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At
home in Nairobi's Historic Grand
Hotel
Visiting Nairobi's tudor style Norfolk Hotel, now
celebrating its 100th Anniversary, is like taking a
journey into British colonial history. Stopping for
a pre-arranged luncheon at this elegant hotel, we
were greeted like royalty and seated at a pleasant,
gardenside table next to the main dining room,
where we later shared a few pleasant moments with
our host, Bunty, who filled us in on the hotel's
amazing story. Among the many offerings on the noon
buffet menu, was a highly polished silver steamer,
brimful of juicy king-size prawns. Only on rare
occasions do I take the time to photograph a meal
in progress, but this was for the record. Another
feast was presented on the dining room walls, where
a gallery of black and white photographs portrays
life in Kenya from the 1800s through to the 1950s.
We could have stayed the entire day gazing at these
unique images - and vow to return soon. From
Kenya
Story by
Jerry W. Bird.
KENYA'S MOST FAMOUS HOTEL CELEBRATES ONE HUNDRED
YEARS OF MEMORIES AND ENDLESS HOSPITALITY
More
about Norfolk
 Kenya's
most famous and oldest hotel, The Norfolk, will be
celebrating its centenary anniversary this year.
The Norfolk has played a leading role in Kenya's
colorful history, and continues to be Nairobi's
finest and best-known hotel.The Norfolk, which is
part of the Lonrho Hotels Africa group and a member
of The Leading Hotels of the World, plans to
celebrate its centenary in style.
The
premiere event for the year will be the biggest
birthday party Kenya has even seen, a night of true
elegance that will mark the Norfolk's history from
1904 to the present day. Many past guests,
including some famous faces and the Who's Who of
Kenyan society, are expected to attend the
Norfolk's Centenary Gala Ball Dinner and Dance on
December 4th. All guests staying at the hotel on
this date will be invited to attend at no extra
charge.
On November
7th, the hotel is staging a Vintage Car Rally to
bring to life Kenya's bygone colonial era. The
Rally will be flagged off from the hotel steps and
the finishing line will be the Nairobi Race Course,
which is also celebrating its centenary this year.
Vintage and racing enthusiasts from around the
world are expected to participate and attend the
rally and the race meeting. The hotel has produced
a commemorative newspaper, the Norfolk Telegraph to
mark the centenary year.
 The
Norfolk officially opened on Christmas Day in 1904,
offering elegance and comfort in the wilds of
Africa. Lions roamed the plains opposite the hotel,
and hippos lived in the river at the rear of the
grounds. Guests would arrive at the hotel by
rickshaws, to spend long lazy afternoons on the
Lord Delamere Terrace. And they often enjoyed wild
parties long into the night. The exotic blend of
romance and intrigue that characterized the Kenya
colony was centered on the Norfolk
Hotel.
The
Norfolk was the base from which many great
adventurers began their exploration of the region,
making the hotel the place where the "safari" was
born. This was where US President Roosevelt began
his world famous safari in 1909 setting out from
the front steps of the hotel into the
wilderness.
Throughout
the 20th century adventurers, the safari set,
royalty, world leaders, statesmen and movie stars
have all enjoyed the Norfolk's stylish ambience and
relaxed charm. Writers ranging from Hemingway and
Elspeth Huxley to Kenya's most famous author, Karen
Blixen, have all immortalized the hotel.
The town
and later the modern city of Nairobi grew up around
The Norfolk, which still has its own private
tropical gardens. The hotel is still the
traditional starting point for safaris and the Lord
Delamere Terrace is modern Nairobi's most famous
meeting place, where drinks and light meals are
served continuously from morning until
midnight.
The Norfolk
offers accommodations in 168 ensuite rooms and
suites, has three conference rooms, the largest
seating 175 delegates, a heated outdoor swimming
pool, health club with gym, sauna and steam room,
beauty salon, book shop and gift shops. Room rates
start at US$250 per room per night.
For
color brochures and more information contact Lonrho
Hotels Kenya, The Lyle House, 2027 South Orange
Avenue, Sarasota FL 34239, telephone 800-845-3692,
fax 941-951-7744, e-mail walden@comcast.net.
Website www.lonrhohotels.com
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