Wylienorwich
February 22, 2024
Having stayed here in 2012 we really wanted to come back and did so for three nights. We arrived at just before mid-day so the reception was quiet. We were taken to the outside seating area for the check in and a briefing on the hotel. The entrance is at a right angle to the main building so directions in this are as if you have gone through the reception and turned right 90 degrees. Given our early arrival (check in is normally from 14.00) the room was understandably not quite ready so we were shown to the bar’s outside seating area for a drink but it was not long before our room was ready. We had a suite which was on the first floor of the main building. It had a balcony with views across the grounds, to Mount Kenya and the Mount Kenya National Park. The room had all you would expect with the addition of the option to have an open fire in the evening to warm the room, plus hot water bottles. Given the temperature we are used to as home these options were not needed. We had a charge for room service when ordering drinks only, this we were told would not apply if food was ordered. Other rooms are in blocks to the left of the main building. I think there are covered walkways back to the main hotel although I noticed quite a few people walked between the hotel and the pool area to get to the restaurant. There are also a line of cottages to the right of the main hotel swinging around in an arc and down and to the left are the Riverside cottages. Breakfast is served in the main restaurant, which is at the left-hand end of the main building and is normally buffet style, with a chef to do your eggs however you want them. Clearly at busy times you may have to wait for the latter, although we had one early start and the chef brought them to our table. Lunch is served in the same place, whether it is a menu or buffet will depend on hotel occupancy levels. The same location is for dinner and the same applied, although with safari parties often arriving late afternoon there are more a lot more in for dinner than lunch. There is a glass enclosed seating area at the front of the restaurant which when hot can be opened up. Also portable heaters are available if they are needed in the evening. We found all the food very good and the staff were so friendly and accommodating. The buffet choice is huge and should cater for all tastes and requirements. The Zebar next to the restaurant and in the center of the main building, drinks and snacks, this has an open-air seating area with sun shades, although staff may lower these if it is too windy. From observations items from the lunch menu are also served here. Staff from the Zebar also serve in the pool area, which is in front of the main hotel. Another dining option is the Colobus Restaurant, this is open Thursday to Sunday and needs to be booked. This is very much menu only and what some may call a fine dining experience. It is located next to the main restaurant. We had one meal here and it