7 Best Hotels in Rwanda

With impressive amenities and a five-star rating from past guests, this centrally located hotel stood out for its ability to cater to a variety of different travelers. 

Ranked first in the country on TripAdvisor, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre is conveniently situated between downtown Kigali and the capital’s international airport. It boasts striking, amphitheater-inspired modern architecture, and 292 rooms and suites. All rooms offer private balconies and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.

For business visitors, the adjacent Kigali Convention Centre is a major benefit, offering 18 meeting rooms including an auditorium with the ability to accommodate up to 2,600 guests. A fitness center, spa, and outdoor pool cater to those on vacation, while on-site dining options include the Larder (for Rwandan and African specialties) and Filini (specializing in authentic Italian cuisine).

• Convention center with 18 meeting rooms
• Full-service spa and fitness center 
• Ample inner city parking with 650 spaces 
  

We chose this budget-friendly Kigali hotel for its low room rates and generous complimentary amenities, including Wi-Fi and an airport shuttle service. 

Located close to Amahoro National Stadium and just 10 minutes by car from Kigali International Airport, Five to Five Hotel claims to be one of the most affordable hotels in the capital. Room rates start from $60 per night for a standard single room; while double, twin, and triple configurations are also available. Those traveling with kids can also find comfort on a budget in the Family Room, complete with its own lounge and dining area.

Reviewers have plenty of positive things to say about the hotel, praising it for its cleanliness, accommodating staff, and tasty food. The on-site restaurant specializes in simple staples like pizza, pasta, and grilled meats. Other useful services include a meeting room and tour and car hire services. 

• A restaurant serving affordable meals
• Fully equipped meeting room 
• Car hire service and free airport shuttle
  

A focus on bespoke design, gorgeous suites, and two of the best restaurants in Kigali make this boutique hotel the obvious pick for luxury travelers.

Five-star boutique The Retreat occupies an ideal location in the affluent Kiyovu district, close to some of the city’s top attractions. With just 20 suites and a rustic aesthetic that channels the very best of contemporary Rwandan style, it truly is a private oasis in the heart of the capital. Most suites have two patios and a luxurious outdoor rain shower, while the most expensive rooms boast a saltwater plunge pool, private garden, and fully furnished living room.

Dining is a highlight at The Retreat, whether you opt for international cuisine with a Rwandan twist at Heaven, or Italian, Mauritian, and Moroccan fine dining at Fusion. The hotel also focuses on wellness, with a spa and private fitness, meditation, and yoga classes. 

• Luxury suites, some with private pools
• Fusion fare at two fine-dining restaurants
• Curated city, gorilla, and safari tours
  

We chose this hotel for its convenient, central location, and wide choice of family-friendly amenities, including a pool, spacious rooms, and international dining outlets.

Also located in Kiyovu near the Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial, the Kigali Marriott Hotel is luxurious without being intimidating to parents with small children. Particular highlights for younger guests include the lagoon-style swimming pool and the garden with its jumping castle and mini soccer pitch. Rooms and suites are spacious, with a choice of family-friendly layouts and amenities such as cribs and play yards available upon request.

With four on-site restaurants, even the pickiest eaters should find something to their taste—especially at Cucina Restaurant, the hotel’s laid-back Italian outlet. When parents need a break, there’s a spa and fitness center; and the concierge can arrange everything from safari tours to gorilla trekking. 

• Child-friendly pool and garden
• Family rooms with two double beds
• Relaxed international and Italian restaurants 
  

Frequently rated as the best accommodation option in Musanze, this boutique hotel offers a beautiful garden setting, all-inclusive meals, and close proximity to the national park.

Set amid lush gardens, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel is ideally located on the road from Musanze to Kinigi, enabling guests to reach Volcanoes National Park in less than 15 minutes. Room rates include breakfast, lunch, and dinner served in a cozy restaurant with sweeping volcano views. After meeting the park’s world-famous gorillas, cool off in the outdoor pool or request a soothing massage.

Accommodation options range from eight deluxe rooms to a family suite or three-bedroom private villa. En-suite bathrooms with abundant hot water, a flatscreen TV, and a minibar come as standard. The hotel’s friendly staff can also help to arrange activities for you, including canoeing, cycling, and permits for gorilla and golden monkey trekking.

• Restaurant and bar with volcano views
• Full board rates include all meals 
• Family suite and three-bedroom villa available
  

We chose this gorgeous boutique hotel for its ability to offer a once-in-a-lifetime, ultra-luxurious stay on the borders of Nyungwe Forest National Park. 

If price is no object, One&Only Nyungwe House offers a bit of paradise within 10 minutes of Nyungwe Forest National Park’s Gisakura entrance. The hotel is spread across five villa clusters, set within a dense forest on the edge of a private tea plantation.

Rooms and two-bedroom suites are designed in a rustic African style, with private balconies that overlook the treetops and magnificent bathrooms complete with a walk-in shower and separate soaking tub. All meals are included, with multiple courses for lunch and dinner. The restaurant is particularly spectacular, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking tea plantation vistas. During the day, join a guided nature trek, canopy walk, or chimpanzee trek, then return for indulgent treatments at the forest spa. Keep in mind, however, this hotel isn't suitable for families with young children.

• Magnificent forest spa overlooking a tea plantation
• Fabulously luxurious rooms with private balcony
• Curated, guided tours including chimpanzee treks
  

With its waterfront location, fantastic staff, and adjacent private island, this hotel is our top pick for those looking for a relaxing Lake Kivu retreat. 

In between gorilla and chimpanzee encounters, many travelers choose to indulge in some rest and relaxation at beautiful Lake Kivu, and Paradise Malahide, on the outskirts of Gisenyi, is an excellent place to do so. A mid-range choice set directly on the lakeshore, the hotel offers just 12 individual bungalows. The majority are on the water’s edge, with two set in a secluded location further up the hill. All of them are sustainably made from local wood and volcanic rock, and decorated in a simple style with a private veranda for enjoying the view.

Rates include breakfast, with options for half and full board available. The restaurant is an alfresco delight, serving local delicacies (including tilapia and sambaza fished directly from the lake), with an option to dine on the hotel’s private island as well.

• Lakeview restaurant serving local specialties
• Bungalows made with sustainable materials
• Private island offering beach-based activities