Unlike some of the new hotels I have visited since arriving in Nairobi, the Hotel La Mada has been around for many years. Located off of Thika Road not far from Safari Park Hotel, La Mada is set in lush gardens at the edge of a protected forest.

Also unlike the other hotels, this is a true feeling of being in Africa. There is a colonial era grandeur about it whilst at the same time an atmosphere that just feels comfortable. Monkeys frolic in the gardens, African music is quietly playing in the background and the staff seem eager to ensure you have a comfortable stay.

I booked one of the four executive suites which includes a very spacious sitting area perfect for welcoming visitors. A very comfortable queen bed in a separate room and a full bath with separate walk-in shower with plenty of space. The tiles are well grouted and the room was spotlessly clean. This suite is less money than the standard rooms at some of the city centre hotels and certainly is an exceptional value.

The standard rooms offer two single beds or one queen bed as well as television with satellite feed and full bathroom except there is no walk-in separate shower. These rooms have the stand in the tub showers.

There is free very good speed Internet wireless provided in the hotel. They did have a problem on the arrival day that this was not working because of a storm that had damaged their connection. But they worked hard to get it running the next morning and even called to let me know it was fixed.

I know this all sounds too good to be true and sadly there is a downside. The food service is inconsistent. Dinner on the Friday took over an hour to arrive and when it did arrive, the order was incomplete, wrong and one dish was so wrong that we could not eat it. The chef came out, apologised and replaced it with lamb cutlets and fries that were exceptional.

I had breakfast today with the executive chef and the F&B manager and discussed that they are going to look to making the menu simpler (there were so many things on the current menu) and mentioning items that can consistently be sourced so that the cooks can be trained to provide faster service. Also, it was the dilemma that there were only a few guests in the hotel so they had given the A-Team the day off. If there are groups in the hotel, they set out buffets for easier service.

With the promises that they will work to improve food service, I can very much recommend this hotel.

This place is certainly a nice, quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of central Nairobi but it's a fair distance outside the city so it would be difficult to call it a real Nairobi hotel. Quite small and intimate, the rooms are clean and cool with perhaps the most comfortable bed sheets I've ever slept under! The polished wooden floors are a little creaky but it's about the only noise you'll hear as the hotel is located in quite large grounds of tranquil greenery.

The restaurant is ok for a single night but stay any longer and you'll maybe crave somewhere else to dine and it is here that a problem arises. On a good night it will take 30-45 minutes to get into Nairobi proper thanks in part to the horrendous ongoing (Dec 2011) road works on the Thika Road.

Although listed as being on Thika Road, it's a couple of hundred metres off it and the signing is not great. Our taxi driver from the airport had some difficulty finding it so I'd suggest printing a map to help you get there.

LaMada is a sanctuary of serenity in the city it is like walking into a hidden sanctuary of country air natural beauty of natural springs, chapping birds with the elegance of five star hotel. Tastefully furnished, very comfortable rooms delicious meals and friendly staff.

Whether on business or on Holiday this is definitely the place to stay if your are looking for serenity within the city.