UNPLANNED AND AMAZING

Unplanned trips end up being the best and most memorable. It’s a Friday morning and I could not imagine spending the weekend in the house. Quite boring to be indoors. I have been working from home – meaning I’m indoors all week. I search for weekend staycations around Lake Elementaita and the list is endless. I add ‘outstanding’ on the search box and Lake Elementaita Mountain Lodge comes up. It is a luxurious lodge situated off the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway. What stands out for me is the that lodge offers stunning panoramic views of the lake and the Great Rift Valley. I immediately call the line on the website to check on the availability of the room. I call my friend who agrees that we make the reservation. I am not quite sure what has come into me but that was fast.

Booking – done! I smile at myself. We will just be there for 1 night. We decide to meet in town at 7pm for the trip. I then continue working and by around midday, I start packing my bags ready to leave that night. I do not need a lot of bags, one is enough with the essentials of the night and the next day spend. After packing, it’s already 5pm, I leave the house and head to our meeting point. I get to Nairobi in like 45 minutes and wait for my friend who arrives in five minutes. We get in one of the vehicles at the terminus and it full in minutes. We leave the CBD at around 7.20pm and we drive so fast, I am not so sure about the directions to the hotel. I ask the driver who guides us and we get to Elementaita where we alight. Get a bike to the hotel and we arrive at around 11pm.

The hotel from the gateman to the security welcome us very well. We check in the hotel and head straight to our room. We request for our dinner warmed and brought to our room, we take a quick room tour and our dinner is brought to the room, I later get to the shower. It is so warm, I feel relaxed after the shower and we begin to take our dinner. Then lie lazily on the bed as we scroll our phones, chat about the day and sleep unawares.

Lake Elementaita Mountain Lodge is set at the top of a mountain and has a variety of amenities including an outdoor solar-heated pool, a spa, and various dining options that cater to different dietary needs. Accommodation at the lodge is designed to provide comfort and luxury, featuring rooms with private balconies, hot tubs, and some with fully equipped kitchens. The lodge is ideal for both leisure and business travelers, offering facilities for conferences and various outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking.

Dining options at the lodge include a restaurant serving African, American, and Chinese cuisines, with vegetarian, halal, and gluten-free options available. The lodge is a popular choice for couples, families, and solo travelers looking for a tranquil and scenic getaway

The next morning, we are awoken by my alarm, roll out of bed to the balcony where our eyes are caught by breathtaking views of Lake Elementaita from a far. All rooms have clear views of the landscape. What a relaxing morning, we take a shower one after the other and head for breakfast. Oh my, the staff are so friendly. We serve our breakfast and seat all across the restaurant and enjoy the sumptuous meal.

After breakfast we head to the swimming pool, which is built overlooking the lake Elementaita, with great infinity views. The water is cold but we still dive in to enjoy the early morning. We play some water games and dances in water. We enjoy the cold water until the sun is out. After few hours we are tired and it’s already midday. We head for lunch, that is served in the restaurant – the lighting, music and décor sets the mood for the dining experience.

The lunch is a delightful experience that showcases the best of Kenyan and International cuisine. The chefs use the freshest ingredients from the lodge own kitchen garden. We enjoyed the lunch and it’s time for cake cutting for the September Babies – surprise organized by the hotel. As we cut the cut and sing along, it starts raining and we remain calm in the restaurant. Seems like a sign of blessings, we have 3 ladies and 2 gentlemen who are cutting the cake. We enjoy the pina colada flavored cake.

We relax at the restaurant chatting and after a few minutes, we check out of the hotel. Request for a vehicle to pick us that arrives in 20 minutes. We had our luggage packed after breakfast and when the car arrives we put the luggage inside. Ready to start our journey back.

The drive is scenic with music from the vehicle – some R&B playing and we sing along. After 2hours we are already back. It was an amazing weekend getaway.