Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

Hotels
8.7 (218 reviews)
Gisenyi Town , Gisenyi , rw

listing image 1
Show all photos
Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Health or beauty spa nearby
Offsite parking discounted rates available
Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Nice location
Beautiful pool area
Cons:
Previous complaints about cleanliness
High price point

Categories

Cleanliness
8.45
Mediocre management with cleaners not doing their job well, leaving doors open.
Service
9.45
Very friendly staff and high service level.
Location
9.45
Nice location with proximity to beach and attractions.
Room Quality
8.95
Rooms were generally comfortable with a nice view.
Amenities
8.45
Pool area is beautiful, but there were construction disturbances.
Value for Money
7.95
Perceived as expensive for the quality offered.
Food and Beverage
7.95
Limited dinner buffet options and food improvements needed.
Overall Experience
8.95
Overall positive experience with warm hospitality.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-16 02:06

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodation
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, just 3 km from Gisenyi, offers rooms with free WiFi, satellite TV, and private bathrooms. Some rooms even have a cozy seating area for relaxation.

Fantastic Dining Options
Indulge in delicious meals at the hotel's restaurant and unwind with a drink at the bar.

Convenient Amenities
With an outdoor pool, 24-hour front desk, and airport transfer services, your comfort is our priority.

Experience serenity by Lake Kivu and book your stay with us today!

Important information:

Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Payment before arrival by bank transfer is required. The property will contact you after you book to provide instructions.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:30 AM
Airport code: KGL

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 3 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.7
Based on 218 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.45
Service: 9.45
Location: 9.45
Room Quality: 8.95
Amenities: 8.45
Value for Money: 7.95
Food and Beverage: 7.95
Overall Experience: 8.95
M
Marion Arlette Lucie • family_with_children • fr
7
Pros:

Le petit déjeuner est super ! Le restaurant est très bon.
La localisation sur le lac avec la piscine et les jeux pour enfants.

Cons:

Nous avons quelques soucis - La propreté de la chambre, prix non fixe pour le bateau... Et aucune réactivité et aide de la part de la réception.

2026-02-10 • via Nuitee
G
Gisèle • family_with_children • be
6
Pros:

L’emplacement, la vue, la piscine, le restaurant et l’espace de jeux pour les enfants

Cons:

L’attitude peu cordial du responsable réception au moment du départ. C’est dommage.

2026-02-10 • via Nuitee
M
Muregancuro • family_with_children • de
10
2026-01-29 • via Nuitee
M
Mona • family_with_children • eg
10
Happy to visit Rwanda again
Pros:

I enjoyed everything

Cons:

I like all

2026-01-27 • via Nuitee
F
Fatma • solo_traveller • ma
10
Magnifique, reposant
Pros:

Personnel très sympathique, gentil et professionnel, l’endroit est vraiment magnifique.

Cons:

Pas assez d’équipements, et un peu vieux. Aussi je voulais faire un massage mais ce jour la, la dame n’était pas sur place

2026-01-25 • via Nuitee
U
UWIMANA • solo_traveller • ca
10
2026-01-20 • via Nuitee
B
Ben • couple • rw
9
Wonderful!
Pros:

Beautiful site on lake Kivu shore

Cons:

Nothing

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
A
Albert • solo_traveller • nl
8
2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
S
Suzanne • couple • gb
10
Great hotel
Pros:

Great location, good staff and friendly people.

Cons:

It was too expensive for what it was as it should also have included lunch and dinner for the price. The price was ridiculous

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • couple • de
10
2026-01-16 • via Nuitee
A
Ahmed • couple • sa
10
Pros:

Nice location, very very very friendly staff

2026-01-08 • via Nuitee
D
Dan • family_with_children • ch
8
Pros:

Sehr freundliches Personal, ausgezeichnetes Buffet

Cons:

Etwas in die Jahre gekommenen, kein Kühlschrank im Zimmer, kein Lift, etwas zu teuer für das Gebotene.

2026-01-07 • via Nuitee
C
Cedric • family_with_children • ch
9
Good but pricy
Pros:

One of the best hotels in Rwanda. Service level very high! Amazing breakfast. Swimming pool clean. Comfortable rooms!

Cons:

I find the price personally very expensive for being in Rwanda. We have in Switzerland (most expensive country in the world) better hotels for cheaper than this one here.

2026-01-07 • via Nuitee
R
Ron • family_with_children • il
8
אנחנו בסך הכל אוהבים את המקום
Pros:

המיקום, המתקנים לילדים. הקרבה לים.

Cons:

ההופעות - רעש עד מאוחר, עם ילד לא ניתן לישון.
המאפים בארוחת הבוקר לא טריים (לחם, לחמניות)
ממחזרים אוכל.

2026-01-04 • via Nuitee
A
Abraham • family_with_children • rw
9
Excellent service
Pros:

The outdoor services

Cons:

The evening music program upto 10:00 pm was a bit late for kids to sleep

2026-01-04 • via Nuitee
M
Mutabazi • solo_traveller • rw
10
2026-01-03 • via Nuitee
A
Alphonsine • family_with_children • ae
10
Pros:

Everything mostly the view and a good customer care

Cons:

Food, good service and best location

2025-12-28 • via Nuitee
J
Jason • solo_traveller • mw
5
Disappointing
Pros:

Beautiful pool area, rooms were all right

Cons:

Mediocre management. — i would not rate this hotel five stars. I had an argument with one of head waiters over wine corkage charge just after arriving. Bath did not have plug — had to ask two times for it to come. Maids did not clean bathrooms well; they left patio doors open. On Christmas day there was extremely noisy clown on mic in pool area; impossible to get any peace until I complained. Over Xmas period hotel is more like leisure centre for day visitors — does not aim for peaceful environment for resident guests.

2025-12-28 • via Nuitee
B
Bayingana • solo_traveller • ca
9
2025-12-20 • via Nuitee
A
Abdullah • family_with_children • om
9
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Somehow old especially the rooms

2025-12-17 • via Nuitee