Mood set for a romantic Valentine's

At City Market, Nairobi, the popular florists zone in the city, florists are gearing for the boom time, the season when they have the highest sales of bouquets in the year. Rose Njuguna has had her florist space there for over 10 years and having known the drill, she is optimistic that this Valentine’s won’t disappoint.

“I already have many bookings, many have ordered bouquets for delivery to their loved ones. Most of the bouquets are Sh1,500 to Sh5,000,” she says.

“Many people usually assume only men gift flowers to their spouses or say girlfriends, but you will be shocked at the number of women making purchases to gift their men. I also know of women who are planning to surprise their men with dinner treats and more so this treat thing should not be looked at one-sided,” Rose says when asked on which gender is high on the spending power.

Njeri Kimathi, the Public Relations Officer at Safari Park Hotel and Casino says Valentine’s Day is one of the major events that they plan for guests in the year. Besides Christmas and Easter holidays, she notes that in the annual events calendar, Valentine’s Day has become one of the biggest celebrations where the hotel has to go out of its way to create special packages for loved ones.

“The focus is not the money one spends really, but the kind of treatment and satisfaction that one gets from their preferred treat. I suppose that is what hospitality is all about. Generally, this time round we have created a lovers’ soiree that will sweep loved ones off their feet. Sweet tickles include welcome cocktails and free rose flowers before exquisite dinner experiences with bottles of carefully selected wines and assorted chocolate flavours,” she says when asked how a package would look like and how much it would approximately cost.

Like many other entertainment establishments that have special themes for the day, entertainment remains top with an array of entertainers paraded to thrill.

With the Maestro Bank and Safari Cats Dancers and Acrobats set to tantalize, a perfect entertainment and cuddle up night remains the desire to quench as celebrated emcee MC Jessy takes charge to navigate the thrill, laughter and dance voyage.

“In a nutshell, hospitality talking Valentine’s Day should be a night of romance, exquisite dinning, thrilling entertainment, pampering and luxury accommodation and that is what we have to offer for an enchanting celebration,” says Njeri.

It is the first time Laurine Kasewa will be celebrating Valentine’s with her lover – as a wife - after they tied the knot last year, August. The 26-year-old who works in an audit firm is excited about this moment. She says she is a bit nervous knowing that her husband is font of pulling crazy surprises, especially now both have taken the week away from work as part of their annual leave breaks.

Last year, which was their fifth year of dating, she says her fiancé then treated her to a private romantic 5-course dinner and great champagne at an intimate garden hotel set up under the stars. The surprise included being chauffeured on a stretch limousine.

“Honestly, I am very nervous. As much as I have a little plan to spoil him, I am scared he might just sweep my feet off the feat and since we love adventure travel, I won’t rule out a treat in an exotic island, as those have been the signs and signals,” says Laurine.

. Rose Njuguna has had her florist space there for over 10 years and having known the drill, she is optimistic that this Valentine’s won’t disappoint.

“I already have many bookings, many have ordered bouquets for delivery to their loved ones. Most of the bouquets are Sh1,500 to Sh5,000,” she says.

“Many people usually assume only men gift flowers to their spouses or say girlfriends, but you will be shocked at the number of women making purchases to gift their men. I also know of women who are planning to surprise their men with dinner treats and more so this treat thing should not be looked at one-sided,” Rose says when asked on which gender is high on the spending power.

Njeri Kimathi, the Public Relations Officer at Safari Park Hotel and Casino says Valentine’s Day is one of the major events that they plan for guests in the year. Besides Christmas and Easter holidays, she notes that in the annual events calendar, Valentine’s Day has become one of the biggest celebrations where the hotel has to go out of its way to create special packages for loved ones.

“The focus is not the money one spends really, but the kind of treatment and satisfaction that one gets from their preferred treat. I suppose that is what hospitality is all about. Generally, this time round we have created a lovers’ soiree that will sweep loved ones off their feet. Sweet tickles include welcome cocktails and free rose flowers before exquisite dinner experiences with bottles of carefully selected wines and assorted chocolate flavours,” she says when asked how a package would look like and how much it would approximately cost.

Like many other entertainment establishments that have special themes for the day, entertainment remains top with an array of entertainers paraded to thrill.

With the Maestro Bank and Safari Cats Dancers and Acrobats set to tantalize, a perfect entertainment and cuddle up night remains the desire to quench as celebrated emcee MC Jessy takes charge to navigate the thrill, laughter and dance voyage.

“In a nutshell, hospitality talking Valentine’s Day should be a night of romance, exquisite dinning, thrilling entertainment, pampering and luxury accommodation and that is what we have to offer for an enchanting celebration,” says Njeri.

It is the first time Laurine Kasewa will be celebrating Valentine’s with her lover – as a wife - after they tied the knot last year, August. The 26-year-old who works in an audit firm is excited about this moment. She says she is a bit nervous knowing that her husband is font of pulling crazy surprises, especially now both have taken the week away from work as part of their annual leave breaks.

Last year, which was their fifth year of dating, she says her fiancé then treated her to a private romantic 5-course dinner and great champagne at an intimate garden hotel set up under the stars. The surprise included being chauffeured on a stretch limousine.

“Honestly, I am very nervous. As much as I have a little plan to spoil him, I am scared he might just sweep my feet off the feat and since we love adventure travel, I won’t rule out a treat in an exotic island, as those have been the signs and signals,” says Laurine.