Welcome haven in city concrete jungle

A garden at the Miti Mingi Guest House in Nairobi on January 22, 2014. Photo/SALATON NJAU  

In Summary

• Next to a small door leading to the expansive garden are soft and comfortable sofas.
• Children like the spot. They can put their feet up and relax as they enjoy the cool breeze that’s so welcome in this sweltering January heat.
• Miti Mingi is famous for their continental and English where fruits and cold cuts are standard items especially for the healthy eater.

By EVELYN SITUMA
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The road leading to Miti Mingi Guest House off Raphta Road is quiet and serene save the birds chirping in the trees in the early morning.

The quietness of Terrace Close ushers guests to a serene environment, a stone’s throw away from the busy Waiyaki Way.

For a moment, one forgets they are still in the city. Nothing at Miti Mingi (Kiswahili for many trees) reminds you of the hectic city life. The garden is lush and well-manicured. Plenty of trees surround the four-bedroomed house, which serves as the guest house.

Carla Viezee, the owner, has a liking for space and trees. In fact, she has planted several indigenous tree species in the compound. These include the frangipani from the coast, Mugumo, Croton and Nandi flame trees.

The veranda is clean, tiled and a great place to sit for a business traveller who simply wants to enjoy the sun.

The terrace is the first place guests go for because of its airy feel. Beside it, is another table and chair just by the garden. It’s here that a guest - a lady sits working on her laptop.

CHILDREN

Next to a small door leading to the expansive garden are soft and comfortable sofas. Children like the spot. They can put their feet up and relax as they enjoy the cool breeze that’s so welcome in this sweltering January heat.

The garden also provides them with an ideal playing ground under the watchful eyes of their parents. Staying here is like being at home away from home.

The garden is a favourite for adults as well. They sit here and bask in the sun in the early morning or to simply cool off in the afternoon breeze under the trees.

Carla says this is the reason she established the facility – to give her guests the feeling of being in the countryside with all the trees and greenery. Carla first worked at the Embassy of Sweden as the officer charged with settling in colleagues.

“The idea was born from what we have in Kenya. We have beautiful weather, so much greenery throughout the year and attractive places to visit. So I thought I have a beautiful garden and I could do this. That is how it all started,” she explains.

This was four years ago. Since them Miti Mingi Guest house is the discerning traveller’s choice. For three consecutive years, the facility has won the Trip Advisor award.

“We are pleased for that because it’s an acknowledgement of the work we have put in this undertaking,” says Carla.

Personalised service, a perfect breakfast, reliable staff and trustworthy service providers are part of the effort.

“Most people don’t like staying in a hotel if they can help it, they like small places with personalised service. You also get information from one person instead of a channel as is done in hotels,” says Mary Kimani, Guest House Manager.

Miti Mingi has trustworthy service providers. They include airport pick-ups, restaurant deliveries, taxi drivers with fixed rates and staff that give guests helpful suggestions on what to do and see around the city.

GOOD MIX

The facility is good for lonely business travellers. “Guests here find company without having to go out to look for them. They can meet at the breakfast table and also network. This is the other great aspect of small facilities,” Carla explains.

The downside of such a guest house Carla says is the inability to accommodate more guests, labour inefficiencies, meeting the expectations of independent travellers and perceptions of the local and regional market.

“The challenge I think right now is to get East Africans guests so that we can have a good mix. Most of them want to stay in big hotels as opposed to this kind of facility. Such people are looking at status rather than personalised service,” says Carla.

According to Carla, staying in a guest house is a better option given that most towns do not have good ones.

“Sales people and bank branch managers are travelling every day. They don’t want to stay in places that cost Sh500 a night. But they also don’t necessarily want to spend Sh18, 000 a night,” she adds.

“From my experience, most of the facilities in-between are badly managed because the owners do not invest enough in their businesses. Most travellers want decent facilities. The challenge is where to get value for your money but in a simple and intimate facility.”

Miti Mingi is famous for their continental and English where fruits and cold cuts are standard items especially for the healthy eater.