Serena Hotels takes over two Rwandan establishments

1 February 2007 saw the beginning of a new era in Rwandan tourism, as Serena Hotels, East Africa’s leading hotel group, took over 2 magnificent Rwandan hotels.

The two properties will be acquiring an upgrade with a whole new look, feel and personality to match the style and quality that is synonymous with the Serena brand, starting with their new names - the Kigali Serena Hotel and Lake Kivu Serena Hotel. Both properties will also benefit from the addition of Serena's trademark 'Maisha' spas.

On the stroke of midnight January 31st 2007, on ‘Heroes Day’ in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali, a momentous change took place. The Rwandan government handed over the stewardship of the 5-star Hotel InterContinental Kigali to Serena Hotels, East Africa’s leading hotel group.

It was a poignant moment; well-portrayed by Mr John Mirenge, Chairman of the InterContinental Board, who, while formally effecting the hand-over said, ‘we have had quite a few suitors for the hand of our firstborn daughter; but in the Serena Group we believe we have found the ideal bridegroom. Not just because of WHO they are, but also because of their vision for our future’.

With these words, Kigali’s pride and joy, the magnificent Hotel InterContinental Kigali metamorphosed into the Kigali Serena Hotel, and a whole new era of Rwandan tourism began. Nor was the former InterContinental the only venue to wake up to a new name and future on February 1st; because its sister resort, the lakeside Hotel Kivu Sun also became the Lake Kivu Serena Hotel.

It was much more than the names of these two hotels that changed, however. In addition to their sparkling new brand, they also acquired a whole new look, feel and personality. And they instantly became part of a tight-knit pan-African family, with 16 sister hotels and resorts in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique. Acclaimed standard-setters, market-leaders, and tourism innovators, Serena Group are members of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World.

The Serena brand, meanwhile, is synonymous with style, superlative cuisine, and a level of personal service rarely rivaled. Justly proud of their world-class professionalism, cultural commitment and ecological contribution, members of the Serena stable always head the annual Traveler Magazine ‘ Gold List’, always feature amongst Travel and Leisure Magazine’s ‘World Top 500 Hotels’, and are always winners at the Annual World Travel Awards.

So what changes will Serena bring to their newest family additions? According to Mahmud Jan Mohamed, MD of Serena Safari Lodges, Hotels and Resorts, the new ‘brides’ will benefit from an instant upgrade, so as to allow them to shine alongside their new found sisters. They will also receive a dramatic new look to their décor, far-reaching extensions to their facilities, and the addition of the group’s trademark ‘Maisha’ Spa Health and Fitness facilities. Both hotels will also boast sparkling new ‘Zawadi’ gift shops, while their extensive decorative makeovers will showcase the very best of Rwandan art, sculpture and cultural heritage.

As for the cuisine, the professionalism of Serena’s Executive Chef, John Macharia, was immediately apparent, not only in the lavish new international menus and wine lists, but also in the sumptuous buffet breakfast that appeared on the morning of February 1st. Indeed, so impressed were those who savoured the change that most came back for lunch: and for dinner.

One guest was so overwhelmed by the lunchtime buffet that he begged that ‘a selection of dishes be put aside for him to enjoy in the evening’. In vain did the staff assure him that the evening would witness new and more diverse delights: he simply wasn’t leaving it to chance.

As with all the hotels they take over (the most recent being the renowned Kampala Serena Hotel), the Serena Group is keen to completely re-train their newly acquired Rwandan staff; and training programmes have already begun. Many staff members will also benefit from long-term training breaks at the Group’s other East African hotels.

Asked how they viewed their new future, the enthusiasm of the staff was overwhelming. ‘We’re delighted to join Serena’ said the Head Concierge, ‘It makes us feel really secure to be part of a large African family’ he added. The hotel’s Conference Director, meanwhile, said, ‘We can’t wait to receive our training and become global professionals; but most of all we welcome the chance to grow our careers’.

As to the growth of Rwanda’s infant, but burgeoning, tourism sector, the Serena Group is committed to providing a profound contribution to its already phenomenal growth; and to the development of the economy as a whole. ‘This is an undiscovered little paradise, brimming with eco-diversity, cultural fascination, and unexplored horizons’ said Peter Mbogua, Serena Sales and Marketing Director, ‘Rwanda is poised for a meteoric rise in global tourism; and we’re just proud to be part of that’, he finished.

About the hotels:

The 5-star Kigali Serena Hotel (first opened in 2003) offers: 104 luxury rooms and suites (all with AC/mini-bars/satellite TV/in-room safes/direct-dial-phones/Wi-Fi world connectivity and 24-hour room service), extensive grounds, swimming pool, ‘Maisha’ health spa, business centre, an 800-seater ballroom, a 500-seater auditorium, extensive meeting and conference facilities; indoor and outdoor bars, piano lounge, ‘The Diplomat’ international restaurant, and the café-styled ‘Banana Jam’ poolside bar and restaurant.

The Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (first opened in 2004) lies on the shores of glorious Lake Kivu, the sixth largest lake in Africa. Within several hours drive of the Volcanoes National Park (home of the world famous mountain gorillas), it overlooks its own private beach and offers; 66 luxury rooms, executive suites and family accommodation, a panoramic restaurant, indoor and beachside bars, a luxury swimming pool, and the ‘Maisha’ Health Centre (offering an extensive range of health and beauty regimes, boating, swimming, volley ball, tennis, fishing, hiking and trekking). The hotel also boasts a world-class fully-integrated Conference Centre.

To learn more about Rwanda visit: rwandatourism.com.