Outspan Hotel

Kenya


This atmospheric lodge was last decorated in the 1950s, when wood panelling was the height of interior design, and some of the plumbing seems to date from then as well… Nineteen of the 34 standard rooms have cosy fireplaces, and all have a whiff of history that won't necessarily be to everyone's taste.

The dining room is a cross between the Hogwarts School hall and a colonial retreat, though dinner is best enjoyed outside on the patio.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kenya attractions

1. Baden-Powell Museum

0.01 MILES

Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scout Association, spent his last three years at Paxtu cottage in the Outspan Hotel, where this museum is…

2. Baden-Powell’s Grave

0.94 MILES

The scoutmaster’s grave is tucked behind St Peter's Church, facing Mt Kenya and marked with the Scouts trail sign for ‘I have gone home’. His more famous…

3. Solio Game Reserve

13.82 MILES

This family run, private 71-sq-km reserve, 22km north of Nyeri, is Kenya's oldest rhino sanctuary and an important breeding centre for black rhinos. The…

4. Karura Falls Lookout

16.49 MILES

The lookout gives a breathtaking view of the 50m waterfall dropping down through the forest. If you are short on time, enter via the Mutubio West Gate,…

5. Aberdare National Park

20.81 MILES

Herds of wildlife thunder over an open African horizon, elephants emerge from a thicket of plants and the mysterious black rhino munches tranquilly on…

6. Mt Kenya National Park

24.48 MILES

Africa’s second-highest mountain is also one of its most beautiful. Here, mere minutes from the equator, glaciers carve out the throne of Ngai, the old…

7. Ol Pejeta Conservancy

27.88 MILES

Ol Pejeta Conservancy was once one of the largest cattle ranches in Kenya, but is now a 365-sq-km, privately owned wildlife reserve. It markets itself as…

8. Highland Castle

28.92 MILES

If you are trekking along the Burguret Route, you will likely camp just below the lava cliff of Highland Castle at 3700m. If time allows and you're…