Fairview Hotel Supports Running Water
September 14, 2003: A big supporter of Amref in many ways, we could not miss out on this run that was for a philanthropic course……. Our team included two young boys and they made it!!!! They actually beat some older turks!!
Our regular clientele will be pleased to know that they can now enter the hotel by car from First Ngong Avenue which we hope will soon become a two way street. By creating this new entrance we have also added more car parking space, which will ease congestion at busy times. Remember, the main entrance is still open if you prefer to use it and the old car park is always available. Click here for location map.
Long overdue, phase 1 of our gym will be complete in early December 2003! Named the Bridge to Fitness, the gym has 2 running machines, a rowing machine, bike machine, a multi gym free weights and a few other of the basics. Initially, this gym will not be open to members of the public as we want to ensure that we can meet the needs of our hotel and apartment guests.
Security is now a major issue at any hotel whether it is Nairobi or London. We have always prided ourselves on our level of unobtrusive security – CCTV, in- house guards and personal safes in every room. But we realize that we cannot be complacent – good security is vital. So we are very pleased to tell you that we have hired international security consultants who have shown us how to improve our security without spoiling the natural charm of the Fairview. Perhaps the only obvious difference to our guests will be the barriers at the hotel entrances but we can assure you that in other ways the Fairview’s security is on a par with the best international hotels in the world. The consultants will return every three months to review the situation. Your comfort and safety is our priority.
Upper Hill’s most popular lunchtime venue, the Fairview Pool Restaurant, will launch its new menu in January. Like all dishes, you will notice that it resembles home cooking rather than hotel food. New specialties include sizzling Chinese dishes, sushi from Japan, pasta pesto created by none other than Leo (of Leo’s delicatessen in Hurlingham) using basil from the Fairview’s herb garden. We still have the old favourites such as Murg Makhani, grilled fresh fish and crispy salads, not to mention the best thin based pizzas in town.
Our poolside gazebo proved to be so popular that we have built two more. Everyone loves the gazebos, not just for the welcome shade on sunny days but also for the sense of privacy that they generate. Our new gazebos will be a welcome addition especially as conference ‘break away’ venues.
You don’t have to be in the Masai Mara to sit round the camp fire. We feel that our five acres of landscaped gardens allow our guests to feel that they are not in town, so we have built a camp fire where guests can enjoy a drink before or after dinner. Perfect on a cool Nairobi evening and a wonderful start to an African journey, whether on business or pleasure.
After extensive research the Fairview is introducing shampoo in all rooms (January 1, 2004). Unlike many other hotels, the shampoo will not be in little 50 ml bottles but rather in large dispensers. Large and user friendly, the dispensers mean less wastage, thus helping us to keep costs down while keeping plastic waste to a minimum. The dispensers are also very attractive and we feel sure that they will be a big hit with our guests.
Fairview management really do listen to their guests. The most common comment on guest questionnaires is “Tea/coffee machines” please. Effective Feb 1, every room will have one!
Our deluxe rooms have always been extremely spacious – in fact, often 15% larger that the average five star room in Nairobi. However, they lack some of the “5 star” amenities and our guests have often brought this to out attention. So we have acted! Effective January 2004, we will be adding a fridge, bath robe, trouser press, shower gel, complimentary mineral water, stationary, and Kleenex tissue paper. In our Superior rooms, we will add stationary, and Kleenex tissue paper.
We are adding a more luxurious conference package that entitles the conference participant to an extra coffee break (early morning) as well as a truly gourmet selection of fruits and snacks as well as unlimited mineral water.
Clement Mikhago is a familiar face with many of our regular guests, having worked at the Fairview for the last 25 years for three generations of the Szlapak family. Currently Senior Housekeeping Supervisor, in 1978 Clement began his Fairview career working in the gardens, working for Charles Szlapak, before transferring in 1981 to the linen store where he spent three years. During this time he came to the notice of Mrs. Rachel Szlapak, (Charles’ mother) then the Executive Housekeeper, and began working for her as an assistant. Apart from checking rooms Clement also helped Mrs. Szlapak with purchasing and often accompanied her to Biashara Street to buy fabrics. Sadly Mrs. Szlapak died in 1995, but Clement remained in the same department working for Mrs. Szlapak’s grand-daughter, Eliana, and he is still with her today.
Over 25 years how has the Fairview changed for Clement? “We have conference facilities, larger rooms and, for me, the biggest difference – computers.” In the past, Clement had to spend much of his time walking around the hotel to see if the rooms were ready for occupation. With the computerization of the housekeeping department Clement is able to check this, without having to physically see the room. Of course, he still does spot checks on rooms to be sure that they meet the Fairview standards. Computers can’t do everything!
In addition, when Clement started at the Fairview there was no generator, laundry was contracted out, and water supply was unreliable. Now there are two large generators, a borehole and a state of the art laundry, which ensures a regular, dependable supply of clean linen.
Married with three children Clement clearly loves his job. “My job is very enjoyable,” he says, “especially as I get to chat with the guests. And at the same time as doing this nice work, I earn my living.” His big, friendly smile, which is a welcome sight to all our visitors, says it all.
Construction is complete on 12 new rooms located above the Fairview’s conference facilities. Utilising a space previously used for storage, the new rooms are divided into basic singles, superior singles and de-luxe singles, (the latter two categories can also be doubles). All the rooms have charming views overlooking the landscaped gardens and the swimming pool. In addition to these rooms, two new apartments (two bedrooms and three bedrooms) have also been built in the same area. This brings the total number of apartments at the Fairview to 14. Like the rooms, the views from the apartments are delightful. Please ask our reservations staff for details.
To alleviate over-congestion in the main car park, we have opened another car park located on First Ngong Avenue providing easy access to our Pool Restaurant. This increases our parking capacity by 50%. Click here for location map.
Fairview has many projects planned for the next three years. To determine which projects to undertake first, we survey our guests. As a result of our most recent survey, we will be refurbishing 10 rooms that were last refurbished in the 80’s. These rooms will be mostly Standard Singles and Doubles and the improvements include double-glazed windows, mosquito screens, new bathrooms and double beds. As always, our rates will not increase! This project was scheduled to commence in December when our business is quietest but due to the travel advisories, we have taken the opportunity to start this project early! Despite difficult times, we continue to improve the Fairview! (The next project will be the gym).
Since 1948 the Fairview has been owned and managed by the Szlapak family, assisted in the last nine years by Mark Abbema, husband to Eliana Szlapak, herself the executive housekeeper. Last December the Fairview was delighted to welcome back Daniel Szlapak, son of Charles, the current Managing Director, and grandson of the original owner. Born and brought up in Kenya, Daniel finished his education in the US before joining the investment bank J P Morgan in New York, where he stayed for three years. Since then Daniel has spent a couple of years in management at the Fairview before working for a software company in California and completing his MBA at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management in Chicago. Daniel returns to the Fairview as a director, with a sound understanding of finance, management and technology – essential requirements in the business world. Welcome back Daniel, Catherine and baby Arella.
If you have strolled through the Fairview’s five acres of gardens recently, you will have noticed that the car park in the grounds surrounding the annex has been neatly laid with cabro-brick and that a brand new shaded area has been constructed for car parking. In addition, new plants now dot the landscaped gardens, each one named for the interest of our guests. But the biggest change to this area has been the new look that we have given to Block A. The eight double rooms all have large, comfortable bathrooms, four of which boast separate showers and baths. New floors, lighter wood and freshly painted walls all add to the feeling of spaciousness. Some of the rooms are also slightly bigger, having incorporated former balconies that were mostly unused. Most guests, we feel, prefer to relax in the gardens, or next to our large heated swimming pool. If you would like to book one of these rooms our reservations department would be delighted to assist you.
The Fairview may be 600 km from the swaying palm trees that line the beaches of the Indian Ocean, but you can almost smell the sea air when you try our latest addition to the drinks menu – fresh coconut milk, otherwise known as Madafu. Twice a week we receive consignments of coconuts freshly plucked from Mombasa palm trees. Our staff will open them in front of you and pour the delicious flavour of the coast straight into your glass. It’s almost as refreshing as being there. Fresh, healthy and nutritious – order a Madafu next time you visit us.
Next time you order a Fairview pizza savour the flavour of the fresh oregano sprinkled over the top. Grown in the herb gardens planted by Eliana, oregano is just one of the many fresh herbs that she has specifically cultivated for the Fairview kitchens. Your whole meal is likely to be complemented by these herbs, from basil in the soup, rosemary with your lamb, the nutty flavour of caraway in a salad, tarragon in the dressing, and (growing alongside the herbs) raspberries, wild strawberries and rhubarb for desert. Even your iced tea will have a hint of fresh mint. The herb garden also includes three different types of thyme, bay leaves, feverfew (used either as a garnish on Marmite toast or as an infusion for headaches) coriander, comfrey, lauvage, roccola (all adding variety to the salad) and sugar cane.
Three times a week doctors from Avenue Healthcare visit the Fairview Hotel staff clinic. Thus sick members of staff can be seen on the premises and quickly diagnosed, ensuring that any illness is quickly contained. In addition, twice a year, the Fairview tests its staff for common harmful bacteria, thus preventing sickness before it takes control.