22 rooms, suites and pool villas on a leafy street in Kiyovu — Kigali's first fully solar-powered hotel, created by the founders of the city's celebrated Heaven Restaurant.
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Overview
Kigali’s First Solar-Powered Hotel
Created by the American founders of Kigali's celebrated Heaven Restaurant, The Retreat pairs eco-conscious design with some of the city's most personal hospitality.
Designed by Italian architects and built by Rwandan craftsmen, The Retreat sits on a quiet, tree-lined street in the Kiyovu district, a short drive from Kigali's centre. It was Kigali's first entirely solar-powered hotel, furnished throughout with locally-made teak from a sustainable Tanzanian farm and finished with organic toiletries. What began as an 11-room boutique hotel in 2018 has grown to 22 rooms, suites and pool villas, alongside a spa, yoga deck and two of Kigali's most talked-about restaurants — Fusion and Heaven.
A hospitality training centre. The Retreat doubles as a centre of hospitality excellence — over 3,000 Rwandans have received training here since it opened, part of its founders’ wider commitment to local education and employment.
22
Rooms, Suites & Villas
8
Luxury Pool Villas
3,000+
Rwandans Trained On-Site
15min
From Kigali Airport
Rooms & Villas
Teak, Gardens and Private Pools
Deluxe Rooms, Superior Suites, Master Suites and Luxury Pool Villas each bring their own layout, but share the same locally-crafted teak furniture and Rwandan textiles.
Luxury Pool Villa — Private Garden
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Luxury Pool VillasEight villas with private saltwater plunge pools, front and back gardens, and around 120m² of indoor and outdoor living space.
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Master & Superior SuitesLarger suites add a separate seating area and private balcony or back deck, several overlooking the pool.
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Locally-crafted teak furnitureEvery room is furnished with sustainable teak from a Tanzanian farm, alongside colourful Rwandan textiles.
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Deluxe RoomsThree wheelchair-accessible Deluxe Rooms offer a more compact, still fully-appointed stay with a furnished patio.
Experiences
Wellness & City Access
Days at The Retreat move between the wellness spaces and Kigali itself — the hotel arranges day trips to Rwanda’s national parks for guests based here between safari legs.
Wellness
Full-Service Spa
Massage and spa treatments, meditation, yoga and private fitness classes are woven into a stay, alongside a dedicated meditation room.
Pool
Saltwater Pool & Hot Tub
A large, heated saltwater pool with diving rock and hot tub anchors the hotel’s gardens.
Nearby
Kigali Genocide Memorial
A short drive from the hotel, the memorial is considered essential to understanding Rwanda's history.
Nearby
Nyamirambo Women’s Center
Visit this community initiative in Kigali's oldest neighbourhood for a walking tour and craft workshop.
Arranged
Day Trips to National Parks
The hotel arranges excursions to Volcanoes National Park, Lake Kivu and Akagera National Park for guests based in Kigali.
City
Kigali City Tours
Guided tours take in the city's art galleries, craft markets and the Kigali Golf Club.
Dining
Fusion & Heaven, Side by Side
Two of Kigali's most celebrated restaurants sit on The Retreat's grounds — Fusion for farm-to-table international dishes, and Heaven for modern African cuisine.
01Fusion Restaurant, poolside dining
02Heaven Restaurant, modern African menu
03Fusion's Swahili-inspired bar
04The wine lounge, for an evening drink
05The organic garden, source of daily produce
Fusion Restaurant — Poolside Dining
Location
A Quiet Street in Kiyovu
The Retreat sits on a tree-lined street in Kigali's Kiyovu district, close to the city centre and roughly 15 minutes from Kigali International Airport.
Kiyovu is one of Kigali's most established residential districts, walkable to restaurants, embassies and the city centre.
The hotel is roughly a 15-minute drive from Kigali International Airport, convenient for arrival or departure days.
The Retreat is typically used as a first or last-night base for guests travelling on to Volcanoes National Park or Nyungwe.
Guests have access to Heaven Restaurant next door, sister property to The Retreat and one of Kigali's longest-running fine-dining addresses.
Fly
Kigali International Airport is roughly a 15-20 minute drive from the hotel.
Drive
The hotel sits centrally in Kiyovu, a short taxi ride from Kigali city centre and its main attractions.
Arrive
Check-in from 14:00, checkout by 12:00, with an airport shuttle and personal butler service available.
City Offer
Stay 3, Pay 2
Book two nights at The Retreat by Heaven and receive a third free on selected 2026 dates.