One new and welcome addition to the selection of hotels in Gisenyi is Lakeview Hotel and Apartments. Located 100 meters from the Rwanda/DRC border, on the shores of Lake Kivu, the setting could not be more beautiful. My friends from Canada have been visiting me for 3 weeks and we have had them all over the country staying at a variety of hotels. We saved the Lakeview Hotel for our last weekend, and definitely our best.
Lakeview opened its doors in October 2007, so still has the shiny new feel to it. The hotel is beautiful, and reminiscent of a luxury hotel in America.
Congolese wood throughout, ultra modern fixtures and comfort in every corner. The 3 bedroom apartments are priced at $260.00 per night and worth every penny. 3 spacious double rooms, each with satellite television and ensuite, trendy chrome and black dining room, and a cozy living room with satellite TV, plus USB home theatre systems to keep you entertained during the evenings. Meals are served by request or you can cook for yourselves in the fully equipped European kitchen. Serve yourself or be served; having your meals on the balcony is the place to be. We watched Kingfisher birds diving for their meals, a group of teen boys swimming and laughing, and all the activity that goes on at a busy border crossing, which Goma/Gisenyi crossing is.
The three bedroom apartments go for $260.00 per night, or, you can rent each bedroom separately; plus there are 4 additional suites adjacent to the reception area. Each of the 4 rooms is equipped with 2 twin beds, full ensuite, satellite TV, internet connection and private balcony. These rooms go for $80.00 per night including breakfast and internet services.
The gardens at Lakeview are luxurious and fragrant, sitting out to read a book during the afternoon is a rejuvenating experience, and you hear the waves lapping against the rocks and the birds serenading you from the tree tops. The gardens surrounding the hotel are carefully manicured and I was pleased to see a few varieties that I had not seen in Rwanda before. For such a new hotel the gardens are very luxurious and afford Lakeview guests fragrant privacy.
We arrived at 2 p. and enjoyed a warm welcome from Oscar and his staff. Once we were checked into our rooms we walked across the street and down 50 meters to the beach at Lake Kivu. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and we quickly found a spot near the water where we could lay back and relax.
Before we left Lakeview we had asked Oscar’s kitchen staff to have our supper ready for 6:30 pm. We opted for an early supper so that we may have an early start the next morning, we planned to visit a tea plantation and visit a few of the local craft shops. Our evening meal was served to us in the dining room of the apartment because the winds were coming off the lake, making it a bit chilly to sit outside. Teste and Trudy had ordered beef while Petra, Keve and I favored the fish. Our Tilapia was done to perfection; crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Teste and Trudy’s beef came in a hot pot with a delicious spicy tomato sauce and was tender and full of flavor. The waiter also brought a huge garden salad surrounded with local Kinigi cheese and a platter of steaming hot French fries. With portions this generous no one could finish their plate. An evening coffee on the deck before we retired was the perfect ending to a very good day.
Although we had opted for an early evening you certainly do not have to. Gisenyi has a great disco that is open from Thursdays to Saturday nights and will keep you night owls dancing til dawn. It is within walking distance from Lakeview or you can catch a motor taxi for 300 francs.
All service staff is dressed in colorful African outfits making them easily recognizable. The entire staff went out of their way to make our stay enjoyable, even to the point of having our Land cruiser washed by the time we arose in the morning. The internet connection was slow, as is usual anywhere in Rwanda, but no where else have I sat at internet and had my morning coffee served to me. The hotel had a few other rooms occupied during our stay but with the floor plan and gardens we hardly noticed another sole. It was a private and relaxing stay.
We all met on the apartment deck for our breakfast Sunday morning. Piping hot Rwanda blend coffee served with hot milk, an assortment of fresh fruit, bread with an choice of jams, fruit juice and an omelet were brought to us while we enjoyed the morning sun and watched the activity going on down on the road below us. Trudy and Petra both mentioned that last night had been there best sleep since leaving Canada. The rooms are spacious, beds comfortable and it was very quiet.
After breakfast Teste took Trudy and Petra for a stroll along the beach, stopping for photos along the way. Petra got some great shots of exotic flowers while Trudy concentrated on the abundance of birds along the shore. She got a great shot of a Kingfisher catching his breakfast and a pair of Ibis out for their morning stroll.
The hotel manager “Oscar” was on hand for our arrival and guided us through the hotel and gardens, answering any question we may have had. Travelling with our 9 year old son sometimes poses a problem at hotels but Oscar’s 2 sons were on hand to give Keve a warm welcome. Lakeview hotel is very family oriented; with the beach so close, TV’s in every room, computers and delicious food there is an activity for all ages.
The Lakeview now has a web page www.lakeviewapt.com where you can book your rooms in advance. On the web page you will see that Lakeview offers shuttle service from the Kigali airport to the hotel for $100.00usd and will arrange for tours throughout Gisenyi and the surrounding areas. The Tea plantations are a short drive away, as are a number of Rwandese craft shops. Bralirwa Brewery is a 20 minute drive from the Lakeview, Oscar can arrange for your tour, and while you are there you can take a short boat ride to a natural hot springs just across the bay.
Reception accepts Visa, US dollars, Rwandese francs, and Euros when paying your bill upon check out or if you need money changed they will be more than willing to help you.
The Lakeview Apartments and Hotel is a certain winner in my book. It will definitely not be the last time I spend an evening there.
