.‘Cruise ship’ docks on God’s mountain

The front view of Oldoiyo Lengai resort in Karatina in Nyeri county on December 21, 2013. Photo/ JOSEPH KANYI 

In Summary

• Oldoiyo Lengai Resort and Spa is modelled on a luxury liner and boasts a range of facilities that make it an ideal setting for anyone looking for an adventurous holiday.
• For accommodation, the Oldoiyo Lengai has 47 standard rooms and a scheduled block of 24 African-style cottages to be opened soon.

By STELLAR MURUMBA
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A cruise ship has docked in Central Kenya in the form of a resort and spa.

Located 100 kilometres north of Nairobi, just off the Karatina–Kerugoya road junction, is the Oldoiyo Lengai (which means mountain of God in Maasai) Resort and Spa, which offers panoramic views of Mount Kenya.

Modelled on a cruise liner, the front consists of the captain’s bridge on the upper deck.

It has a distinctive traditional theme, and the foyer features several Maasai antique portraits, striking drawings of the famous Big Five namely, the elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and the buffalo.

A water fountain with flamingo sculptures graces the entrance to the hotel.

On the ground floor there’s a terrace cafe, a coffee Bistro and an upper deck that features a premium bar and eatery with a 100 seating capacity, which makes it suitable for conferences.

The main restaurant caters for casual diner and is part of the first compartment of the liner’s lower deck.

Outside, the lawn is dotted with five gazebos decorated in earthy colours of brown and peach and contrasted with with red and milky white.

A half Olympic-size heated pool and baby pool provide a great way to unwind for those on business or pleasure.

For accommodation, the Oldoiyo Lengai has 47 standard rooms and a scheduled block of 24 African-style cottages to be opened soon.

A SOLUTION TO PROBLEM FACED BY MANY FAMILIES
The resort serves both a la carte and group menus. The second phase of the hotel comprising of a health club, a wellness centre and a second seminar room is near completion.

According to the proprietor, Mr Macharia Gitonga, the hotel was actually a solution to a problem faced by many families.

During the holidays, he says, there was a dilemma as to where to take his family out.

The hotels around were all compact, with no recreational facilities or playground for his children so he took matters into his won hands and invested in the resort.

It was Mr Gitonga’s fist venture in the hotel industry.

“I wanted something that would not only influence the locals people, but the people from other places as well. As a businessman, I had tried other industries but never for once had I thought of putting up a hotel,” says Mr Gitonga.

He says the first phase, which comprises the bistro and swimming area cost Sh20 million, but he has no regrets.

“The second phase, which comprises of a state-of-the-art business centre, will cost about the same. I will be a little bit financially stretched but I know what to expect so I am not afraid of investing,” he says adding that the venture should be completed by April. It includes a health club that will comprise of a sauna, Jacuzzi, gym, massage parlour and a modern beauty parlour.

The activities planned include excursions to Mt Kenya and the Aberdares, trout fishing. Also in the programme are sports like bungee jumping, mountain climbing, rafting, trekking safaris and team-building exercises.

According to manager Mr Lawrence Kiragu, who takes us on a tour of the resort, the Maasai theme dominates most of the names at the facility.

“This is the only community that has maintained its original culture for decades. And indeed, the gazebos are named Oljororok, Olkejuado, Oletepes and Olkalou.

Between the pool and the gazebos is a choma-banda, where clients can enjoy mouth-watering goat meat prepared by a top-notch chef. The General Manager says their target clientele is diverse depending with the day of the week.

Mr Kiragu says they have started receiving visitors, although they are still identifying their niche.

“We are still in the process of identifying our niche and already have customers majorly consisting of middle-aged executives and international tourists on vacation gateways,” he adds.

Also in the offing for the surrounding community are three biogas digesters to ensure that waste from the hotel is recycled and put back to good use.

The hotels proprietor reveals they have plans of an excursions programme to local attraction sites, like Mt Kenya National Park, Aberdares National Park and water falls, trout fishing, Mau Mau post office, Extreme sports bungee jumping and rafting, Mt Kenya climbing, trekking safaris and team building exercises in the vast Nyeri County.

He discloses that they reach out to most of their clients via web marketing and internet.