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The Retreat by Heaven | Kigali
Town & Country and The New York Times describe The Retreat in Kigali as one of the top boutique hotels of the world. The American owners of Heaven Restaurant created The Retreat, a 20-room luxury boutique hotel located on a tree-lined residential street steps from Kigali City Center and 20 minutes from the airport. 8 new luxury pool villas are now open where King Charles III stayed in June 2022! The Retreat is Kigali’s first eco-friendly resort and features solar electricity, organic toiletries, locally-crafted furniture from a Tanzanian sustainable teak farm, outdoor showers, private terraces, a yoga and meditation deck, spa, large heated saltwater swimming pool with hot tub and diving rocks, and an open-air fitness center. Fusion Restaurant and its Swahili-inspired bar, located at The Retreat, offers delicious farm-to-table international cuisine, while Heaven Restaurant (reached through The Retreat’s “Stairway to Heaven”) offers an innovative modern African menu. The Retreat is the perfect choice to host guests for first 2 nights or several days as visitors enjoy innovative, curated cultural experiences and exciting activities onsite and around Kigali. From public health to hospitality, co-owners Alissa & Josh Ruxin created Heaven Restaurant in 2008 to provide jobs and vocational training in hospitality, to date, Heaven and The Retreat have trained over 3,000 Rwandans.
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The Retreat - Superior King Suite
The Retreat - Deluxe King Room
The Retreat - Deluxe King Room - Bathroom
The Retreat - Superior King Suite - Bathroom
The Retreat - Superior King Suite - Patio
The Retreat - Spa
Heaven Gym
Room size (Indoor and outdoor private living space): 120 m²
This room features:
1 King Bed (Emperor King size - 2 meter x 2 meter)
(All beds can be configured as Twin setup; 2 pool villas can be adjoining)
Sofa bed opens into a child bed
Private salt water heated plunge pool
Lush private front and back gardens with outdoor showers
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - 65" Plasma TV with Netflix
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, minibar, Luxury coffee/tea maker, complimentary unlimited purified water and 24-hour room service
Sleep - Pillow-top bed, Organic UK Naturalmat mattresses, British linens, a duvet, a pillow menu, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom with indoor and outdoor rain showers, organic amenities (shampoos, conditioner, body lotion), double Duravit sink, wood vanity
Floors - Engineered Oak
Practical - Safe, desk, and phone
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Non-Smoking
Practical: One villa has Private Back Entrance for VIP/Exclusivity, one villa is wheelchair accessible
Room rate for Luxury Pool Villas is inclusive of the following amenities:
1 welcome complimentary 30mins massage (valid once per client per booking), Fruit Basket, Snack Jar, Welcome Amenity, Complimentary Minibar on a daily basis. 1 onsite cultural activity - cocktail making, cooking demo, banana wine demo, neighborhood walk (valid once per booking; additional activities at cost)
Room size 60 m²
This room features:
1 King Bed (Emperor King size - 2 meter x 2 meter)
(4 rooms can be configured as Twin; 2 rooms can be adjoining)
Furnished front balcony & private back deck with garden & outdoor rain shower
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - Plasma TV with Netflix
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, minibar, coffee/tea maker, complimentary unlimited purified water and 24-hour room service
Sleep - Pillow top bed, Organic UK Naturalmat mattresses, British linens, a duvet, a pillow menu, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom with indoor and outdoor rain showers, organic amenities (shampoos, conditioner, body lotion), double Duravit sink, teak wood vanity
(2 rooms have a bathtub and showers)
Practical - Safe, desk, and phone
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Non-Smoking
Room rate for Superior King Suite is inclusive of the following amenities:
1 welcome complimentary 30 minute massage (valid once per client per booking), Fruit Basket, Snack Jar, Welcome Amenity. 1 onsite cultural activity - cocktail making, cooking demo, banana wine demo, neighborhood walk (valid once per booking; additional activities at cost)
Room size 40 m²
This room features:
1 King bed
Furnished patio
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - Plasma TV with Netflix
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, minibar, coffee/tea maker, complimentary unlimited purified water and 24-hour room service
Sleep - Pillowtop bed, Organic UK Naturalmat mattress, British linens, a duvet, a pillow menu, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, rainfall showerhead, organic amenities (shampoo, conditioner, body lotion), single Duravit sink, teak wood vanity
Practical - Safe, desk, and phone, wheelchair accessible
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible
Adjoining - 2 rooms adjoining (KING beds only; cannot be setup as Twin)
Non-Smoking
Room rate for Superior King Suite is inclusive of the following amenities:
1 welcome complimentary 30 minute massage (valid once per client per booking), Fruit Basket, Snack Jar, Welcome Amenity. 1 onsite cultural activity - cocktail making, cooking demo, banana wine demo, neighborhood walk (valid once per booking; additional activities at cost)
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Activity Desk, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Conference Centre, Disability Services, Eco Friendly, Gym, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Meal on Request, Pool, Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, TV Room
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Detached Private Bathroom, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Iron / Ironing Board, Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Satellite / Cable Television, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Verandah, Wheelchair Friendly
Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Chauffer Service, Credit Card, Foreign Exchange, Room Service, Room Service (24 hours), Travel Desk
Banana Beer Presentation & Tasting - $25 per person, 30 minute activity:
Guests learn the history and process of banana wine making and enjoy a tasting.
*Note: A 30 minute banana beer presentation with tasting is one of the onsite cultural activities included in The Retreat rate. Guests are welcome to book 1 complimentary onsite cultural activity, valid one time only per booking. Please book in advance of arrival.
Guests are welcome to book more than one cultural activity at additional cost.
Banana Beer Making Workshop - $50 per person, 1.5 hour hands-on workshop
Banana beer, or “urwagwa” in Kinyarwanda, is a traditional beer made from fermentation of mashed bananas. In our hands-on workshop, guests learn the step-by-step art of making traditional banana beer, from mashing bananas to grinding and toasting sorghum, to the fermentation process, which ends with a tasting!
NEIGHBORHOOD WALK - $25 per person, 45-60 minutes
Our neighborhood walk offers guests an authentic fun, informative and uniquely personal insight into Rwandan culture and local life in Kigali. A hotel guide will walk with guests through our residential neighborhood called Kiyovu, pass by the presidential compound, walk up the tree-lined streets to the famous Hotel des Milles Collines (Hotel Rwanda), and continue to Camp Kigali Memorial which offers insight into the genocide history in Rwanda.
*Note: A 45 minute neighborhood walk is one of the onsite cultural activities included in The Retreat rate. Guests are welcome to book 1 complimentary cultural activity, valid one time only per booking. Please book in advance of arrival.
Guests are welcome to book more than one cultural activity at additional cost.
LOCAL COOKING CLASS - $50 per person, 45 minutes
At Heaven and Fusion Restaurants, we work closely with local farmers, use quality ingredients, and cultivate our own onsite organic gardens. Enjoy an interactive cooking class and learn how to make a modern African recipe!
*Note: A 45 minute cooking class is one of the onsite cultural activities included in The Retreat rate. Guests are welcome to book 1 complimentary onsite cultural activity, valid one time only per booking. Please book in advance of arrival.
Guests are welcome to book more than one cultural activity at additional cost.
COCKTAIL MAKING CLASS - $25 per person (30 minutes)
Guests enjoy the variety, freshness and creativity of our cocktail recipes! Engage in an interactive cocktail making class with our expert baristas, and learn how to make one of our signature cocktails in this hands-on class.
*Note: A 30 minute cocktail making class is one of the onsite cultural activities included in The Retreat rate. Guests are welcome to book 1 complimentary onsite cultural activity, valid one time only per booking. Please book in advance of arrival.
Guests are welcome to book more than one cultural activity at additional cost.
Guests enjoy meeting our onsite tailor, being inspired by our visually enticing Look Book, and ordering custom made clothing and accessories! We have two Made in Rwanda Retail Shops onsite, one at The Retreat and another next door at Heaven Restaurant.
Our hotel concierge may arrange for a half day Fashion Experience, whereby guests have the chance to visit the best local Rwandan fashion boutiques and enjoy the unique opportunity to meet with designers and artisans.
Price per person: Request Rates
Our hotel concierge may organize an Art & Culture experience, to explore art galleries and cultural venues around Kigali.
Price per person: Request Rates
The Rwandan government has restored the natural wetlands in the valley of Kigali City! Bird watching, nature walks and hiking are all highlights in Kigali! Our hotel concierge may plan outings to explore the eco parks and Kigali's best preserved nature reserves.
Price per person: Request Rates
This remarkable community visit covers the history and amazing progress achieved in Rwanda. Owners Josh & Alissa Ruxin moved to Rwanda in 2006 to work on poverty reduction projects and started this work in Nyamata, which was an area hardest hit during the genocide and by famine after the war. Visitors meet with survivors of genocide to hear testimony and reflect on the past, and then visit various locations that demonstrate the incredible hope and progress we see in Rwanda today. Through innovative interventions in health, agriculture, education and micro enterprise, this area is now quite prosperous and is the chosen site for the new Kigali International Airport.
Price per person: Request Rates
Fusion - our restaurant at The Retreat - takes culinary traditions from around the globe and Rwandan ingredients and blends them into a single harmonious offer.
Perched beside The Retreat's glorious saltwater pool, rock gardens and native plantings, Fusion is the most elegant spot in Kigali to explore new flavors and experience first-class hospitality. In addition to our a la carte menu, Fusion also offers an exquisite 8 Course tasting menu with wine pairing or a festive Urban Bush Dinner with Rwandan Live Cooking and optional Traditional Dancers for groups of 6+ guests (with advanced reservation).
Heaven Restaurant is known as a hospitality training facility and cultural venue serving a unique modern African menu! The owners, Josh and Alissa Ruxin, custom built and opened Heaven in 2008 (1 16 years ago) to offer vocational training and employment for Rwandans to become leaders in hospitality. We have trained over 3,000 Rwandans in culinary and customer service skills and continue to train interns and others with a passion to build a career in hospitality. We are known for our famous guacamole and signature Cassava Leaf Beef Filet and also for our incredible homemade cocktails! We host cultural events from art exhibits to dance performances, we support Made in Rwanda products in our retail areas, and we have our own organic onsite garden!
The Lounge offers all Retreat guests a lovely new space for sundowners and bites, with fireplace, cozy seating, local decor and an expansive outdoor deck!
For small groups (6+), our team may organize an Urban Bush Dinner with live cooking and traditional dancers under the stars!
On special request, we may also setup a private dining experience on The Lounge deck.
Your Stay
1 Night
Bed and Breakfast
Fast Facts
5 Star
Hotel
Spoken Languages: English, French
No. Rooms: 20
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Cycling, Flora, Golf, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Shopping, Sports, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
Wilderness Sabyinyo | Volcanoes National Park
The lodge is only minutes away from the headquarters of the Volcanoes National Park from where guests trek on foot to see the magnificent mountain gorilla – perhaps one of the most dramatic, thrilling and poignant wildlife experiences possible.
Accommodation at Wilderness Sabyinyo comprises six double cottages, two suites and one family unit. All are stone buildings with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs, and feature large sitting areas, fireplaces, stylish en-suite bathrooms.
INSIDER'S TIP: Wilderness Sabyinyo is Rwanda's first ever community owned lodge. The lodge is operated by Wilderness, however, the ownership rests with a Community Trust, SACOLA (Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association) which uses rentals and community fees from the lodge to drive socio-economic and conservation initiatives in the communities adjacent to the national park.
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Sabyinyo has six charming cottages with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs. Each has a spacious sitting area, a fireplace and extra-roomy en-suite bathroom. Space heaters by the beds supplement the log fire, to create a haven of warmth. Outdoors, a spacious veranda invites you to relax and enjoy the bird-filled gardens.
Sabyinyo has one spacious family cottage with the same traditional Rwandese terracotta tile roofs.
The cottage offers two separate bedrooms, each with its own en-suite facilities. Families can enjoy breakfast outdoors on the shared veranda, and cosy up in the evenings around the inviting fireplace in the large sitting area.
Please note, the family cottage is more suitable for older children, as the two individual bedrooms are not interlinked. For families with younger children, we recommend one parent sleeps with the younger child/children.
Sabyinyo offers two extra-spacious luxury suites. Each features an expansive sitting area, two verandas with impressive views and en-suite bathroom (shower and bath). Log fires are lit every night, and space heaters beside the large king-sized, four-poster bed adds warmth and ambiance. The suites are perfect for couples and honeymooners.
Please note it’s not possible to create two separate single beds.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Library, Malaria Free, Meal on Request, Mobile Connectivity, Restaurant, Secure Parking
Room Facilities
Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fireplace, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Heater, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Services
Credit Card, Room Service
The legendary Virunga Mountains in north-western Rwanda are home to volcanoes, swathes of cloud forest and half the world’s total population of Endangered mountain gorillas. The primates of Rwanda are unparalleled, and Wilderness Sabyinyo is the perfect base for mountain gorilla trekking.
This thrilling excursion takes place from Volcanoes National Park headquarters, where guests are allocated to one of the 12 habituated gorilla families for an awe-inspiring one-hour encounter.
* Park fees are not included and are at extra cost.
Enjoy a short trek to view this beautiful primate, which is endemic to the area and lives in groups of between 30 to 80 individuals in the Park’s bamboo forest.
* Park fees are not included and are at extra cost.
At Sabyinyo you can get up close to the stories of the land on a guided community walk, which offers fascinating insights into Rwandan rural life, as well as a glimpse into the struggles of the past.
Guests will learn how crops are grown, how milling and processing is done by hand, and learn more about how traditional medicines are used.
Rwandan dancing, an integral part of today’s culture, will be part of this fascinating cultural tour, which is one to three hours long.
Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide at Sabyinyo is a truly enriching experience.
Sabyinyo extends across seven hectares (about 17 acres) and is a haven for over 40 bird species that do not otherwise easily thrive in the surrounding agricultural plots, where natural shelter is rare and human disturbance is high.
Guests are welcome to enjoy the nature trails on their own (armed with a good pair of binoculars), or are invited to enquire about our guided walks.
While staying at Wilderness Sabyinyo, we recommend enjoying a guided community walk, which offers fascinating insight into Rwandan rural life today, as well as a glimpse into life in the historical past. An enriching experience, guests are invited to understand the agricultural lifestyle of Rwanda, including how crops are grown, how milling and processing is done by hand, traditional medicines, as well as enjoying the frenetic activity of traditional Rwandan dancing, which is an aspect of the culture still very alive today.
A walk may range in duration between one to three hours.
The Gorilla Guardian Village is located about 15 minutes drive from Wilderness Sabyinyo and is an interesting cultural excursion. The village convinced ex-poachers to turn their back on poaching and instead showcase their customs and heritage.
Visiting the village guests can discover the traditional house of a local king, watch an authentic medicine man prepare herbal mixtures, try their hand at bow and arrow shooting, or enjoy cultural dances and drumming performed by people from the local area.
A visit to Dian Fossey’s research camp, Karisoke, and her grave, is another highlight at Sabyinyo. The trek starts from the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, and is located in the saddle area between two volcanoes, Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke (from which the name Karisoke is derived). The camp site sits at an altitude of 3 000 metres (over 9 000 feet.) and was abandoned during the unrest of the 1990s. All that remains today is the grave of Dian Fossey and several graves of her beloved gorillas, buried alongside her. A poignant and cherished moment for all who visit.
A visit to see Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo is a must on any itinerary. Located between Musanze and the Ugandan border, the Twin Lakes offer magnificent views over the Virunga Volcanoes, while the surrounding hills create a picture-perfect frame around the deep blue waters. Guests can take a gentle walk around one of the lakes, and enjoy wonderful birding. However, due to the steep nature of the landscape, it is often preferable to drive up the small track leading to a lodge tucked away at the top of the hill: the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing drink and soak up the glorious vistas.
The Twin Lakes are 45 minutes by car from Sabyinyo, and are reached via a good tarmac road south to Musanze, and then back north towards Cyanika, or via a narrow but picturesque dirt road that follows the contours of the mountain.
The lakeside resort of Gisenyi makes for a wonderful contrast to the high altitude of the Virunga Volcanoes. Located 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Sabyinyo (two hours by car) Lake Kivu offers a relaxing day out. Stroll along the sandy beach on the lakeshore, and take a refreshing swim in the cool waters, followed by a refreshing drink at one of the quaint cafes along the palm-tree fringed lakeside promenade. The mild tropical climate adds to the springtime mood, which not even the imposing Nyiarongo Volcano can dampen.
Guests will also enjoy strolling past the hotels, mansions and lush gardens that echo its opulent past.
Local markets are the lifeblood of any town and Musanze market is a prime example. A bustling place full of local character and virtually everything you may need under the sun. Found in Musanze town (formerly known as Ruhengeri) it is the most important town in Rwanda’s Northern Province and in the Volcanoes area. It serves as the area’s administrative, commercial and service capital. You can also find all sorts of interesting souvenirs and handicrafts, and a wide range of traditional Kitenge fabric.
Enjoy a guided walk to Iby’Iwacu cultural village either on foot (a one hour downhill walk from Sabyinyo) or by car, a 15-minute drive).
Here you’ll learn the fascinating story of how one village convinced ex-poachers to turn their backs on poaching. Visit the traditional residence of a local king, watch an authentic medicine man prepare herbal mixtures, and try your hand at bow-and-arrow shooting.
Cultural dances and drumming performances are also on offer.
The guided walk takes around an hour and guests are free to take photographs. It is customary to leave a tip of USD 20.00.
Another very rewarding outing is a visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International was established in 1967 to protect and study gorillas and their habitat, as well as to empower the people in the community.
With a team of hundreds working in Rwanda and the DRC, the Fossey Fund is the world’s longest-running and largest organisation dedicated entirely to gorilla conservation.
In 2022, the organisation moved to its first permanent, purpose-built home, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Nestled in a beautiful, reforested landscape near Volcanoes National Park, why not add this to your itinerary. Here you can stop in for a tour, grab a cup of coffee at the Gorilla Café, browse the gift shop and learn more about the gorillas and the important work done to help conserve them.
* The visit is an additional cost per person in USD and are subject to change without prior notification.
Your Stay
1 Night
Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Fast Facts
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English, French, Swahili
No. Rooms: 9
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Flora, Hiking, Nature, Wildlife
The Retreat by Heaven | Kigali
Town & Country and The New York Times describe The Retreat in Kigali as one of the top boutique hotels of the world. The American owners of Heaven Restaurant created The Retreat, a 20-room luxury boutique hotel located on a tree-lined residential street steps from Kigali City Center and 20 minutes from the airport. 8 new luxury pool villas are now open where King Charles III stayed in June 2022! The Retreat is Kigali’s first eco-friendly resort and features solar electricity, organic toiletries, locally-crafted furniture from a Tanzanian sustainable teak farm, outdoor showers, private terraces, a yoga and meditation deck, spa, large heated saltwater swimming pool with hot tub and diving rocks, and an open-air fitness center. Fusion Restaurant and its Swahili-inspired bar, located at The Retreat, offers delicious farm-to-table international cuisine, while Heaven Restaurant (reached through The Retreat’s “Stairway to Heaven”) offers an innovative modern African menu. The Retreat is the perfect choice to host guests for first 2 nights or several days as visitors enjoy innovative, curated cultural experiences and exciting activities onsite and around Kigali. From public health to hospitality, co-owners Alissa & Josh Ruxin created Heaven Restaurant in 2008 to provide jobs and vocational training in hospitality, to date, Heaven and The Retreat have trained over 3,000 Rwandans.
- Images
- Video
- 360 Panoramas
- Rooms
- Facilities
- Activities and Services
- Restaurants
The Retreat - Superior King Suite
The Retreat - Deluxe King Room
The Retreat - Deluxe King Room - Bathroom
The Retreat - Superior King Suite - Bathroom
The Retreat - Superior King Suite - Patio
The Retreat - Spa
Heaven Gym
Room size (Indoor and outdoor private living space): 120 m²
This room features:
1 King Bed (Emperor King size - 2 meter x 2 meter)
(All beds can be configured as Twin setup; 2 pool villas can be adjoining)
Sofa bed opens into a child bed
Private salt water heated plunge pool
Lush private front and back gardens with outdoor showers
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - 65" Plasma TV with Netflix
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, minibar, Luxury coffee/tea maker, complimentary unlimited purified water and 24-hour room service
Sleep - Pillow-top bed, Organic UK Naturalmat mattresses, British linens, a duvet, a pillow menu, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom with indoor and outdoor rain showers, organic amenities (shampoos, conditioner, body lotion), double Duravit sink, wood vanity
Floors - Engineered Oak
Practical - Safe, desk, and phone
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Non-Smoking
Practical: One villa has Private Back Entrance for VIP/Exclusivity, one villa is wheelchair accessible
Room rate for Luxury Pool Villas is inclusive of the following amenities:
1 welcome complimentary 30mins massage (valid once per client per booking), Fruit Basket, Snack Jar, Welcome Amenity, Complimentary Minibar on a daily basis. 1 onsite cultural activity - cocktail making, cooking demo, banana wine demo, neighborhood walk (valid once per booking; additional activities at cost)
Room size 60 m²
This room features:
1 King Bed (Emperor King size - 2 meter x 2 meter)
(4 rooms can be configured as Twin; 2 rooms can be adjoining)
Furnished front balcony & private back deck with garden & outdoor rain shower
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - Plasma TV with Netflix
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, minibar, coffee/tea maker, complimentary unlimited purified water and 24-hour room service
Sleep - Pillow top bed, Organic UK Naturalmat mattresses, British linens, a duvet, a pillow menu, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom with indoor and outdoor rain showers, organic amenities (shampoos, conditioner, body lotion), double Duravit sink, teak wood vanity
(2 rooms have a bathtub and showers)
Practical - Safe, desk, and phone
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Non-Smoking
Room rate for Superior King Suite is inclusive of the following amenities:
1 welcome complimentary 30 minute massage (valid once per client per booking), Fruit Basket, Snack Jar, Welcome Amenity. 1 onsite cultural activity - cocktail making, cooking demo, banana wine demo, neighborhood walk (valid once per booking; additional activities at cost)
Room size 40 m²
This room features:
1 King bed
Furnished patio
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - Plasma TV with Netflix
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, minibar, coffee/tea maker, complimentary unlimited purified water and 24-hour room service
Sleep - Pillowtop bed, Organic UK Naturalmat mattress, British linens, a duvet, a pillow menu, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, rainfall showerhead, organic amenities (shampoo, conditioner, body lotion), single Duravit sink, teak wood vanity
Practical - Safe, desk, and phone, wheelchair accessible
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible
Adjoining - 2 rooms adjoining (KING beds only; cannot be setup as Twin)
Non-Smoking
Room rate for Superior King Suite is inclusive of the following amenities:
1 welcome complimentary 30 minute massage (valid once per client per booking), Fruit Basket, Snack Jar, Welcome Amenity. 1 onsite cultural activity - cocktail making, cooking demo, banana wine demo, neighborhood walk (valid once per booking; additional activities at cost)
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Activity Desk, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Conference Centre, Disability Services, Eco Friendly, Gym, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Meal on Request, Pool, Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, TV Room
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Detached Private Bathroom, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Iron / Ironing Board, Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Satellite / Cable Television, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Verandah, Wheelchair Friendly
Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Chauffer Service, Credit Card, Foreign Exchange, Room Service, Room Service (24 hours), Travel Desk
Banana Beer Presentation & Tasting - $25 per person, 30 minute activity:
Guests learn the history and process of banana wine making and enjoy a tasting.
*Note: A 30 minute banana beer presentation with tasting is one of the onsite cultural activities included in The Retreat rate. Guests are welcome to book 1 complimentary onsite cultural activity, valid one time only per booking. Please book in advance of arrival.
Guests are welcome to book more than one cultural activity at additional cost.
Banana Beer Making Workshop - $50 per person, 1.5 hour hands-on workshop
Banana beer, or “urwagwa” in Kinyarwanda, is a traditional beer made from fermentation of mashed bananas. In our hands-on workshop, guests learn the step-by-step art of making traditional banana beer, from mashing bananas to grinding and toasting sorghum, to the fermentation process, which ends with a tasting!
NEIGHBORHOOD WALK - $25 per person, 45-60 minutes
Our neighborhood walk offers guests an authentic fun, informative and uniquely personal insight into Rwandan culture and local life in Kigali. A hotel guide will walk with guests through our residential neighborhood called Kiyovu, pass by the presidential compound, walk up the tree-lined streets to the famous Hotel des Milles Collines (Hotel Rwanda), and continue to Camp Kigali Memorial which offers insight into the genocide history in Rwanda.
*Note: A 45 minute neighborhood walk is one of the onsite cultural activities included in The Retreat rate. Guests are welcome to book 1 complimentary cultural activity, valid one time only per booking. Please book in advance of arrival.
Guests are welcome to book more than one cultural activity at additional cost.
LOCAL COOKING CLASS - $50 per person, 45 minutes
At Heaven and Fusion Restaurants, we work closely with local farmers, use quality ingredients, and cultivate our own onsite organic gardens. Enjoy an interactive cooking class and learn how to make a modern African recipe!
*Note: A 45 minute cooking class is one of the onsite cultural activities included in The Retreat rate. Guests are welcome to book 1 complimentary onsite cultural activity, valid one time only per booking. Please book in advance of arrival.
Guests are welcome to book more than one cultural activity at additional cost.
COCKTAIL MAKING CLASS - $25 per person (30 minutes)
Guests enjoy the variety, freshness and creativity of our cocktail recipes! Engage in an interactive cocktail making class with our expert baristas, and learn how to make one of our signature cocktails in this hands-on class.
*Note: A 30 minute cocktail making class is one of the onsite cultural activities included in The Retreat rate. Guests are welcome to book 1 complimentary onsite cultural activity, valid one time only per booking. Please book in advance of arrival.
Guests are welcome to book more than one cultural activity at additional cost.
Guests enjoy meeting our onsite tailor, being inspired by our visually enticing Look Book, and ordering custom made clothing and accessories! We have two Made in Rwanda Retail Shops onsite, one at The Retreat and another next door at Heaven Restaurant.
Our hotel concierge may arrange for a half day Fashion Experience, whereby guests have the chance to visit the best local Rwandan fashion boutiques and enjoy the unique opportunity to meet with designers and artisans.
Price per person: Request Rates
Our hotel concierge may organize an Art & Culture experience, to explore art galleries and cultural venues around Kigali.
Price per person: Request Rates
The Rwandan government has restored the natural wetlands in the valley of Kigali City! Bird watching, nature walks and hiking are all highlights in Kigali! Our hotel concierge may plan outings to explore the eco parks and Kigali's best preserved nature reserves.
Price per person: Request Rates
This remarkable community visit covers the history and amazing progress achieved in Rwanda. Owners Josh & Alissa Ruxin moved to Rwanda in 2006 to work on poverty reduction projects and started this work in Nyamata, which was an area hardest hit during the genocide and by famine after the war. Visitors meet with survivors of genocide to hear testimony and reflect on the past, and then visit various locations that demonstrate the incredible hope and progress we see in Rwanda today. Through innovative interventions in health, agriculture, education and micro enterprise, this area is now quite prosperous and is the chosen site for the new Kigali International Airport.
Price per person: Request Rates
Fusion - our restaurant at The Retreat - takes culinary traditions from around the globe and Rwandan ingredients and blends them into a single harmonious offer.
Perched beside The Retreat's glorious saltwater pool, rock gardens and native plantings, Fusion is the most elegant spot in Kigali to explore new flavors and experience first-class hospitality. In addition to our a la carte menu, Fusion also offers an exquisite 8 Course tasting menu with wine pairing or a festive Urban Bush Dinner with Rwandan Live Cooking and optional Traditional Dancers for groups of 6+ guests (with advanced reservation).
Heaven Restaurant is known as a hospitality training facility and cultural venue serving a unique modern African menu! The owners, Josh and Alissa Ruxin, custom built and opened Heaven in 2008 (1 16 years ago) to offer vocational training and employment for Rwandans to become leaders in hospitality. We have trained over 3,000 Rwandans in culinary and customer service skills and continue to train interns and others with a passion to build a career in hospitality. We are known for our famous guacamole and signature Cassava Leaf Beef Filet and also for our incredible homemade cocktails! We host cultural events from art exhibits to dance performances, we support Made in Rwanda products in our retail areas, and we have our own organic onsite garden!
The Lounge offers all Retreat guests a lovely new space for sundowners and bites, with fireplace, cozy seating, local decor and an expansive outdoor deck!
For small groups (6+), our team may organize an Urban Bush Dinner with live cooking and traditional dancers under the stars!
On special request, we may also setup a private dining experience on The Lounge deck.
Your Stay
1 Night
Bed and Breakfast
Fast Facts
5 Star
Hotel
Spoken Languages: English, French
No. Rooms: 20
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Cycling, Flora, Golf, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Shopping, Sports, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
