98 room hotel on top of one of the numerous hills in a nice botanical garden and 5 km from Kigali city center, 7 km from the international airport. The hotel features 4 meeting rooms, bar and restaurant, swimming pool, sauna, tennis, terrace, shuttle and car park. Additionally the hotel offers a business center, shops and bank.

Room(s) : 97
Non-smoking rooms : 20
Total number of junior suites : 10 (2 on each of the 5 floors)

Total number of executive suites: 5 (1 on each floor)
Pets accepted
Number of free children in parent's room : 2

Bar(s) : 1
Restaurant(s) : 1

Meetings/Conferences

Number of meeting rooms : 4

Miscellaneous information

Swimming pool
Tennis
Public outdoor parking
Fitness centre
 

Dates:

Open all year

Rack Rates 2007 (subject to change):

Bed & Breakfast (per room)

 Start from $145

Children

Under 12 stay free with parents

 Eben's Comments (March 2007):

When I first walked in, I thought " Oh no!". The lobby area was huge and bare with a few cafe-style tables on the right near the little bakery. Things looked a bit old and weary. I wish they would furnish the lobby with some plants and comfortable couches and coffee tables. It will make a big difference.

Check-in was  efficient but slow as they do a lot of paperwork including copying your passport picture page. The little check-in form is old-fashioned and yes, they still use copy-paper so press hard with the pen otherwise you may have to do it over again!

Rooms were no different. Bare with basic furnishings but everything worked although a bit worn. Lampshades and windows were dirty and there were inventory tags (stickers) on the chairs and tables. Very funny!

I had a writing desk and chair, a little table with two chairs, a queen bed with good lighting, a tv with 19 channels, a luggage rack, a safe, a telephone and several outlets - the European round variety - 220/240V.

The little fridge had one bottle of water but one could request room-service to stock the mini-bar with a variety of drinks.

Bathroom was nice with tub-shower. Shampoo and body-wash provided. Plenty of hot water. There was no iron and no hair-dryer.

I also noted the 2 packets of complimentary condoms in the drawer next to the bed! It is a good thing. Aids is very bad in Africa.

No air-conditioning and no mosquito netting. I did not see a single mosquito during my stay. The room had a stand-alone fan and it worked fine to keep the room comfortable.

If you want quiet rooms, pick ones facing the road (the hotel is set back in the garden and you don't hear the traffic). Rooms facing the pool can be a bit noisy in the afternoons with children screaming in the water!

Wireless internet is available in the rooms! You buy access cards (1 hour, 2 hours, 6 hours, etc) at the business center or front-desk. Start your browser, type in the access codes and surf! Not a strong signal but the speed  was more than adequate to check emails and for basic web surfing.  6 hours cost 5500 Frw (about 11 USD)

The hotel has a nice gym, pool, business center with several PCs, several shops and a bakery. Tennis is big here and they have several clay courts complete with grand stands and umpire chairs! There is also an worn putt-putt course.

Food was always buffet and good. The restaurant is clean and service is friendly. The bar is a bit bright so it is better to sit outside. Drink service at the pool was very efficient. Towels and deck chairs are provided.

It is primarily a business hotel with large conference rooms and these rooms were always busy during my visit. But the hotel grew on me during my stay. It is pleasant but by no means the top choice - Serena is more luxurious.

I will not plan my holiday around an extended stay at the Novotel but it is functional and efficient for a night or two.

They accept credit cards.