Luma & Lua Review: A Unique Boutique Hotel in Kigali

Whether you’re visiting for a business trip, a weekend getaway, or the start of your Rwanda adventure, Luma & Lua makes a great base in Kigali. The location is convenient for exploring the city’s food and bar scene, cultural shopping, and markets, giving you a real feel for Kigali’s local energy.

The murals designed and painted by a local artist, paired with playful tiles, give Luma & Lua a Mediterranean-inspired vibe that feels refreshingly different. The rooftop restaurant of the same name is delicious, featuring fresh ingredients with creative twists on classic flavors.

Wilhelm and I spent a weekend here to experience the atmosphere, and we loved it!

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The Basics of staying at Luma & Lua

Book via Booking.com or website
Stylish and fresh vibe of the hotel
Comfortable rooms with great views
It’s a great location and it’s easy to get around or walk
Lots of shops and restaurants nearby

How to Book and Room Options

It’s easy to book Luma & Lua. You can do so via Booking.com or directly on their website, where they occasionally offer deals.

Rooms range from USD $90–150 (but you’re likely to find a promotion).

We stayed in the deluxe room, which has great views over the Kigali hillside. The room is spacious, with plenty of areas to hang clothing, manage your suitcase, and lounge. The beds and pillows were comfortable, too.

The bathrooms are well designed, too! Green is my favorite color so this is totally my vibe.

I also peeked into the budget rooms. They are just as large but face the stadium instead of the hillside. If you plan to be out exploring most of the day, this is a perfect value option.

The staff throughout our stay were great. Check-in was smooth and the staff were kind. At one point we left the key inside our room, and they swiftly issued a new one.

Amenities

If you’re keeping up with your workout routine, you can make use of the gym to get a quick workout in.

And if you’re here for business, I suggest inviting your colleagues to join you for lunch and a working session at the hotel. The meeting workspace can accommodate around 10 people and includes a projector for presentations. It’s an easy, stylish spot to host a small meeting, and I’m sure your Kigali-based colleagues would appreciate the change of scenery.

Getting Around Kigali

The most fun way to get around Kigali is by motorcycle. “Motos” always carry an extra helmet, though you may want to bring a scarf or cap to wear underneath.

Other transport options are Move and Yego, for which you can download an app. Although both allow you to drop a pin, drivers don’t always see it, so it’s helpful to be able to call or receive calls locally to explain your location. You can also arrange transport through the hotel.

Luma & Lua is located near Amahoro Stadium, which every moto or taxi driver will know! If needed, you can also reference BK Arena or Zaria Court. There was a game going on when we visited so there was a vibrant atmosphere while we were walking around.

Luma & Lua Restaurant

The Luma & Lua restaurant is quickly becoming one of the most popular spots in the city for a fun night out. Come as you are after a day of exploring or dress up a bit… you’ll feel welcome either way.

The menu features fresh ingredients with a Mediterranean focus and a subtle Rwandan twist.

After a full day of adventure or meetings, sometimes you’ll want the ease of dining at your hotel, without missing out on Kigali’s food scene. That’s where Luma & Lua has a real advantage. You get a popular restaurant experience right at the hotel!

The high ceilings and traditional Rwandan lamps paired with the woven ceiling decor are just stunning. While walking around the neighborhood, we saw the hotel lit up in the distance and wow! It got us really excited for dinner.

Dinner

We visited for the special Valentine’s Day menu, and it already made me want to return to try more dishes. They regularly host special dinners and brunches, which you can track via Instagram.

For our four-course tasting menu, we had crispy fish, a mille-feuille (which I loved for the fresh peas), fantastic lemon butter salmon, and a crème brûlée for dessert.

Wilhelm chose the pumpkin soup (so creamy and delicious), the spinach and pumpkin homemade ravioli, and the chocolate cake.

Breakfast

Breakfast was included in our stay and I enjoyed sitting outside. We got the French toast and the shakshuka (so good!). Be sure to get a mixed juice, too.

Why Stay at Luma & Lua

The entire design of Luma & Lua feels calm and polished, like a little escape within the city where you can also experience local cultural and great food. The combo is perfect for short or week-long stays. With a restaurant on-site in a well-known area, the hotel is a steal.

I really enjoyed the murals, which are perfect for photos, and even the elevators double as fun photo spots thanks to the floral designs.

What to Do Around Luma & Lua

If you arrive in the afternoon, head to Katina’s Kafé before check-in. It’s a great place to grab lunch or juice and relax with a coffee until the 3:00 p.m. check-in time. The cafe is staffed by the deaf community. The build-your-own breakfast bowls are especially popular here. I had the pesto sandwich with spinach, which was delish.

Zaria Court and Around

Once you’ve checked in and freshened up, head out for a walk. The hotel is well located for exploring on foot, particularly toward the Zaria Court area. Kigali is very safe to walk around!

We stopped into Kiza, a unique sports clothing shop, and Wilhelm bought a Rwanda shirt.

At Zaria Court, you should browse the small boutiques and grab a drink. Be sure to head on the second level of the shops too. Many items are Rwandan-designed and made. Kivu Noir is a popular cafe for cold brews, matcha lattes, and more.

You’ll probably catch a basketball game going on at the courts, too.

And if you’re in the mood for something a bit more upscale, head to the Zaria Court Hotel rooftop for cocktails.

Kimironko Market

For a classic city experience, head to Kimironko Market. This is Kigali’s produce, meat, and everything else. It’s about a 30-minute walk from Luma & Lua, which is manageable, or you can hop on a moto and simply say “Kimironko.”

Once there, wander through the different sections. Most vendors in the produce section are friendly without being pushy, though you may occasionally encounter persistent sellers or bag carriers. One side of the market has fruits and veg… The edge has some animal products, and opposite side has a great tourist section. be sure to look out for beautiful fabrics, Rwanda baskets, and other locally made goods. It’s worth negotiating a bit and taking your time exploring the stalls.

We got some veggies for the week!

Kisimenti

If you want to explore more of Kigali’s bar and food scene, wander the nearby street of KG 18 (around here). You’ll find a surprisingly diverse range of cuisines, from Ethiopian to Afghan to Russian. In the evening, the bars blast music and you can wander up and down the street checking them out before heading back to the hotel for the night.