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Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach

3.0 star property

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Discover Rwanda Gisenyi Beach

View from property
2 bars/lounges
Front of property
Shared Dormitory ( 8 ) | Pool
Lobby

Reviews

7.2 out of 10

Good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
    Bar
  • Room service
    Room service
  • Breakfast included
    Breakfast included
  • Housekeeping
    Housekeeping
  • Parking included
    Parking included
  • Laundry
    Laundry

Explore the area

Map
Rue de la Cooperation, Gisenyi
  • Gisenyi Beach
    1 min walk
  • Rwanda Tourism University College
    18 min walk
  • Université Libre de Kigali
    3 min drive
  • Gisenyi (GYI)
    11 min drive

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room

Deluxe Double Room | Desk, rollaway beds, free WiFi, bed sheets

Deluxe Double Room

  • 129 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room | Desk, rollaway beds, free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room

  • 301 sq ft
  • Beach view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Shared Dormitory ( 8 )

Desk, rollaway beds, free WiFi, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory ( 8 )

  • 301 sq ft
  • Beach view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Shared Dormitory (6 )

Shared Dormitory (6 ) | Desk, rollaway beds, free WiFi, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory (6 )

  • 194 sq ft
  • Beach view
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Twin Bed
Exterior detail
Sawa Sawa Motel
Breakfast included
Parking included
Free WiFi
Business services
1.0 out of 5, (2)
The price is $28
per night
$33 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 5 - Dec 6
Sawa Sawa Motel

Reviews

7.2

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 11 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 19 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 48 reviews" "

7.4/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Leon

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The property was not as advertised. The place appears a bit run-down and the rooms we stayed in had stained and partially broken toilet seats. We had to urgently make arrangements to secure alternative accommodation for our elderly mothers, which was extremely inconvenient. The hotel employee who was on duty was however very helpful and understanding, which we appreciated very well. He also contacted the hotel manager who was equally understanding and promised to process a refund for the room which we had to cancel at the last minute due to the fact that it was not meeting our expectation as advertised. He indicated the refund will be processed at the end of the month so we are looking forward to it.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

6/10 Okay

YOAV

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Toilets were dirty and broken
Toilets were dirty and broken
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019

4/10 Poor

Barbara

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fantastic location, a shame the state of the place
The location is fantastic, right in front of the beach and the property has a huge potential. The rooms are very spacious and the gardens are really nice. Food is also good, although it takes forever to prepare (1.5 hrs for a chicken wrap) The staff were great, super friendly and accommodating. However... I would not consider it a hotel as the state of the rooms is very poor, very old and not as clean as you would expect, even for the local standard. We were there for a week and nobody came to clean our room, change the linen, or replenish the toilet paper. Think of a backpackers hostel, only suitable for the more adventurous who do not mind finding suspicious stains on the sheets and towels or walking barefoot and their feet becoming dirty.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property has potential but it was dirty and some of it is unkept. The garden are very lovely.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

8/10 Good

George

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was a very comfortable experience.
It was a comfortable experience, and the place was just across the lake.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is really good. The staff is friendly and helpfull. There is good internet in the hostel. The location is beautiful, near by the beach. The staff help you with activities in the neighbourhood. The food was good (lunch and dinner). The breakfast was also good, but maybe it’s better to do a buffet with more fruits and maybe some chocopaste. Maybe it is also better to have some parking for the cars.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Dorm rooms need mosqueto nets on all beds, not just a couple. Food was ok, not great. Service was excellent though. Friendly and helpful. Great location, quiet and by the beach. The building and gardens were beautiful. Felt like i was at an old colonial home.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

8/10 Good

Victor

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Enjoyed my stay at Discover Gisenyi.
My stay was fantastic.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

8/10 Good

Amelia

The hostel was well-located, right next to Lake Kivu. I had one of their private cabin rooms and it was very comfortable. The water went out in my room for a couple of hours, but came back again. The staff was helpful. Some of the bar/kitchen staff didn't speak English that well which made ordering difficult sometimes. Overall, I had a pleasant experience. I would suggest that the staff give foreign guests recommendations for where to swim on Lake Kivu. I was surrounded by groups of people who were staring at me, and it wasn't that comfortable. Since people normally come to Gisenyi to visit the lake, I think they could do a better job of helping guests navigate what the lake has to offer.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

6/10 Okay

carine

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Rob, California

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location, staff, vibe, great value
I have been before and I will certainly go back. Right on the beach with very friendly staff, comfortable rooms and grounds. Some of the rooms could use some maintenance attention but everything was clean and comfortable. The staff are very accommodating, helpful, and friendly and I could spend hours in the outdoor sitting area/bar by reception.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018

2/10 Terrible

Theo, Kigali, Rwanda

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not worth it.
Booked on Expedia, but when we got there they said we had to pay $200 more. Tried to dispute it with Management and he blew me off. Very loud very early in the mornings. Unsafe food. They wash salad greens with untreated water. Staff are friendly, but very unknowledgeable. Unclean. Faulty mosquito nets. Unreliable water. Go somewhere else and be safe!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2017

2/10 Terrible

Bri, Kigali, Rwanda

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Beware!!
We booked a family room with 1 double and 4 single beds, but Expedia would only allow us to book for 2 adults and 2 kids. At the end of our stay they forced us to pay an extra $200 because we have 4 kids!!! HUGE holes in 4 of the mosquitoe nets. 1 net did not fit over the bed and 1 bed had no net at all!!! Not clean. Hot water unreliable. NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY!!! Very noisy by 5am could not sleep beyond that.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2017

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
My stay was terrific!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Pleasant hotel, right on the lake
The hotel was nice. Just on the lake. We had lunch there too which was lovely. The staff were pleasant.

8/10 Good

Minna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Recommended budget option
Great location, good friendly service, in a charming building by the beach. My room was nice, clean and spacious too, with a balcony - excellent! The only minus would be the bed and the bed linen.. having already seen the best days.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

10/10 Excellent

Shannon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
What a view!
This was my first time staying at Discover Rwanda in Gisenyi, and it was a pleasant surprise. The room was very big and had a balcony over the front of the hotel with a view towards Lake Kivu. The staff were excellent and wonderful, very helpful when needed. Breakfast was good and quick. The mattress on my bed was old, and caved in. That's my only complaint.

8/10 Good

Keita

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Convenient and clean
Bernard the managager was great! The price of drinks is great! You don't even need to venture out in the evening for your drink! Breakfast included and I had omelets every morning. I'm going there again!

8/10 Good

Love to travel, United States

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good place to stay in Gisenyi
Beautiful gardens and close to the lake. They have a variety of room options to fit travellers needs.

10/10 Excellent

kim, New Jersey, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect stopover before DRC! Close to border.
Staff very friendly & helpful. Good food. Nice little bar. Great location, close to DRC border. Clean. Affordable. Very close to lake.

8/10 Good

Andrej, Slovenia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice house, close to the nice beach
we were very nice surprised. Excellent location, lovely beach, nice town - very recommended

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Mostly for backpackers
We booked a room here for two nights and it seems like it was the only room that wasn't dorm style. It had a great view across the front lawn to Lake Kivu and some nice decoration. Once we got settled in we went straight to the beach, intending to swim, but changed our minds very quickly. Lots of trash and the water is an uninviting brown. Walked up and down the beach and road a bit. Mostly small hotels along the road. A pretty walk, but not much going on. Tried White Rock for dinner and drinks. It was okay, but really dead so we left after dinner. That night I had some of the worst stomach pain and diarrhea. Can't confirm it was from White Rock, but it did have me feeling like crap the next day. In the evening I was well enough to go down the road and check out the fancy Hotel Serena. It was a nice place, with a cute little pool and all, but not sure I would pay their prices to sleep there. They did have a much more extensive menu, though the chicken fingers were blah. Second night at Discovery Rwanda was much better than the first, and we relaxed with some drinks in the lounge area before hitting the hay.