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Quirky glamping in a double-decker bus
The Brandy Bus before (left), the sleeping area inside the bus after renovation (right). PHOTOS | DIANA NGILA
In Nairobi’s Karen woodsy area, sits a vintage double-decker bus transformed into a cosy hotel.
The Brandy Bus is no doubt one of the most unique accommodations in Nairobi. It is not your normal five-star hotel with gourmet servings and rare whisky with a waiter on beck-and-call. It is simplistic, rustic, wild, exclusive but gives one a unique experience away from the usual beach, tented bush camps or formal hotels.
Adventure sometimes involves cooking for yourselves simple meals, enjoying them at the patio with family or friends or sitting by the fire place in a quirky, romantic, fun place.
For Brandy Bus, owned by Karen Fraser, the fun is in listening to music in the background, enjoying the scents of wild flowers, listening to birds hum and living like a nomad.
It is a place you visit when you want to escape from the chaos of the city or work or business life and retreat into utmost tranquillity.
Children can also be thrilled by the quirkiness of staying in a bus and swimming in a woodsy area.
Karen says the renovated bus—listed on AirBnB, the online homestay network that enables people to rent lodging in residential areas — is busiest during weekends.
Popularity
By Wednesday, cost per night was at Sh8,000 ($80), almost double the price listed at the beginning.
The change in pricing is mainly attributable to Brandy Bus’ growing popularity and the start of the holiday season. The place is mainly frequented by foreign and local tourists in equal measure.
“I think people enjoy how unusual it is, it’s not just somewhere to sleep, it’s an experience. It is a tranquil and relaxing place to go, not a party place. I hoped people would love the idea but the reaction has been ever better than I imagined,” she said.
The Brandy Bus began welcoming guests about three months ago after a long journey of renovating the once dead living space. Karen says she got the idea while in the UK.
“I saw a programme in UK called “George Clark’s Amazing Spaces” and loved the idea of converting something old into something new and unusual. The bus came from a friend’s grandfather’s house,” she said.
It took three months to renovate the bus from its original state to a space that now accommodates more than six people a night. The upper cabin has two mid-sized beds that are both partitioned by a thick rug and a shelf while the two long couches on the lower cabin can be turned to seats during day time or beds at night.
In the lower cabin, next to the long couches is a fully-fitted kitchen which has a cooking stove, utensils, kitchen appliances, a sink and enough space to allow food preparation. Laundry, cleaning and cooking at the facility can also be arranged at an extra cost.
The interior space is a blend of different cultures and Karen has sourced the accessories from various parts of the world like Mexico, during her travels.
The double-decker bus also has a bathroom and restroom.
Explore
The best thing about the facility is that a person is not confined as one can wander around to explore the surrounding. There is a tennis court at the far end of the compound.
There are three other residential houses set up in the vast compound but rarely will you see a person at a close range. The big, mature trees in the compound make it difficult for another person to snoop.
The home is near The Karen Blixen Museum, David Sheldrick Wildlife, Nairobi National Park, and Giraffe centre, bars and hotels for those who don’t fancy self-catering.
