Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel

Coordinates: 1°16′42″S 36°48′57″E / 1.278295°S 36.815795°E / -1.278295; 36.815795

The Fairmont Norfolk is a historic hotel in Nairobi, Kenya and is owned by the luxury hotel chain, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. The hotel has 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.

History

The hotel opened its doors on December 25, 1904 for use by early settlers to escape the harsh conditions of Kenya ^[1] The hotel was the basecamp of early African exploreres who ventured to Masai Mara, Kenya’s Coast, and the Great Rift Valley ^[2] 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. In 1927, the hotel was bought by Andrew Block and contributed to the foundation of the Block Hotel dynasty with the Norfolk as the base. The famed museum piece “transportation trio” made its home at Fairmont Norfolk in 1973, combining hand-drawn, animal-drawn, and machine propelled transportation mechanisms, including an A-model Ford Roadster which is still on the property to this day. On Dec 23, 1980, a man under the name of Muradi Akaali booked a room in 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 8:30 pm the night of December 31. The bomb went off, destroying the whole western wing of the property. Fortunately going off when it did, as the hotel’s New Year’s Eve celebration was scheduled to occur three hours after the explosion went off.^[3] The building was remodled 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, by 1982. The hotel was featured in the 1985 movie “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 and renewed the Reception, Ibis Restaurant, and Pioneer Room as well as a new Business Center and Gift Shop were created. In 2004, the hotel was acquired by IFA and placed under management by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts ^[4]

Famous guests

Since its opening, the hotel has seen numerous notable guests including Theodore Roosevelt, Mick Jagger, First Lady Barbara Bush, Winston Churchill, Sean Connery, Kofi Annan, Angelina Jolie, and James Earl Jones.

Location

Fairmont Norfolk is located on Harry Thuku Road and sits on 4 acres of land. It has its own private tropical garden. The hotel is located near major Kenyan attractions including National Museums of Kenya, Kenya National Theatre, French Cultural Center, German Cultural Center, Nairobi National Park, Giraffe Center, and the Karen Blixen & Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage.

Food and beverage outlets

There are 5 food & beverage outlets on the Fairmont Norfolk property 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
• The Pool Bar: Poolside restaurant and lounge.

Facilities

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.

References