Fairmont The Norfolk welcomes 24 days of hope for festivities

Fairmont on Thursday held a lighting ceremony at the Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi to welcome 24 days of hope.

The facility run by French hospitality giant Accor held a grand opening for the festive season as it marked the start of the season.

Fairmont Hotels Kenya General Manager Mehdi Morad said that this is the first festive season, in three years, since they had all three of their hotels up and running, ready for guests.

“The festive season is important to Kenyans as much as it is important to us. However, this one is important as it is extremely important,” Morad said.

“We have prepared 24 days of celebrations to mark the real start of Fairmont hotels."

Norfolk which has been in operation for 116 years had closed indefinitely, citing the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on business after the first case was announced in Kenya on March 13, 2020.

The notable landmark dating back to 1904 has often played a pivotal role in Kenya’s historical legacy, notably as the town and the modern city of Nairobi grew around the property.

The three Fairmont facilities have however resumed operations since.

“During the pandemic, some of the Norfolk hotels closed but now everything is opened and we are extremely delighted,” Morad said.

“We came out of the pandemic and now we are facing a lot of problems around the world. We don’t want to think of any of this. Now it is all about hope, enthusiasm, happiness, and celebrations.”

Morad also said that Fairmont Norfolk, Fairmont Mara Safari Club and Fairmont Mt Kenya Safari Club have prepared different programs to mark the 24 days of celebration

“For example, we will have 24 cocktails, one cocktail per day, in the three properties to celebrate on a daily basis,” Morad said.

He said that Fairmont is looking to open the first-ever famous Norfolk branch on December 25, 2022.

“We will also open another one on January 1, 2023, all here at Norfolk,” Morad added.

At the Fairmont Mt Kenya Safari Club, Morad said that they have opened a new concept that is by the river, in the forest and a lot of celebrations are expected to take place there.

“For the Fairmont Mara Safari Club, it is going to be a Christmas in the wild,” he said.

“We are already back in business and we are stronger than the pre-pandemic period.”

Morad said that the Fairmont Mt Kenya Safari Club is almost fully booked for Christmas and New Year, the Fairmont Mara Safari Club is completely booked and the Fairmont Norfolk hotel is almost fully booked as well.