When Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach swang its doors open to travellers a year ago, it looked like one huge gamble for its proprietors, considering that it was located next to a string of more popular hotels such as Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Belvedere Hotel, Waterfront Resort, Stipp Hotel and Palm Garden Resort, among others.
But just one year later, travellers have been so nice to this nook that it has been voted number one out of 12 contenders in Gisenyi on TripAdvisor. The Palm Garden Resort comes in at number two and La Corniche in third position.
Since its inception in October last year, the colonial style Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach has consistently lived up to its claim of being “the perfect destination to relax and discover a piece of paradise on the tranquil lakeside beaches, water sports, mountains and many other activities while enjoying fabulous Rwandan hospitality,” if reviews by its clients are anything to go by.
Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach’s strength lies in its reasonable prices, exquisiteness and location by the lakeside – which offers its clients a full-frontal Lake Kivu view – yet it remains unshowy.
One of the latest TripAdvisor reviews says: “I felt right at home from the moment I walked into the place. Didn’t do much in Gisenyi other than hang out at the Serena pool and at the Discover Rwanda. The rooms are huge and comfortable, the food is nice. I met so many nice and interesting people here, I didn’t really want to leave.”
Here is another reviewer: “I haven’t stayed in more than a handful of hostels in my travels, but this was hands down the nicest so far. It’s a smaller hostel with probably only a handful of rooms. The staff are amazing (as you’ll find of most facilities in Rwanda)…”
But of course there are clients who leave unsatisfied, like this one: “I don’t usually leave bad reviews, but I do feel strongly that this establishment needs to significantly improve service to live up to its 2015 trip advisor award. Service was slow and inattentive, staff extremely inflexible, not accommodating client’s needs.”
“Even though we have been voted number one in Gisenyi, we are still growing. There is so much we can do,” said Christian Uwizeye, Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach’s marketing and training programmes manager.
To say thank you to its loyal clients, Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach recently hosted tourism-related individuals to a cocktail party at its premises in Gisenyi.
TripAdvisor’s top 10 hotels in Gisenyi
1- Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach
2- Palm Garden Resort
3- La Corniche
4- Waterfront Resort Lake Kivu
5- Hotel Dian Fossey
6- View Palm Resort
7- Belvedere Hotel
8- Peace Land Hotel
9- Stipp Hotel Gisenyi
10- La Pelouse Hotel