Outspan Hotel (Apr-Mid-Jul full board s/tw from US$ 98/130, mid mid-Jul-mar US$130/160)

Formerly part of a block this lovely property has new owners, who are keen to up the standard while maintaining the historical character. The standard rooms (15-21), with stone fire places and doors opening onto beautiful gardens have the most character. While modern deluxe rooms have cable TV, time is better spent on the gorgeous balconies.
Outspan is found the road to Aberdare Kiandongoro gate.

Aberdare Country Club
(low season full board s/tw US$ 87/172,high season US$162/230.

Surrounded by its own 500-hectare sanctuary east of Mweiga, this club sits a top a hill and proffers glorious views. Its new owners, Fairmont, plan on pumping millions into the place. The view and character should remain but the rooms and service will be truly first class. Plenty of wildlife and leisurely activities (golf, tennis, horse riding etc) are in order here. Temporary membership is Ksh 500 a day.

Allmendinger,s guesthouse

( p.o. box 926 Nyeri; full board s/tw US$98/138).

Just west of the Aberdare country club this comes highly recommended, although the road here can be difficult during the rains.

Prices include, walking, hiking and bird watching. Horse riding, gliding safaris and wildlife drives to surrounding parts and reserves can be arranged.

Places to Eat in Nyeri

Although Nyeri is basically chicken and chips den, there is still a good mix of cheap local eateries.

Green Oaks (Gakere Rd; meals Ksh 80-220) a local favorite with tasty curies and stews, a lovely bar and a great vantage point from the balcony

Raybells (Kimathi Way; meals Ksh 90-220) an excellent western style family restaurant and take away, serving everything from samosa to pizza.

Town View Caf (Kimathi way; meals Ksh 60-180) a small but welcoming option for traditional Kenya fare.

Impala Place Pub (kanisa road; lunch buffets Ksh 200; 12:30-4:00 pm Monday to Friday)
While aiming to please the business crowd, it should put a smile on your face.

Ibis Hotel (meals ksh145-245) within the hotels covered courtyard, a restaurant pumps out quality Kenyan dishes. It is not a bad option for breakfast.

Central Hotel (Kanisa Rd; meals Ksh 90-200) there is a pleasant outdoor option fronting this popular hotel.simple sandwiches,grild meat and savoury stews are on the menu.

Green Hill Hotel (Bishop Gatimu Rd;buffets ksh 550)touted as the top restaurant in town,the bottomless buffets are sure to leave you as full as an egg.

Bahati Bar and Restaurant (Kimathi Way;Chicken and Chips from ksh 150)when we asked to see the menu,staff stated we do Chicken and Chips need we say more.

Samrat supermarket (Off Kimathi way) the best top supermarket in town.

Drinking and entertainment
Slide into a posh hotel for a cold beverage and a slice of high life or wade into a rough-and-ready dive to shoot some stick-you pick. Local hotels provide happy middle ground.

Green Oaks (off Kimathi way) the friendliest local bar in town, usually with European football on the box.

Kirinyaga (Outspan Hotel) while located behind the posh hotels gates, this is actually reasonable and is separate from the hotels bar. It has a bonfire and traditional dancing on satuday night(

Zebra Sports Pub (Batian Grand Hotel,Gakere Rd)an up market self proclaimed spots bar)

Seven Stars (Off Kimathi Way) next to Green Oaks, this place is of the rowdy variety and is suitably messy.

White Rhino Hotel (Kenyatta Rd) the bar is the only reasonable remnant of this old hotel.look out for their ever popular reggae nights.

Getting to Nyeri and Away

The upper bus stand deals with big buses and sporadic matatus to most places while the lower stand houses local buses and a multitude of matatus heading in all directions. Some matatus are also found on Kimathi way. Matatu run to Nanyuki (khs100 1 hour), Nyahururu(Ksh 130,1 hrs),Thika (Ksh 200, 2 Hrs ),Nakuru(Ksh 250,2 hrs ) Nairobi (Ksh 250,2 hrs)and Eldoret(Ksh 400, 5 hrs.) Buses duplicate most of these lines; you may occasionally have to change at Karatina for Nairobi.

Robert is a tour consultant with landmark safaris in Kenya. Get to know what your experience is at these central Kenya mountain National Parks. http://www.landmarksafaris.com/planner