The Retreat
Kigali's most distinctive boutique option, in the leafy Kiyovu district, roughly 15 to 25 minutes from the airport. Owned and run by Josh and Alissa Ruxin — also behind Kigali's well-regarded Heaven Restaurant — it holds the distinction of being the city's first solar-powered, eco-conscious hotel, with organic toiletries and furniture crafted from sustainable Tanzanian teak. Rooms split between Superior and Deluxe categories, several wheelchair accessible and two designed for families with interconnecting doors, complemented by a spa, pool, personal butler service and the on-site Fusion restaurant. It was named among the world's top new hotels by Town & Country and The New York Times in 2018.
Best for: travellers wanting a genuinely intimate, design-led stay with a strong sustainability and local-ownership story.
Kigali Marriott Hotel
Opened in 2018 in the business district, close to the historic Hotel des Mille Collines, offering the consistency and amenities international travellers associate with the brand — reliable service standards, full business and events infrastructure, and city views.
Best for: corporate and MICE travellers, and those prioritising familiar international standards for a short stay.
Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre
Directly connected to the Kigali Convention Centre — the city's illuminated-dome landmark — with roughly 290 rooms a short drive from the airport, alongside restaurants, retail, gym and pool facilities. Its scale and convention-centre connection make it Kigali's primary large-format hotel for events and business travel.
Best for: business and conference travellers, and those wanting a large-hotel amenities set in the business hub.
Choosing between them
For most leisure travellers on our itineraries, The Retreat's boutique character and stronger design and sustainability story make it our more frequent recommendation. Corporate travellers, larger groups, or those needing convention-centre proximity are generally better served by the Marriott or Radisson Blu.