Fairway Hotel & Spa Kampala

Fairway Hotel & Spa Kampala is situated in Nakasero, Kampala, directly across from the Uganda Golf Course, making it a convenient and scenic spot for travelers. It’s known for its lush tropical gardens and proximity to shopping, dining, and nightlife, offering a tranquil retreat in the bustling city center. This location is ideal for both business travelers, with easy access to meetings, and leisure travelers looking to explore Kampala.

Accommodations and Amenities

The hotel provides a range of room types to suit different needs: Executive Rooms at $195 per night, Deluxe Rooms at $155, and Standard Rooms at $135, all featuring air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, and private balconies with garden views. Amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness studio with personal training and group fitness classes, and on-site shops for art, curios, and personal products. The spa offers services like aromatherapy, steam treatments, cupping, sauna, body scrubs, and aqua detox, ensuring a relaxing stay.

Dining and Entertainment

Dining options are diverse, with the Asian Fusion Restaurant serving authentic Indian and Chinese cuisine, and the Tree Top Restaurant offering continental meals. Both are available 24 hours, with dine-in and room service options. The hotel also hosts a Ugandan Cultural Night every Wednesday, providing live entertainment and a taste of local culture, which is an unexpected detail for guests seeking cultural immersion.

Guest Experience

Guest reviews highlight the hotel’s immaculate cleanliness, welcoming atmosphere with live music and chic decor, and professional staff, earning it a 4.3 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor. It’s praised for its central location, comfortable and spacious rooms, and good value, though a few guests have noted occasional service issues, reflecting a mixed but generally positive experience.

Report: Detailed Overview of Fairway Hotel & Spa Kampala

Fairway Hotel & Spa Kampala stands as a prominent boutique hotel in the heart of Kampala, Uganda, offering a blend of luxury, convenience, and cultural immersion. Located in Nakasero, directly across from the Uganda Golf Course, it provides a serene escape within walking distance of shopping malls, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife, making it an excellent choice for both business and leisure travelers. Established in 1969 and officially launched in 1971 by His Highness the Aga Khan, the hotel has a rich history, originally starting with 50 rooms and now boasting modern facilities across four blocks.

Accommodations

The hotel offers three primary room types, each designed for comfort and functionality:

• Executive Room: Priced at $195 per night, these rooms are well-appointed with balconies offering garden views, ideal for guests seeking extra luxury.
• Deluxe Room: At $155 per night, these provide a balance of comfort and affordability, also featuring balconies and modern amenities.
• Standard Room: Starting at $135 per night, these are budget-friendly options with essential facilities, ensuring accessibility for a wider range of travelers.

All rooms are air-conditioned, equipped with flat-screen TVs, safes, and telephones, ensuring a pleasant stay. Each room also includes a private balcony, enhancing the guest experience with garden views, a feature particularly appreciated in the bustling city environment.

Amenities and Facilities

Fairway Hotel & Spa Kampala is equipped with a range of amenities to cater to diverse guest needs. The outdoor swimming pool, open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, features professional coaches and free cabanas, providing a relaxing retreat. The fitness studio offers personal training and group fitness classes, ensuring guests can maintain their routines, while on-site shops sell art, curios, personal products, and clothes, adding convenience. The hotel also provides free WiFi, parking, and airport shuttle services, enhancing accessibility.

The spa is a highlight, offering a variety of services including aromatherapy, steam treatments, cupping, sauna, body scrubs, and aqua detox, available at two dedicated spa areas. These facilities cater to guests seeking relaxation and wellness, with options like massage services and steam rooms noted in reviews as particularly enjoyable.

Dining Options

Dining at Fairway Hotel & Spa Kampala is a culinary journey, with two main restaurants catering to different tastes:

• Asian Fusion Restaurant: Renowned as the top-rated Asian restaurant in Kampala, it serves authentic Indian and Chinese cuisine, with live entertainment adding to the ambiance. It’s praised for its beautiful setting and great food, often cited as a highlight by guests.
• Tree Top Restaurant: Offering continental meals, this restaurant provides dine-in and room service 24 hours a day, ensuring guests can enjoy meals at their convenience. It’s noted for its delicious breakfasts, featuring fresh fruit, African spiced tea, pastries, and cooked dishes made to order.

Additionally, the hotel hosts a Ugandan Cultural Night every Wednesday, featuring live music and local performances, providing an unexpected cultural experience for guests, enhancing their stay with a taste of Ugandan heritage.

Guest Experience and Ratings

Guest feedback underscores the hotel’s strengths, with an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 on TripAdvisor, based on recent reviews as of April 2025. Review highlights include:

• Cleanliness and Atmosphere: Guests frequently mention the immaculate cleanliness and welcoming atmosphere, with chic decor and live music creating a pleasant environment.
• Staff and Service: The staff are generally praised for being friendly and professional, though a few reviews note occasional poor service, indicating some variability.
• Location and Convenience: The central location is lauded for its proximity to city attractions and dining options, making it easy to explore Kampala.
• Comfort and Value: Rooms are described as comfortable and spacious, with amenities like a sizable gym and diverse dining options adding value, despite minor equipment issues in the gym noted by some.

The hotel’s rating of 8.6 on Booking.com (likely out of 10) further supports its high standing, with guests appreciating the professionalism of the staff and the overall experience, though mixed feelings are mentioned on some platforms, reflecting the complexity of guest expectations.

Additional Notes

Fairway Hotel & Spa Kampala also caters to business travelers with conference and meeting facilities, featuring work desks and Xerox services, and offers children’s pools and 24-hour room service for families. The property’s connection to a shopping center and its lush gardens spread over four blocks create a boutique feel, distinguishing it from larger chain hotels. Recent renovations, mentioned in reviews, have upgraded rooms and facilities, though some guests noted minor disruptions during these periods, which were generally accepted as necessary improvements.

In summary, Fairway Hotel & Spa Kampala offers a comprehensive experience with luxurious accommodations, diverse amenities, and cultural offerings, backed by strong guest ratings and a central location, making it a top choice for visitors to Kampala as of April 2025.