Exclusive: Coke Studio Stars Take A Journey Into Kenya’s Iconic Sarova Stanley

For a second year in a row, Coke Studio Africa partners with Kenya’s most iconic group of hotels to host all the show’s stars at Nairobi’s Sarova Stanley during the recording of the Africa’s biggest music show. Coke Studio Africa draws artists from several countries including: South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Angola, Zimbabwe, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, DRC and Cameroon.

Over 60 mega stars from around Africa have been hosted at Sarova Stanley. They include Africa’s Best Female Artist (2-time MTV Africa Award Winner) Yemi Alade of the “Africa” fame hit single, Tanzanian Alikiba known to a legion of fans as King Kiba and the show’s international guest star Jason Derulo from America. All the artists have a candid Sarova Stanley story to tell. Jason Derulo said: “I had a lot of food at Sarova Stanley and all the proteins and meat remind me of Haitian food. The meat and sauce accompanying it is very well seasoned just like Haitian food. The only new thing is how Kenyans cook the lamb, it becomes smooth and almost like a chicken wing.”

Located right in the middle of Nairobi CBD, Sarova Stanley has been a perfect location for the super stars, drawn from over 15 African countries, to nibble a bit of Nairobi’s history. The history of Sarova Stanley dates back to 1902 when the hotel established itself as the first luxury hotel in Nairobi. Since its establishment, it has played host to several international celebrities like Ernest Hemingway, Winston Churchill, Clark Ga-ble, Grace Kelly, Michael Caine, Sean Connery and Frank Sinatra.

It doesn’t stop there. In 1952, the then Princess Elizabeth visited the hotel as part of her world tour. Most recently, Sarova Stanley provided catering for the just concluded IAAF U18 Championships in Kenya, as the official hospitality partner.

Sarova Stanley has granted Nairobi a couple of firsts. It was also the first place that the Nairobi Stock Exchange was established – right at the bar! Sarova Stanley’s Main Café was also the first pavement café in Nairobi.

It evolved around a famous ‘Thorn Tree’ and yes – you guessed right, that’s why Sarova Stanley now has the Thorn Tree Restaurant. While walking through the hotel mahogany rotating doors today, you are in deed walking through the first and original doors of the hotel, as is its black and white floors.

On the upcoming season of Coke Studio Africa, you will for the first time see your favourite music acts at the Sarova Stanley like never before. While Coke Studio Africa brings together artists from different genres, eras and regions to create a modern and authentic African sound through musical fusion, the Sarova Stanley takes pride in hosting prominent guests and personalities from around the world, to expose them to quality hospitality and provide a home away from home.

The new season is set to premiere in different regions from August this year and will broadcast in more than 30 countries across Africa.