Hotel
Kigali Marriott Hotel
A five-star Marriott on KN 3 Avenue with an outdoor pool, Saray Spa, Italian restaurant, all-day dining and a terrace bar, about 11km from the airport.
Kigali Serena Hotel
A five-star hotel on KN 3 Avenue with 148 rooms and 25 suites, an 18-metre pool, a Moroccan-style spa and two restaurants, minutes from the business district.
At a glance
- Type
- Luxury hotel
- Area
- City centre, Kigali, Rwanda
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Hotel class
- 5-star
- Official site
- serenahotels.com
Good to know
- 18m outdoor pool
- Maisha Spa and Health Club
- Gym
- Two restaurants
- 24-hour in-room dining
- Executive Lounge
Why we recommend it
The Kigali Serena Hotel is one of the city's established five-star addresses, set on KN 3 Avenue a few minutes from the central business district and around 20 minutes from Kigali International Airport. It is part of the Serena group and a practical choice for business travellers and for visitors who want full-service comfort at the start or end of a safari.
There are 148 rooms and 25 suites, up to a Presidential Suite, and the decor draws on Rwandan heritage. The hotel's centrepiece is an 18-metre landscaped swimming pool with a sundeck and a plunge pool, surrounded by gardens, which makes a welcome retreat after a day in the city or a long drive back from the national parks.
Dining is split between Sokoni, a poolside restaurant serving all-day café-style meals and cocktails, and Milima, an atrium restaurant overlooking the pool and gardens. In-room dining runs 24 hours, and guests on higher room categories have access to an Executive Lounge. There is also a bar for evening drinks, so you do not need to leave the hotel if you arrive late.
The Maisha Spa and Health Club is styled on a Moroccan spa and offers massages and treatments, along with a sauna, steam room and juice bar. The gym includes a cardio studio, and group classes such as yoga and kickboxing are offered, which is useful on a longer stay. Families will appreciate the pool and gardens, which give children space to relax between outings.
The location is practical rather than scenic: you are close to the centre, government offices and banks, and a short drive from Kiyovu's restaurants and the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi. Taxis and ride-hailing cars can be arranged at the front desk. Book early around major conferences at the Kigali Convention Centre, when the city's top hotels fill up quickly.
For travellers heading to Akagera or Volcanoes National Park, the Serena is a comfortable place to rest before an early departure, and the 24-hour in-room dining means a late meal is possible after a long day on the road. Ask at reception about storing luggage if you are leaving for the parks for a few nights.
Contact the hotel directly by email or phone for airport transfers and to ask about the best room category for your stay, as views and room sizes vary.
Kigali Serena Hotel FAQs
How many rooms does the Kigali Serena have?
148 rooms and 25 suites, including a Presidential Suite.
What star rating does it have?
It describes itself as a five-star hotel.
Is there a pool?
Yes, an 18-metre landscaped pool with a sundeck and plunge pool.
Is there a spa?
Yes, the Maisha Spa and Health Club has treatments, a sauna, steam room and juice bar.
Where is it?
On KN 3 Avenue, about five minutes from the central business district.
How far is the airport?
About 20 minutes by car from Kigali International Airport.
What restaurants are there?
Sokoni by the pool and Milima in the atrium, plus 24-hour in-room dining.
How do I contact the hotel?
Phone +250 788 184 500 or email [email protected].