We had already booked our flights and were so set for the mini vacay! One day, I received a call, and the person on the other end of the line sounded really excited than we were! It was a mzungu who spoke better Swahili than my whole clan combined! It was the General Manager of Bahari Beach Hotel! We spoke for a while and I got really excited about the place. She arranged airport pick up for us when we landed the next day! I already knew this would be such an epic trip!
Lennox received us from the airport with a hilarious sign, and I couldn't have guessed better, Catrin had written it. It read "Phidi and Gidi". I loved her sense of humor! Immediately we reached the hotel, she received us with warm hugs and proceeded to tag us with the most unique hotel tags ever! The Kenyan flag with the hotel name! I wore this tag the entire week after the trip haha!
She escorted us in and as soon as we got past the reception area, she said " Once you cross here, you will leave Nairobi behind". True to form, I felt like I stepped into another world. Fresh breeze from the ocean welcomed us, a big clean swimming pool, an amazing view of the ocean and people relaxing. I was officially on holiday and this was a mini heaven if you ask me! She gave us a tour of the place and ordered for us the tastiest lemonade ever! The Lemon Spritzer! Being on holiday, of course we asked for some vodka to be added on there :) Later, we were shown to our rooms and we prepared for dinner, and when we walked to the dining area, we were asked to go and sit outside on another table. We got there and found a seat adorned in Bougainvillea flowers! Gidi was ushered to this seat and guess what? Catrin had organized for a champagne bottle and a cake! The staff came singing to him a birthday song as I clapped and cheered in surprise! We later went and watched entertainment by one of the bands they had that night at the hotel and called it an evening.
In the morning, we woke up and went and started at the beautiful ocean after a filling breakfast. We later headed to Mikokoni bar which has a deck that has the most breath taking views! We had some beers and wine and ate the most delicious burgers ever made! We went to the various bars at the hotel exploring all the marvelous architecture. You could not get tired of this place even if you wanted to!
On Saturday we woke up late as we went out the previous night and proceeded to eat the most delicious lunch! It was some kind of meat loaf wrapped in cabbage! As we were sitting rubbing our bellies, Catrin came and gave us vouchers for a massage! Gidi had never been to one and naturally we were so excited and thankful, we got the most friendliest masseuse who gave us both full body massages! I have never felt so relaxed in my life! That was another great surprise! I would definitely recommend anyone to have a massage at Bliss Spa.
We proceeded to go to the wedding later on in the evening and on Sunday after stuffing our faces, we went and relaxed at Peponi Bar enjoying our last hours before we left. We spent about 3 hours in the ocean as the waters were warm and welcoming. The beach is private and it did not feel overcrowded at all. We later went and got ready to leave this mini heaven and could not help but feel sad and already overwhelmed by what was waiting for us in Nairobi.
What I took from this experience was a lot. The hotel is not wasteful at all. They make their own bacon, are in the process of making their own sausages (with the help of Catrin of course who is a food scientist). The Hotel has its own water plant for treating water! You could literally drink water from the taps! They also give back to the community by letting vendors sell their goods for free at their beach front and even inside their hotel.
It was a beautiful experience and I would urge anyone to pay full board - 16,800 pp to see the real value of staying at that rate in that hotel. The staff are friendly and helpful especially the guy hired by the hotel to only clean peoples sunglasses! It has very unique aspects, far from anything I have experienced anywhere else! I would definitely be back soon to hang out with Catrin who is a brilliant story teller as well as an exceptional photographer!
Here are some pictures from this unforgettable trip! Enjoy!
