· Open -

The manor was built in 1932 and was based on a Scottish Hunting Lodge

In 1984 it was opened as a small hostel

2011 the Garden Manor was added

· 1st Owner -

Sir David Duncan had the Manor built in the first place - he was a member of the Mackintosh family famous for Mackintosh Toffee

Rick Anderson (Betty the Giraffe Lady's son) and his wife Bryony were the ones who turned it into a hotel in 1984.

· AKA -

The Giraffe Hotel in Africa

· Stars - *****

· Guests -

Naomi Watts / Mick Jagger / Brooke Shields / Ellen de Generes

· History -

The first owner sold the property in 1960.

The second owner leased it out and let it fall into disrepair. Originally the property was 150 acres but this sale only included 15 acres.

The third owner bought it in 1974 and extended the property back out to 115 acres. 3 giraffes were already on the property (Tom, Dick and Harry) and they acquired a few more. They were responsible for the conservation of the Rothchild's Giraffes which were close on extinction.

Tanya and Mickey Carr-Hartley bought the hotel in 2009 and doubled the size by adding the Garden Manor in 2011

· Signature -

Breakfast with giraffes

· Rooms -

10 rooms + 2 suites in old and new manors and 3 staff for each guest @ US$1,375 to US$3,000 (for 2 adults + 2 children) includes all meals, house drinks, laundry and entrance into the AFEW Giraffe Centre.

· Tales -

The mother of Jock Leslie-Melville the third owner was a friend of Karen Blixen who wrote out of Africa.

Jock's wife Betty was known as the "Giraffe Lady". She started the giraffe breeding program.

Marlon the female giraffe was named after their friend Marlon Brando.

· Claim to Fame -

One of the most instagrammed properties in the World

· Innovations -

Giraffe friendly windows

Wild animal figurines on the chessboard

· Feature -

Each giraffe has a name and their own distict personality

· View -

Giraffes and a giraffe sanctuary

· High Tea -

On the terrace as the sun sets. Homemade cookies, cakes, scones, sandwiches and fruit platters. Share it with your new friends - the giraffes. - FREE

· Facilities -

Croquet and boules

Spa Treatments - massage, beauty

· Unique -

A herd of Rothschild's giraffes in residence

· Restaurants -

All meals included in room rate.

Breakfast - Fresh fruit to full cooked

Lunch and Dinner - 3 course set menu - African and International dishes - gourmet dining at one of Nairobi's finest restaurants

Romantic private candlelit dinner in the Orchid House

· Bars -

All you can drink house spirits, wine (good South African wines), beer. Extra for champagne and high end spirits.

Have a whisky by the fireplace

· Tips -

6 of the 12 rooms need to be booked in combination with one of their other properties. Also it's a very popular hotel so book a long way in advance. They can be booked out from 9 months to 2 years in advance.

Get to breakfast when it opens

Try to get a giraffe accessible room - second floor with a balcony

It is close to Nairobi and would make a great start or finish point to a safari or other trip to Kenya.

· Souvenirs -

Visit the Art Galleries / nearby curio markets for local arts, crafts and homeware

· Sights -

AFEW Giraffe Centre

Adopt and meet a baby elephant

Karen Blixen Museum - farmhouse of the author of Out of Africa

Bomas of Kenya - Cultural Village

National Museum & botanical gardens

Nairobi National Park

Horseriding / Bird Watching / Hot Air Balloon / Camel Treks

Local village visits

· Extra -

They own 4 luxury safari camps and lodges and you can buy packages to spend some time in different ones

Click here to have a look