After what had been a very hectic long week, a restorative stay in a quiet place far from work, was called for. The four-star facility cocooned by high walls and located right in the heart of kigali, was a great choice for resting in the calmness and tranquility of Kiyovu.

Park Inn Hotel is simply grand. Seated on the lush green of Kiyovu hill, it is adorned in such a nice, subtle way with furnishings ranging from vintage to purely playful.

Our first impression, arriving after dark on a chilly Friday, was somewhat muted with a generic of polite staff welcoming us on arrival, showing us around to our rooms and advising on the hotel’s best features to luxuriate in; but we do remember peering into a lobby featuring huge chandeliers, designed with a funky offbeat edge that promised a stay full of discovery. And true enough, during our stay, we were constantly coming across clever little details.

We were treated to two standard rooms for our night which were very fancy and spacious, to say the least. The bedroom side of things was elegant and subtle, just like the whole hotel. Alas, the room service was somewhat slow, but John, the room-service attendant made sure to come by and apologize for the slowness, which was very nice of him.

But other than that slight problem, the room was perfect with a super-comfortable bed, a TV with a decent selection of channels.

What about the food, you ask? Well, the food was a fusion of mouth-watering and jaw-dropping displays amid a scenic and sophisticated restaurant. And what is more, the genial waiter who did his possible to make sure that we were served on time, with the food we requested.

Overall, the experience is defined through design that leans on youthful nostalgia, locally-inspired food and drink and a buzzy feel-home sensation.

Indeed, Park Inn by Radisson Kigali is onto something and it shows in their way of working.

Albeit very brief, our journey in the Hotel was one of the most insightful trips we’ve ever had and wonder what we learnt? ‘You are only as old as you feel’. There is absolutely no reason why you would travel four hours to Gisenyi for a restorative stay while you can enjoy this affordable little piece of luxury.

Park Inn Hotel's lobby delights visitors with its vibrant colors

Our rooms were very spacious and stylish to say the least

The food provided at the Hotel is a mix of mouthwatering and delicious displays

All in all, there is absolutely no reason why you would travel four hours to Gisenyi for a restorative stay while you can enjoy this affordable little piece of luxury located in the heart of Kigali

The Hotel's 'JJ Nightclub' is certainly something else with its modern setup and upbeat tunes