Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp

Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp in Kenya is less than a year old, and is just lovely. The staff could not be nicer.

The meals are excellent and beautifully presented.

The pool is nice, but chilly. The spa is small but I got a facial. The gift shop has some different things from the norm.

The Lake itself is not really as nice as the other ones on either side of it, but the birds around the property and on the lake are beautiful.

I can't tell you how nice the "tents" are. Easy weekend stay from Nairobi.

It's hard to complain about the Serena Lake Elmentaita. The huge tented rooms are immaculate, comfortable and well appointed.

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Four poster beds with good reading lights, a comfortable veranda overlooking the bush towards the lake, a large shower built for two, lots of storage and all the right amenities.

The food was some of the best we've had in Kenya -with multi-course meals - very tasty soups and perfectly cooked meats, a nice variety of options, all served fresh and with attentive service.

The disappointment was that the hotel is about 300 meters from the lake, and there is no access - except by paying $30 per person for a guided walk.

From the hotel's distance, Lake Elmentaita looks very inviting - mist rising in the morning, cliffs above the nearby shoreline, pelicans said to be breeding on the rocks.

But there is no chance to go walking by its shorelines or sit quiety on the banks. In fact, the hotel grounds felt a little clustered- I had hoped to go running on the dirt roads, but it is prohibited.

Of course, this is for one's one security - as buffalo roam these woods. But we thought the hotel could have a (perhaps elevated?) walkway to the water's edge, or just a guard to accompany guests to get a fresh breath of the lake air.

Bottom line is that if you are an activity seeker, this might not be your kind of place. But if you are looking for a quiet place to relaxe, this is it.