After some Spartan but comfortable accommodations in Nigeria, my colleague and I arrived at our hotel in Nairobi for a workshop. All shiny and new, it was renovated only two months ago and had had, they said, only a soft opening. That might have explained a few things. Upon further investigation, things weren't quite right. For one thing this hotel seems to have an identity crisis. Is it a hotel or is it an event space? Is it large enough and sound proof enough to be both? There were other incongruencies. There was a lovely little french press and bags of custom roasted ground coffee, but no electric kettle. There was a flat screen TV but only a few local news and sports stations. There was a posh glassed in shower but no water pressure or hot water. There was a phone but it didn't connect to the front desk - to possibly inquire about the previous issues.
For most of these obstacles there were work arounds - no coffee/tea in the room, read a book and make due with the sink's hot water. However the biggest sticking point was the noise. Our second night, the staff delivered a letter apologizing for an event that would be over at 11:30p. It had a live band, which sounded like it was in my room. The party ended at 1am. The next morning as people shared stories of their sleepless night, it turned out everyone had complained and over several hours were told "oh it's wrapping up, it will be over in a few minutes". Because my phone didn't work, I may have scared the front desk worker coming up desperate and wild-eyed in pajamas and bathrobe. The next night there was also a party but it was a bit quieter. And this afternoon, as I wait to go to the airport, there has been a party, also with a live band, so a pre red-eye nap is out of the question.
On the bright side, the staff were exceptionally nice and they gave us one night stay free.
For most of these obstacles there were work arounds - no coffee/tea in the room, read a book and make due with the sink's hot water. However the biggest sticking point was the noise. Our second night, the staff delivered a letter apologizing for an event that would be over at 11:30p. It had a live band, which sounded like it was in my room. The party ended at 1am. The next morning as people shared stories of their sleepless night, it turned out everyone had complained and over several hours were told "oh it's wrapping up, it will be over in a few minutes". Because my phone didn't work, I may have scared the front desk worker coming up desperate and wild-eyed in pajamas and bathrobe. The next night there was also a party but it was a bit quieter. And this afternoon, as I wait to go to the airport, there has been a party, also with a live band, so a pre red-eye nap is out of the question.
On the bright side, the staff were exceptionally nice and they gave us one night stay free.
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