At Kampala, accommodation is variant and caters for all budgets. It ranges from upmarket to moderate, budget and shoestring. Therefore, visitors will never fail to get a place to stay.
City Centre.
Upmarket.
Emin Pasha Hotel (20 rooms) 27 Akii Bua Road.
Located on lush and green Nakasero Hill. It proclaims itself to be “Kampala’s first boutique hotel”, and it’s no claim but a grounded truth for Emin Pasha is the most attractive and atmospheric hotel in the city. Set in an old two storey 1930’s house that has been converted and expanded tastefully. Terraces, balconies and courtyards characterise Emin besides the landscaped garden and swimming pool. The rooms are inviting and contain large comfortable beds, beautiful antique hard wood furniture and framed artwork. The food at the brasserie is reputably good. An inspiration of the Uganda Tourist Company from their clients disappointment at the ubiquitous “international” hotels.
US$220-300 including B/F. e info @eminpasha.com; www.eminpasha.com.
Kampala Serena (150 rooms) Nile Avenue.
Formerly Nile hotel and a place where Idi Amin meted brutality on hapless Ugandans, it has undergone a 12 million US$ facelift by the Serena hotel chain and formally opened it’s doors to a world of elegance in August of 2006 and to those of comfortable means. Centrally located, Serena is set in different thematic strands ranging from rustic, artistic and plush. It’s rooms are inviting, spacious and full of ambience. Rooms at the front overlook a spectacular water garden. It is quieter and convenient than other upmarket hotels.
Kampala Sheraton.
It’s a 15 storey skyscraper and is beautifully landscaped. It was facelifted in 2005 and is deservedly 5- star. Tiled and with fountains, an extensive lounge, shopping arcade, coffee shop, business centre, and the distinguished Rhino Bar much loved by kampala’s late night crowd, sports facilities make Sheraton an AC refuge for the international traveler. Although small, the rooms are smart and accord ***** views of the city.
Hotel Africana.
This modern hotel is prettily set and has facilities that include a large swimming pool, health club, forex bureau, a bar that plays live music on weekends, shops, saloons, two restaurants, business and internet services, free golf membership and a 24 hour service. However, it can be noisy with parties over the weekends.
Fairway Hotel.
Is a nice hotel just a little away from the city centre and it’s facilities include conference and business centres, two restaurants, a gym, swimming pool, a garden bar and free hotel pick up. The rooms are comfortable with AC and DSTV and at good value.
US$ 76-106 for single or double options.
Grand Imperial Hotel.
This hotel is a popular with international businessmen and it’s facilities include a health club, swimming pool, business centre , conference room and three restaurants. The rooms are furnished in modern taste, have AC and come with DSTV and in- house movies. However, there’s a noisy “Good Fellas” Bar above the swimming pool so it’s well advisable to avoid rooms near the bar.
US$ 140-160 for a standard single or double but rises up to US$ 240.
Moderate.
Fang Fang Hotel.
Is a comfortable, clean and family- run hotel set in a restored colonial homestead. Facilities include a good Chinese cuisine, an in-house clinic, Chinese massage parlour and large gardens. The rooms are large, have AC and DSTV and are good value for money.
US$ 38/60/64 for single, twin or double but also available are suites at US$75/90 single or double.
Speke Hotel.
It has a central location and several good facilities which include several restaurants and a bar “ rock bar” which is a favourite haunt of the Kampala late night crowd. The rooms are comfortable.
US$ 110 for all single and double rooms including bed and breakfast.
Hotel Triangle.
It’s centrally located, quiet, has a good ambience and several good facilities. The rooms are comfortable and nice. The advantage the hotel enjoys over others is that it is directly opposite the crafts village and allows for limitless visits.
Budget.
College Inn.
Is a nice and quiet place outside the city centre and with limitless access to public transport which is just a step outside. It’s facilities include a restaurant and a bar. The rooms are comfortable with DSTV.
US$ 22-33 for single or double rooms.
Hotel Catherine.It’s directly opposite the college Inn and is equally comfortable and nice.
Hotel City Square.
Is in the very heart of the city overlooking the constitutional square. Facilities include bar and restaurant. The balcony restaurant is a vantage point from which to watch the city life go by.
Makerere University Guest House.
Located in the University itself just a few meters from the main gate. It is set in a serene green environment and is run by the University. The open garden is actually nice for relaxation and in the canopy of the nearby tall trees a bird or two can occasionally be spotted. The ambience is nice, the facilities adequate and the service very attentive. Public transport is just outside the University main gate to the city centre.
Bativa Hotel.
Located a few meters off the road in the Bat valley, it is a nice hotel with comfortable rooms and is overlooked by Makerere University which up the hill.
Shoestring.