BACKGROUND: The five-star Radisson Blu Nairobi Upper Hill Hotel opened in 2015 with 271 rooms and has been described as a modern salute to Radisson Blu’s design heritage and innovative spirit, and Kenya’s vibrant culture. If you’re an eco-traveller, you’ll be happy to know that hotel is certified with the international Green Key eco-label, in line with global and local environmental, ecological and social laws.
WHERE IS IT? The Radisson Blu Hotel is ideal for the business traveller as it is located in central Upper Hill – Nairobi’s business and financial district. It’s around 20 kilometres from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport, the latter which connects Nairobi to the Maasai Mara, Mombasa, Amboseli, Lamu, Kilimanjaro, Diani and Nanyuki.
ROOM FACILITIES: The hotel’s rooms range in size from 33m2 to 55m2. Each room has complimentary and reliable high-speed wi-fi, a work desk, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, electronic safe, mini-bar, as well as a tea and coffee station. The business class rooms and suites include additional amenities and services, such as a Nespresso machine, daily newspaper, bathrobe and slippers, and evening turndown service. Upgrading to these is worth the exclusive access to the Business Class Lounge (open from 06h00 to 23h00), which serves a complimentary Super Breakfast Buffet consisting of Continental, North European and American cuisine, as well as sundowners and snacks during ‘club hour’ between 17h00 and 19h00. The hotel’s north-facing rooms have city skyline views, while the rooms that face south overlook Nairobi National Park.
RESTAURANTS & BARS: The Radisson Blu caters to a palette of Kenyan, African and international cuisine across its four restaurants. Room service is available 24/7 and for those on the run, a grab-and-run takeaway breakfast is on offer. The all-day Larder Restaurant serves local, regional and international dishes – buffet or a la carte – that can be savoured indoors or on the terrace overlooking the garden. The Chop House is an elegant speciality restaurant with an open-kitchen – perfect for a business meeting. It is reputed for its premium wine collection, dry-aged steaks and barbecued meats, and extensive selection of seafood from Mombasa. The Al Fresco pool bar and grill has a relaxed atmosphere that is ideal for a casual lunch or dinner. It’s popular for sundowners and sunset snacks, with the heated swimming pool on one side and Nairobi’s cityscape on the other. The hotel’s experienced mixologists will help you pair your dinner with your drink of choice and will recommend a cigar for the finishing touch, at the sophisticated Humidor Lobby Bar and Cigar Lounge.
BUSINESS & MEETING FACILITIES: Not only is the hotel renowned for its outstanding hospitality, but it also boasts one of the country’s largest conference venues that comes with an experienced in-house meetings and events team. The 590m2 Mount Kilimanjaro Ballroom accommodates up to 800 guests, includes a reception area, and houses the latest technical and audio-visual equipment, while generators ensure that proceedings are without any unexpected interruptions. The hotel also has 14 boardrooms that can be booked for meetings, and for guests who do not have access to the Business Class Lounge, there is a business centre.
LEISURE FACILITIES: The hotel offers a late check-out service until 18h00 with no additional charge (based on availability). There is a gift shop and ATM on the ground floor, as well as numerous lounge areas that are decorated with contemporary art and offer complimentary wi-fi. The Revitalise Wellness Centre (open from 10h00 to 21h00) offers facial, spa ritual and body treatments, as well as a sauna, steam room and unisex hair salon. The 24-hour gym has cardio and weight-training equipment, while fitness enthusiasts who prefer to work out in the open air should ask at reception about Blu Routes – two walking/running routes that start and end at the hotel.
VERDICT: The Radisson Blu Nairobi Upper Hill Hotel has the business traveller at the heart of its operations and service, with its elegant Business Class Lounge, express and late check-out, three-hour express laundry, and grab-and-run breakfast.
CONTACT
A: Elgon Road, Nairobi, Kenya
T: +254-(0)709-810-000
E: info.nairobi@radissonblu.com