The Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi stands as a beacon of luxury and a testament to the Pan-African movement. Its history is intertwined with the aspirations of a newly independent Kenya and the vision of its founders.
The Early Years
The Panafric Hotel first opened its doors on January 5, 1965. It was officially inaugurated by Kenya's first president, H.E. Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, a staunch supporter of the Pan-African movement.
Nairobi - Beautiful Stay at Sarova Panafric
The existence of Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi owes itself to Stelios Stylianides, a Greek Cypriot with ambitions for Kenya’s hospitality sector. It cost him £300,000 (Sh41.1 million at the current exchange rate) to build Panafric Hotel, which was one the biggest investments in the hospitality industry at the time. Built in phases, the hotel had 84 rooms and six suites.
Kenya’s foreign exchange earnings from tourism in around 1962 amounted to £5.25 million (Sh719 million at today’s exchange rates). In independent Kenya, it attracted the new African leaders, who were to be found at the Bazaar Lounge. When Mzee Kenyatta opened the hotel in 1965, the government was a 30 per cent shareholder.
Until 1983, the hotel was managed by the Holloway Hotels Group of UK, which was invited by DFCK, under the management of Mr Y.M. The hotel’s first African general manager was Mr Kenneth Thugge, who died in March 2013. Mr Bunyi continued as the hotel’s GM.
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Change of Ownership and Expansion
In 1991, Sarova Hotels bought the Panafric hotel from African Tours & Hotels (AT&H), making it their third acquisition after Sarova Stanley and Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa. In December 1992, Panafric Hotel was bought by the late Gurcharan Singh (GS) Vohra, John Ngata Kariuki, and other shareholders of the Sarova Group.
A Hub for Pan-Africanism
The Sarova Panafric pays respect to Pan-Africanism, a 1960s movement that brought to democratization, announcing an unified optimism and a fresh beginning for Africa. The hotel, which was inaugurated 37 years ago by one of the movement’s founding fathers and Kenya’s first President, H.E. Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, would become the site of themed cultural events in a post-independence age that embraced culture, food, music, and values.
The Hotel was a brainchild and home to the authentic cultural theme rights sought to bring Nairobians together in celebration of traditional food, music and lifestyle of various Kenyan communities.
Indeed, some of our most recognizable rooms have honored our heroes and African tribes who have kept tradition while breaking new ground in creative inventiveness. Over the years, our name has come to signify the finery of cultural creativity.
Famous guests the Sarova Panafric has hosted include Presidents the late Jomo Kenyatta - Founding father of Kenya, Kwame Nkrumah - 1st president of Ghana, the late Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and the late Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia.
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Rooms and Suites: A Tribute to African Heritage
Inspired by the continent's rich heritage and bold spirit, our rooms are designed to immerse you in a story of culture, history, and elegance. This is visible through various art works displayed in and around the hotel created by local talent such as Dennis Muraguri & Kevin Ndege among others. Mixed media primarily printmaking, paintwork & sculpting is represented.
At Sarova Panafric, your stay guarantees more than just comfort. Here, the boldest African leaders and the most vibrant cultures are celebrated. From the great Mzee Jomo Kenyatta to the iconic Wangari Maathai, our elegantly appointed suites are tributes to the visionaries while the Kuba, Ashanti & Ndebele Signature Suites echo legendary tribes that have shaped the continent.
Each of the Sarova Panafric’s 96 rooms and suites showcases stylish afro-chic furnishings and world-class amenities. Hallways are lined with art depictions of modern Nairobi. Essential amenities include high-speed WiFi, 24-hour room service, concierge services, laundry services, smart TV, and a smart safety box, among others.
The one-of-a-kind Wangari Maathai Wing consists of six spacious rooms, with a feminine touch and dedicated to the solo lady traveler. Wangari Maathai was a matriarch, heroine, and visionary who became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Price for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace.
The Executive Signature Suites pay homage to great African civilizations by featuring a series of tribes admired in history for their evolution and artistic innovation. Spacious studio suites come with a large terrace that offers amazing views of the lush gardens below.
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The Afro-chic guest rooms at Sarova Panafric offer a comfortable stay with all the first class hotel facilities and services. The decor and ambiance of the rooms are an expression of African art and culture.
Inspired by different regions and cultures in Africa, the Sarova Panafric suites have a spacious sitting room and bedroom with one en-suite and one guest bathroom. Ashanti Suite - named after the Ashanti tribe of Central Ghana, once renowned for the splendor and wealth of their rulers. This fifth floor suite originates its name from the ancient town of Gedi near the Kenyan Coast, which is today a much visited archaeological site.
The three studio suites are characterized by the inviting décor that creates a refined yet welcoming atmosphere, an expression of the constant attention to detail for which Sarova Panafric is famous for.
Dining and Leisure
Influenced by the title of Elspeth Huxley’s book, The Flame Trees of Thika, the Flame Tree Restaurant & Bar offers an extensive buffet breakfast, with lunch and dinner a la carte. A sanctuary of calm, the Deck Pool Bar & Lounge offers an a la carte menu and fully stocked bar.
2 restaurants serving various cuisines await you onsite of the Sarova Panafric. There is also a lounge bar. It offers a lounge area and an open terrace, and overlooks city views. Flame Tree Restaurant is situated a few steps from the accommodation.
The hotel will also help you keep fit with fitness classes at a gym available on site. This property entices guests with a full spa and a wellness center featuring body treatments. The Sarova Panafric Nairobi also provides a meeting room and a conference space for those arriving on business.
The perfect Sarova Panafric Hotel Nairobi offers quick access to Newlife SDA Church, situated a mere 5 minutes' walk away. Spacious rooms, pool views and a swimming pool is at guests' disposal at this hotel, 2.6 miles from the attractive Uhuru Park.
Surrounded by gardens and a tropical garden, the luxury hotel is around 25 minutes' walk from David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The luxurious accommodation is ideally situated 2.5 miles from Kencom House. Visit Thoma's Njeru pool, just a 12-minute stroll from this Nairobi hotel, and feel complete harmony with the nature of Kenya. The nearest bus stop is Knh/kmtc about a 15-minute stroll away.
There are 169 rooms featuring ironing facilities and an air conditioner, as well as modern amenities like a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Furnished with a writing table, the rooms also have a mini fridge bar and coffee/tea making facilities. Featuring a bidet, a walk-in shower, and a separate toilet, the bathrooms also come with a dryer and towels.
The Sarova Panafric Nairobi serves a buffet breakfast in the morning.
Sarova Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel (currently called the Sarova Stanley) is a five-star hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. It is the first luxury hotel in Nairobi, having been established in 1902 by English businesswoman Mayence Bent, when the city was a railway halt.
Since the early 1900s, the Stanley Hotel has been known as the traditional meeting place for those going on safari in Kenya. It has played host to royalty, politicians, movie stars, and authors.
The Sarova Stanley has a total of 217 rooms as of 2015. Several of the suites and other rooms are named for dignitaries and other notable persons who have stayed in the hotel such as The Windsor penthouse suite, named for Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor; The Karen Blixen suite, named for Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa; The Hemingway conference suite, named for author Ernest Hemingway, and The Churchill Ballroom, named for Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The hotel has three restaurants: the Thorn Tree Café, named for the original acacia tree used for years as a message depot; the Thai Chi Restaurant; and the Pool Deck Restaurant.
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