Your stay — Faustin
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The Property — Faustin
Faustin is a down-to-earth three-star in Kigali's Kacyiru district, a short taxi hop from the city centre. The lobby is clean, calm, and functional — tiled floors, a small reception desk, and a couple of armchairs for waiting. It suits budget-minded travellers who want reliable, no-fuss accommodation rather than character or luxury. The real draw is the quiet residential street location and the back garden, which has a few tables for breakfast and evening drinks.
Chronicles of Kigali
Kigali was founded in 1907 as a German colonial outpost, but only became the national capital after Rwanda's independence in 1962. Its modern skyline is defined by rolling hills and orderly new buildings, thanks to a post-genocide rebuilding plan that banned plastic bags and mandated regular community clean-up days. Today the city is known for its safety, green spaces, and a growing cafe culture, but the legacy of the 1994 genocide remains visible at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Contemporary Kigali is a hub for conferences, tech startups, and regional diplomacy, with a largely young, English-speaking population.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kigali guide →Best months
June to September: The long dry season brings sunny days, cool evenings, and minimal rain — ideal for exploring the city and visiting Volcanoes National Park. July is especially popular for gorilla trekking, though Kigali itself manages crowds well.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season because of the dry weather and northern hemisphere summer holidays. Hotel prices can jump 20–40% above shoulder-season rates. The Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony (early September) also drives demand in the region.
Budget shoulder season
September and October are excellent budget months: still dry in early September, with lower hotel rates and thinner crowds. The short rains start in October, but they rarely disrupt daytime sightseeing.
Weather & packing
Kigali sits at 1,500 metres, so afternoons are warm but evenings drop to 15°C — bring a light jacket or fleece for mornings and nights. July has virtually no rain, so leave the umbrella at home and pack a sun hat and sunscreen instead.
Live City Briefing — Kigali
- Kigali's new Bus Rapid Transit system on the main roads (KN 5 Road and KG 7 Avenue) started trial runs in early 2026; expect occasional delays and re-routed minibus taxis near the city centre.
- The Kigali Genocide Memorial is open daily but requires advance online booking for entry slots; July 4th is a public holiday (Liberation Day), so the memorial may have reduced hours.
- A new food market opened in Kacyiru district (just up the hill from Faustin) with stalls selling fresh produce, grilled brochettes, and local coffee; good for a quick lunch away from hotel restaurants.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Faustin, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the interior courtyard (if available) — these floors are high enough to reduce ground-level street noise from the main road, and the courtyard orientation buffers traffic. Alternatively, ask for a room at the rear of the building, away from the street entrance.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially those near the lobby or service areas) — they pick up foot traffic, guest chatter, and morning early-shift noise. Also skip rooms directly above the bar (likely ground floor) if the hotel has one, and rooms facing the main Kigali road, as moto taxis and trucks can be loud until late.
Best views
Rooms at the front of the hotel (facing the main road) give a view of Kigali’s hills and city activity, but come with traffic noise. Rear-facing rooms overlook nearby residential houses or greenery — a quieter, more local vista. The trade-off is usually worth it for peace.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest — sufficiently above street-level commotion, with less lift usage and fewer passing guests. The top floor (if any) may also be quiet, but check if it houses a rooftop bar or water tank machinery.
🔊 Noise notes
Kigali's main roads see moto taxis, trucks, and occasional construction noise from dawn (around 6am). The hotel's bar can generate chatter and music until 10-11pm on weekends. Lift machinery and service doors may cause intermittent clatter on floors 1-2. Mosques or churches nearby may broadcast calls or bells at sunrise — check the street's specific block.
Insider tips
1) If arriving by car, ask reception about safe street parking or a guarded lot nearby — on-street parking is limited and can be insecure at night. 2) Request a room on booking confirmation to avoid first-come allocation: email or call directly (not just third-party notes) and specify 'high floor, courtyard side' — this is often honoured for early requests.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Faustin
Free for all guests, speeds around 10 Mbps down, no login required.
One lift serves all three guest floors; ground floor is reception and restaurant.
No newspapers or digital newsstand available. Building is a modern low-rise with no heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop available at reception. Late check-out until 12:00 for 50% of room rate, after that full night charged.
Free at reception during your stay, no charge.
No step-free entry; two low steps at front door. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or lifts with braille buttons. Ground floor has a step into restaurant.
Free on-site parking for 8 cars, first-come-first-served. Nearest public car park is Kigali City Market car park, 1 km away, 1000 RWF per hour. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; no incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses (330 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Restauration Church Remera (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Adventist Church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: Miracle Centre Church Remera (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Silverback Mall — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Campaign Against Genocide Museum — 2.0 km · ~24 min walk
Petit Stade — 500 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 184 m · ~2 min walk
SALAMA PHARMACY — 59 m · ~1 min walk
Good Choice — 154 m · ~2 min walk
Prince House — 419 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Rwandan Franc, RWF
Use bank ATMs (e.g., Equity, Bank of Kigali) for the best rate; avoid airport or hotel exchange bureaux – they give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in most hotels, supermarkets, and mid-range restaurants; smaller shops and motos are still cash-only. Contactless is rare.
Not expected but appreciated: 5-10% at nicer restaurants, round up taxi fares, small cash (1,000-2,000 RWF) for hotel porters/guides.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local filter coffee from street stalls or basic cafés: ~500–800 RWF.
Buffet lunch at a local canteen (rice, beans, chapati, veggies): ~2,500–3,500 RWF.
Grilled brochette (meat skewers) with chips or plantain at a roadside brochetterie: ~3,000–4,000 RWF for a main.
Evening areas around bus stations or Nyabugogo market – sambusas, grilled maize, and brochettes; look for stalls with queues.
Budget chains: Nakumatt (now Simba Supermarket) and Shoppers Supermarket are common across Kigali neighbourhoods.
Kimironko Market for second-hand clothes (kivuye style) and new budget fashion; haggle hard.
Local minibus (twegerane): 200–300 RWF per ride within central Kigali. From the airport, take a moto (2,000-3,000 RWF) or negotiate a taxi to town (~10,000 RWF). No day pass system.
Pay with exact cash to avoid short-change; always negotiate moto fares before getting on; eat at lunchtime buffets for the cheapest filling meal.
Emergency Contacts
Kigali112 is the universal emergency number connecting to police, ambulance, and fire services. For an ambulance direct from the Rwanda Ministry of Health, call 912.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kigali, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Faustin
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 184 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · SALAMA PHARMACY — 59 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sun City Hotel → Kigali Convention Centre
💡 Use YEGO for safety, or negotiate directly—agree on price before riding. Always ask for a helmet. No good for long distances or after dark.
Nyabugogo Bus Station → Sun City Hotel (stop on KG 15 Ave)
💡 Get a bus card at Nyabugogo (cash works but you need exact change). Avoid peak 7–8 AM when buses are packed. The Sun City stop is called 'Kicukiro roundabout'—tell the driver.
Sun City Hotel → Kimironko Market
💡 Download the YEGO app for electric moto-taxis—they’re cheaper than regular taxis, but luggage is tricky. Use for short hops like downtown or the market.
Kigali International Airport (KGL) → Sun City Hotel, Remera
💡 Request the shuttle when booking your room. If unavailable, negotiate with airport taxis—standard fare is about 10,000 RWF (roughly $8 USD) without haggling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Faustin?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the interior courtyard (if available) — these floors are high enough to reduce ground-level street noise from the main road, and the courtyard orientation buffers traffic. Alternatively, ask for a room at the rear of the building, away from the street entrance.
Which rooms should I avoid at Faustin?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially those near the lobby or service areas) — they pick up foot traffic, guest chatter, and morning early-shift noise. Also skip rooms directly above the bar (likely ground floor) if the hotel has one, and rooms facing the main Kigali road, as moto taxis and trucks can be loud until late.
Is Faustin noisy?
Kigali's main roads see moto taxis, trucks, and occasional construction noise from dawn (around 6am). The hotel's bar can generate chatter and music until 10-11pm on weekends. Lift machinery and service doors may cause intermittent clatter on floors 1-2. Mosques or churches nearby may broadcast calls or bells at sunrise — check the street's specific block.
Which rooms have the best views at Faustin?
Rooms at the front of the hotel (facing the main road) give a view of Kigali’s hills and city activity, but come with traffic noise. Rear-facing rooms overlook nearby residential houses or greenery — a quieter, more local vista. The trade-off is usually worth it for peace.
What are insider tips for staying at Faustin?
1) If arriving by car, ask reception about safe street parking or a guarded lot nearby — on-street parking is limited and can be insecure at night. 2) Request a room on booking confirmation to avoid first-come allocation: email or call directly (not just third-party notes) and specify 'high floor, courtyard side' — this is often honoured for early requests.
What time is check-in at Faustin?
Check-in at Faustin is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Faustin have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests, speeds around 10 Mbps down, no login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Faustin?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Faustin?
Buffet lunch at a local canteen (rice, beans, chapati, veggies): ~2,500–3,500 RWF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Faustin?
Local minibus (twegerane): 200–300 RWF per ride within central Kigali. From the airport, take a moto (2,000-3,000 RWF) or negotiate a taxi to town (~10,000 RWF). No day pass system.
When is the best time to visit Kigali?
June to September: The long dry season brings sunny days, cool evenings, and minimal rain — ideal for exploring the city and visiting Volcanoes National Park. July is especially popular for gorilla trekking, though Kigali itself manages crowds well.
Top Attractions in Kigali
💡 Free to browse the gallery. Live dance shows happen on Wednesdays and Fridays at 11am – arrive 15 minutes early. Donations welcome. The attached café sells good coffee and cakes.
💡 Entry is free. Go on a Saturday morning when it's busiest. Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket. Don't take photos without asking vendors first – a friendly smile helps. Buy fresh passion fruit for 200 RWF each.
💡 Start at the trailhead near the Nyabugogo bus station. No entry fee, but consider hiring a local guide for 5,000 RWF at the gate – the route can be confusing. Go in the morning before the heat. Wear boots.
💡 Entry is free, but you must pay for an audio guide (around 5,000 RWF) to get the full story. Go early to avoid crowds and allow at least two hours. No photography inside.
💡 Costs 10,000 RWF for the tour; free entry only if you buy something from the craft shop. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Tours run on request – call ahead or book via their Facebook page.