Luxury can come at a good price

Let’s face it; all too often, ‘affordable accommodation’ means your basic cookie-cutter hotel room or a property that has seen better days. But — surprise! — it can also mean a good hotel at a reasonable price. Who doesn’t want that?

That is the idea that came to fruition after six years of hard work and dedication. This dream came alive on January 7, when Whispering Hills Hotel in Embu opened its doors to the public.

 “We had a dream of setting up an award winning hotel with exceptional service at a reasonable price,” says Robert Ndwiga, the hotel manager.

The grass and the flowers in the garden are yet to mature, and the hotel manager says they are planning an outdoor bar in the garden for weekend revellers. But these on-going projects do not take away from the homely and wholesome feel of the place.

Nestled in the serene neighbourhood of Kangaru, four kilometres from Embu Town, Whispering Hills targets a specific niche.

“Our customers are those looking for affordable accommodation that doesn’t sacrifice ambience, top-notch service, and a homely feel. Our nightly rates are lower than the price of a low-cost mobile phone,” says Robert.

Rural setting

Even in a town known for room prices that won’t empty your wallet, this is an offer that’s hard to resist.

The hotel is set in a typical rural setting, surrounded by lush coffee bushes, blooming macadamia trees and towering bananas, despite being close to town.

One of the obvious advantages that the hotel has been keen to tap is the proximity to the newly opened Embu University College and the newly refurbished Government Training College.

Perhaps because of the proximity to the university college, the Kangaru area of Embu has become one of the most sought after suburbs in this county, as more people and businesses move away from the town centre.

To take advantage of the exodus, Whispering Hills has set up family outing packages for both locals and those who may wish to visit Embu for business or leisure.

“There are opportunities to rock climbing at the nearby Karue Hill, take a drive to the famous Seven Forks dams, walk along the beautiful village paths, visit tea and coffee plantations, and sample local hospitality,” says Robert.

The hotel has 24 rooms that feature floor-to-ceiling windows, elegant oriental details, and clean bathrooms. Its two conference rooms offer glimmering views of the rolling hills and lush groves surrounding the quiet neighbourhood.

As you drift off to sleep, all is silent, other than the chirping crickets, and it is hard to believe the Embu-Meru highway is so close by.

At dawn, soft light filters into the rooms as the sun rises, and serves as a gentle nudge out of the double poster bed with a warm duvet and six pillows. Weaverbirds join this wake-up call with their raucous, hard-to-ignore melodies.

True to the hotel’s statement, a night spent at Whispering Hills will long remain embedded in the memory of many a guest.

Photo: facebook/ Whispering Hills Embu