Forget naivasha and the Coast, This We Have to Come to Find Out is where all the Big Shots go For Their Weekend Getaways

So how do you spend your holiday like the celebrity you are? How do you dedicate your time to go on a weekend getaway that will definitely make a difference? And I’m not talking about drinking sprees in Naivasha, family outings in Nakuru and random acts of debauchery in Machakos.

I’m talking about something that will leave a lasting impression, something out of the box and something that will leave some extra change in your pocket; Christmas is just around the corner you know. That’s the question I was battling with when we were sitting in the house last weekend with my girl and she kept on complaining how she was feeling kinda bored.

Now you don’t mess with a woman who is bored, especially one with the cojones to blatantly state it. And since I have no intentions of spending Christmas with my left hand, I had to think quickly and consider I only had a couple of thousands in my pocket.

That’s when something hit me; an old friend had landed a marketing Manager position in some establishment somewhere in the confines of Limuru. She referred to it as Brackenhurst and going by the various photos she shared on her social media, it proved to be quite the ideal destination with picturesque views and rich history.

Plus paying her a courtesy call wouldn’t be that bad…maybe she would even consider giving me a discount. So I pick up my call and give her a shout out;

Me: Hey Winnie, it’s been a minute…

Her: *very excited* Hey you, yeah…it has been….how are you?

Me: I’m alright, pressure ya kazi tu…thinking of taking a break early this year actually

Her: I get you, it can get crazy…as a matter of fact…how about you start this weekend….there is this place, where I work nowadays, you know the one I have been telling you about. I swear you’ll love it…it’s only like 45 minutes from town…..I’ll give you a huge discount…

Me: *chuckles* that’s what I was calling about by the way…bibi and I are kind of bored…so Brackenhurst you said? Somewhere before Limuru?

Her: *even more excited* Yes yes….If you start now…you might be in for lunch and they are serving lasagna….trust me you might want to taste that….

Me: Will be there in the next hour……

45 minutes later I make my entry to what you would mistake for a royal castle with majestic trees and very courteous guards. I guess that’s where you start telling the place is going to be hospitable, when the security goes as much to ask you how your drive was.

Le babe is already getting excited after seeing all the rustic buildings which I later came to learn have been in existence for the last 60 years. At the reception I’m met upon by Mike who is pretty much pleased to see us. The reception is a blend of old and modern forms of art with well arranged furniture which welcomes you to a world of relaxation and absolute bliss.

Mike being the nice chap he offers to take us to our rooms and as we make our way in the well manicured green fields I decide to ask him something very fascinating about Brackenhurst; apart from the white people of course. He tells me the connections he has managed to attain in his tenure and the pleasant working conditions. He talked about something Brackenhurst being one huge family.

Very modest I assumed….but maybe it was cold quiet breeze and the birds chirping that got him all confused; it’s a bit hard to talk ill of anyone with that kind of environment as your habitat. Just out of curiosity I asked him who he had managed to meet in the course of his work and he mentioned Chris Kirwa the PR Guru. He mentioned something about Kirwa leaving a lasting impression and I was happy for him.

He was now opening the door to our room where he courteously ushered in but not before reminding me to say hi to Sue, my pretty colleague. Fair enough I said right before jumping on the big bed with a gazillion cushions. It was surely going to be one of those weekends.

No television, no music and no disturbance; just you and nature spending some quality time. I’m telling you this place leaves your nerves feeling all chill and your mind calmer. The birds chirping hidden away in the myriad of trees also goes along away to initiate that much needed holiday feel.

Trust me it even ignites some spark in your relationship and makes your significant other appear different. I could have sworn my girlfriend looked more beautiful, livelier while we were there. I think she even swayed her hips more and made a lot of suggestions with her voice if you know what I mean……

Unfortunately I missed lunch but Winnie assured me there would be more lasagna for me during dinner which is served from 6.30 PM to around 8 PM. So as we sat there in the magnificent dining room with aureate lighting and post modern art pieces and enjoying a scrumptious meal prepared by one Omondi Joseph Omondi I ask Winnie what is so special about the place.

“What in the hell would make you leave all the drama and adrenaline you were accustomed to in Kaymu and settle for this?” I asked her…And don’t mention the hefty pay cheque I bet you are probably getting. * The whole table falls into laughter*

“Well, the people” she says. “What do you mean people?” My girlfriend prods. They all look pretty normal to us… “Or do they sing sweet bedtime songs for you at night?” Asks Salim, Ghafla’s social media strategist and videographer who also accompanied us on the trip. * More laughter* I’m telling you the place even makes you laugh more.

She goes ahead to state how the staff there is friendly and how they are insistent on being a family. How the well being of their guests is their top priority and how they are generally nice people. Explains something about the guards and Michael we all attest. This we concluded was derived from the fact that Brackenhurst was initially a church haven having been inhibited by the Baptist church.

Though they no longer form the core of the establishment, the hotel borrowed quite a lot in terms of treating people well and ensuring they have a good time. And a good time we were having despite the fact that they don’t sell alcohol. Again something about upholding the traditions of the church; a bit of a buzz kill but what gives….the whole point of making out down there was to enjoy a unique experience.

“Now that you don’t sell alcohol, how do you ensure that your guests are having a time of their life?” I asked. Winnie went on and on for another 30 minutes as to why the place is the absolute haven and I could have sworn she was now just bragging.

Now just to try and remember….we don’t want her feeling all sweet and all…..she said something about a botanical garden which I must say is an absolute wonder having being the home of more than 400 indigenous trees. Trust me you can’t find that anywhere else. There is also team building activities for all corporates and a little something for couples who are looking to enjoy sometime away from all the hustle and bustle.

Family fun days are also pretty much something to look forward to at Brackenhurst Hotel and Conferences as there are always games and activities for the kids and lots of delicacies to try out in the process. Make sure to carry some banana bread for the kids and you can be lest assured they will remember you forever.  As for people looking to hold conferences, they have fantastic offers as well.

I spent one night there and surely my December had been made…and ooh did I say their lasagna is great?