We love visiting five-star hotels. They epitomise the best in service provision. Their food is diverse, their ambience too and their accommodation top notch. Rarely do they play loud music common in 'joints'.
It’s a mystery why we play loud music in places meant for relaxation, or in matatus. It’s probably to alter our moods to consume more. I always notice music decibels go up as we get deeper into the night. The louder the music, the higher the chances the place is frequented by men and women struggling economically. You have to entice or con them into spending.
Let’s add the prestige that goes with association with such high-end hotels. We pay a premium for that, but willingly. "Can we meet at Norfolk or Radisson" is different from, "Let’s meet at Karumaindo" or your local.
Five-star hotels also represent the best in market segmentation. If you got money, that is where you patronise. If not moneyed, there are other affordable places for you.
Noted a new method of raising the status of hotels? Reservation or booking. Location in residential areas with minimal travel is another emerging trend. Noted new restaurants within apartment blocks?
I love visiting five-star and zero-star hotels. You get great insights into Kenyans' economic life. A cup of tea made with the same milk and tea leaves will cost Sh100 in a cafe across the street and Sh500 in a five-star hotel. That leaves many ordinary Kenyans visiting five-star hotels only during seminars, adding to their mysticism.
Enough on five-star hotels. Is Nairobi slowly becoming a five-star city, out of reach for ordinary Kenyans? It has better roads, power connections, water, schools, universities (too few!), offices and more profits if you run a business. It is the seat of the national government, the capital. Who cares about the capitals of counties - some still contested?
Prices keep us off five-star hotels. We keep hoping that once we make enough money, we shall get there. Few make it. The few who make it feel good, they went through the life lottery.
The prices in Nairobi make it a five-star city. Whether it's rent, food or other necessities, it’s expensive. The prestige that goes with living in the city adds to its five-star status. There is some status that goes with living in Nairobi - it does not matter if it’s Muthaiga or Kawangware. One Nairobi city town clerk told us Nairobi is for whiskey, not Chang’aa takers. Was he that prophetic? By XN Iraki, The Standard
