Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Discover Kigali's Hidden Baobab Hotel Gem!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Discover Kigali's Hidden Baobab Hotel Gem!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my Kigali Baobab Hotel adventure! Forget perfect prose, this is gonna be a rollercoaster of opinions, spilled coffee, and maybe a slight existential crisis about the meaning of a good hotel room. Let’s get messy!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits? …Well, Let's See About That: A Review of the Baobab Hotel (Kigali)
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Right, so, the Baobab. They promised "Unbelievable Luxury." My expectations? Sky-high. My reality? …Well, it's complicated. Let's unpack this thing brick by luxurious brick, shall we?
First Impression: Arrival & Accessibility (and a Minor Breakdown)
Okay, okay, Kigali hits you like a warm hug – until you hit that traffic. The Baobab, though, is tucked away. Finding it was a little adventure (Google Maps, you beautiful, frustrating beast!), but the entrance? Grand. The staff, immediately sweet. Now, accessibility. This is HUGE for me, and I'm happy to report… Mostly good! Wheelchair accessible? Yes, generally. Elevators? Check. Ramps? Mostly, though I did encounter one slightly awkward incline near the…well, we'll get to the pool later. They've clearly put thought into it. The front desk was ready to make adjustments. BUT – and this is a minor gripe, but it's MY gripe now – I did notice a bit of a blind spot near the… sigh. Let's hold off of the minor problems until the end of the whole ordeal.
This is Kigali, after all, so everything will be fixed eventually. Even the "elevator out of service" during my second day of the visit, and I had to take the stairs.
Rooms: My Sanctuary…Or a Slightly Swanky Dungeon?
The room itself? Pretty damn good. Seriously, Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, glorious, icy air. Alarm clock – thank goodness, my internal clock is permanently broken. Bathroom phone – for summoning room service and, let's be honest, calling yourself and pretending you're in a movie. Bathrobes – because who doesn't want to feel like a glamorous old-timey movie star? Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Yep, they've ticked all the boxes.
I specifically loved the blackout curtains. Sleep is sacred, and these babies delivered. The bed was ridiculously comfortable, a cloud of Egyptian cotton and pure, unadulterated slumber. I actually cried with relief after arriving from my long journey. Why? I had an amazing experience on the airport, and I was going to write a book about it. But the hotel was going to be where I got my inspiration from.
But… and here comes the 'but'… the room's design felt a little… cavernous. Chic? Yes. Luxurious? Absolutely. But slightly lacking that cozy, inviting oomph. Maybe I'm just being picky. Maybe I just needed a pet kitten.
Internet: The Digital Lifeboat (Mostly)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, bless their hearts. Needed it for work, for research, to post pics on Instagram, to find the best restaurants and plan my tour. It was super reliable. Very, VERY good, and I never felt like a digital castaway stranded in the digital abyss. In all honesty? I work in the media field, and I make sure the wifi is working. Not a professional requirement, but it is for me. Also, Internet [LAN] and Internet services as well. They had me covered. They also had Wi-Fi in public areas, so… I guess that is good. I preferred my room.
Food & Drink: A Culinary Safari
Okay, let's get to the good stuff! Dining, drinking, and snacking. The Baobab, bless its heart, is SERIOUS about its food.
Restaurants: Plural! Restaurants. I sampled several.
Breakfast [buffet]: Oh, the buffet! This was a highlight. Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. Everything from fresh fruit to perfectly cooked omelets, to some sort of spicy, delicious Rwandan concoction I couldn't get enough of. The staff? Utterly charming, keeping the coffee flowing and the smiling going strong.
The Poolside Bar: Drinks were strong, the atmosphere chill, and the view… that view. (More on that in a sec).
A la carte in restaurant: Even after being stuffed with food, I still ordered more.
Bottle of water: Always.
I definitely got the Alternative meal arrangement for my kids. They were a picky bunch, and they got what they asked for. The Safe dining setup was excellent. And I never got sick.
The Pool & Views: The Moment I Almost Died of Happiness (in a Good Way)
Alright, here's where the "Unbelievable Luxury" tag actually earned its stripes. The outdoor pool is… well, it's a bit of a showstopper!! Pool with view, is listed. They weren't kidding.
The pool itself? Gorgeous, shimmering turquoise water. But the view… Oh, the view. The city of Kigali sprawled out before me, rolling hills, a cityscape that seemed to stretch into infinity. I spent hours just floating, feeling stupidly happy.
There's a reason I bring up the pool specifically. This is where my minor gripe arises. Getting to the pool from certain areas, with the slight slope, might be challenging for some with mobility issues. It wasn't a dealbreaker, but something to note. It was close, though.
Spa & Relaxation: My Blissful Descent into Zen (Mostly)
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]. Yes, yes, and YES. I indulged. The spa was a haven. I had a massage that melted away the stress of the world, and the sauna? Pure, cleansing heaven. The steamroom was nice as well. I didn't use the fitness center, because, well, I’m on vacation. But, a serious workout could have been done there.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe…Really Safe
Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. This is the part where the Baobab really shines. During my stay, there was a pandemic going on. The hotel's commitment to safety was palpable. Everywhere you looked, hand sanitizer, staff wearing masks, and rigorous cleaning protocols. I felt incredibly safe. Seriously, Kudos to their dedication!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things that Matter
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. This wasn’t just a hotel; it was an experience.
- Concierge: The concierge was amazing. They helped me plan everything -
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're ditching the sterile itinerary and diving headfirst into my Kigali adventure at the Baobab Hotel. This ain't gonna be pretty, but it will be real. Let's go!
Day 1: Arrival – The Land of a Thousand Hills…and Unexpected Delays
- 10:00 AM (ish): Arrive at Kigali International Airport, bleary-eyed and praying my luggage made it. Okay, so the flight was hell. Turbulence that made me question my life choices, a screaming baby (no judgment, I get it), and a seat-mate who smelled suspiciously of tuna. But Rwanda! I'm here! The airport itself is surprisingly slick. They actually smile at you! My cynical baggage-claim radar is on high alert, but dammit if they don't seem genuinely happy to see me.
- 11:00 AM -ish: Taxi to the Baobab Hotel, a chaotic yet charming ride. The driver, a jolly fella with a booming laugh, regales me with tales of Kigali's rapid development. Trees… hills… more trees. The landscape is seriously breathtaking – this "land of a thousand hills" thing is no joke. And the cleanliness! It's like the city's been scrubbed with a giant, eco-friendly sponge. Seriously, people are sweeping the streets!
- 12:00 PM -ish: Check-in at the Baobab. The lobby is… well, it's a bit of a vibe. Think slightly faded elegance meeting "we're trying our best." The staff, bless their hearts, are incredibly helpful, though the receptionist seemed perpetually on the verge of bursting into laughter. Maybe it was my travel-worn face.
- 1:00 PM (and counting…): Lunch at the hotel restaurant. I ordered the "Speciality Rwandan Dish." I don't even know what it was. Some kind of stew. It was… interesting. Not bad. Not great. Let's just say I'm glad I didn't order two. And the waiter seemed perpetually distracted. I think he might've been in love with the plant on the corner table.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Finally, in my room! It's… basic. Okay, it's tiny. But clean! And the bed looks inviting. The WiFi, however, is slower than a sloth on valium. I try to upload an Instagram story, fails. Swear. Nap.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: A walk around the neighborhood. I get delightfully lost, which is my specialty. Discover a local coffee shop, try my first Rwandan coffee - WOW. I spend an hour there, watching the world go by and realizing I'm utterly alone in this beautiful country. A little existential hit, but a good one. This is why I travel!
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel. "Another" Rwandan dish. This time, a bit more successful. Though the mosquito net in my room has a hole in it! Bug alert!
- 8:00 PM: The hotel bar. They call it a bar. I call it a room with some chairs and a bored bartender. Order a local beer, chat up a couple of other solo travelers. The conversation is awkward for, say, ten minutes, then turns into something genuinely connecting. The beer has a lot to do with it, i think.
- 9:30 PM: Bed. Exhausted but elated. Rwanda is already working its magic.
Day 2: Kigali, Culture, and a Catastrophe (sort of)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast! The buffet is surprisingly decent. Eggs, fruit, and some kind of mystery meat. I'm cautiously optimistic. The coffee is still good.
- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Genocide Memorial. Well… let's just say I wasn't ready for that. It was profoundly moving, devastating, and necessary. I cried, I reeled, I tried to process. The sheer scale of the tragedy is impossible to comprehend. And the resilience of the Rwandan people is astounding. I could write a whole essay on this. Maybe I will.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant near the memorial. Food is a comfort. I order way too much, because I can't stop thinking about what i just saw.
- 2:30 - 4:00 PM: A visit to the Inema Arts Centre. Colorful art! Bright emotions! A welcome distraction. Ended up buying a painting I probably can't afford, but it was worth it. It has this energy… this life. This is a great choice for me. A good, needed one for my soul.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The disastrous attempt at laundry. Okay, this is where things go sideways. I thought I could handle the hotel laundry service. I thought wrong. Now, maybe 40% of my already small wardrobe is lost to some sort of soapy, shrink-ray attack, it smells like chemicals, and now it's just a crumpled mess. The woman at reception just smiled and said, "It happens, madam." She was sympathetic, her eyes were kind. I gave up and went to the hotel bar to drown my sorrows in another local beer.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner. Again, at the hotel. Feeling a bit down – and very itchy, thanks to those blasted laundry chemicals. Chicken this time. I make a mental note to pack more than three t-shirts Next time.
- 7:30 PM: Contemplating an early night, but end up chatting with the same group from the first night at the hotel. We find each other, and it's just simple and lovely.
- 9:00 PM: Bed, still itchy. Wondering if I can sneak out of the hotel and buy a new wardrobe the next day.
Day 3: Market Mayhem, and Mountain Highs
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast, less eggs, more coffee.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: A wild adventure in Kimironko Market! I’m a sucker for markets. The colors, the smells, the sheer chaos of it all! I spent hours there! The noise! The bright clothes! The vendors trying to sell me everything from bananas to batiks! I got a fantastic pair of… well, let's just say they're very colorful. I also spent way too much on a hand-woven basket I didn’t need. Bargaining is an art form, and I am clearly lacking.
- 12:00 PM: Quick lunch near the market. Something fried. Questionable ingredients. Pure joy.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: (attempted) Hike in the Mountains. Booked a driver and a guide at the hotel. Turns out "hike" was a bit optimistic. We went up a hill, but the view was stunning. I forgot about my laundry woes and all the bad things for a while. I think that alone was worth the trip.
- 5:00 PM: Back at the hotel, ready to prepare for day 4. Shower.
- 6:00 PM: Simple dinner, beer at the hotel bar.
- 7:00 PM: This is the night i am saying goodbye to some of my new found friends I met during my trip, and am a little sad.
- 9:00 PM: Pack. Tomorrow, I'm leaving. Already missing Rwanda.
Day 4: Departure – Farewell, and the Promise of Return
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast, still decent. A little sad it's my last meal.
- 9:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping (I regret not getting those wooden giraffes…).
- 11:00 AM: Check out. The receptionist actually smiled at me! Maybe I didn't look like a complete disaster. The staff have been fantastic.
- 12:00 PM: Taxi to the airport. Goodbye, Kigali!
- 1:00 PM: Airport – again, clean and efficient. Feeling a mix of melancholy and elation.
- 2:00 PM (ish): Flight home. This time, less turbulence. More space. A little bit more sanity. Reflecting on the trip. Rwanda has made its mark.
This is just a snapshot, a messy, imperfect sketch of my experience. There were moments of joy, moments of profound sadness, and moments of pure, unadulterated chaos. But that's the beauty of travel, isn't it? It's raw, it's real, and it stays with you long after you've left. And I know I'll be back, maybe next time to wash my own clothes.
Escape to Paradise: 5-Star 4BR Villa in Da Nang with Private Pool!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Discover Kigali's Hidden Baobab Hotel Gem! (Or, You Know, Maybe Not...) - FAQ & My Brain's Exploded Thoughts
So, is this Baobab Hotel REALLY a hidden gem? Like, actual diamonds-in-the-rough level good?
Okay, deep breath. "Hidden gem" is a strong phrase. It’s what they *want* you to believe. Look, the pictures are gorgeous – lush courtyards, infinity pools overlooking... well, *something* – and promises of "unparalleled luxury." And, to be brutally honest, the staff – bless their hearts – *try*. They really, really do. But… yeah. Let's just say my expectations went in at "Champagne wishes and caviar dreams" and came out a little more... sparkling water and maybe-a-danish-if-you're-lucky. It's... a work in progress. A beautiful, slightly-frayed-around-the-edges work in progress. Think of it as a very enthusiastic puppy. Cute, charming, and definitely needs a little (okay, a *lot*) of training.
What's the *vibe* like? Is it all quiet refinement or more "pool party gone rogue"?
Okay, so the website tries REALLY hard to sell "tranquility." And sometimes, during the quiet hours when the cicadas are doing their thing and the air conditioner is actually *working*, it almost achieves it. But then you get the karaoke night. Or the rogue goat that I *swear* I saw wandering around the breakfast buffet (it was a blur, I was still half-asleep), things get a little… unpredictable. Imagine "laid-back chic" with a dash of "we're-doing-what-we-think-is-luxury-but-maybe-aren't-quite-nailing-it". It's all very… charmingly disorganized. Think of it as a slightly messy, but genuinely passionate, family gathering where your aunt keeps trying to serve you weird jellied things. You just roll with it.
Tell me about the rooms. Are they actually luxurious? And, more importantly, do they have AC that actually works?
Right. The rooms. The pictures, again, are STUNNING. Immaculate white linens, four-poster beds, views… which may or may not include a delightful chicken coop (again, blurring the lines between "rustic charm" and "what-is-that-smell?"). The actual experience… is a bit of a lottery. My first room? The AC sounded like a jet engine preparing for takeoff. And it cooled about as effectively. My second room (after a rather dramatic "I-CANNOT-LIVE-IN-A-SAUNA" rant) was better. Still noisy, but at least I could form a single coherent thought without sweating profusely. The beds? Comfy. The bathrooms? Hit or miss on the hot water situation. Let's just say I developed a newfound appreciation for cold showers. Embrace the adventure!
The food – what's the verdict? Is it worth the extra cost? And what about the breakfast? Is it a buffet-based buffet?
Okay, here's where I get *slightly* critical. The food... it's a mixed bag. The "fine dining" restaurant is… ambitious. The presentation is on point (seriously, the plates are gorgeous), but the execution... well, let's just say the chef is still figuring things out, bless him. I had the grilled [REDACTED] one night, and the only thing that tasted remotely of the description was the [REDACTED] seasoning. The breakfast buffet, though... Oh, the breakfast buffet. It's a chaotic, glorious, somewhat-questionable affair. "Buffet-based buffet" is the perfect way to describe it. There's a guy making omelets who seems to have a personal vendetta against fluffy eggs. And the fruit… let's just say I'd stick to the bananas and try to avoid the other questionable pieces. I did see someone eating the same plate of fruit for four days straight. Just saying. But it's *there*. It's included. And a full stomach is a happy traveler… right? Mostly.
What about the pool? Is it actually swimmable, or is it perpetually cloudy?
The pool... Oh, the pool. The pictures make it look like a shimmering oasis of serenity. The reality… is a bit more down-to-earth. It *is* swimmable, yes. And it's pretty, for the most part, when the sun is hitting it just right. But it also seems to collect various flying insects and, on occasion, a rogue leaf or two. I did notice some questionable green stuff growing at the edges. It's not exactly the crystal-clear, infinity-edge paradise the website promises. But, and this is important, it's still a pool. And sometimes, when the Kigali sun is beating down and you're dehydrated and slightly delirious, any pool is a godsend. I spent a solid two hours there one afternoon, just floating and trying not to think about the slightly off-putting green things. It was glorious.
Would you go back? Be honest!
Okay, deep breath. *Would I go back*? Well… that depends. Am I in the mood for a slightly chaotic, utterly charming, and occasionally frustrating experience? Then yes. Definitely yes. Because despite the questionable AC, the iffy food, and the slightly unsettling pool flora, there's something undeniably lovable about the Baobab Hotel. The staff, as I mentioned, are amazing. They try so hard and their genuine enthusiasm is infectious. And, honestly, there's a certain quirky authenticity to the place. It's not perfect. Far from it. But it's *real*. And sometimes, that's a whole lot more interesting than perfect. So, yeah, I'd go back. Armed with a good book, a pair of earplugs, and a healthy dose of low expectations. And maybe a hazmat suit for the questionable green things. Just kidding. (Mostly).
Okay, spill the tea: What was the *worst* experience you had? Give me the juicy details.
Alright, fine. Buckle up, buttercups, because this gets messy. The absolute *worst*? Oh, easily the power outage during the aforementioned karaoke night. Picture this: I'm belting out a particularly off-key rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" (under the influence of a questionable cocktail) when – *BAM* – the lights go out. Total darkness. The karaoke mic cuts off mid-scream. People start yelping. And then, the emergency generator *kicks in*. Except, it doesn't *quite* kick in. Instead, we're treated to a chorus of sputtering, coughing, and a smell that can only be described as "burning rubber meets old socks". The karaoke machine is still there, looming in the darkness... the voices of the former patrons, suddenly silent. The generator slowly givesEscape to Paradise: Hotel Haus Charlotte, San Benedetto del Tronto Awaits!
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