The Pelican Lodge

This was the worst lodge we’ve stayed at, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. The rooms were very dirty and stuffy, as if they hadn’t been cleaned in months. We couldn’t sleep there with the kids. The receptionist was rude and unwelcoming, didn’t seem interested in talking to us, and provided very poor service. Since we hadn’t used any amenities, we asked for a refund, but she rudely refused. She also wouldn’t let us speak to the manager. We still haven’t received our refund.

We couldn’t stay another minute with the children. The rooms smelled bad, the bedding was worn out, the bathrooms were sticky and dirty, and the shower didn’t work. There was no life in the lodge when we arrived, and the reception was awful. Violet at the front desk had such a bad attitude that she made our arrival regrettable. Getting there took some effort because I got lost following the map. I called the hotel and got clear directions. The road is passable, though rough in places. I’m not sure if we went at a quiet time or if the place had become a dead end. We left and asked for a refund. The receptionist, “violet,” insisted we eat the food we’d ordered or take it away. We later found the meal prices were exorbitant, and 45% was deducted from our deposit to make up for the refund. It felt like pure theft. The place may be “OKAY” for people who haven’t experienced competitive hotel standards, but this was my worst experience. I can’t recommend it.

Chef Isaac was friendly and helpful, but they ran out of food several times, which was strange. It made me wonder if they knew how many guests to expect. Ordering at the bar was a nightmare too: they didn’t explain what was available, especially the mixers, and there was no menu. The location is great and the rates are affordable. The rooms, especially the bathrooms, need to be cleaner. It’s a great lodge in a great spot, with plenty of room to improve.

We chose Pelican Lodge mainly for birding at Lake Elementaita, but there’s no direct way from the lodge to the lake. A fence and plenty of undergrowth block the views. It’s advertised as a golf resort, though from the little of the course we saw, I’m not convinced it gets used that way. There were picnic tables on the fairways nearest the lake, and the greens had long grass that would be a challenge for any golfer. We probably won’t come back.