On the edge of Mbale, Mount Elgon Hotel is a low-slung building at the foot of the mountain range. We visited the bar and restaurant and had a sneak preview of the rooms, which spill out from a central lobby into the leafy grounds. The bar and restaurant, to the right of the entrance, are brightly decorated and had a buzz about them when we came through.
The bar is painted in red and orange, with an African safari theme and lots of comfortable sofas and black leather seats. It’s by no means fancy, but it is an atmospheric place for a drink – and a good meeting spot – if you happen to be in Mbale. The bar is well-stocked with the usual range of spirits and beers – and there are some okay-ish wines available too. On weekend nights, music is usually played from dinner time until around midnight.
The restaurant looks out over the garden and combines an inner dining area with a gazebo that skirts the top of stone steps. The service was prompt and friendly, and our waiter came over several times to check on how we were doing. We were hungry after a day on the road, so we ordered a margarita pizza and a small salad. The food arrived after about 40 minutes, and we had a glass of wine while we waited.
Perhaps because the surroundings are pleasant but not spectacular, we expected as much from the food. But the pizza was surprising good; thin-crusted and crispy around the edges, with lots of melted mozzarella and fresh basil. A success.
We’re told that breakfast is quite nice here, too. The buffet apparently includes hot and cold options, including fresh watermelon juice and a good selection of fruits.
Expert Review
On the edge of Mbale, Mount Elgon Hotel is a low-slung building at the foot of the mountain range. We...
On the edge of Mbale, Mount Elgon Hotel is a low-slung building at the foot of the mountain range. We visited the bar and restaurant and had a sneak preview of the rooms, which spill out from a central lobby into the leafy grounds. The bar and restaurant, to the right of the entrance, are brightly decorated and had a buzz about them when we came through.
The bar is painted in red and orange, with an African safari theme and lots of comfortable sofas and black leather seats. It’s by no means fancy, but it is an atmospheric place for a drink – and a good meeting spot – if you happen to be in Mbale. The bar is well-stocked with the usual range of spirits and beers – and there are some okay-ish wines available too. On weekend nights, music is usually played from dinner time until around midnight.
The restaurant looks out over the garden and combines an inner dining area with a gazebo that skirts the top of stone steps. The service was prompt and friendly, and our waiter came over several times to check on how we were doing. We were hungry after a day on the road, so we ordered a margarita pizza and a small salad. The food arrived after about 40 minutes, and we had a glass of wine while we waited.
Perhaps because the surroundings are pleasant but not spectacular, we expected as much from the food. But the pizza was surprising good; thin-crusted and crispy around the edges, with lots of melted mozzarella and fresh basil. A success.
We’re told that breakfast is quite nice here, too. The buffet apparently includes hot and cold options, including fresh watermelon juice and a good selection of fruits.