The Sarova Stanley Since 1902

The Sarova Stanley has had 3 owners and been renovated 3 times since its inception way back when Nairobi was little more than a Railway outpost sporting a few wood and tin buildings.

OWNERS
Mayence Bent was the original owner of what was then known as Stanley Hotel, which she started on Victoria Street (later Tom Mboya street) in1902. In 1905, she moved the hotel to larger premises on Government road (later Moi Avenue). In 1909,

Mayence and her new husband, Fred Tate whom she married a few years after her separation from her first husband, bought two corner sites located on Sixth Avenue and by 1913, the Tate's New Stanley opened on the hotel's present location.

The Block Family bought the hotel from Mayence Tate in 1947 although she still maintained financial interest. Her husband Fred had passed away in 1937, and much of Mayence's will to continue involving herself with the hotel's affairs and management was diminished with his death.

The Sarova Group bought it from Abraham Block and family in 1978.

RENOVATIONS
A major reconstruction and overall beautifying of the hotel took place in 1932 under the watchful eye of Fred and Mayence Tate.

In 1958 most of the hotel structure was demolished and rebuilt in line with Jack and 'Tubby'- Abraham Block's two sons - plans for massive improvements for the hotel.

After operating the hotel under the name The New Stanley for about 20 years, The Sarova Group undertook a massive rehabilitation worth about US$ 20 million in 1998/99. The management had resolved that the hotel would revert to its original name, The Sarova Stanley, and so it stands today.

The Sarova Stanley has 217 Individually air conditioned rooms in 8 floors.

All rooms have the following features:

• In-room safe 24 HR Room Service
• Non-smoking Floors and Rooms Wake-up Service
• Bath, Shower and WC
• Colour-Coded Rooms Security and Safety
• In-room safe Sprinkler Systems and smoke detectors
• Sound-Proofing (Double glazed Windows) Automatic Self Locking Doors
• Mains 220V Magnetic Strip Card Key System
• Mini-Bar, Refrigerator Security Guard on each floor

Deluxe Rooms

142 Deluxe Rooms (80 Doubles and 62 Twins)
Has all the amnenities listed above.

Club Rooms

32 Club Rooms (21 Doubles and 11 Twins)

• Has all the amnenities listed above
• Larger in Size (more space)
• Dressing Gowns and slippers (2 sets of each)
• Complimentary WELCOME Fruit Basket
  
  
  Executive Suites
  (16 Executive Suites)
• Features in addition to Deluxe room amenities
• Living Room and Bed Room, GUEST WC
• Dressing Gowns and slippers (2 sets of each)
• Complimentary WELCOME Fruit Basket, Daily Newspaper
• 2 TVs and 2 MiniBars, Extra Telephone Set
  
  
  Junior Suites
  (3 Junior Suites)
• Features in addition to Deluxe room amenities
• 2 Bed Rooms separated by a Living Room
• Dressing Gowns and Slippers (2 sets of each), Flowers
• Complimentary WELCOME Fruit Basket, Daily Newspaper
• 2 TVs and 2 Minibars, Extra Telephone
  
  
  State and Presidential Suites
• Two State Suites (Karen Blixen) & 1 Presidential Suite
• Features in addition to Deluxe room amenities
• Larger size of Bed Room and Living Room, Larger TV
• Bath Robes, Larger Soaps and Cotton Balls; Flowers
• Complimentary WELCOME Fruit Basket, Daily Newspaper
• BODY GUARD ROOM IN Presidential Suite
  
  The Penthouse Suite
• 1 Penthouse Suite on top-most floor of the Hotel
• Features in addition to Deluxe room amenities
• Spacious Living Room and Bed Room
• Out door Terrace
  

The Thorn Tree Restaurant

An open-air pavement brasserie/bistro-style café with & an excellent patisserie range. The Historic cafe gaurds The Sarova Stanley's entrance and has the world's famous Messenger- an acacia xanthophidea, whose message-board has formed the centrepiece of the legendary Thorn Tree Café since 1959.

Although the café is now on its third acacia, the messages keep flowing from the café and the atmosphere of Africa's best known meeting place is still as warm and welcoming as it was in those early days.

Thai Chi Restaurant

One of the city's most elegant dining establishments, The Thai Chi Restaurant at The Sarova Stanley, boasts the finest in authentic Thai cuisine.
Situated opposite the Exchange Bar on the first floor, The Thai Chi is a small piece of Thailand in Nairobi.

Modern day Thai cuisine has an ancient history. As early as the thirteenth-century, the Thai people had established what might be considered the heart of Siamese cuisine as we know it today.
Even today, Thailand is a nation obsessed with food. When Thais meet, it is common to greet each other with the question "Where are you going?" quickly followed by "Have you eaten?" This passion for food and a willingness to experiment are the key reasons that Thai cuisine is widely regarded as the finest in the world.

The Exchange Bar History

The past comes to life at the Exchange bar, where the Nairobi stock exchange operated for 37 years after its official launch in 1954. The Exchange bar has become the preferred networking venue with a refined ambiance set in early 19th century decor.

Currently the hotel has introduced a “ Wall of Fame” in the Exchange Bar. This is a collection of photographs depicting Chairmen of the top twenty companies Nairobi Stock Exchange. This ensures The Sarova Stanley keeps a foothold on Nairobi’s business clientele.