It is a 5-star hotel securely situated in the popular Central Business District area distancing about 532 meters from the centre of Nairobi.
The hotel comprises of each and everything that you may need for a comfortable stay. The Fairmont Norfolk is a historic hotel in Nairobi which is owned by the luxury hotel chain known as; Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.
The hotel boosts 170 rooms, 4 restaurants, and consists of 5 main blocks each ranging from 1 to 2 stories high. The hotel has a signature Tudor style of architecture that has been maintained since its original construction.
The hotel was constructed on December 25th in 1904 basically for use by early settlers seeking refuge from the harsh conditions of Kenya.
The hotel was the base camp of early African explorers who ventured to Masai Mara, Kenya’s Coast, and the Great Rift Valley In 1909, Theodore Roosevelt stayed at Fairmont Norfolk on his famous “African Safari and Scientific Expedition” following his retirement as the 26th President of the United States.
A certain scenario happened at the hotel on December 23rd in 1980 when a man called Muradi Akaali booked a room at the property.
Keeping to his room for the duration of his stay, he set up a bomb in his hotel room that he evacuated prior to the explosion which went at 8:30pm the night of December 31. The bomb exploded and thus destroyed the whole western wing of the property.
Fortunately the bomb went off when it did, as the hotel’s New Year’s Eve celebration was scheduled to occur three hours after the explosion occurred.
The building was later remodeled following the bombing and by 1981, the western wing had risen to the 1st floor and the roof had been retiled as well as the addition of a new restaurant, a ballroom, and 2 function rooms.
The hotel was featured in the 1985 movie called “Out of Africa” starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. In 1989, the hotel came under the ownership of Tiny Rowland and became a part of the Signet Hotel Empire.
Renovations during this time brought the number of hotel rooms up to 167 comprising of an improved reception, Ibis Restaurant, and Pioneer Room as well as a new business center and gift shop. In 2004, the hotel was acquired by IFA and placed under management by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.
Ever since its opening, the hotel has seen numerous famous and popular guests such as; Theodore Roosevelt, Mick Jagger, former First Lady Barbara Bush, Winston Churchill, Sean Connery, Kofi Annan, Angelina Jolie, James Earl Jones, and H. Robert de Kruyff.
The hotel is however located on Harry Thuku Road covering 4 acres of land. It has its own private tropical garden and it also borders major Kenyan attractions including National Museums of Kenya, Kenya National Theatre, French Cultural Center, German Cultural Center, Nairobi National Park, Giraffe Manor/Center, and the Karen Blixen & Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage which a guest can choose on which one to give a visit.
There are 5 food & beverage outlets on the Fairmont Norfolk hotel including; Tatu (American steakhouse offering steak and seafood), Lord Delamere Restaurant (Hotel restaurant featuring classic cuisine and cocktails), Cin Cin Bar (Wine bar with international labels), Tea Room (Tea room offering tea and coffee from around Kenya), Pool Bar (Poolside restaurant and lounge).
The hotel features a health & fitness center, heated outdoor swimming pool, business center with internet access, and gift shop. It also has 11 meeting rooms including the famous Lord Delamere Terrace, a historical meeting spot named after Lord Delamere (the unofficial leader of the group of British East African aristocratic settlers in the area).
Facilities like 24-hour room service, 24-hour front desk, facilities for disabled guests, express check-in/check-out, and luggage storage are readily available for you to enjoy.
Some of the well-appointed guestrooms feature carpeting, slippers, television LCD/plasma screen, bathroom phone, and non-smoking rooms. Entertain the hotel’s recreational facilities, including fitness center, sauna, golf course (within 3 km), outdoor pool and Spa.
