned Swahili and become a pro packer.
Day 3: Departure & The "I'll Be Back, Kenya!" Farewell
- 06:00 AM: Wake Up & The Dreaded Packing (Again)
- 07:00 AM - 08:00 AM: Breakfast Buffet - Last Hurrah! (Yep, had more sausage)
- 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM: Check out and transport to the airport.
- 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The airport drama again, the line…
- 12:00 PM: Departure.
Final Thoughts:
Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport? Comfortable. Convenient. The airport proximity? Surprisingly soothing (once you embrace the chaos). Would I go back? Absolutely. Kenya? Absolutely. Even with the luggage incident. Worth it. (And I'm still craving that buffet…)
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Sanchez Ainsa, Spain - Your Dream Getaway Awaits!
Nairobi Airport's "Best" Hotel: Crowne Plaza - The Truth (and My Sanity-Saving Stays)
Alright, let's cut the crap. You're stuck in Nairobi. You *need* a hotel near the airport. That generally means the Crowne Plaza, right? It’s the one everyone talks about. Well, I've been through the Crowne Plaza wringer more times than I care to admit. So, consider this your brutally honest, messy, and probably over-the-top guide to… well, the Crowne Plaza. FAQ style. Buckle up.
1. Is the Crowne Plaza actually the best near the airport? (Or is it just survival of the fittest?)
Honestly? It's *probably* the best of a limited bunch. It's like being the least-awful prison in a town with only one prison. It's clean-ish (mostly), has aircon (bless), and the staff, bless their souls, usually try their best. There are other options nearby, but the Crowne Plaza consistently has a decent reputation, so... here we are!
But listen, don't walk in expecting the Ritz. Expect a functional, slightly-tired, often-overbooked airport hotel. Manage your expectations, and you might just survive. Honestly, it depends on your definition of "best." For me, "best" often means "least likely to make me lose my luggage *and* my mind."
2. What's the deal with the airport shuttle? Stressful or Smooth?
Okay, the shuttle... this is where it gets interesting. They *say* it's frequent. They *say* it's on-demand. Sometimes… it is. Other times, it's like waiting for Godot. I've stood there, jet-lagged and sweating buckets, convinced I'd missed my flight *and* developed a permanent twitch.
One time, (and this is a good story) I'd been delayed for hours, landing at 2 AM completely shattered. The shuttle was *supposed* to be there. I could see the hotel, taunting me from across the road. Two hours, then three. I finally had to get a taxi that cost a fortune. I complained the next day at check out & they were apologetic and offered a credit. So, it goes! My advice: Call 10 minutes before you even *think* you’re ready to leave the airport. Multiple times. Pester them like a small child. That's the key.
3. The Rooms - Are they comfy? Or are they prison cells with a TV?
The rooms... alright, they're not *awful*. They're generally clean-ish (again, mostly). They’re functional. The beds are… well, they're beds. Not the stuff of dreams, but they'll do. The air conditioning is a godsend, especially after the Nairobi heat.
But here's the thing: they're a bit... characterless. Think beige, beige, and more beige. I swear, I once had a room where every surface was the same shade of depressing beige. It was so bland it almost triggered a mid-life crisis. Bring your own personality! A bright scarf, a picture of your dog, anything to inject some joy into that beige box.
Oh, and the bathrooms? Often small but serviceable. The water pressure is usually decent, which is a small miracle in itself. Carry your own great shampoo and conditioner, though, because the complimentary stuff is usually the kind that leaves your hair feeling like straw. The showers at least work. That's a win!
4. The Food: Is it edible? Or should I pack a survival kit?
The food is… well, it's there. The buffet is the main thing. It's a safe haven, I'll give it that. It won’t win any Michelin stars, but it'll fill you up and stop you from starving. There's usually a decent selection of international and local dishes. The breakfast is usually the safest bet – and the coffee is usually strong enough to wake the dead (or at least, wake you up after a long flight).
The a la carte menu? Hit or miss. I once ordered a burger that tasted suspiciously like it had been left out in the sun for a week. But hey, at least it was an experience! My advice: stick to the familiar. Burgers and other Western food can be unpredictable. The curries & local fare are your best bet. And always check the price first!
5. The Staff: Are they friendly? Or are they just going through the motions?
The staff are usually lovely, honestly. They're generally trying their best. They are almost always polite. They've seen it all - the jet-lagged meltdowns, the lost luggage, the frantic phone calls. They're used to it. They've got a tough job. They’re usually professional & try their best to cope with everything you can imagine. So, tip generously!
I have a story. One time I was *completely* out of it, absolutely exhausted. I think I'd been traveling for 24 hours. I lost my room key. I was convinced I was in the wrong hotel. I was being a nightmare. The staff were genuinely patient and helpful. They could have easily kicked me out, but they didn't. They were absolute saints. So, yeah, the staff get a big thumbs up from me.
6. Anything else worth knowing? Secret tips and tricks?
Okay, here's the lowdown, from a seasoned Crowne Plaza warrior:
- Book in advance. Seriously. It fills up fast. Especially during peak season.
- Pack earplugs. Airport noise. Need I say more?
- Bring your own snacks. The mini-bar is ridiculously overpriced.
- Don't expect speed. Things move at a "Kenyan pace." Patience is your friend. Also, always check your bill.
- The pool is usually pretty nice. If you have time, take a dip. It's a welcome oasis of calm.
- The Wi-Fi... It's usually functional, but not always lightning-fast. Don't rely on it for important work.
- Be nice to the staff. It goes a long way. Trust me.
- Consider the timing of your stay. Book a day room if you have a long layover. It's SO worth it.
And most importantly... don't stress! You're in Kenya! Embrace the chaos! And remember - you're onlyOcean View Inn
