(Posted 11th February 2023)
Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching and all over Kampala, in fact probably all over the world are preparations being made to celebrate the event after facing assembly bans and lockdowns due to the C19 pandemic over the past two years.
In Kampala one of the premier spots to be will be Quality Hill, not the last for the multiple options to have dinner and of course the stay over option at the Le Petit Village Boutique Hotel. (www.LePetitVillage.net)
ATCNews recently reviewed the hotel’s extension and additions on TripAdvisor, but will share the key points with readers here:
I had not stayed at Le Petit for some time now but opportunity arose to revisit for a one night getaway staycation, something I periodically do for a change of scenery.
The ‘old’ Le Petit was already a great little hotel with just 10 well appointed suites and now, after adding 18 standard rooms – I stayed in one of those – are a total of 28 rooms and suites just the right size for the location and allowing larger groups traveling together to actually get confirmations.
Space has always been at a premium and many customers will be relieved to now have better chances to get their rooms confirmed.
The new rooms are well appointed, lacking nothing in comfort or conveniences as the images posted also show. The bed was very very comfortable, no issue with the pillows either though one was plenty, I put the others on the side of the bed.
Hot water in the bathroom came almost instantly on line and I enjoyed making some decent coffee using the capsules for the coffee maker.
The working station, I had to use it for some hours, has a state of the art socket array and the green lamp gave just the right illumination after I switched the main lights in the room off.
I noted the quality of the main and bathroom door, solid wood and the main door lock is of course state of the art with touch key cards to open.
The room, like all other new rooms, have a balcony on the upper floors and a little terrace for ground floor rooms.
Being located on Quality Hill, there is the added choice of a Japanese Restaurant which recently opened, besides the Le Chateau – Brasserie Belge, which has for a very very long time been a crowd favourite in Kampala.
Shopping too is great, Kampala’s arguably best deli shop and La Patisserie for all kinds of breads, buns, croissants, cakes and much more are within the mall compound.
My stay was an eye opener, I had hoped for and expected the kind of quality and attention to details, given my past experience, and was not disappointed.
Breakfast is taken at La Patisserie and that will get a seperate review.
A great addition to the Kampala hotel scene, small as often said is beautiful and beautiful the Le Petit is.
Besides ‘just’ staying at the hotel, which is tucked away in a large corner of the sprawling compound, can guests now also enjoy the new La Nature Spa and gym.
Additional facilities recently opened within the mall are the ‘Wisteria Beauty Salon‘ and notably the equally new ‘Safe Whiskey Bar and Lounge‘ which is, probably exclusively for Kampala, serving Macallan Highland Single Malt Whiskey, among many other brands plus cocktail choices galore.
But what truly sets the Quality Hill Mall apart from other locations, are three of Kampala’s most fancied eating places.
La Patisserie, NOT JUST A BREAD AND PASTRY SHOP any longer, serves guests meals throughout the day, from breakfast over snacks to lunch, afternoon tea and even dinner. It is one of the three locations where Valentine fans can go to for an intimate dinner, either on the outside terrace or indoors.
Kampala’s best Belgian restaurant, Le Chateau | Brasserie Belge, is the main eating venue within the mall compound and serves not just Belgian specialities but also international cuisine and notably holds regular food nights, be it freshly flown in Mussels and Oysters from Belgium or the famous Wagyu and Angus steak night. Very popular is also the ‘Bottomless Brunch’, held every last Sunday of a month.
Be sure that a very fancy menu awaits on the night of the 14th of February. Le Chateau, for those who need this kind of reassurance, is ranked by TripAdvisor as Nr. 10 out of 416 reviewed restaurants in Kampala.
Thirdly of course must the new Hanabi – Modern Japanese Specialities be mentioned and for anyone not just in love that night but loving Japanese cuisine, the Hanabi is THE PLACE to be for that evening.
Lastly, but not the least, must we mention the Le Gourmet Deli Shop, especially ahead of Valentine’s Day. A great selection awaits, of Belgian chocolates and pralines – incidentally also available at La Patisserie – wines, champagne and food items aplenty, an important point for all those who do not wish to go out but want to enjoy an intimate meal at home. Cheeses, ham and sausage cuts, fresh vegetables and food items otherwise rarely found in Kampala, the Le Gourmet is the place where all those fancy tastes can be stilled.
I wish an enjoyable Valentine’s Day to all the ATCNews readers, enjoy the night, be it out or in and don’t forget to make all due haste in booking your table if you want to avoid disappointment. Valentine’s Day dinner is not an event one should even take a chance to get a table and definitely not on the Quality Hill eating places.
