On walking in to the reception you are already aware that you are walking into somewhere a little bit different as the decor is perfection! It is rustic Banana Boutique Hotel luxury, it is traditional with a very modern twist and most importantly it is lavish yet homely and incredibly comfortable. All in all Banana Boutique Hotel has, in
my opinion, found the niche in the hotel market and got it very right indeed.
The Banana Boutique Hotel boasts 7 double rooms, both standard (USD 130) and luxury (USD 150) and all with fabulous en-suite facilities and balconies overlooking the city. Ample wardrobe space is available, large comfortable beds, and the superb decor runs on into every corner in the rooms, bathrooms, corridors and all communal areas. From candles and mirrors to a specific vase or bowl every care has been taken to give this place a feeling of class.

On walking through the gardens to get to the dining and bar area I was struck by the feeling of how secluded I felt in the centre of Kigali. It is so peaceful and I think this is made possible by the very wild feeling of the gardens with aptly grown banana trees and the fact that the garden is risen up so you look straight out over on to the hills in the distance giving a feeling of space and openness.
I was seated in the gardens, and even here the furniture was rustic yet utter luxurious comfort. When we were brought the menu, which was written on a chalk board, I was immediately excited about the meal we were going to have as you know when a menu is written on a chalk board, it is written daily and this means that the ingredients are fresh every day and that the chef is bound to be fantastic.

For the starter we picked guacamole (FRw4,300) accompanied by crunchy chapatti chips. The consistency was wonderfully rustic, and not too smooth with great undertones of onion, garlic, spices and lime with the crunchy chapatti chips were a fantastic accompaniment with the crunchy and salty texture and taste. The starter had a lovely light texture but was enough to satisfy our appetites for the time being; until out fresh and tasty main courses were to arrive.
For the main course I ordered the chicken ‘Yassa’ (FRw8,800), which is a Senegalese recipe of chicken with onions and a tasty and rich sauce with stock. The chicken was accompanied by fluffy white rice of the perfect texture. The large piece of fresh chicken was cooked to perfection, with wonderfully moist breast meat that had been cooked on the bone adding to the already flavour some meal.

My fellow diner decided to order the pork ‘Jambonnaeu’ (FRw8,800), for his main course. This is a piece of pork
cooked with a ginger sauce to accompany. The pork had a crunchy crackling and inside the pork was wonderfully moist and tasty and the sauce gave the whole meal, accompanied by fries, the bite with the ginger in the sauce.
Overall, the service throughout dinner was fantastic and the whole experience was without a doubt my favourite dining experience I have had in Kigali. Subsequent to the dinner experience I awoke after a restful night to a glorious spread at breakfast. However for breakfast the guests are relocated from the garden and bar area to the balcony area out in front of the reception which is higher and allows a fantastic view over the hills and the city as the sun rises.

The breakfast was fresh and tasty with options of continental breakfast of fruit, breads, jam, fruit juice, teas and coffee served in a beautiful silver tea service, or the option of a heavier cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon and so on. After an ample dinner I opted to go for a lighter breakfast of tasty and fresh cake bread as well as some rye/brown bread with butter and honey as well as lots of fresh fruit. I also took some black tea and freshly squeezed orange juice. My fellow guest opted for cooked breakfasts which looked ample, fresh and as tasty and filling as you could want from a cooked breakfast. Those who opted for the cooked breakfast were more than satisfied too.
My breakfast experience was peaceful and had the same rustic comfort of the prior evening along with the same great service and customer care. The whole guest house was clean and had all the facilities you could wish for including WiFi.
One last point to note well is that the proprietors of the Banana Boutique Hotel are opening another property with a Wine Cellar the first of its kind in Kigali, which they claim will even surpass the luxury of the Banana Boutique. The new Property will be called ‘Select’ located at kacyiru behind New times offices and plans to be open from December 2009.
Do not let this gem slip through your fingers and even if you are a local in Kigali and cannot justify a minibreak to the Banana Boutique Hotel you must visit for dinner to experience this spectacular chefs fresh cooking and the incomparable customer care that is offered here.

For more Information please contact: Banana Boutique Hotel, Kiyovu Rue du Parc Plot 4
Tel: +250 252 500154. Mobile: +250 0783391165 / +250 0750224936.
Email:info@bananaboutiquehotel.com.
Website: www.bananaboutiquehotel.com