Kigali Serena Hotel

Decorated in authentic African style and elegantly furnished, the standard rooms are 25 – 30 square metres in size and are both sophisticated and relaxing, perfect for either business or leisure. Features include one king or two twin beds, a bathroom with both a bathtub and shower, air conditioning and a flat screen TV with satellite channels. A work desk and chair is also provided as is a coffeemaker, ironing board and a hairdryer. Other amenities include a minibar, safe, daily newspapers and Elemis bath amenities.

Decorated in authentic African style and elegantly furnished, the deluxe rooms are 25 – 30 square metres in size and are both sophisticated and relaxing, perfect for either business or leisure. Features include one king or two twin beds, a bathroom with both a bathtub and shower, air conditioning and a flat screen TV with satellite channels. A work desk and chair is also provided as is a coffeemaker, ironing board and a hairdryer. Other amenities include a minibar, safe, daily newspapers and Elemis bath amenities.

Varying slightly in size between 25 and 30 square metres, these rooms can offer one king or two twin beds to its guests as well as a bathroom with both a bathtub and a shower. Air conditioning is also provided as is a flat screen TV with satellite channels. A work desk and chair is also provided as is a coffeemaker, ironing board and a hairdryer. Other amenities include a minibar, safe, daily newspapers and Elemis bath amenities.

The junior suites at the property offer guests 40 square metres of space as well as king size beds and a bathroom with both a bathtub and a shower. The suite also has its own integrated workspace, making it perfect for those on business trips. Air conditioning is also provided as is a flat screen TV with satellite channels. A work desk and chair is also provided as is a coffeemaker, ironing board and a hairdryer. Other amenities include a minibar, safe, daily newspapers and Elemis bath amenities.

The executive suites are incredibly luxurious, offering guests 70 square metres of space to enjoy. A king pillow top bed is also provided as is a separate sitting room for evenings spent relaxing or working in. A bathroom with both a bathtub and a shower is provided as is air conditioning and a flat screen TV with satellite channels. A work desk and chair is also provided as is a coffeemaker, ironing board and a hairdryer. Other amenities include a minibar, safe, daily newspapers and Elemis bath amenities.

The presidential suite is spread across 300 square feet and offers three bedrooms throughout. The king bedroom has its own en suite featuring a Jacuzzi, bathtub and shower. It also features a private office, private dining room and a gallery kitchen. There is also two guest rooms as well as an elegant sitting room for evenings spent unwinding. A reception area and private vestibule entrance make this suite all the more private and luxurious.

Being spread across its own private floor, the presidential suite is one of the finest options at Kigali Serena Hotel. Air conditioning and a flat screen TV with satellite channels is also provided. A work desk and chair is also included as is a coffeemaker, ironing board and a hairdryer. Other amenities include a minibar, safe, daily newspapers and Elemis bath amenities. Guests can also enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, bathrobes, slippers and 24 hour room service.

Sokoni Restaurant stands central to the extensive tropical gardens overlooking the pool at the property. Renowned for its array of colourful cocktails and live music, cuisine from all over the world can be enjoyed here all day to suit all tastes. Every Friday the restaurants hosts happy hour between 6pm and 7pm alongside an African buffet between 6:30pm to 10pm. On Saturdays the restaurant hosts a family BBQ lunch and the place is also child friendly.

Milima Restaurant overlooks the property’s pool and has been styled elegantly, offering tons of light. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner here, welcoming families as well as those at a business briefing.

The property offers each guest 24-hour room service to each of its guests, offering an extensive menu to choose from which includes everything from sandwiches to spiced curry. Private lunches can also be enjoyed in your suite as can dinner alongside cocktails and canapés on the private terrace.

The women’s centre was established in 2007 by 18 women living in the area and the centre examines Rwanda’s unfortunate history of inequality and discrimination against women. The centre also aims to provide education to disadvantaged women in aid of better opportunities for employment for them.

Located ten minutes from the city centre is the Kigali Genocide Memorial that offers guided tours of its many exhibits and gardens that commemorate the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Visitors can also choose to be guided by a member of staff, many of whom are survivors of the genocide or they can take and audio visual tour.

Known as ‘Kandt House’ locally, this museum celebrates the work of the German physician and explorer Dr. Richard Kandt and his exploration of Rwanda in 1897 in his search for the source of the Nile River. The museum has artefacts from his days of exploration as well as a ship that was sunk off the shores of Lake Kivu during the surrender of the German troops to the Belgian Army in World War One.

The Inema Art Centre showcases a host of local works in contemporary African arts, crafts, music and dance. It exhibits paintings and sculptures as well as mixed media expressions. The centre also conducts programmes and initiatives that are designed to expand the creative arts in Rwanda.

The company’s report states that ‘The Group’s CSR programs continue to focus on sustainable business practices that touch on eco-tourism; environmental conservation; education; public health and community development’. It also states that ‘For Serena Hotels, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Environmental Conservation and Sustainability means corporate culture, a culture which holds the Company’s responsibility not only for making profit, but also for the conditions under which profits are made.

Finding a balance between financial success, social responsibility and protecting the environment is a fundamental approach that lies at the heart of Serena Hotels corporate culture and is reflected in our corporate values. Sustainability is a key pillar of our Group strategy and has always played a fundamental role within our business. We continue to strive to combine a powerful business sense and a strong sense of social responsibility towards our stakeholders which has over four decades of existence been created, managed and sustained through long-term relationships, marked by mutual
respect and trust.’

Serena Hotels gives priority to the local communities in which they operate, increasing economic independence. Serena Hotel’s properties focus on providing opportunity to the community by purchasing fresh food locally, selling art and crafts from various local community groups in their gift shops and providing work training opportunities that all the youth of the area to gain skills that lead to employment.

Guests at the property are also exposed to a diverse range of local cultures through song and dance, which in turn supports the community economically. Support initiatives provide free medical consultations and Serena Hotels also support a range of charitable causes to provide for disadvantaged and mentally challenged groups.

Serena Hotels work with school around their properties in various ways to ensure that children have a conducive environment for learning. The initiatives in place allow for children to develop positive attributes, having a positive impact on their upbringing and development that will hopefully transform the quality of their life long term.

Sports diplomacy is an integral part of Serena Hotel’s efforts to strengthen the relations between communities and diverse groups. The hotels have incorporated sports into their annual calendar by facilitating, sponsoring and hosting tournaments and matches across different ages to bring people together.

Serena Hotels ensures that it promotes the arts and intercultural activities to inspire people to come together to display their heritage. A dedicated space within Serena Hotel in Islamabad is The Satrang Gallery, which is devoted to promoting Pakistani art and young artists, giving them ma platform to engage with a wider audience.

Serena Hotel’s Adventure Diplomacy Group was formed in 2014 to support Samin Baig to reach the summit of Mount Everest, becoming the first Pakistani woman to do so. They have also aided her and her brother to climb seven peaks in seven continents, encouraging human engagement with nature in ways that test their endurance and commitment.

This initiative is the culmination of the value that Serena Hotels brings to society. The initiative brings together experts and policy makers to inform people and organisations in advancing debate on socio-economic subjects.

Serena Hotels understands how important the environment in which it operates is. Developments and operations have and continue to be guided by a dynamic and strong ecological policy as the company continues to expand. There is a focus on projects that relate to climate change, energy conservation, water conservation, reducing emissions and recycling waste to the highest extent. They also know how important it is to conserve the delicate biodiversity and restore natural habitats whilst respecting local traditions, heritage and culture.