There are as many as nine Kenyan hospitality gems among the 644 international properties honored at the 16th World Luxury Hotel Awards, held last Saturday, October 22, in Ankara, Turkey.
The 2022 edition awarded the Fairmont Le Chateau de Frontenac in Quebec, Canada, a historic chateau with spectacular lake views, as the best luxury resort. Globally, Africa placed seven pearls, five in South Africa, and one each in Namibia and Madagascar (six in all, however, went to Italian luxury facilities).
On the African continent, however, Kenya's presence made itself felt, with nine awards, and Malindi also played its part with the award recognized to Italy's The Lawford, as "Historic Luxury Hotel." The property, which stands in the center of the town, was in fact the first hotel built on the shores of the Indian Ocean on Kenya's north coast in 1934 by Commander Thomas G. Lawford of the British Army in the service of Her Majesty the Queen of England, before "donning the tricolor."
The other Kenyan awards in the World Luxury Hotel Awards, at the continental level, went to the Silver Palm Spa & Resort in Kilifi, as the best Luxury Boutique Resort; Royal Tulip Canaan in Nairobi, in the "Luxury Business Hotel" category; and Al Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport, as the best hotel within an airport, Enashipai Resort & SPA as Luxury Spa Resort, The Mayan in Laikipia (Luxury Eco Villa), The Sarova Panafric (Luxury Banquet and Event Hotel), Lewa Wildlife Conservancy's Sirikoi (Luxury Eco Safari Lodge) and finally Villa Kalista in Diani, in the Luxury Villa Resort category. Needless to say, a tour of these nine Kenyan jewels would cost half a fortune, but one by one, for those who can afford them and frequent this wonderful part of Africa, they can also be tackled. It costs nothing to dream!