The Emin Pasha Hotel & Spa Kampala

The responsiveness of the staff

The hotel needs some re-furbishing in some areas to remain top notch

The staff were very friendly and attentive throughout my stay. They were always helpful and even carried my luggage to my room. I particularly liked the hotel grounds. Everything was well maintained, there is a nice pool, and the whole property feels like a beautiful green oasis in the middle of Kampala. The internet connection was also excellent and very stable. Breakfast was good, although the selection may feel a little limited for European guests, as many of the options are warm and savoury. However, there were pancakes, fresh fruit and omelettes, so I could always find something I enjoyed. Overall, considering the local standards in Uganda, I had a very pleasant and comfortable stay.

One thing I missed was a late-night food service. I returned to the hotel quite late one evening and there was no possibility to order anything to eat. For a five-star hotel, I would expect at least some form of late-night room service or a small selection of food to be available. I also missed a gym, but they told me they are working on it. Another issue occurred one night when pesticides were sprayed throughout the hotel grounds, apparently to control insects and mosquitoes. Unfortunately, the smell entered my room and was strong enough to make sleeping difficult. I understand the need for mosquito control, especially as there seem to be considerably more mosquitoes in Kampala than in Mbarara, but perhaps a less disruptive solution could be found. There was no mosquito net in my room, although mosquitoes inside the room were not a problem during my stay.

This hotel is a rare gem in an extremely busy city. Rooms are large, comfortable and stylish. The garden is beautiful and there are plenty of places to rest, work, and enjoy a moment of calm. The staff are lovely and always ready to help. The spa is excellent.

This is just a suggestion. I think the hotel could be a bit more ecologically conscious, e.g. no need to change towels every day or use plastic bottles. I would also put in mosquito nets. Food is great but the restaurant is quite expensive.

The location in Nakasero makes this hotel very convenient. I also really appreciate the gardens, which feel like a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. In addition, the reception staff are friendly and welcoming, creating a warm and positive first impression.

Unfortunately, the breakfast was disappointing and did not feel like good value for money. It was also not set up on time. If possible, I would recommend booking the room without breakfast, as there are many excellent cafés nearby in Kampala that offer better options. In addition, some of the bathroom fixtures in my room were not fully functional. During a previous stay, I was assigned a different room which was in much better condition, so this may simply have been an unfortunate one-off experience.