Mövenpick Hotel Kigali opens as Rwanda’s newest five-star landmark

By The Inspirer.

Mövenpick Hotel Kigali, Rwanda’s newest five-star hotel, has been officially inaugurated in the City of Kigali.

The property stands on the site of the former Hotel Umubano in Kacyiru, Gasabo District — a location that has previously carried the names Novotel, Le Méridien and Umubano, before being sold and expanded.

The hotel was first acquired in 2017 by Marasa Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of the international Madhvani Group. It has since been significantly upgraded from its original 100 rooms to 124, which now include conference rooms, leisure facilities, dining spaces and accommodation fitted with décor inspired by Kigali’s scenic charm.

Mövenpick Hotel Kigali features four conference rooms, including one that can host up to 300 people, and several smaller spaces suitable for intimate meetings.

Its strategic location — just minutes from Kigali International Airport and surrounded by government offices, embassies, business centres and entertainment facilities — places it near major landmarks such as the Kigali Convention Centre and BK Arena.

The interior was designed by Shelter Group Africa, with an emphasis on Rwandan cultural elements that create a warm and restful atmosphere.

It is also the only five-star hotel in Rwanda managed by a woman, and it stands out for having a heated swimming pool — a rarity in the country.

Blending Swiss hospitality traditions with Rwanda’s welcoming culture, the hotel aims to offer an elevated experience to guests from all backgrounds.

General Manager Mediatrice Umulisa said the hotel is committed to delivering high-quality service that makes visitors feel at home, whether they come for business, relaxation or fine dining.

Guests can also enjoy Mövenpick’s signature ‘Chocolate Hour’ — a daily moment where visitors are treated to specially crafted Swiss chocolates.

The hotel’s restaurant, RAAVA, offers Rwandan dishes alongside Mediterranean-inspired cuisine from Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia.

Additional amenities include a spa, a fitness centre, children’s play facilities and other leisure services.

Mövenpick Hotel Kigali is operated under Kasada Capital Management in partnership with Qatar Investment Authority and Accor, one of the world’s leading hospitality groups. Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, part of the Accor family, manages more than 130 hotels across 40 countries.

The new Kigali property is expected to boost Rwanda’s capacity to host high-end tourists, investors and business travellers, contributing to the national goal of increasing tourism revenues from 647 million USD in 2024 to 1 billion USD by 2029.

Raki Phillips, Accor’s President for luxury and premium brands in Africa, the Middle East and Turkey, said opening in Kigali marks an important milestone, adding that the hotel will play a role in the city’s rapid development by creating jobs, supporting youth and promoting sustainable growth.

The hotel plans to employ about 160 permanent staff — half of them women — in line with Rwanda’s commitment to gender equality.

Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, said the opening of Mövenpick Hotel Kigali reflects continued progress in the country’s hospitality sector. He noted that the former Hotel Umubano site holds historical significance in Rwanda’s growth in hosting international visitors, and the new hotel aims to honour that legacy while keeping Rwanda a trusted destination for tourism and investment.

Mövenpick Hotel Kigali is also working to earn the Green Globe certification, a global standard for environmentally responsible hotels, and has pledged to eliminate single-use plastics as part of its sustainability efforts.