Designed to echo a lavish Roman villa, the Serena resort on Lake Victoria has an enviable position between Kampala and Entebbe, making it the perfect overnight stop before or after a gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Studded with fountains, mosaics, and frescoes and overlooking terraced rose gardens down to Lake Victoria and the Lweza Hills beyond, the Serena has several restaurants and bars, sporting facilities that include tennis and volleyball courts, blissful sunset cruises, babysitting services and fully equipped spa that boasts a sauna, cardio studio, yoga, Tai chi and a range of holistic treatments.

In keeping with the Italianate theme, rooms are done in shades of terracotta and have all the amenities you would expect from a modern hotel, including 24-hour room service, Wi-Fi, and satellite television.

Highlights

• Superb views of Lake Victoria over manicured grounds
• Fully equipped spa
• Large swimming pool & child-friendly environment
• Extremely convenient location
• Wide range of dining options

Activities

• BOAT EXCURSIONS
• FISHING
• SUNDOWNERS
• TENNIS

This is the perfect hotel if you are arriving early into Entebbe and not heading immediately on to the famous primates in Bwindi. Enjoy the views of Lake Victoria or a round of golf at your leisure. The hotel offers several excursions if you wish to avoid the hustle and bustle of the capital Kampala and have a relaxing stay not far from the International airport.

Rooms

Deluxe Room

Bedrooms boast splendid views of Lake Victoria, Deluxe Rooms have queen-sized or twin beds, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, satellite television, a private bar, and a hot beverage station. In addition to a desk, sitting area, and balcony, all have en suite bathrooms clad in marble and featuring walk-in showers.

Facilities

There are all the facilities at Serena Lake Victoria that you would expect from a modern resort hotel.

The Maisha Mind, Body, and Spirit Spa is adjacent to the sunny pool deck and has a state-of-the-art gym and cardio studio. Maisha has a 25m / 82ft pool, an aerobic studio to practice yoga, kickboxing, dance, and Tai chi, a steam room, a sauna, and a plunge pool to cool off in. The treatments range from facial and body regimes from Elemis, and ayurvedic head massages to reflexology and the Maisha coffee body scrub. Honeymooners will enjoy a combination of massages, wraps, and body brushes designed to achieve peak relaxation.

If you want to work up a sweat outside the gym, hit the volleyball or tennis courts or join a fishing excursion on Lake Victoria. Children are catered for with child-friendly menus, a babysitting service, a paddling pool, and extensive, secure gardens. They also have access to an age-appropriate library as well as a selection of fun board games.

Serena Lake Victoria has a helipad, limousine service, a gift shop, and a newsstand.

Dining

There are several dining options at Serena Lake Victoria and the chefs take pride in sourcing almost all of their produce from the farming communities around the resort.

The 24-hour Citadel Restaurant serves international brasserie cuisine that includes large breakfast and lunch buffets and an a la carte dinner menu inspired by the Mediterranean and Uganda. On Saturdays, a plentiful Italian lunch buffet is followed by an evening barbeque at the pool deck. On Sundays, the chefs indulge guests with an all-day American brunch menu. The Citadel looks out over Lake Victoria and has rustic touches like low wooden beams and mosaics depicting Tuscany.

Adults will enjoy time at the Kigo Bar where the brick archways are a nod to the ancient cellars of a traditional Tuscan vineyard. Expect exciting cocktails, wines from across the world, authentic Italian espressos and cappuccinos, and the very best Ugandan teas.

Adjacent to The Citadel is the Pool Terrace, an al fresco playground that has views of the rose gardens and offers café-style dining, snacks, and cocktails.

Take afternoon tea or have a nightcap in the Courtyard Lounge and Piano Terrace, which has views over Lake Victoria and is lit with Roman lanterns in the evenings. As a pianist tickles the ivories, choose from home-baked pastries and cakes, Italian ices, tasty snacks, and a lengthy cocktail menu.

Children can be accommodated with high chairs, baby-appropriate food, and earlier meal times.

The Serena Lake Victoria also provides round-the-clock room service that includes everything from a classic club sandwich or tasty curry to sundowners and canapés on your terrace.