This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
Published on August 9, 2019, King'ori Wathobio's Le Pristine Hotel in Nyeri is a testament to the power of early retirement investment.
King'ori, a civil engineer who has lived in Nairobi for years, had a clear vision of a home nestled along hills and a well-forested neighborhood where he and his wife could relax and unwind in their retirement.
He envisioned a luxurious hotel that would become a preferred destination for city dwellers seeking to escape the chaos of urban towns, as well as tourists touring the Mt Kenya region.
After scouting for land in Nyeri town, King'ori fell in love with a homestead that belonged to a British colonial settler, James Ramsey Smith. The property featured a Victorian house with a clear view of Mt Kenya, built in 1930.
Despite years of neglect, King'ori saw the potential in the ancient and colonial-style house and began a long process of renovations, landscaping, and planting.
Today, the Le Pristine Hotel boasts a stunning garden with over 200 indigenous flowers and trees, including bougainvillea, roses, golden wattle, and lantana. The hotel's garden is a haven for nature lovers, with a Club House, Black Bar, Lounge, and two dining rooms.
King'ori's mission to preserve endangered plant species has been successful, with the hotel featuring a variety of indigenous flowers and trees. The hotel's expansive coffee plantations and Nyena hills provide a picturesque backdrop for the property.
Every furniture piece at the hotel is made of wood, blending seamlessly with the environment and giving it a rustic feel. The hotel's design is characteristic of the Victorian era, with a hipped roofline and multiple bay windows.
