Champagne Ridge Villa, a scenic getaway in Kajiado.

Only an hour’s drive from the city, we arrived here in the evening, just as a warm orange glow was washing over the space through the massive windows. After seeing the bathroom, and then picking my jaw up off the floor, I decided to run a bath, pour a glass of Chardonnay and enjoy the sunset, staying until the water in the tub got a little cold and my legs became numb.

By morning light, on closer inspection of our home for the next two nights, I realized that from whichever angle, this villa is impressive; a study in good taste. The entire front section is covered in floor to ceiling glass, and with the house perched right on the edge of a cliff, the view of the Rift Valley which spreads below as if for the taking is as dramatic as it is beautiful. It may be deceptively calm indoors but it is only when I decided to go for a quick run that I realized just how windy it is in the area.

The villa has four bedrooms- two large en suite master bedrooms on opposite ends, and two smaller ones. The decor and architecture are very sleek and modern. The living room is mostly adorned in neutrals with hints of gold, and the few pops of colour throughout are carefully curated. This is particularly effective with the cobalt blue sofa in the lobby that, for some reason, remind me of an airport business lounge. An area rug in the same colour as the cozy L-shaped sofa in the main section adds a fun element of texture, and we carried board games for a fierce game of Word with Friends (or Words with Enemies as I now like to call it after I gloated too much for winning) around the fireplace. The doors slide back to an outdoor verandah with white seats, a spot perfect for wine and conversations into the balmy Champagne Ridge evenings.

The dining table sits eight, and I spotted a grill in the garden in case you’d like to throw on an apron and cook some meat. A well-equipped open-plan kitchen is located right next to the dining area. The property is solely managed by YourHost Curated Stays, a group of young people passionate about design and hospitality. They sent us all the follow up information upon booking, and co-ordinated everything to ensure we had a comfortable stay.

Note:

• There is no WiFi but the Safaricom cellphone signal is strong.
• There’s a housekeeper and guard on the premises.
• The house is eco-friendly and only operates on solar power.
• The chef is not based within the property but can be contacted to prepare your meals at an extra fee.

Accommodation starts at Ksh 24,000 for four people.