Perhaps when the renovations are complete, the Hilton Nairobi will once again be worthy of its brand. At present? Not so much. When I was there in summer 2013, the hotel presented more hassles than should be tolerated at this price point (about $300 per night).

I had booked a standard room, but, at check in, the desk clerk coaxed me into an upgrade, promising that this was less expensive than paying separately for internet access and breakfast. At checkout, I found out that they charged me $130 per night for the upgrade (and, no, the buffet breakfast in the Traveller’s Restaurant wasn’t worth anything close to that extortionate amount).

The upgrade meant that I got a “junior suite” — a room that was doubled in size by arching an access through a wall to its mirror image: I had two doors to the hallway (although one was blocked off), two complete bathrooms, two closets — but nothing really special (even the fruit in the welcome bowl was well beyond its prime). A desk and couch were in one room, the bed in the other. Rooms are pie-shaped because the hotel is a 1970s-era cylinder.

The upgrade also gave me access to the Executive Lounge, which had snacks and refreshments as well as magazines and newspapers available all day.

The hotel was under renovation during my stay: only one of the three elevators was in service resulting in long delays waiting for transit. The pool was closed along with its adjacent terrace, and there was hammering and drilling everywhere all day. (This is a dated property that probably just should have been razed and rebuilt.)

On the plus side: security seemed adequate. After dark, a guard checked those who entered the elevator to the guest rooms, for example.

Until the remodeling is complete, however: stay here only if you’re desperate.