Finch Hattons

After three nights, my wife and I felt like we were leaving family, and we were genuinely sad to go. We had an exceptional eco and game-viewing experience with Evans, our personal guide, along with beautiful accommodation, a great pool and spa, and exquisite food. The whole stay had an understated luxury to it, with sustainability and conservation clearly given a lot of attention. Jonathan, the General Manager, has assembled an outstanding team. Their eye for detail and their courteous, friendly, efficient, professional service were beyond anything I’ve experienced. As someone who travels and adventures a lot and has stayed in hundreds of places, I can say this is the nicest place I’ve ever stayed. We had three nights here during a wonderful two-week trip around Kenya that also included Lake Naivasha and the Masai Mara. We plan to return to Kenya next year, but Finch Hattons will be our only stop.

Tsavo can make it hard to spot cats because of the terrain, though there are plenty of elephants, zebras and giraffes. Our guide Matthew’s knowledge and passion made the drives memorable. I could have listened to his bush stories all day. The included extras were a lovely finishing touch: breakfast in the bush, then sunset drinks with the “Masai Olympics.” Isaac brought such an entertaining spirit that it was both luxurious and a lot of fun. The tents are the height of luxury, tastefully furnished and each with a stunning view of the pond. Crocs, hippos, and all kinds of birds and mammals come down to drink. The copper freestanding bathtub was a highlight. The camp sits right in the heart of Tsavo West, and the setting is almost impossible to describe. There’s a lovely pond view from the restaurant, while the spa has an infinity pool and a yoga room with an amazing outlook. The lounge is wonderful too. The food was delicious and clearly prepared with care, and everyone provided incomparable service. Special thanks to Oscar, our personal waiter, always smiling and friendly while staying professional. I’ve travelled all over the world, but rarely found a place that surpassed expectations by this much. Virgin Limited Collection made a great choice adding this African gem to its top accommodations.

Our car broke down, so we came here for help even though we weren't guests. Everyone was incredibly kind and helpful, despite having no obligation to us. They even made an exception and let us stay for lunch, which is usually included only in guests' rates. The facilities looked lovely, exclusive and luxurious, but what stood out most was how exceptionally the staff treated people who weren't customers.

We saw a leopard twice in different places, and could hear a lion roaring at night from our tent. The game drive was excellent, with a knowledgeable, patient and caring driver. The staff were great and the service was really good. Such a super place, I’d definitely come back.