Hotel des Milles Collines

Clean and easy lines with a few natural accents, modern decorative splashes and plush loungers welcome you into the fuss-free lobby. The real gems are outside – the thatched bar and lounge area, a generous swimming pool and a terrace with wonderful views across the gardens as the sun sinks below the valley of 1000 hills. The restaurants offer excellent cuisine, from European-inspired dishes at Le Panorama to local signature favourites at the Pool Bar. Wi-Fi throughout.

The 112 rooms and suites of varying sizes (from small singles to the larger junior and superior suites, with extra living and lounge areas) are neat and comfortable, with all the amenities you would expect from a modern hotel. At night, the city-facing rooms overlook twinkling Kigali, lending a charming atmosphere that contrasts with the lodge's sobering history.

Ascend Mount Kigali on foot or by bike, dance away the night with the cool kids at different live music venues or rent a moto taxi and explore the fast way. Kigali is also big on coffee culture, so join a tour to see how the local coffee is produced or find a good street cafe and watch the crowds go by while sipping a cuppa. There are also art galleries in the city (try Ivuka and Uburanga Art Galleries).