It is less than a dozen days to Christmas. I have exhausted all my annual leave days… we’re in the tail end of the year and virtually everyone at work has shifted their normal programming to holiday mode. This means off days too are a rarity at this juncture… But for some strange, but really pleasant reason, I strike upon luck and get me a Friday off of work. As fate would have it though, there’s always somebody lurking on the other  side of your off day… just waiting to hook you up with some other plan you’d clearly not do voluntarily. So this past weekend, I just had to sneak out… dissolve… disappear, from anyone and everyone… because a girl’s got to have some ‘me-time’ some time.

Fidget no more! The Swan Place needs no Introduction

One would think that finding a place to hide away for a weekend within the city is a breeze… but strangely, it is nothing close to it. While juggling through posts on my blog, I stumbled upon my ‘introductory trip’ to The Swan Place, courtesy of my friend Meagan’s (from Kilifi NYE). I liked the place and had promised to book a stay with them.Without hesitation, I made a call to reserve a room for the weekend.

The Swan Place I

The Swan Place I, Sitting area.

One of the bedrooms.

The Swan Place I

Twin Residence: A home experience at The Swan Place II

Surprisingly, even with most hotels and airbnb’s reporting low to zero occupancy due to the prolonged political standoff in the country, The Swan Place was fully booked for that weekend and hence they had to refer me to their other space know as The Swan Place II, on King’ara Road, Nairobi,Kenya. I needed to finish a book by Adam Grant and to just have quality personal time. Being a light traveler, all I carried with me was my backpack and my camera… Just in case I get a Kodak moment.

I did not know what to expect on the other side, but the fact that both places are under the same management, I was pretty sure the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.Getting to the Swan Place from the Nairobi CBD was as easy as boarding any matatu plying the Ngong Road route and alighting just before the Junction. After about a three minutes walk down King’ara Road and turning left to King’ara close, I was at the gate. Security was tight in the premise, and shortly after I was shown to the place.

This was it! The magnetic allure of a homely staycation reeled me in so defenselessly like a fly to a drop of honey…

Peacefully private and elegantly beautiful: Home away from home

The one thing I loved most about The Swan Place II was its ambiance. We all have those books, assignments, proposals, moments and things we were want to do  in absolute seclusion and privacy, but can’t do them in our own shared spaces or homes probably because there’ll always be someone giving you ‘the look’… At the Swan Place, I enjoyed the serene privacy of my  room without a care. In fact, I can’t remember a single time when a call or knock at my door interrupted my weekend apart from scheduled house keeping.

What  stood out for me was the option to book my own solo room or the entire space and to make my own food any time I wanted. Given that I missed out on Ugali making classes, my moments with the phone-call-away chef was a good encouragement in my three days… What and where to eat while staying at swan should be least of anyone’s worry.  It is located at a vantage point on Ngong Road where anything and everything is accessible.

My short stay was the much needed breathe of fresh air.

Nothing beat the calmness, freshness and quiet of the place.Walking bare foot on the neatly polished wooden floors, the feel of the fluffy rugs in between my toes… reading my books at the carefully accessorized balcony…was all the rest I needed. Well, and the deserving glass of wine.

Interior decor…

A naturally well  lit space with a wall to wall and floor to roof sliding glass door is always highly welcomed.

The Swan Place II

A rustic wall clock, cascading wall hanging, potted succulent  plants, colour blocked seats pillows, coffee brown furniture and an expensive looking glass coffee table made the beautiful ensemble of Swan Place II living room.

The Swan Place II

The Swan Place II

Delicately hanged right behind the L-shaped seat is a rich art life size wall hanging that sharply but elegantly contrasted with the off white wall paint colour.

A distant rosy scent lingers softly in the house imbuing an inviting urge to stay longer.

The wooden floor of the house freshly glossed gives a playful reflection of everything on top of it tickling every cleans freak’s fantasy.

A six chair dining table to the left of the sitting area, was nothing short of appetite inducing with its strategic location right in front of the fully equipped kitchen.

The hallway doesn’t disappoint either, beautiful wall pieces carefully hang on either sides of the wall,and nice animal print painted flower vase thoughtfully placed at one corner at the furthest end of the hallway.

The bedrooms, all with white bedding and a little colour splash of orange sausage pillows, and fluffy white bedside rugs sums up the basic recipe for a good night sleep.

The Balcony

I knew there was something about the colour green, but it never occurred to me how calming and relaxing it made me feel. A perfectly installed turf grass, twin clay pots of a set of three aesthetic cypress tress and grey outdoor plastic woven seats made up my best hangout place of my weekend.

I could say so much about The Swan Place II, but like they say, seeing is believing. My very first blog about The Swan Place was in the eyes of a stranger… but now, I must admit, my undisturbed weekend was something to relive… If I’m lost, missing from your radar, you now know where to find me. In as much as a picture say a thousand words, nothing beats a first hand experience. Some experiences are meant to be seen, felt and touched!

Book your next stay there, then come tell me about it.

Call +254721997953 to reserve a date.