Karen Blixen Cottages

Nairobi & Central Kenya

Rating: Modest

highlights

Cosy cottage accommodation
2 hectares of flower-filled gardens
Restaurant and coffee shop
Swimming pool
Next door to Karen Blixen Museum

Karen Blixen Cottages overview

Karen Blixen Cottages are located in Karen, a beautiful, peaceful suburb approximately 20 miles from downtown Nairobi. The cottages are located in one of the oldest formal gardens in Kenya which have huge jacaranda, candelabra, cactus, bottlebrush, and other trees. There are more than 200 types of flowers which bloom through the year and numerous bird feeders attract hundreds of varieties of birds.

The cottages are spacious and have ensuite bathrooms and a large seating and dressing area. Each has a TV, internet access, telephone and a private veranda where you can relax and enjoy views of the gardens. As a guest you have access to the private swimming pool and a garden bar, where you can enjoy a drink. Meals are served in the restaurant and on the sunny breakfast terrace. There is a public coffee garden on site, which is popular with cottage residents and visitors alike, and local facilities in Karen include shops, banks and restaurants.

The cottages are located just half a mile from the famous Karen Blixen Museum, a popular tourist attraction. The Swedo House, the original coffee farm manager's house, is in the cotage grounds and is now used for private functions and art exhibitions.

details

Open: Karen Blixen Cottages are open all year.

Location: The cottages are in the Nairobi suburb of Karen, about 32kms from the city centre. It is about a 50 minute drive from the international airport.

Rooms: There are 12 cottages, 8 with 1 bedroom, 3 with 2 bedrooms and a sitting room each and a honeymoon cottage with a large bedroom and a lounge with an open fire. Collectively they sleep up to 30 guests. All bedrooms are en-suite with a shower and a bath. They have stone floors, open fires, satellite TV, internet access and minibar, and a veranda. Staff provide 24 hour room service.

Activities: Visit nearby attractions such as the Karen Blixen Museum, Daphne Sheldrick’s Elephant Sanctuary, Giraffe Centre and Nairobi National Wildlife Park. Go horse riding from the Karen Riding School. Play golf and tennis at the Karen Country and Golf Club. Relax in the gardens and swim in the pool.

Facilities: These include a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, poolside bar, beauty shop, gift shop and over 2 hectares of gardens. Board games are available from reception. Guests have access to the facilities at the Karen Country and Golf Club about 1km away, which include tennis and a swimming pool as well as a golf course. There are shops, restaurants, banks and pharmacies nearby in Karen.

Dining: The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meals are eaten at individual tables. Poolside and in-cottage dining can be arranged.

Children: Children of all ages are welcome. The 2-bedroom cottages make good family accommodation. Babysitting can be arranged.

Health: This is a malarial area.

Communication: There is internet access in guest cottages.