The Nest Guesthouse

The Nest is set in Kimihurura, one of Kigali's central neighbourhoods, a short walk from the Kigali Convention Centre and Kigali Heights. It occupies a converted house turned boutique hotel, with 19 rooms arranged around garden terraces and a pool. Each room has a king bed, en-suite bathroom, and either a private terrace or a window seat looking onto the garden. Woodwork throughout is handmade by Rwandan artisans from native hardwood, and light shades are woven by local cooperatives; volcanic stone quarried in the north appears in the build. Paintings by artist-in-residence Paul Mugisha hang through the corridors and public rooms. Downstairs, Tweet Restaurant serves Rwandan fusion food and cocktails around a courtyard, with seating for up to 50 guests at banquet-style events. Every stay includes a complimentary 30-minute massage and access to a pool, gym, and daily yoga class. A meeting room, the Hatchery, seats ten with a screen for presentations. You can walk to the startup and NGO offices that cluster around Kimihurura, or arrange an e-bike tour or coffee tasting through the front desk. The hotel's entrance was designed by Matt Deely, former artistic director of the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony. It is a compact, design-forward base for business and leisure stays alike.