Where to stay in Rwanda: 7 Best Hotels You’ll Love
Like most people, I’m sure you’re curious what the hotels are like and where to stay in Rwanda. It’s a fair thought, coming from the US or Europe. Now, I can’t talk about every location, but for where I stayed in Rwanda, these hotels were exquisite.
Now, I’m sure there are plenty more amazing hotels, but inside are what I’d consider the best hotels in Rwanda from our trip. We began our Rwanda itinerary in Kigali and traveled in a clockwise direction around the country.
Each hotel offered tasty food and drinks, along with the most friendly hospitality imaginable. If you stick to these hotels, you won’t have an ounce of worry about where you are staying in Rwanda.
The Best Hotels to Stay at While Visiting Rwanda
1. Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali
If you’re starting or ending your trip in Rwanda, the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre is one of the best places to stay. It’s centrally located in Kigali, just 15 minutes from the airport, and sits next to the iconic dome-shaped Kigali Convention Centre — one of the city’s architectural highlights. The hotel seamlessly blends international luxury with local design touches, creating a modern yet warm ambiance.
Inside, you’ll find spacious rooms, a big pool area, a well-equipped gym, and an excellent breakfast spread. The service is professional but friendly, and the staff go out of their way to make everything easy after a long flight. The hotel’s restaurants are among Kigali’s best, offering a mix of local and international dishes, while the outdoor bar area is excellent for relaxing in the evenings.
Beyond comfort, staying here gives you quick access to Kigali’s top attractions — including the Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market, and Nyandungu Eco Park. For anyone wanting to start their Rwandan adventure in style or rest before heading home, this is the perfect launchpad.
My View: It was initially weird to go through a car metal detector to get into the hotel and convention center, but once I got over that, the place was fantastic. It’s super central and the food is scrumptious. It was my first hotel in Rwanda, and for better or for worse, it felt like an American establishment.
You’ll feel at home and safe here. If you’re wondering where to stay in Rwanda, this is the perfect place to stay.
2. Kivu Marina Bay Hotel, Rusizi
Down on the southwestern shores of Lake Kivu, Kivu Marina Bay Hotel offers a calm and comfortable base after time spent exploring Nyungwe National Park. It’s one of the newest and most polished hotels in Rusizi, featuring spacious modern rooms, a lakeside pool, and stunning views of the water. The hotel’s design is simple yet refined, evoking a peaceful resort vibe that feels far removed from the city’s bustle.
It’s especially convenient for travelers visiting Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzee trekking or the canopy walk, as it’s one of the closest high-quality options nearby. The restaurant offers a diverse selection of international and local dishes, and the outdoor terrace is the ideal spot to savor the sunset over the lake. The staff here are attentive and used to hosting visiting journalists, conservationists, and travelers passing through on adventure itineraries.
After several days of hiking or driving, Kivu Marina Bay is the kind of place where you can slow down, swim, enjoy a cold drink, and recharge. It strikes a balance between comfort and accessibility, making it one of the best options in Rwanda’s southwest.
My View: Nice hotel on the southern end of Lake Kivu. If you’re going to spend time with chimps or ziplining, this is the place to be! It’s also not super expensive (at least not like the following spot).
3. Kivu Cleo Hotel (Lake Kivu)
Kivu Cleo Hotel sits above the northern stretch of Lake Kivu, offering comfortable accommodations and easy access to the water. It’s smaller and more low-key than the Serena or Marina Bay properties, which makes it feel more personal and relaxed. The rooms are spacious and clean, with balconies overlooking the lake, and the staff take pride in providing attentive service without being overbearing.
This hotel is excellent for travelers who enjoy being active but still want a comfortable space to unwind at night. You can arrange kayaking, swimming, or boat trips directly from the hotel, and the sunsets over the lake are some of the best in the region. The restaurant and bar area are both inviting, and it’s an easy place to meet other travelers making their way through western Rwanda.
It’s also a great midpoint stop between Nyungwe and Gisenyi, breaking up what would otherwise be a long travel day. The vibe here is more relaxed than luxury-focused, which makes it a good match for travelers who value peace, simplicity, and scenery over formality.
My View: I was blown away here. This felt like the most luxurious hotel we stayed at. Thanks to a 100/100 view of Lake Kivu below us and dining on the patio under the stairs, this place rocks!
But it’s not cheap. If you’re looking for an epic place to stay in Rwanda that will treat you so well, I highly recommend it. You can also use their kayaks to get out on the lake.
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4. Kivu Serena Hotel (Lake Kivu)
Kivu Serena Hotel, located in Gisenyi on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, brings a resort feel to one of Rwanda’s most beautiful natural settings. The hotel sits right on the beach, giving you direct access to swimming, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing by the water. It’s one of the flagship properties in the Serena Hotels portfolio, delivering the level of comfort and service for which the brand is known.
The rooms are modern and comfortable, offering either garden or lake views, and the grounds are beautifully maintained, featuring palm trees and open lawns. The restaurant offers a blend of African and Western cuisine, and the outdoor pool area is ideal for relaxation between excursions. You’re close to the Congo Nile Trail, local coffee tours, and cultural experiences, but the hotel itself is so relaxing that it’s hard to leave.
Kivu Serena is ideal for travelers seeking a more luxurious experience while surrounded by Rwanda’s natural beauty. It’s a place where you can slow down, soak in lake views, and reflect on your adventures — whether that’s gorilla trekking, hiking, or just exploring the country.
My View: Being lakeside was a phenomenal place to be, but it was extremely hazy, so we couldn’t fully appreciate the beauty of the water. One thing to keep in mind is that this area is VERY safe, but the worst conflict zone in the DRC is just across the border. We never felt any danger, but it’s a thing to know about before going.
5. Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Kinigi)
Set in Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel is the perfect base for gorilla trekking and other primate adventures. It’s only a short drive to the park entrance, making early morning starts easy and stress-free. The hotel boasts a cozy, intimate atmosphere, featuring beautifully landscaped gardens, a pool, and cottages that seamlessly blend comfort with a touch of rustic charm.
After a long day trekking through the forest, coming back to Five Volcanoes feels like a reward. The staff are incredibly welcoming, offering hot towels and fresh juice when you return. The on-site restaurant serves hearty meals — precisely what you need after hours of hiking. There’s also a small spa for massages, which hits the spot after trekking on steep, muddy trails.
What makes this place stand out is the personal touch. The staff learn your name, remember your plans, and help organize park permits or community tours. For anyone visiting Volcanoes National Park, this is hands down one of the best spots to stay — close to nature, but with the comforts you need.
My View: What a stunning and incredible hotel. We stayed here two nights. The food was out of this world, and the hospitality was insane. I even got a massage here (though it was comparable to US prices, which shows they know their audience).
You really can’t pick a better spot before or after gorilla trekking. That said, this is decently expensive. But it’s for sure worth it!
6. Mantis Epic Hotel & Suites, Nyagatare
Mantis Epic Hotel & Suites is one of the main accommodations in Nyagatare, Rwanda’s northeastern district. It’s a large, modern property featuring spacious rooms, a pool, and a restaurant offering both local and international cuisine. While Nyagatare itself isn’t a big tourist hub, this hotel serves as a convenient stopover between the Volcanoes region and Akagera National Park.
The hotel’s design is sleek and professional, reflecting its affiliation with the Mantis Collection — renowned for blending sustainability with comfort. You’ll find reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable beds, and a staff eager to help with travel logistics or dining recommendations. After long drives between parks, the Mantis Epic provides a welcome dose of comfort and predictability.
It’s not necessarily a destination hotel but rather a high-quality overnight spot on a long journey. Still, the attention to detail and consistent quality make it stand out compared to other options in the region.
My View: This is the definition of an in-and-out hotel. I’m not 100% certain, but our group may have been the only ones there. The views were lovely and the food and service fantastic. But it just screams meeting space.
Definitely nothing to write home abou,t but it got the job done.
7. Akagera Game Lodge (Western side of Rwanda)
Akagera Game Lodge offers an entirely different experience – a stay inside Rwanda’s only savanna national park. Perched on a ridge overlooking Lake Ihema, it gives you panoramic views and direct access to the park’s safari routes. The lodge is simple but comfortable, with clean rooms, a restaurant, and a pool where you can cool off between game drives.
What makes this place special is the atmosphere. You might spot giraffes or antelope just beyond the property’s fence, and the early mornings bring golden light across the grasslands. The lodge works closely with park management, so it’s easy to organize game drives, boat safaris, or conservation experiences directly through them.
Evenings at Akagera are quiet — often just the sounds of crickets and hippos in the distance. It’s an excellent spot for travelers who want to immerse themselves in Rwanda’s wild side without compromising on comfort basics.
My View: One of our favorite lodges on the trip. While you won’t have animals walking through the area, you’ll enjoy stunning views looking east. The food and hospitality were amazing, and they provided easy access to your game drives.
We even had a young adult dance group come in and perform local routines.
FAQ About the Best Hotels in Rwanda
Tap water or bottled water?
You’ll want to drink the bottled water in Rwanda to play it safe. I think that if you are in Kigali, tap water won’t cause too many issues. However, it’s not something you want to mess around with.
That said, I did accidentally drink filtered water at Volcanoes Hotel and had no issues. You probably want to specify with your server what you would like.
Is shower water safe?
Yes! At least all the places listed here had perfectly fine shower water. I can’t speak to other locations. If it’s an upscale hotel, I wouldn’t worry too much.
Side note: I initially used bottled water to brush my teeth, but by the end, I switched to tap water to wet my toothbrush and was fine.
What was the nicest hotel I stayed at?
The Kivu Cleo hotel was INCREDIBLE! The view, perched up on the hill, overlooking the lake, was majestic. And the rooms and food were 10/10. It’s one of the more expensive hotels in the country, but you get your money’s worth.
What was the most surprising thing about the hotels in Rwanda?
When we returned to the Five Volcanoes Hotel after our gorilla trekking experience, everyone received a foot rub. I was shocked (in a good way). After briefly resisting, I succumbed, and dang, that foot rub felt amazing!
When I say the hospitality is excellent in Rwanda, this is what I mean!
How was the restaurant food in Rwanda’s hotels?
We ate all of our meals at the hotels for simplicity, and each meal was delicious. Honestly, I’m not sure if I could pick a favorite meal because they were all so tasty. However, the steak on our first night in Kigali at the restaurant next to the Radisson Blu was so freaking good.
(Probably because we had just gotten off the plane and were hungry.)
Final Thoughts on the Best Hotels and where to stay in Rwanda
I truly cannot say enough about the hotels in Rwanda. They were magnificent and exceeded my expectations. So if you’re looking at what hotels to stay at in Rwanda, I would focus on these.
You won’t be disappointed with these best hotels in Rwanda!
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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