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Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach

3.0 star property

Photo gallery for Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach

View from property
View from property
Exterior
Fireplace
2 bars/lounges

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Breakfast included
  • Room service
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Parking included

Explore the area

Map
Rue de la Cooperation, Gisenyi
  • Gisenyi Beach
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Rwanda Tourism University College
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Université Libre de Kigali
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Gisenyi (GYI)
    ‪10 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room

Deluxe Double Room

Deluxe Double Room

  • 12 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room

Family Room

  • 28 sq m
  • Beach view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Shared Dormitory ( 8 )

Desk, rollaway beds, free WiFi, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory ( 8 )

  • 28 sq m
  • Beach view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Shared Dormitory (6 )

Shared Dormitory (6 )

Shared Dormitory (6 )

  • 18 sq m
  • Beach view
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Twin Bed

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Exterior detail

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The price is AU$52
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includes taxes & fees
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About the area

Gisenyi

With a stay at Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach in Gisenyi, you'll be on a lake, just steps from Gisenyi Beach and a 2-minute drive from Rwanda Tourism University College. .This beach hotel is 1.3 mi (2.1 km) from Université Libre de Kigali and 4.4 mi (7.1 km) from Nyamyumba Hot Springs.

What's nearby

  • Gisenyi Beach - 1 min walk
  • Rwanda Tourism University College - 18 min walk
  • Université Libre de Kigali - 3 min drive
  • Nyamyumba Hot Springs - 7 min drive
  • Parc National des Virunga - 9 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Kivu Resto - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Caritas Hotel - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The New Tam Tam - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Migano Cafe - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Salt and Pepper Restaurant - ‬3 min drive

About this property

Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach

Lakefront hotel with free breakfast and bars
Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach offers 7 accommodations with complimentary toiletries. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge) are also available. Housekeeping is provided daily.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Make yourself at home in one of the 7 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Conveniences include desks, housekeeping is provided daily, and rollaway/extra beds (surcharge) can be requested.
Take in the views from a terrace and a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access. Additional features at this Colonial hotel include wedding services, tour/ticket assistance, and a picnic area. Getting to nearby attractions is a breeze with the area shuttle (surcharge).
Grab a bite to eat at the hotel's restaurant, where you can take in the garden view and dine alfresco. Or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). Relax with a refreshing drink at one of the 2 bars/lounges. A complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is served daily from 7 AM to 9:30 AM.
Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, luggage storage, and laundry facilities. Planning an event in Gisenyi? This hotel has 108 square feet (10 square meters) of space consisting of conference space and a meeting room. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours), and free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is served each morning between 7 AM and 9:30 AM.
Onsite venue - Overlooking the ocean and garden, this fine-dining restaurant specializes in African cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can order drinks at the bar and enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting).
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Languages

English, French

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and public transport

  • Free extended parking on site
  • Free off-site parking
  • 24-hour return airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Airport shuttle on request
  • Local area shuttle (surcharge)

Food and drink

  • Free cooked-to-order breakfast available daily 7 AM–9:30 AM
  • 1 restaurant
  • 2 bars/lounges
  • Room service available

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)

Conveniences

  • Front-desk safe

Guest services

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Dry-cleaning service
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • Conference space (108 square feet)
  • A meeting room

Outdoors

  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Pool sunloungers
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • This property does not have any lifts

More

  • Beach towels
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bed sheets
  • Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Towels

More

  • Desk

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 11 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: RWF 20

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 11 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 10:30 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for RWF 20000 per night
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle fee: RWF 90000 per person (one-way)
  • Late check-out fee: RWF 20 (subject to availability)
  • Rollaway bed fee: RWF 20000 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

Property is also known as

Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach Hotel
Discover Rwanda Hotel
Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach
Discover Rwanda
Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach Hotel
Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach Gisenyi
Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach Hotel Gisenyi

Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach Reviews

Reviews

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 11 out of 48 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 19 out of 48 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 48 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 48 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 48 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Leon

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The property was not as advertised. The place appears a bit run-down and the rooms we stayed in had stained and partially broken toilet seats. We had to urgently make arrangements to secure alternative accommodation for our elderly mothers, which was extremely inconvenient. The hotel employee who was on duty was however very helpful and understanding, which we appreciated very well. He also contacted the hotel manager who was equally understanding and promised to process a refund for the room which we had to cancel at the last minute due to the fact that it was not meeting our expectation as advertised. He indicated the refund will be processed at the end of the month so we are looking forward to it.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

6/10 Okay

YOAV

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Toilets were dirty and broken
Toilets were dirty and broken
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019

4/10 Poor

Barbara

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fantastic location, a shame the state of the place
The location is fantastic, right in front of the beach and the property has a huge potential. The rooms are very spacious and the gardens are really nice. Food is also good, although it takes forever to prepare (1.5 hrs for a chicken wrap) The staff were great, super friendly and accommodating. However... I would not consider it a hotel as the state of the rooms is very poor, very old and not as clean as you would expect, even for the local standard. We were there for a week and nobody came to clean our room, change the linen, or replenish the toilet paper. Think of a backpackers hostel, only suitable for the more adventurous who do not mind finding suspicious stains on the sheets and towels or walking barefoot and their feet becoming dirty.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property has potential but it was dirty and some of it is unkept. The garden are very lovely.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

8/10 Good

George

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was a very comfortable experience.
It was a comfortable experience, and the place was just across the lake.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is really good. The staff is friendly and helpfull. There is good internet in the hostel. The location is beautiful, near by the beach. The staff help you with activities in the neighbourhood. The food was good (lunch and dinner). The breakfast was also good, but maybe it’s better to do a buffet with more fruits and maybe some chocopaste. Maybe it is also better to have some parking for the cars.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Dorm rooms need mosqueto nets on all beds, not just a couple. Food was ok, not great. Service was excellent though. Friendly and helpful. Great location, quiet and by the beach. The building and gardens were beautiful. Felt like i was at an old colonial home.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

8/10 Good

Victor

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Enjoyed my stay at Discover Gisenyi.
My stay was fantastic.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

8/10 Good

Amelia

The hostel was well-located, right next to Lake Kivu. I had one of their private cabin rooms and it was very comfortable. The water went out in my room for a couple of hours, but came back again. The staff was helpful. Some of the bar/kitchen staff didn't speak English that well which made ordering difficult sometimes. Overall, I had a pleasant experience. I would suggest that the staff give foreign guests recommendations for where to swim on Lake Kivu. I was surrounded by groups of people who were staring at me, and it wasn't that comfortable. Since people normally come to Gisenyi to visit the lake, I think they could do a better job of helping guests navigate what the lake has to offer.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

6/10 Okay

carine

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Rob, California

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location, staff, vibe, great value
I have been before and I will certainly go back. Right on the beach with very friendly staff, comfortable rooms and grounds. Some of the rooms could use some maintenance attention but everything was clean and comfortable. The staff are very accommodating, helpful, and friendly and I could spend hours in the outdoor sitting area/bar by reception.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018

2/10 Terrible

Theo, Kigali, Rwanda

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not worth it.
Booked on Expedia, but when we got there they said we had to pay $200 more. Tried to dispute it with Management and he blew me off. Very loud very early in the mornings. Unsafe food. They wash salad greens with untreated water. Staff are friendly, but very unknowledgeable. Unclean. Faulty mosquito nets. Unreliable water. Go somewhere else and be safe!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2017

2/10 Terrible

Bri, Kigali, Rwanda

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Beware!!
We booked a family room with 1 double and 4 single beds, but Expedia would only allow us to book for 2 adults and 2 kids. At the end of our stay they forced us to pay an extra $200 because we have 4 kids!!! HUGE holes in 4 of the mosquitoe nets. 1 net did not fit over the bed and 1 bed had no net at all!!! Not clean. Hot water unreliable. NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY!!! Very noisy by 5am could not sleep beyond that.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2017

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
My stay was terrific!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Pleasant hotel, right on the lake
The hotel was nice. Just on the lake. We had lunch there too which was lovely. The staff were pleasant.

8/10 Good

Minna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Recommended budget option
Great location, good friendly service, in a charming building by the beach. My room was nice, clean and spacious too, with a balcony - excellent! The only minus would be the bed and the bed linen.. having already seen the best days.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

10/10 Excellent

Shannon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
What a view!
This was my first time staying at Discover Rwanda in Gisenyi, and it was a pleasant surprise. The room was very big and had a balcony over the front of the hotel with a view towards Lake Kivu. The staff were excellent and wonderful, very helpful when needed. Breakfast was good and quick. The mattress on my bed was old, and caved in. That's my only complaint.

8/10 Good

Keita

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Convenient and clean
Bernard the managager was great! The price of drinks is great! You don't even need to venture out in the evening for your drink! Breakfast included and I had omelets every morning. I'm going there again!

8/10 Good

Love to travel, United States

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good place to stay in Gisenyi
Beautiful gardens and close to the lake. They have a variety of room options to fit travellers needs.

10/10 Excellent

kim, New Jersey, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect stopover before DRC! Close to border.
Staff very friendly & helpful. Good food. Nice little bar. Great location, close to DRC border. Clean. Affordable. Very close to lake.

8/10 Good

Andrej, Slovenia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice house, close to the nice beach
we were very nice surprised. Excellent location, lovely beach, nice town - very recommended

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Mostly for backpackers
We booked a room here for two nights and it seems like it was the only room that wasn't dorm style. It had a great view across the front lawn to Lake Kivu and some nice decoration. Once we got settled in we went straight to the beach, intending to swim, but changed our minds very quickly. Lots of trash and the water is an uninviting brown. Walked up and down the beach and road a bit. Mostly small hotels along the road. A pretty walk, but not much going on. Tried White Rock for dinner and drinks. It was okay, but really dead so we left after dinner. That night I had some of the worst stomach pain and diarrhea. Can't confirm it was from White Rock, but it did have me feeling like crap the next day. In the evening I was well enough to go down the road and check out the fancy Hotel Serena. It was a nice place, with a cute little pool and all, but not sure I would pay their prices to sleep there. They did have a much more extensive menu, though the chicken fingers were blah. Second night at Discovery Rwanda was much better than the first, and we relaxed with some drinks in the lounge area before hitting the hay.