2 weeks ago I had the chance to check out the Tribe hotel and I can sum it up in one word – sensory overload. The Tribe hotel is situated at the end of the Village Market complex. I did not know what to expect only that tribe is part of that special group of hotels called design hotels. When you step into the reception you understand why. The hotel is a design marvel with its mixture of art pieces and artistic furniture.
We are here to have lunch with the sales Manager Tony and to get a tour of the hotel.
We go in for lunch. We have a drink while we wait for our starters. I am having the lemon ginger. A delicious drink. When our starters arrive I don’t know where to start. I am having thin slices of ham in honey, wrapped around breadsticks with sweet melon. One of my friends has some soup and the other some shrimp. The food is fresh and sweet, a delight to the taste buds. We spend a lot of time taking photos of our food to instagram and put up on social media to the amazement of our host.
We are seated outside overlooking the pool and the foundation. It is very restful and relaxing.
I am still trying to contain my excitement. We have seen so much art on our way to the dining area. I cannot wait to take pictures of the art. But first food must be eaten.
For the main meal one of my friends Kevin decides to have some fish which comes with some traditional vegetables, Wanjiru is having pan grilled teriyaki salmon with seasonal vegetables, Tony is having a burger and I am having pork chops with honey mustard with whipped sweet potatoes. We also take ages taking shots of each others food and I think by now Tony is getting the hang of these strange instagramming everything bloggers. The food literally melts in your mouth.
We are so stuffed we almost forget about dessert, which is usually my favourite part of the meal, sweet tooth things. This is what we have for dessert.
After a bathroom break in which I am fascinated by the wash basin in the middle of the facilities and the light fixtures we start our tour of the hotel. We check out the swimming pool.
Tony tells us that one of the partners of the hotel is an architect which makes so much sense when you walk around the hotel. The hotel is designed to be luxurious but comfortable. An artsy kind of blend of design and functionally. The rooms breathe the African spirit as you walk around because everywhere you go there is African art that tells a story, which invites you to become part of the tribe.
We started at the poolside.
Then head to the gym. The gym is open 24 hours .They have a punching bag inside a small alcove which has some graffiti all over the walls.
The hotel has a helipad.
We then walk around the hotel and check out the nest rooftop lounge.
We get to check out a loft business suite for the business traveler. Each room has art in it. Some rooms less then others as some guests ‘borrowed” art when they check out. That is why there is now a gift shop with African art that is situated on the ground floor so that guests can purchase art and sculpture pieces that they like.
We spent so much time on lunch instagramming that we run out of time and do not have time to check out all the types of rooms. We are welcomed to come again and we will. I would love to check out the presidential suite.
pictures from around the tribe.
They also have the Kaya spa + studio. The spa was selected by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the hottest urban retreats in the world so getting a treatment there is a real treat. One of my friends who got a voucher for a spa treatment as a pre-wedding gift said it is one gift that she really enjoyed. So this spa is one you should try and also gift to a friend or family member.
The tribe has won several awards including 2012 trendiest in Africa – Trip Advisor Traveller’s choice award, It was on 2011 hot list spas for the Condé Nast Traveller. It was also on the 2010 hot list for the Condé Nast Traveller and a WOW pick for the Kiwi collection.
This year the Kenya fashion week VIP Red carpet gala fashion show dinner and after party was held at the Tribe hotel. This is a crown on a hotel that already has a name as an artistic hotel. It is a great place to hold an exclusive event. The facilities, services and food are excellent.
The tribe is a beautiful, artistic hotel. It is not too far from the city centre and it is only 25 km from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. It is very close to both the US embassy and the UN headquarters which are 1 km away so it is in a very secure area. For a tourist there are enough facilities near by with the village market just being next door. This means that there food courts, shopping areas, a water park, an outdoor pool among other facilities. It is also close to some great golf clubs so guests can still get to play their favourite sport.
