The Oakwood Hotel

Location: Kimathi Street, Nairobi, ke

Star Rating: 3 Stars

Property Type: Hotels

About this Property

Policies

Check-in: 12:30 PM - 06:00 PM

Check-out: 10:30 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Non-smoking rooms
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Luggage storage
• Express check-in/check-out
• Safety deposit box
• Fax/photocopying
• Tour desk
• Ironing service
• Car hire
• Currency exchange
• Non-smoking throughout
• Private check-in/check-out
• Concierge service
• Coffee Shop on site
• Fruits
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• Guest rooms disinfected between stays
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Cashless payment available
• Fire extinguishers
• Sanitized tableware & silverware
• Invoice provided
• Smoke alarms
• Guest room sealed after cleaning
• Physical distancing in dining areas
• Key access
• Food delivered to guest room
• CCTV outside property
• 24-hour security
• Security alarm
• Key card access
• Television in common areas
• Front desk (limited hours)
• Express check-in
• Free wired internet
• Snack bar/deli
• Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
• Airport transportation - drop-off (surcharge)
• Internet access
• Housekeeping on request
• Reception hall
• Vegetarian menu options available
• Accessible train station shuttle
• No accessible train station shuttle

Rooms Available

• Classic Room

  1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed

  Overlooking the city

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Flat-screen TV with cable channels

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator, electric kettle, room service, and free bottled water

  Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, and turndown service

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, free toiletries, and a hair dryer (on request)

  Practical - Laptop-compatible safe; cribs (free) available on request

  Comfort - Daily housekeeping and ceiling fan

  Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bathroom
  • Electric kettle
  • Bottle of water
  • Room service (limited hours)
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ceiling fan
  • Premium bedding
  • Room service
  • Turndown service
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Free WiFi
  • Free cribs/infant beds

• Standard Double or Twin Room

  This country-style room comes with a wall-mounted TV and a private bathroom.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Telephone
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Dressing room
  • Satellite channels
  • Additional toilet
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Cleaning products
  • Linen
  • Upper floors accessible by elevator
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed

Guest Reviews

• Clement (8/5): It was ok - The location & its blend of old & new traditions Wifi services
• Wendy M (8/5): Just fine. - Location, staff and food. A bit outdated but good value.
• Wendy M (8/5): Overall, it was fine. - Great location, friendly staff, good breakfast. The shower curtain needs to be much shorter. If put inside the tub/shower, it drags 1/3 of the way across the bottom of the tub. If outside the tub, water gets on the floor.
• Wendy M (6/5): - It is very close to JFK Airport. It is clean and the beds are comfortable. The breakfast is adequate. There is a free hotel shuttle every hour which takes you directly to the terminal of your departure. There is also a free shuttle that picks you up at Federal Circle (an AirTram stop) at the airport every 15-30 minutes. And, if coming by train, you can take LIR to Jamaica from Penn Station, take AirTram to Federal Circle and take free hotel shuttle to the hotel. There are no restaurants within walking distance. The hotel gave us information about delivery from a Chinese restaurant and pizza place. But, there are at least restaurants within a $9 Uber ride away. One is Don Pepe, an Italian restaurant, and the other is Trinciti Roti shop, which only has 2 tables but also has delivery. The hotel should provide more information about nearby restaurant/delivery options.
• Yul (10/5): Exceptional -
• Ehsanati (10/5): Exceptional - every thing is ok nothing
• Arnold (3/5): Poor -
• Arnold (3/5): Poor -
• Irene (5/5): Ummmm - A little but if upgrade of the restaurant area would be ideal Outdated doors to rooms, restaurant
• Meera (8/5): - It was convenient from my location of purpose
• Paulus (10/5): - Authentic old hotel, with all historic features. Maybe not the latest modern facilities, but unique it is original style. Perfectly located in the old city centre
• Christine (8/5): Excellent location. Friendly staff. Good price for the location. - The a la carte breakfast was excellent with many choices. Good tea with the bonus of getting steamed milk with the tea. The bar area is very relaxing. The front desk person was very helpful and charged my telephone (see note below why I could not charge my telephone in the room. The coffee was not the greatest (but my husband is Ethiopian therefore very picky about coffee. The first night (Saturday night) was quiet. But the room was facing the Main Street and during the weekdays it is noisy. No universal plug for charging the telephone (only Chinese/Kenyan plugs)
• Ahamed (10/5): Exceptional -
• Makoor (6/5): It was great - Location Facility needs renovation
• Janneke (9/5): We will come back - Very nice location in the center of Nairobi Very nice staff Hard beds
• Mo (3/5): Poor -
• Sathish (5/5): Passable -
• Markku (2/5): Don’t go there. - Location Dirty only one towel and safe didn’t work.
• Chang (6/5): Pleasant - STAFFs are really kind hotel is too old I guess. not even sure they still use old English stylish key for the door lock. There was no mosquito net in the bed I used.
• Craig (9/5): Superb -
• Kim (7/5): Good - Smack Bang in the middle of Nairobi center. Nice staff and really funky vintage decor. Interesting ancient manual elevator! No hot water. Room was small and poorly lit. Everything a bit worn out. A tad pricey for what you get..
• Saud (6/5): Pleasant -
• 727bobt (6/5): Good service, average food, ramshackle fixtures and fittings, ridiculous overpriced beer...... - We have been using the Oakwood for years. It was always a reasonably priced hotel in the heart of downtown Nairobi. We decided to check it out over the weekend and it hasn't changed much apart from a new entrance that is totally out of character with the rest of this small cozy hotel. Steel grills and off white tiles really do take away the old school charm that was always something we enjoyed. It feels like walking into an antiseptic dental surgery and we immediately missed the old wood lined walls that exuded charm and warmth. The rest of The Oakwood is much the same. The marvelous ramshackle rooms and furniture remains unchanged. Unfortunately it seems the owner decided to increase the cost of a cold refreshing beer to an extortionate KSH 400! This was the subject of much discussion with the disenchanted staff reporting that customers were jumping ship for more regular prices in less iron clad establishments. Sadly we decided to follow the herd and moved on! Shame to see such a venerable old establishment fall into the same trap as so many other old charmers.....!
• Johnmary (4/5): Disappointing -
• Johansein (8/5): Very good -
• Kamore (6/5): Pleasant -
• Thanapal (7/5): Good -
• Melissa (6/5): Pleasant - staff were friendly enough. it just generally felt unsafe, but the hotel is old, I felt unsafe as the door barely locked on the room. Meals took a long time to arrive.
• dariuszsO118DE (10/5): Weekend in Nairobi - Pretty lovely place with amazing atmosphere right in centrum of Nairobi, everywhere close pretty amazing staff with lot of love to the customers. A lot of nice place to visit pretty close like a national museum or Uhuru park. 11/10!!!
• bensonw2022 (10/5): Nice - I visited the place for a business lunch with friends and was very happy with the location and the service provided. The hotel is located in the CBD and is very convenient. The menu price, quality of food and service is excellent. I recommend the place.
• O8793EMhenryc (10/5): Mr - Had a wonderful stay at Oakwood hotel. I love the hospitality, their food. They are very good and kind people. The brakfast, the rooms everything excellent.I did not have any problems at all and they are very careful about your welfare
• 758pawe_g (8/5): Very nice and cosy - We stayed in Oakwood hotel for 2 nights. The staff was really nice and welcoming even though we checked in way later than planned, they stayed up for us. We really appreciated our first Kenyan breakfasts. The atmosphere of this hotel is homy and cosy thanks to the wooden furnitures. The room was clean, everything ready as well in the bathroom. There's a safe in each room too. The quality price ratio is very satisfying.
• 773stanleyd (10/5): Comfortable Blast in The Past - Five stars...No frills nor nonsense. Phillis and Mirriam provided classy, friendly hospitality. Located in the heart of modern Nairobi, Oakwood is a perfect break from the hustle and bustle. If you need to do any business, come to this cozy classic.
• B (2/5): - Gud Location. But property is pretty old and not maintained well. Rooms are smelly, bed was cranking and rocking, bedding was of pretty poor quality and work out, Room latch not there, Room lock pretty simple and easy to disengage, very low floor and compromising safety, no safety valve and so on.
• 58briann (10/5): Home away from home - My girlfriend and I have always chosen this peaceful sanctuary every time we are in Kenya to visit family. The staff treat you with great respect and are always on hand to assist graciously. From the welcoming smiles of the front desk staff Mulandi, Fridah, Lillian, Mary and Daisy,Robert at the bar to Housekeeping staff Allan, Geoffrey, Justinah, Jane, Ann and Dorcas. Our breakfast experience was amazing because if Alice, chefs Andrew and Jackson. This great team is the reason we will always stay here! The location in the heart of the city and reasonably priced rooms heightens our experience every time. We can't wait to be there in another year!
• Carlos (8/5): Escale 3 nuits - Nous avons fait escale à dans cet hôtel pour 2nuits avant depart pour un Safari + 1 nuits au retour du safari. Ce nest pas le grand luxe ,plutôt rudimentaire mais cest tout a fait correct pour juste faire une petite escale avant un départ vers aéroports (15km) ou autre destination. Le personnel est à l'écoute et très disponible. Nous sommes satisfait dans l'ensemble.
• jneo79 (10/5): Shopping - My family and I were not staying at this hotel but shopping at coex. It was getting late and we went to the concierge. The duty manager not only went all the way to help us book a jumbo taxi but also helped us to load our luggage. Excellent service despite us not being hotel guests.
• 175michelaq (8/5): Perfect stay - I spent one week by this delicious hotel. Rooms are clean, each of them has a private bathroom with toilet and shower. There is a small bar always working in the hall, where you can get something to drink or eat and to enjoy on the nice balcony. Big breakfast with fruits, juices, coffee, tea, milk, muffins, yogurt, cereals, omelette, sausages, bacon, potatoes, chapati, ... The position is convenient, there are always taxis in the area, nice restaurants and bars. University campus is nearby. The staff is the best part: amazing people, welcoming, warm, always avaible for everything! I really recommend this place!
• ztig65 (6/5): Small hotel in the city center - This is a small centrally located hotel in a old colonial building. As the name indicates, it's a lot of oakwood on the walls, making it an authentic place to stay. Staff were great and food was good too. Room had good size. Because of the oak, it's a bit dark inside. Busy street in front of the hotel so it might be a bit noisy. You had to shower in the tub, which was pretty high. Toilet seat was missing.
• Derek (2/5): - A pre-colonial built hotel, not maintained or refurbished since then. The dark oak panelling is dusty and depressing, particularly at night because of the poor lighting. The web photo of the hotel does not reflect reality. A shabby advertising hoarding covers most of it and half of the ground floor is now a phone shop. Lift does not work. If you only have £10 left and you are stopping for one night, it's just about ok. DO NOT take children into this hotel. An awful place.
• Jeszybell (4/5): Overpriced - For what you get, this place is waaay overpriced. When u can rent a 3room apartment for 4000ks instead of the 8k you pay for this. To bad we found out to late. The beds are like sleeping on the floor, my whole body hurts. If you in the room, they won't clean. The toilet works 6 out of 10 times. So ask for a bucket to use for flushing you can fill with water from the tub. The wifi is there, but the strenght is very up and down. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Would i recommend? If u fine with it, the location is good. That's about it. I would prefer a sofa.
• Crocus (8/5): Hôtel dans le plein centre de Nairobi - Personnel très accueillant et serviable. Pas de problème pour une arrivée tardive. La décoration est un peu étrange, mais tout est très propre.
• Kenyanbackpacker (10/5): Old but gold - This hotel is in one of the oldest building in the city center. While it may not rank among the new age 5-star hotels, it is quite unique in its own way. At the entrance, the wall maps of the world reflected by the adjacent mirror wall gives you a sense of belonging. The rooms are cozy and clean, the staff is friendly and the bar is just amazing.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Top Lage im Zentrum. Mehr jedoch nicht mehr. - Wir waren schon mehrfach in diesem Hotel und leider hat sich der Zustand immer weiter verschlechtert. Die Zimmer sind abgewohnt und muffig. Ungeziffer läuft regelmässig durchs Zimmer. Handtücher sind zerissen.
• gerryhallam (6/5): Average, worth the price. - We stayed at The Oakwood for one night. I suppose for the price we can’t really complain. Cold shower was a problem, bathroom was kind of falling apart...other than that it was fine. Situated in the centre of Nairobi so close to some good restaurants. Staff were friendly, breakfast was very average... All in all nothing to get excited about and will do for an overnight stay enroute to your next destination.
• Tino (8/5): Hotel aus der Kolonialherrschaft - Der Aufenthalt war sehr angenehm im Sinne das die Angestellten auf die Wuensche und Fragen der Gaeste eingegangen sind und sich dafuer Zeit genommen haben.Das Hotelzimmer war Komfortabel doch mit ihren getaefelten Holzwaenden den dicken viktorianischen Vorhaengen und in der Toilette wo die Wasserhaehne , Duschkoepfe und Waschbecken an einem vorkriegszeitlichem Stil erinnern , sieht das ganze Hotel so aus als sei es in der Zeit der Kolonialherrschaft steckengeblieben.Auch wenn es einer Renovierung bedarf um ins 20 Jahrhundert hineinkatapultiert zu werde ,hat ez trotzdem ein gewisses Etwas (Flair).
• piafuglsanghald (4/5): Not worth it.... - A small hotel in the center of Nairobi. We just stayed there for 2 nights but chose to godt outside the hotel for lunch and dinner as the menu was very poor and the prices too high. Even the bathroom was a deathtrap. Didnt have a separate shower so you had to climb up into the bathtub and getting out of it while it was still wet was extremely dangerous and made me fall down. I told the manager this the following day, hoping they could provide something to make it more safe, but no 😯 I will not visit this place again unless it was an emergency.
• Henya (10/5): Nice hotel close to Business district - Looks old from outside but very cozy in the inside
• Macha1st (2/5): Dire - After an 18 hour car, rail and plane journey, I could have slept on the floor, which would have been an improvement on the slab of rock that appeared to comprise the bed. This hotel was dark and depressing, so badly lit that it was like Blind Man's Buff feeling one's way around. The shower and sink taps needed new washers and dribbled all the time. The lift was broken, which meant lots of stairs, and the poor doorman had to sit all day on a stool with broken springs. There was no comfortable lounge in which to relax, but there was a small balcony with a couple of chairs from which to enjoy the chaos of central Nairobi, Any advantages? Central, inexpensive, nice staff and near The Stanley Hotel, where I consoled myself with a splendid lunch (take your wallet). I believe the Oakwood is part of a group, the Mama of which is supposed to keep an eye on it. I would advise her to book a night there, Only a masochist would return
• macha2017 (2/5): DIRE - After an eighteen hour car, rail and plane journey, I could have slept on a floor - which would have been more comfortable than the slab of rock which appeared to comprise the bed. This hotel was dark and dismal, so badly lit that it was virtually impossible to pick anything out of an open suitcase. The taps in the shower and basin needed new washers and leaked all the time. The lift didn't work, which meant lots of stairs. There was not a comfortable lounge in which to relax, but there was an old balcony with a couple of chairs from which to enjoy the chaos of central Nairobi. Any advantages? Central, cheap, nice staff and close to The Stanley Hotel, where I consoled myself with a magnificent lunch (take your wallet). I believe the Oakwood is part of a chain, the 'Mama' of which is supposed to keep an eye on it, so I would advise her to book herself in for a night. Only a masochist would go there twice.
• DrGlenB (2/5): Warning! This place was a joke, best to try elsewhere - I booked 2 nights at this place in August 2016. When we arrived at 5pm we were told that the power was down and was being fixed. I also booked a double room which I did not get, a triple instead with no doubles available. We were told to go and have some dinner and come back later and the power should be fixed. We returned at 10pm and still no power. The elevator didn't work so had to use the stairs without lights, just a couple of gas lights and candles on the staircase, barely light enough to see the stairs, dangerous, never heard of OH&S here folks. So without power, no showers (they offered a bucket of warm water for the 3 of us to wash?? No lights, no TV, no kettle, no power to charge phones, computer etc. So wife checked Sentrim 680 around the corner which had a room, so I asked for refund and was told they couldn't refund without managers approval who was not there and couldn't call as no power. Was told a refund would be coming and despite a number of emails later, I never received one. This place is so unprofessional it is a joke. Best to try elsewhere
• 861suhanib (4/5): Very old and dirty but friendly staff - I was here for only a few nights but desperately wanted to leave. There were insects, and everything was very old. It was terrible hot with no AC but a fan available. The washrooms were disgusting and the power was out quite a bit (not that I could access wifi in my room to begin with, only in the lobby). I had cold showers and would not stay here again. Only good part was its central location.
• Verified traveler (6/5): - Das Hotel ist schon etwas in die Jahre gekommen. Der vorhandene Lift scheint aus dem letzten Jahrtausend zu sein. Für Technikfreaks durchaus zu bempfehlen
• Tuomo (4/5): - Ei toimivaa wifiä, meidän huoneessa vesi oli joko kylmää tai kiehuvaa, toisessa huoneessa ei tätä ongelmaa ollut. Yksi torakka vessassa joka toisella ilmestymiskerralla saatiin listittyä ja sitten ei enää näkynyt.
• Glen (2/5): A hotel without power and still waiting on refund! - Hotel had no power when checking in, was told it was being fixed and to come back in an hour or two. We gave them 5hrs and still no power, 10pm at night, Unknown when being fixed. No power for shower, recharging ph, cameras, laptop etc, or lights, just a candle. Told we could have a shower from s bucket with warm water, believe it or not. Asked for refund and told hotel.com had to do it. Asked to speak to manager but without power, couldn't call. So left to find a place with power. Have been in touch with hotel.com three times since and still waiting on refund and resolution.
• 566geoffh (10/5): Great stay, cheaper than others in the same location - The Oakwood is not a new hotel and it feels like something from another age. Wood paneling from which it takes the name runs throughout the building. There were some problems on arrival: no hangers in the wardrobe, no bath plug and the safe wasn't working. I reported these to the manager, Charles Nyamo and, within 10 mins all were fixed. The staff here, notably Fredah on reception, are great. And GM Charles made my stay even better and gets to know all the guests in his hotel. Bar and balcony are okay but the restaurant needs some new decor and waiters aren't always aware of what's on the menu. Wifi has improved judging by past reviews but can still be patchy. However it works and it's free. Best signal strength was in the dining room. However The Oakwood remains a fine experience and I will stay there again.
• PerthJill (8/5): Back Again - I always go here as it is so convenient to walk some places,they have done some improvement such as mend the door locks and they have up-graded the WiFi which was great,also the towels were new,the food is nice not a lot of choice but still good value and fresh cooked.I hope next on the list for some work will be the plumbing as some of the taps run a lot and waste the water I would also like some coffee as I don't drink tea and usually bring my own.

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