Gisenyi accommodation New Year

I am traveling in Rwanda in December-Jan and would like to spend New Year in Gisenyi. The accommodation seems to be either very expensive (Serena) or budget and I was hoping for something around the $30-$50 (for a double) mark, with hot water and fairly central (we will be on foot/taxi). We may use the facilities of the Serena for the beach and pool.

Any advice for this and other Gisenyi tips would be gratefully received.

Thanks.

Last year I stayed at the Stipp, which has a pool. I forget the rate I paid there but it was surely less than the Serena. I got a decent deal as I just walked in and bargained the rate down. It may be at the high end of what you want to pay or perhaps a little more.

In a guide book you will find several hotels in Gisenyi in several price categories. Paradis Malahide has got good reports. http://www.paradismalahide.com/

The Bradt guide is good and there is also a brand new version of the French Petit Futé guide Rwanda.
Rwanda might get busy with tourists in December, as there are now five direct KLM flights a week to Kigali from Europe, besides Brussels airlines, and most planes will be pretty full.

Hi

@ Gozone,

Paradise Malahide, is great for sure, but its location is really far from the town, as situated at Rubona (15mins on taxi moto from the Serena),

@ Reddest_Travellers

When we go to Gisenyi, we prefer staying at Hotel Ubumwe, 2min from the Congo Border, 3 mins from the White Rocks, 6mins from the beach, and 15mins walk from the city centre.
Ask for a room in the new wing (better view, and much bigger)

regards

Kigalilongwe

Edited by: kigalilongwe

Thanks very much for all your responses. In the end we will stay at the Serena for a couple of nights (a Christmas gift from very kind friends) and hopefully at the Paradis Malahide for a few nights, which I have heard wonderful things about. I did find getting in touch with some places quite hard... I spoke to the contact for Auberge de Gisenyi and was told in no uncertain terms there were no rooms, despite not having given a date. Perhaps they are no longer taking guests.

Very much looking forward to seeing Rwanda now!