At the time of my writing this was the sleekest resort in Jinja, framed by the Nile on one side and a swathe of light forest on the other. Indeed, if you’re here on a Saturday night you might even spot a few national celebrities; the upstairs ballroom is popular as a wedding venue with Kampala’s A-list.

Enter the hotel through the enormous lobby, decked out with stained glass windows and traditional art. From there, a sweeping staircase leads up to the ballroom. Straight ahead is the signature restaurant, and nearby there’s a swanky bar and a small business center. Rows of steps lead down to the pool area.

On weekends, the pool is popular with Peace Corps volunteers and Jinja missionary groups, so you might be hard-pressed to swim in peace, but most of the time it’s a great spot to relax. The swim-up bar is well-stocked, and there’s a pool menu brimming with burgers and salads.

The rooms are spacious and entirely self-contained, set in grassy grounds and each with its own private balcony. Ours looked out directly over the Nile and afforded spectacular views at sunrise and sunset. Our bathroom was slightly disappointing and needed a lick of paint, but the rest of the room was in good shape. The bed was framed with a soft white mosquito net and lit by two colorful lanterns.

Although meals aren’t cheap here (the Saturday lunch buffet costs around $25 per person), the food is homely and the selection is varied. We tried the grilled fish, served with a lovely tomato salad and homemade tartare sauce. Dessert was chocolate mousse served with fresh local fruit. The next morning, we tried the breakfast buffet from the sunny terrace, and were spoilt for choice.

Although this is a resort hotel, it doesn’t quite feel like one – and that’s something that adds to its appeal. It’s small and intimate enough not to get lost in, but large enough to always find something to do. A winner.