My birthday trip to Kenya this year started with a stay at Glee Nairobi, a new luxury hotel in the capital.
I found this hotel while looking for unique hotel stays in Nairobi for my birthday on Instagram using the “suggested pages” feature, which rarely happens to me!
Captivated by what seemed to be a stunning value for the rate with many on-site offerings, I fell in love with the hotel online and decided to book for the Nairobi portion of my trip.
In this blog post, I’ll provide a review of my stay at Glee Nairobi to help you decide if it’s worth staying!
Disclaimer: This blog post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you book a stay at this hotel using my link (and I know you will because you loved how helpful this blog post is 🙂, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting BCJ!
Checking Into the Hotel
I landed in Nairobi around midnight and arrived at Glee Nairobi closer to 2 am after retrieving cash and a SIM card from the airport.
Even with my early morning check-in, the front desk team received me with excellent customer service and smiles.
A porter immediately assisted with my luggage.
I was given a brief rundown of where I could get breakfast at the hotel in a few hours and a glass of apple juice to officially welcome me as a guest.
Rooms and Suites Offered
Glee Nairobi offers six different room types, each designed to suit different levels of luxury and budgets.
The room types vary in size, amenities, and style, ensuring guests can find the perfect accommodation.
You can read more about each of the rooms and what they include here on the website, but here is what they each look like:
Superior Room
Superior Terrace Room
Deluxe Room
Junior Suite
Executive Suite
Presidential Suite
Inside of the Superior Terrace Room
At the time of my stay, I booked the Superior Terrace Room at $172/night, which is a step up from Glee Nairobi’s standard accommodation.
This spacious 32-square-meter room connects to a terrace, providing an added sense of openness and exclusivity.
From the moment I stepped inside, I was impressed by the spacious layout and elegant design.
The attention to detail was evident in every corner, from the carefully curated decor to the amenities that elevated the experience.
The room exuded comfort and luxury, making it a delightful space to relax and unwind.
Here are the features of the room I experienced:
- Connected Terrace
- Smart TV
- Bedside Room Automation Panels
- Shower & bathtub
- Tea and coffee making set
- Minibar with a fridge
- Bathroom amenities: telephone
- Full-body mirror
The Lobby
Stepping into the lobby, my choice to stay at this hotel was solidified. I was completely taken aback by the intention and well-thought-out decor that went into curating a luxe and cozy entrance.
On the About page of their website, Glee Nairobi states that the hotel’s interior design is by Kristina Zanic, a Dubai-based international award-winning firm, and they certainly delivered.
The entrance is framed by tall glass doors and several windows, which allow natural light to flood the space, creating a sense of openness and sophistication.
Scattered throughout the lobby are plush sofas and armchairs arranged in small clusters to create intimate seating areas where guests can relax, socialize, or enjoy a refreshing drink.
The sleek, marble-finished floors also add to the grandeur of the lobby.
The lobby was well done and certainly set a great first impression of the hotel.
Restaurants at Glee Hotel Nairobi
Glow Restaurant
Glow is Glee Nairobi’s main dining facility, where you’ll find all-day dining options from breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The restaurant is Parisian-inspired and serves international cuisine in a buffet style or via its ala carte menu.
With breakfast included in my stay, I enjoyed a full buffet with pancakes, eggs, waffles, fruit, pastries, cereals, and more.
My favorite part is that Glow includes a live cooking station where you can watch your dishes come to life right before your eyes.
The Hide
The Hide is a grill and steakhouse known for providing guests with a fine dining experience.
It pairs premium cuts of steak and other meats with tasty sides and desserts.
The restaurant is stunning, with its red booths, which provide some privacy while dining and add a touch of classic elegance to the space.
Whether enjoying an intimate dinner or a lively gathering, Hide is a great excuse, if you even need one, to dress up and treat yourself to a fancy dinner.
Cascade Cafe
Cascade is a vibrant café and terrace that is the perfect retreat for coffee lovers and food enthusiasts.
Open throughout the day, it offers a selection of coffees, teas, delicate pastries, and light bites, all set against the backdrop of a garden.
I found the cafe to be a cozy corner away from my room, immersing myself in some fresh air while being visible to other hotel guests and being able to chat if others were nearby.
Peacock Bar & Lounge
As described by the hotel’s website, Peacock is “An eclectic and eccentric space inspired by the 1920s oriental aesthetic and the exotic and vibrant colors of the peacock, serving contemporary pan-Asian cuisine. A place that exudes the luxurious essence of Glee for relaxed good times, intimate drinks and mellow evenings to acoustic jazz music.”
Peacock was closed during my visit as it was undergoing renovations.
I was looking forward to visiting, so it was a disappointment, as this was the dining facility I was most excited to visit. However, I hope to visit again in the future.
Horizon Rooftop Bar
On the 7th floor of Glee Nairobi, there is a rooftop bar, which I think is always a great idea.
Providing views of Nairobi’s skyline, the bar seems like a great place to chill and hang out.
You can find the hotel restaurant menus here on the website.
The Spa at Glee Hotel Nairobi
As an avid spa attendee, I wasn’t expecting much from Revitalize Spa, the facility at Glee Nairobi, but I should have known better than to doubt this property.
Upon walking in, the aromatherapy touches immediately hit my nose, and the stunning decor continued in the spa’s waiting room.
I filled out a Client Intake Form, on which I highlighted the areas of my body that I wanted to focus on.
The spa room was very spacious, and I loved my massage.
I will say the rates for services are a bit higher than what I found local massage places and even spas inside other hotels charging, but it was worth it, and it was very convenient to be able to walk down the hall to the spa.
You can find the spa menu and prices here.
Planning Tip: Book any spa services at least one day before your desired date to ensure a masseuse is available.
I booked my first massage on a whim, and it worked out, but the second time I planned to book, there was not one available, so plan accordingly!
The Gym
Glee Nairobi has a small gym that allows guests to keep up with their workouts while on their getaway.
The gym features cardio machines and free weights, perfect for endurance and strength-training workouts.
One of the personal trainers gave me a brief tour of the gym and informed me that the trainers do complimentary personal training sessions with guests staying at the hotel, which I found to be an amazing benefit for guests.
Towels and water are also provided to guests.
Swimming Pool
Part of wellness at Glee Nairobi is enjoying a dip in the temperature-controlled outdoor pool, where guests can relax, unwind, and soak in the serene atmosphere.
What I loved most about the pool was the Pool Bar, which was placed within the swimming pool itself.
Here, drinks were served to guests right from the comfort of the waters.
It even has seats built around the bar’s perimeter, a great touch.
The Ruby Nightclub
As if there wasn’t already so much to look forward to with staying at this hotel, you can imagine my surprise when I found out there was a nightclub on the basement floor of the property.
While I did not have a night out as planned, I did pass through, and it’s gorgeous.
The club is a great place to meet up for drinks with some friends or a potential love interest.
The club is beautiful, well-decorated, and has a great vibe.
The DJ played great music, so it may be worth swinging by.
Skywalk
The onsite Skywalk is an elevated wooden walkway suspended above nature. It allows guests to walk above the ground while offering breathtaking views.
It was my first time seeing such a concept executed at a hotel, and I really liked it!
I took full advantage and took a walk on the Skywalk one morning.
Starting my day amidst nature with a cool breeze without having to leave the hotel grounds itself was priceless.
The Skywalk is a feature of the hotel that I found unique and well-executed.
Security at Glee Nairobi
I felt safe staying at Glee Nairobi, especially as a solo woman traveler.
I saw the hotel incorporate two safety features/aspects that are worth nothing in this review.
Metal Detectors
Glee Nairobi ensures the safety of its guests by utilizing walk-through metal detectors at the front entry point, along with bag detectors.
These detectors help screen individuals for prohibited objects, ensuring a secure environment without causing inconvenience.
Not only did I have to go through the detectors EVERY time I came back to the hotel, but they also did not discriminate between guests and non-guests and were adamant about making sure I was screened along with others, which I appreciated.
Cars are also searched before being allowed inside of the gate.
This tells me that they really prioritize security and have great training and procedures.
Restricted Floor Access and Seperate Hotel Room Areas
The restaurants and the spa are on different floors throughout the hotel, so if non-guests are visiting to utilize one of the establishments, it could pose a security issue, as I’ve seen with many other hotels.
However, at Glee Nairobi, the establishments are separated from the hotel rooms.
You need an activated key card that you have to scan before the door leading to other hotel rooms opens.
I greatly appreciated this, and it made me feel even more secure during my stay at the hotel.
Cons About the Hotel
As with my hotel reviews, I promise to be honest, which means sharing any downsides and positives.
I did encounter two minor inconveniences. They weren’t significant enough to impact my experience, but I still think they’re worth mentioning.
- The lack of privacy on the terrace
I loved the terrace room and felt that it was a great touch to the room. It was so nice getting outside and having direct access to fresh air.
However, there was no wall or form of separation between my area and the following few hotel rooms next door.
At one point, a man staying next door was pacing back and forth while on a phone call.
I did not feel threatened, and I don’t think it was out of malicious intent, as it’s a very open space.
They probably didn’t even think twice about the fact that someone could be inside, but that is the effect of the setup.
I would have loved for there to be more privacy and separation.
- The distance from my room to the main lobby
Because of the distance, it took me about 5 minutes to get from my hotel room to the main lobby.
The distance between having to take an elevator up, going through 2-3 sets of doors where I needed my activated key card, and walking down long halls was noticeable.
If I ever needed anything or had a question, I could call from my room, but there were a few times when I needed to go to the front desk, and it was always a journey to get there.
This is absolutely not a deal breaker, and the separation of the hotel rooms is also a pro in many ways, safety-wise, as explained above, but it was a bit inconvenient at times.
- The surrounding area
From what I observed, the hotel and surrounding area are not places where you can freely walk around.
My driver and friends from Kenya discouraged me from doing so as a visitor for safety reasons.
But more than that, it isn’t exactly walkable as it is on a busy road.
I did not really see anything within the area that I would want or need to walk to either.
Everything I did need was within the hotel so I didn’t need to, but if you are someone who likes to explore on foot and check out the local area, this hotel may not be the best choice for you.
Customer Service
The service I received while staying at the hotel was exceptional.
Whenever I asked for something, like a clothing iron or room service, I was always promptly provided with it and treated with a positive attitude.
When I had questions about the facility, restaurant opening times, etc., the staff always assisted me.
Whether it was someone taking the time to walk me to that hotel area or coordinating the logistics to make it happen, I always felt taken care of and valued as a guest.
One unforgettable moment was when I ordered room service, and one of the items I ordered was not included in the delivery.
I told the attendant that it was fine, and they returned later with that item, provided complimentary to make up for it. I thought this was very sweet since I was not at all upset and reassured them that it was okay, yet they were adamant about making it right.
Every night, I received turndown service, during which the housekeeping staff prepared the room for a restful night.
This included fluffing pillows, placing a fresh water bottle on my bedstand, prepping my sheets, and restocking my towel supply.
It was a thoughtful service I did not expect but appreciated.
The customer service exceeded my expectations.
Final Thoughts on Glee Nairobi
Overall, my stay at Glee Nairobi blew me away.
I am rarely impressed with hotels these days, but this was a refreshing stay, and I feel so proud that it met my standards as a traveler, especially since it is on the continent.
Upon booking, I had no idea this hotel was so new, but I found out during my stay, which impressed me even more.
The hotel is stunning at every turn, and every restaurant and establishment within its grounds is spacious and inviting for guests.
It’s clear to me that the execution of elements in the hotel was intentional and detail-oriented, as that shines through its ambiance and design.
I highly approve of the hotel, would book again, and would highly recommend this hotel to anyone traveling to Nairobi.
If there are any aspects of staying at Glee Nairobi that I did not cover in this review, please leave a comment below with your questions and I will get back to you!
If this review helped you choose Glee Nairobi, please book through my affiliate link on this website—it supports me in writing more detailed reviews like this!
