New Kenya Lodge
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Fast facts
Check in from: | 14:00 |
|---|---|
Check out before: | 10:00 |
Pets | Pets not allowed |
Amenities
Wi-Fi
Television
Multilingual staff
Smoking areas
WiFi in common areas
Desk
More about New Kenya Lodge
New Kenya Lodge
Nairobi Central, a neighborhood in Nairobi, is home to New Kenya Lodge. Kenya Railway Golf Club and Muthaiga Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Nairobi National Park and Karura Forest. Nairobi Railway Museum and Chandaria Centre for Performing Arts are also worth visiting. While you're here, you can enjoy all the comforts of home and more, including free WiFi and a TV, as well as daily housekeeping and towels. Other amenities include a desk, soap, toilet paper, and free toiletries.
Reviews from 
Solo traveller
US
Comment: 15 Apr 2015
Stayed in: May 2014
Long Time Travelers Hangout
I came across some reviews of this place on Tripadvisor. I have not stayed here for years, but it is great to see that not much has changed. This was "The Place" in the mid-late 80's and early 90's. Great spot to meet other travelers and learn about Africa. It helped me through my whole year long safari of Africa. I kept returning to New Kenya just to get advice and meet people. I have returned several times and would much rather stay here than the Hilton, game lodge, etc... I can easily afford the other places, but it just isn't the same. Too bad the Modern Green Bar is still not open!!!
Group traveller
PH
Comment: 22 Aug 2018
Stayed in: Aug 2018
Enjoyed the Night with some friends
I liked my stay here because it's always, always about the people you meet anyway! My friend and I initially backed out when we entered the place, but since our Japanese friend was staying here for the night, so we thought why not? It's in the heart of the downtown and the staff were helpful and friendly. And it has that 'hostel' energy that solo travelers yearn for. But as for the cleanliness, just think twice and thrice about it.
Solo traveller
AE
Comment: 18 Aug 2017
Stayed in: Aug 2017
Abandoned, Consistently Lied To and Scammed- The New Kenya Lodge experience
Possessing a passion for African travel and as an enthusiastic globetrotter for the last 14 years, I feel it my responsibility to warn fellow travellers of New Kenya Lodge on River Road, Nairobi and the services they provide.
Before sharing my experience, I understand that often times things go wrong on one's travels, and don't go to plan (particularly in Africa). However it was the complete disregard for our wellbeing, as well as the evident greed of New Kenya Lodge that upset me the most. I had been warned the previous week by a fellow traveller whom I met in the north of Kenya, to avoid having anything to do with New Kenya Lodge. I didn't listen- D'oh!!
On booking the three day safari, New Kenya Lodge insisted all funds must be paid up front before the safari begins.
An itinerary was drawn up but in the end little of it was realised. On leaving Nairobi it was clear there were problems with the van. We broke down twice on the way and after arriving late at Masai Mara park and driving around for an hour, the van finally had had enough and couldn't be restarted. The driver was aggressive, not sharing any information and his phone was dead. We were sitting in the dark for over an hour. This was essentially the last we would see of that driver.
The promised full day safari on the second day didn't materialise. Our smooth talking tour operator back at New Kenya Lodge in Nairobi was almost impossible to get in touch with now, and when we did it was a consistent string of lies and sorry excuses provided. We eventually went out for a few hours drive in a different truck, but in the mid day heat all the wildlife was hiding away. Hearing the other travellers later that evening in the camp share their amazing wildlife encounters from the day was disheartening to say the least.
Next day (the third and final day having barely spent any time in the park and seeing barely any wildlife) we were told to be ready at 6.15 for the early morning sunrise drive. Sitting in the camp, hours passed- all the other travellers had long left. When we finally got through to the New Kenya Lodge, he told us a truck would be there in 45 minutes. More hours passed and nothing. Later we were collected at 12.30 (6 hours after the time we were told to be ready) only to be taken straight back to Nairobi. No park drive, no food and no water on the third day despite all being part of the agreed package.
When we returned to New Kenya Lodge, the tour operator was all smiles, taking no responsibility and giving little regard for the disaster of a tour. An insulting 50$ in compensation was offered. The rest of the money he had "spent". New Kenya Lodge's summary on the events- "This is Kenya! It happens!" Hardly comforting or a satisfactory explanation, having shelled out so much money to experience the Masai Mara.
The final insult- Personally I had paid 60$ more than the others on the tour. A little confused that I should pay more than the rest, I questioned New Kenya Lodge. The tour operator told me that the hotel I had previously stayed in and organised the tour through had taken the $60 as commission. Again, another lie. New Kenya Lodge had taken it, admitting so when confronted by the hotel manager the next day.
In the end it was a disaster of a tour (that never materialised). However I think it is the greed and scamming by New Kenya Lodge that angered me the most.
Final thoughts: STAY CLEAR! Pick a reputable company that you know will be reliant, honest and in the event of something going wrong will not cut corners, take the money and run like New Kenya Lodge did.
If you do have issues on your travels in Kenya, make sure to share them with the Tourist Police (Tourism Regulatory Authority) and the Kenyan Association of Tour Operators.
Before sharing my experience, I understand that often times things go wrong on one's travels, and don't go to plan (particularly in Africa). However it was the complete disregard for our wellbeing, as well as the evident greed of New Kenya Lodge that upset me the most. I had been warned the previous week by a fellow traveller whom I met in the north of Kenya, to avoid having anything to do with New Kenya Lodge. I didn't listen- D'oh!!
On booking the three day safari, New Kenya Lodge insisted all funds must be paid up front before the safari begins.
An itinerary was drawn up but in the end little of it was realised. On leaving Nairobi it was clear there were problems with the van. We broke down twice on the way and after arriving late at Masai Mara park and driving around for an hour, the van finally had had enough and couldn't be restarted. The driver was aggressive, not sharing any information and his phone was dead. We were sitting in the dark for over an hour. This was essentially the last we would see of that driver.
The promised full day safari on the second day didn't materialise. Our smooth talking tour operator back at New Kenya Lodge in Nairobi was almost impossible to get in touch with now, and when we did it was a consistent string of lies and sorry excuses provided. We eventually went out for a few hours drive in a different truck, but in the mid day heat all the wildlife was hiding away. Hearing the other travellers later that evening in the camp share their amazing wildlife encounters from the day was disheartening to say the least.
Next day (the third and final day having barely spent any time in the park and seeing barely any wildlife) we were told to be ready at 6.15 for the early morning sunrise drive. Sitting in the camp, hours passed- all the other travellers had long left. When we finally got through to the New Kenya Lodge, he told us a truck would be there in 45 minutes. More hours passed and nothing. Later we were collected at 12.30 (6 hours after the time we were told to be ready) only to be taken straight back to Nairobi. No park drive, no food and no water on the third day despite all being part of the agreed package.
When we returned to New Kenya Lodge, the tour operator was all smiles, taking no responsibility and giving little regard for the disaster of a tour. An insulting 50$ in compensation was offered. The rest of the money he had "spent". New Kenya Lodge's summary on the events- "This is Kenya! It happens!" Hardly comforting or a satisfactory explanation, having shelled out so much money to experience the Masai Mara.
The final insult- Personally I had paid 60$ more than the others on the tour. A little confused that I should pay more than the rest, I questioned New Kenya Lodge. The tour operator told me that the hotel I had previously stayed in and organised the tour through had taken the $60 as commission. Again, another lie. New Kenya Lodge had taken it, admitting so when confronted by the hotel manager the next day.
In the end it was a disaster of a tour (that never materialised). However I think it is the greed and scamming by New Kenya Lodge that angered me the most.
Final thoughts: STAY CLEAR! Pick a reputable company that you know will be reliant, honest and in the event of something going wrong will not cut corners, take the money and run like New Kenya Lodge did.
If you do have issues on your travels in Kenya, make sure to share them with the Tourist Police (Tourism Regulatory Authority) and the Kenyan Association of Tour Operators.
Family traveller
Comment: 31 Jan 2017
Stayed in: Jan 2017
BED BUGS!!! Do NOT stay here!!! Avoid like the plague!!!!!
Really cheap, good location but horrible problem with bedbugs. We checked into room # 1 and it had bed bugs. Staff offered us Room # 3 for our second night. It ALSO had bed bugs. We were leaving for a safari the next morning, so we ended up sleeping on the vinyl couches in the lounge. Not comfortable but better than being bitten. They did refund us the one night that we slept on the couches. The problem is that they don't get that bed bugs are killable with heat. There was white powder sprinkled on the bedframes under the mattresses (which were flattened by years of travellers sleeping on them.) AVOID like the plague!! And noisy all night long from the street
Solo traveller
MY
Comment: 23 Sep 2015
Stayed in: Sep 2015
A bit run down but good staff
Price is nice here (1000 KES for a single room, 750 KES for a 3-bed dorm). I stayed in the dorm, only me and nobody else, perhaps because this place is not too popular - not on hostelworld, maps.me etc. The room itself is OK, but the pillows are quite dark (luckily mine has a sheet). WiFi is available but not too fast. Hot shower is available but sometimes water is not running. They have a small kitchen which u can cook simple stuff. A TV is at the lounge where u can watch news. You could only charge your stuff at the lounge, not in the room itself.
During my time there, I was the only one in my dorm. There were another 2 guys at the other dorm. Very laid-back environment. Staff are nice and helpful. Free tea is available every morning. This place has been in operation for more than 20 years, but perhaps lack of some marketing. Price is really competitive. It's located very near to where you can take a bus to the airport (bus runs from somewhere near the Ambassador Hotel). The bus costs only 50 KES, which is abour USD 0.5.
Coz it's located very near to the center, it's quite noisy at night. I could hardly sleep. It's a little quieter only between 2-4am.
During my time there, I was the only one in my dorm. There were another 2 guys at the other dorm. Very laid-back environment. Staff are nice and helpful. Free tea is available every morning. This place has been in operation for more than 20 years, but perhaps lack of some marketing. Price is really competitive. It's located very near to where you can take a bus to the airport (bus runs from somewhere near the Ambassador Hotel). The bus costs only 50 KES, which is abour USD 0.5.
Coz it's located very near to the center, it's quite noisy at night. I could hardly sleep. It's a little quieter only between 2-4am.
Location
RIVER ROAD, NAIROBI, KENYA, Nairobi, not available, Kenya|1.24 km from city centre
Check in and check out
Check in from:
14:00
Check out before:
10:00
Good to know
Pets not allowed
Please contact the hotel for details about adding extra beds.
New Kenya Lodge: FAQs
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