Lodging in Kampala - The Fairway Boutique Hotel in Nakasero

For the month that I was in Kampala as a Fulbrighter with the Center for the Study of the United States at Makerere University, the Fairway Boutique Hotel was my home-away-from-home.

It was actually a complex that included several buildings for the hotel rooms, a pool, gym, spa, multiple restaurants and bars, a small shopping mall, a conference center, and more.

The Fairway Boutique Hotel is located in the Naksero district of Kampala -- a good neighborhood that was convenient to the university.

The hotel is clean, modern, and welcoming. 

All the staff welcomed me by name as I came and went. I felt like a VIP! Not only did this make me feel genuinely welcomed, but also their attention to detail as to whom was present in the hotel at all times underscored the safety precautions that were being taken.

There are multiple restaurants – so I could eat without leaving the hotel (alleviating safety concerns about walking around alone at night). 

I also took advantage of the spa after I arrived (that first Saturday after the 36 hours of travel and adjustment to the time change). It was heavenly. 

I was able to take advantage of their laundry service.  

And I changed USD to UGX at the front desk.

The Center arranged for the Fairway to have a driver for drop off/pick up every day to/from the university.  This worked out very well.  The drivers were  friendly, professional, and reliable.

It was easy to communicate with the front desk via WhatsApp.

Every morning there was an extensive breakfast buffet (hot and cold - and an omelet station).  Chef Prilla - who cooked my eggs every morning - always started my day with a smile. 

There are also a number of cats and kittens who live there – and seeing them around always brightened my day.  Here's a post devoted solely to the kittens:

https://drjsmafricanacademicadventures.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-cats-and-kittens-of-fairway-hotel.html

Here is the hotel's website: https://fairwayhotel.co.ug/

I hope some day I can return to Kampala for an in-person visit. And I would surely look forward to staying at the Fairway again.

my room -- a 4th floor walk up -- good exercise!

Chef Prilla helped guest start every day with a smile - and a delicious omelet!

The views from my room:

around the Independence Day holiday I could see fireworks from my room!

 

I never did go swimming in the pool -- but I did use this quiet space to read 

  

there are multiple restaurants at the hotel - this is the one back by the pool - here I am trying the Goat Muchomo - goat is considered a delicacy in Uganda

the hotel bar is called The Professor

the hotel bar is called "The Professor" - so I ordered a cocktail my first weekend in Kampala

I never did have a chance to go swimming, but there is a lovely pool (and pool bar)

trying the Ugandan Waragi at the hotel's Asian Fusion restaurant 

Not long after I arrived, when learning more about food and drinks in Uganda, I heard about Ugandan Waragi --a local gin. On my very last night at the hotel - I learned that it had been on the drinks menu at the restaurant the whole time.

Packed up and ready to head to the airport -- hoping it's not Good Bye, but See You Later