Ngong House Nairobi is a private guest house, serene and luxurious home stay situated in Karen / Langata area of Nairobi. The Ngong House Lodge overlooks the Ngong Hills, only a few minutes away from what used to be Karen Blixen’s coffee farm. Ngong House Hotel is secluded in 10 acres of private land; it is close to Nairobi National Park, 30 to 40 minutes from Nairobi International Airport, 15 minutes from Wilson airport (where all fly safaris in Kenya depart from) and 20 minutes from the city center. Your host Paul Verleysen, a Belgian hotelier, moved to Africa in 1970. He has worked in Congo, Rwanda, Ivory Coast and finally Kenya where he opted to leave the diplomatic service, then bought a hunter’s private home and transformed it into Gust House.

Ngong House Nairobi is a small Guest House hotel, catering for only 16 people, on the outskirts of Nairobi. Kenya is a liberal place, and more than a decade of not having to compromise too much has helped him create an original home from home for those about to begin a great holiday adventure. Having the fashion designer, Penny Winter, as a wife helps too: they've both added a definitive sense of style around the place, as do the giant Ridgeback dogs which, like most of the décor and accessories, make bold statements. At sunset you can sit out round an open fire in the overgrown garden, and get a taste of what you have to come on Kenya safari. Standards of service at Ngong House and catering are excellent in an obviously personal way.

The ultimate in deluxe lodge offers an intimate and romantic atmosphere. (Check-out time is strictly adhered to, to ensure in coming guests full-privacy and space). Built entirely from wood the treehouses are on two levels with a bedroom area upstairs and a living area on the lower floor. They are raised 15 ft from the ground to gain an uninterrupted view of the Ngong Hills over unspoiled bush. They have grass roofs made in the traditional Africa way and are designed with extreme comfort in mind, yet the interiors have a decidedly rustic feel. The talents of regional artists and artisans add many of the finishing touches, such as hand woven rugs, bedcovers, lamps and stained glass.

Large four poster beds grace the upper-level bedroom area, promising a luxurious nights sleep.  On the lower level there is a comfortable sitting area and a dining table enabling honeymooners to be served a four course, candle lit dinner in the intimacy of their tree house. Each tree house represents the ultimate in exclusive accommodation. Decorated with beautiful paintings and objects d'art, the sitting room is centered on a fireplace with comfortable sofas and chairs in which to relax. There is also an intimate dining area, and a fully stocked bar, all entirely at your disposal. At the back of the Ngong House Hotel is a spacious bathroom with a shower and twin sinks.
Ngong House lies on the land once cultivated as Karen Blixen's coffee estate. Paul Verleysen, the charming owner, had the concept of a private home that would also offer exclusive and personalised service to a small number of guests. Germane to the concept was that the accommodation would be original, would fit seamlessly within the landscape, would utilise indigenous materials and styles, and would benefit from Paul's engineering skills. His creation complies perfectly with the self-imposed brief and, in addition, offers the ultimate luxuries of space, light and true style.

Accommodation comprises five wooden houses raised on stilts with peerless views of the misty Ngong Hills and the surrounding countryside. There is also a further bedroom within the attractive original house. The furnishings and decorative artifacts are, with very few exceptions, resolutely sourced within Africa, and primarily Kenya. The furniture may be constructed from camphorwood, which mellows to a rich dark patina with age, or perhaps, romantically, made from hardwood sleepers from the old Mombassa-Nairobi Railway. Each "tree-house" has its own spirit and ambience. The beautifully intricate hand-carved furniture of Lamu features in one, whereas another features a clear and tranquil blue combined with the strong lines of wrought iron pieces. Generous four-poster beds grace the upper-level bedrooms, crisp cottons and feather pillows promise a luxurious nights sleep. On the lower level the spacious living area has a large sofa to sink into, comfy chairs and an intimate dining area. The verandah is the ideal place from which to bask in the sun, take afternoon tea, observe the teeming birdlife or gaze into the sunset.

The cuisine at Ngong house is of the highest quality, imaginatively prepared using mouth-wateringly fresh ingredients. Meals, hosted by Paul or his son, Christof, may be served in the elegant dining room, under the shady trees, or in the covered yet open-sided dining area in the gardens in which a roaring fire is lit on chillier evenings. Enormous care is taken with presentation; flowers, hand-made glasses and beautiful plates with rich glazes glow by the soft light of many candles. Ngong House is truly inspirational.

Most travelers think of Nairobi as a quick stop-off on their way to the safari lodges, but the elegant Ngong House could make the city a destination in its own right. Its five luxurious tree houses are the main attraction, beaded throw pillows, tribal rugs, stained glass windows made from recycled bottles that give Ngong its quirky charm. For families, the rustic log cabin is a good option (it sleeps six), but you'll have a hard time keeping the kids away from those tree houses. Game drives into the neighboring park will whet your appetite for safari, though you'll probably want to save your energy for the Masai Mara. Spend some time around the dinner table instead, where the Belgian-inspired cuisine has made Ngong House's restaurant a fixture on the Nairobi dining scene. It's not uncommon for local sophisticates to pop in for dinner or curl up with a glass of wine by the lodge's stone fireplace.

Ngong House is truly a unique experience. Although you will be staying in 'treehouses' you will enjoy a very high degree of luxury. Confidence is important in good hotels and the best inspire confidence in the guests too. Ngong House Nairobi does this. It's strong, original and independent.  Ngong House is a small hotel, catering for only 16 people, and managed by one man. Kenya is a liberal place, and more than a decade of not having to compromise too much has helped him create an original home from home for those about to begin a great adventure.

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