Crystal Okusa

Set on a 14-acre piece of land, the old English styled enterprise located at the backyard of Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club in the leafy outskirts of Nairobi is arguably the only one of its kind with a complete modern suburb.

Despite it being located near the Kamiti-Kiambu by-pass that joins Runda and Ruaraka, security is not in question thanks to high resolution cameras along the entire fence. In addition, there are armed police with dog patrols, and electric remote control gates for every private house with GPRS census to enhance the security.

The project is not only architecturally on the first lane but also has the environment as its first priority. A full sewage treatment plant starts from the main sewer point situated at the far end of the complex. Waste water is recycled and treated then pumped back to the facility to water the gardens.

Windsor Park has embraced the ICT fibre optic connection and it runs throughout the luxuriously designed and furnished complex. The wiring for the complex is through conduits situated underneath the sidewalks.

With the need to save electricity, Windsor Park has high-powered solar panels that supply light and heat in the houses up to whatever degree suitable for the owner. In case of shortage, one can connect to ordinary electricity.

A guest enjoys hairdressing services at the salon.

An automatic generator has also been structured to kick in automatically in case of a power outage. Outside the house, an underground tank with a capacity of about 10,000 litres stores rainwater directed through the roof gutters. A fully equipped laundry room, an inbuilt barbecue, comfortable detachable lounging sofas and straight back chairs are found at the back yard of the house.

The three-bedroom houses are fully furnished. An extra guest room has a different door. Exotic installations include a fully fitted Turkish kitchen with gas cookers and crockery.

Community setup

The bathrooms are elegantly designed with modern toilets, jet-fitted Jacuzzi bathtubs, fitted shaving sockets and a hair drier.

All bedrooms have smoke detectors and panic buttons, all ducted in case there is need to fix an air conditioner. Master bedrooms have fire blanket curtains, which also act as noise and light absorbers.

The bedrooms also have walk-in closets with huge fitted wardrobes on both sides of the walls.

The Park is designed with a community setup in mind and hence necessary facilities such as a gym, swimming pool, shopping mall, car wash, club house, bar and restaurant are within reach.

From the Park, we passed by Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club, a green haven of clustered tall Victorian style buildings comprising 130 deluxe rooms (twins and doubles), studio suites and cottages overlooking the spectacular 18-hole golf course.

Old English castle

We took a drive round the neatly manicured golf course in golf carts and enjoyed the scenery. We also played with monkeys running across the tiny garden ponds where wedding parties are often hosted. Deeper into the Karura Forest is a picnic site for those who love nature and the outdoors.

Inside one of the double rooms. [PHOTOS: /STANDARD]

The hotel supplies food and beverages to guests.

Everything about the hotel depicts an old English castle. From the library to the restaurants, everything is nestled between huge high windows covered with floor sweeping curtains, giving a cool feel.

The hotel’s restaurants boast a touch of Victorian style and a unique dÈcor.

An Olympic-size swimming pool is at the terrace near the outside bar and restaurant. Guests can swim comfortably without worrying about their hair as a salon is right next to the pool.

For fitness enthusiasts, a high-tech gym is available.

About Windsor Hotel

Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club is located 8km from the city centre.

It has a prime 18-hole golf course. Charges for enthusiasts are are $65 (Sh4,875) on weekdays and $75 (Sh5,625) on the weekends.

The hotel offers free shuttle services to and from the city centre for its guests.

For those interested in bird watching, a morning and evening walk to observe over 225 bird species is available.

Indoor and outdoor games such as tennis, squash and driving ranges are available for guests.

Rates for East African residents are Sh12, 300 for single rooms, Sh15,500 for double rooms and Sh21,200 for studio suites. There are 40 standard rooms and ten studio suites.

Two-bedroom cottages go for Sh29,400. There are seven cottages in the South Wing and eight cottages in the North Wing.

Guests can enjoy the view and the cool breeze from the forest while seated outside their rooms in comfortable chairs and beds.

All rates come with free use of the gym.

Children aged 3-12 and sharing with parents are charged 50 per cent of the room charge.

For the business community, there are several ideal meeting rooms.