AfroChic Retreat is a stunning, villa-style hotel that blends the best in luxury hotel charm with the natural beauty of the surroundings. Located right on white sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean, with beautiful landscaped gardens, a stunning outdoor pool, and gazebos right on the beach, this is a great place for an indulgent trip to Kenya. All of the 10 suites have large double beds with beautifully-crafted wooden bedframes, works of art in themselves. Rooms are decorated in an elegant stylethat also takes inspiration from the tropical African surroundings. There are a variety of room types including an executive and junior suite, all with stunning views of the ocean from their private balconies. The Queen of Sheba Room looks out over the pond and gardens. Some en suite bathrooms have bath and shower, and two have whirpool baths and great views to enjoy while enjoying a relaxing soak. All rooms have satellite TV with DVD player, fans, air-conditioning, a mini-bar, laundry and valet service, and some have a sofa bed.
AfroChic’s two-level gazebo is a pleasant spot to relax, take a massage, or dine in front of the ocean. There is a fabulous swimming pool here as well as a myriad of other things to do. Keen golfers can take to the 18-hole Leisure Lodge golf course close by and there are plenty of activities available on the beach from kite- and wind-surfing to scuba-diving in the coral reefs, and horse-riding. For those who want to luxuriate, there is an Afya personal wellness programme that has a variety of treatments including reflexology and detox. There are also beach and bush safaris available to Kenyan and Tanzanian national parks with AfricanMecca, and AfroChic Retreat is a great starting-point or resting place after an exciting safari trip.
The restaurant here is amazing. The à la carte menu is contemporary and international, featuring Chinese, Italian, French, India,n and Swahili dishes, and the chef is happy to take requests. With so many places to dine, from indoors in the dining room to alfresco in the gardens or looking out to sea under the beach gazebo, dinner can be a romantic affair. So close to the Indian Ocean, seafood and fresh fish are of course an integral part of the meal and as guests lounge in the sun, complimentary snacks are served throughout the day. Fabulous.
Uganda Reviewed: 28 July 2010, 16:35. Still current at: 29 July 2010 There is extreme risk to your security in north-western Uganda (Nebbi, Arua, Yumbe, Moyo, Adjumani, Gulu, Apac, Lira, Kitgum and Pader districts) and areas bordering Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including Lake Albert and Murchison Falls National Park, and we advise against all travel to these areas. Banditry and attacks and abductions by rebel groups, including the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), pose a significant risk to your safety in these areas. There is extreme risk to your security in north-eastern Uganda (Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto, Katakwi, Nakapiripirit, Abim, Kapchorwa and Bukwa districts), due to banditry and inter-tribal clashes and we advise against all travel to these areas. There is extreme riskto your security in the south-western border area shared with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (including the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla Park), due to banditry and cross-border attacks by rebel groups and we advise against all travel to this area. We expressly advise New Zealanders against taking gorilla trekking tours in this area that cross into the DRC.
Bangladesh Reviewed: 28 July 2010, 16:25. Still current at: 29 July 2010 There is high risk to your security in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region and we advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel to this region due to the high risk of kidnapping and unstable security situation. There is some risk to your security elsewhere in Bangladesh due to the unpredictable security and political situation and threat from terrorism and we advise caution.
The Netherlands Reviewed: 28 July 2010, 16:18. Still current at: 29 July 2010 The Netherlands shares with the rest of Europe a threat from terrorism. The Dutch National Coordinator for Counterterrorism maintains a national terrorism threat level for the Netherlands. New Zealanders in the Netherlands are advised to remain alert, pay attention to personal security and monitor the media and other local information sources for potential risks to safety and security. Several incidents over the last year have demonstrated that large gatherings and demonstrations in the Netherlands have the potential to turn unruly and violent without notice. New Zealanders are advised to avoid all protests, demonstrations and rallies.
Palacina, the Residence and the Suites
For weary travellers who have seen many a hotel room, Palacina is a breath of fresh air. Ideally located within easy access to downtown Nairobi, the central business district, shopping centres, hospitals, and other urban amenities, Palacina is found nestled in the tranquil gardens of the State House Valley - the ideal venue for those who wish to be centrally located but away from the traffic and noise of Nairobi. Set among these beautiful gardens Palacina offers all the luxuries of a five-star hotel, with special personal service, a relaxed atmosphere, and great attention to detail. This is a family- owned and -run hotel and the core emphasis here is on making guests feel at home in an atmosphere of understated elegance and warm hospitality. Guests can choose to stay in either The Residence or The Suites. The Suites are Nairobi’s premier hotel rooms - stylishly decorated and thoughtfully laid out. The Residence features beautifully furnished and fully serviced apartments ideal for guests who are staying in Nairobi for more than a month. The Lobby serves as a living room complete with lounging areas, reading areas, a spacious veranda, a chic bar, and a hotel reception all decorated in soothing neutral tones with the emphasis on comfort and style. Breakfast is served from the open farm house kitchen, so whether you prefer to sit in the sunny breakfast room, read a newspaper at the bar or enjoy your espresso in the Lobby … it is just a matter of choosing, as Palacina is all about comfort and flexibility … not rules. The restaurant here, Moonflower, is consistently rated among the top dining establishments in Nairobi and embodies the finest of Kenyan cuisine and hospitality with a subtle fusion of Mediterranean and Swahili cultures evident in the menu and the ambience. Add to this a conference centre, and a multitude of other facilities on offer and you will see why Palacina is Nairobi’s premier hotel.
Flamboyant Boutique Hotel is a small luxury hotel on Diani Beach, Kenya, overlooking the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Interiors have a fresh, luxurious design and the staff are friendly and attentive. Relaxed guests chill by the pool or under the shaded pergola or head down to the palm tree-lined beach for a swim, or for the more adventurous, an afternoon of diving or watersports. There is also an 18-hole course for golf enthusiasts and tennis courts, squash courts and pool on-site. For a day exploring the area’s flora and fauna, pay a visit to the Shimba Hills Game Park, with its rich forests and home to the spectacular Sheldrick Falls, which cascade down 25 metres. By evening, enjoy a cocktail and some star-gazing at the Forty Thieves Beach Bar, while Ali Barbour’s Cave offers an achingly romantic setting to any meal. Set in a natural coral cave thought to be between 120,000 to 180,000 years old and lit with candlelight, this stunning restaurant provides a magical backdrop to the delicious menu of seafood, traditional, and international cuisine. This chic boutique hotel is also environmentally conscious and is rated as carbon zero. There are eight gorgeous en suite rooms and two honeymoon suites at Flamboyant Boutique Hotel. All rooms open on to the swimming pool and most have views to the ocean. Luxury bio bath products made in Kenya are provided, as are bath and beach towels. Each room has air-conditioning. Your hosts know those little details are important, too, and you will find fresh flowers in your room each day, as well as dried fruits and chocolates each evening and complimentary Kenyan tea and coffee.
