The Emin Pasha Hotel & Spa, CityBlue Collection

I’ve been coming here off and on for years and never disappointed. Brought dad here for a spa day and he loved it. Mary at reception and all the staff at the spa were so wonderful while booking and after arrival. He was so happy. We waited at the restaurant and enjoyed a meal and drinks in the garden area in the sun. The service there and at the bar were great, too. They play music at just the right volume where we can actually hear one another speak. J’adore.

The Emin Pasha is one of the oldest hotels in Kampala, yet redone to today's standards. Located in central Kampala it's in a good location, but a titch to far for us to walk so we had to take taxi an cope with trafic to most spots. Returning in the evening was always a relief because of quiet, and calm setting with garden, swimming pool and restaurant at the highest standard. Restaurant was particularly good with an asortment of African and European dishes. We were never disappointed. Staff were incredibly kind and thoughtful, helping us out on several occasions.

I occasionally take time for a weekend staycation somewhere in Kampala and this time my choice was the Emin Pasha Hotel and Spa. TripAdvisor continues to offer no 'Good' option between 'Average' and 'Very Good' which is sad as it does not let a reviewer give a thumbs up to a good impression, when 'Average' is too little but 'Very Good' too much. (This is to explain my marking, meaning I would have loved to give a 'Good' mark were it not for TripAdvisors lack of procative response and ignoring dozens of my comments to them) Check in was courteous, professional and swift, with my booking information well reflected on the check in form and after presenting an ID and signing it I was shown immediately to my room. It turned out that I was given a room in the original wing of the hotel where I had stayed before too, but since then two more wings have been added, the most recent one only opened about a month ago with 16 rooms and two one bedroom apartments. I had stayed before, a long time ago, and memories came back when I stood on the balcony looking down into the well manicured garden and admired the trees which over the past 20 years have matured very well. The hotel offered me a relaxing atmosphere which was exactly what I was looking for and I spent some time outside in the garden, as well as on my balcony, having a drink before getting ready for dinner. Dinner service saw first a drink order taken before then taking the meal choice, which one night was Fillet of Tilapia and the other night a Fillet Steak. The Emin Pasha remains an oasis of peace and tranquility in the bustling Nakasero suburb of Kampala and especially the extensive garden offers quiet corners to sit down, read a book or just take in the sound of birds. With the added 18 rooms the hotel is now able to accommodate larger groups and more clients which will no doubt benefit their business. Overall a good choice for a weekend staycation and I am sure to go back to try out the new rooms or perhaps even one of the apartments.