Qaribu inn — Hotel in Nairobi

Update June 2025: Qaribu has yet to issue my refund despite consistent follow-up in person, via email and phone calls since August 2024. These people are thieves. WARNING. Do NOT trust them.

I had a troubling experience with Qaribu Inn while trying to book their venue, the Gazebo. After numerous conversations, I was requested to make a deposit of KSh 10,000 on August 13, 2024, to reserve the Gazebo. Lovin, our primary contact, assured us that this deposit was refundable in case we changed our minds within a reasonable timeframe. The payment was confirmed via Mpesa on August 13, 2024. On August 16, 2024, we realized that the venue was unsuitable for our group due to accessibility concerns. Initially, we had planned to bring a younger crowd. However, 2 days later, our invite list evolved to include older folks. It became clear Qaribu would not do due to accessibility concerns about the venue and that we needed a space more conducive for older folks. We promptly informed Lovin, explained the situation and requested a refund.

Since August 16, we have faced significant difficulties. Despite numerous follow-ups with Lovin and being directed to another contact of an individual said to the Operations Manager, our refund has not been processed. The Operations Manager assured us of a callback that never happened, and the number is unreachable. We wrote an email to their complaints department - someone called me last week saying he was following up and that we would have our money back. A few days later when I called, he claimed to still be following up with the finance team because one of the managers was away.

As a customer, Qaribu's internal processes demonstrate a business that's designed to vex me. The blasé way they treated my complaint is an indicator of a red flag. The poor response and delay in refund processing have been frustrating and unacceptable. The issues faced are not just a minor inconvenience but have caused considerable distress. To date, despite asking, no one has committed to a timeline for the refund.

Here's my warning and advice to customers:

If you are considering booking a venue with Qaribu Inn, I strongly advise against paying any deposit upfront. My experience has shown that Qaribu Inn’s customer service is unreliable, and their commitment to honoring refunds is questionable. Ensure that you thoroughly understand the refund policy and have clear communication channels before making any payments. If dealing with a sales rep, realize that they will tell you anything to try to close the sale. Be cautious and consider alternative venue options. If this experience is anything to go by, who says your event will be well taken care of if you...

Qaribu Inn has a great setting and could be an amazing place — but sadly, the service is CONSISTENTLY DISAPPOINTING!!!

First, I had a terrible experience trying to make a booking. I paid a deposit, only to be told afterwards that the destination was already fully booked. No one communicated this beforehand, and when I reached out for help, the staff were rude, dismissive, and completely unhelpful.

I’ve also spent a night there before, and it was just as frustrating. The room was dusty, clearly not cleaned properly before check-in. To make things worse, there was no electricity card provided, so I had to stay in the dark — literally. When I brought this up at the reception, the receptionist was incredibly rude, offering no solution or apology.

The place itself has potential, but the poor management, lack of basic hospitality, and untrained staff make it a stressful experience. I would not recommend staying or booking anything here until serious...

It was my first time there, and my experience was horrible. I'd rather book Ibis styles. The shower was leaking water, and the bathroom and bathroom essentials like shower gel were half full.

The nights there are pretty cold. And there is no AC or heater. The blankets are very thin. So prepare to freeze.

The television was not working. The room balcony is too small...

The breakfast is quite expensive, yet they mice. For two. We were given exactly 2 sachets of sugar and coffee. Also..their mandazi were not fresh 🤔and had a weird smell.

Expect the room service people to wake you up with noisy laughs and talks in the morning. They were straight up loud and the noise woke us up very early in the morning.

Piece of advice just look for...