The hotel is situated 15 kilometres from Kwa Gahiza in Murambi Village, offering guests a warm welcome among eight elegantly designed bungalows. Six feature single rooms, while two accommodate families with double rooms.
Additional structures house a restaurant and reception area, guest services, and staff quarters. All buildings were constructed using locally sourced materials in partnership with the Rwandan company Clezol, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and community engagement.
Robin Marenco, the 26-year-old founder of Muhazi Dolce Vita, shared his story exclusively with IGIHE. Originally from France with Italian roots, Robin holds a Master's degree in hospitality management. His vision was to establish a hotel that combines his training in hospitality with Rwanda's natural beauty.
'I first visited Rwanda in 2023,' Robin said. 'That was the first time I really saw Rwanda.'
He explained that he had read about the country and was drawn by its safety, stability, and growing tourism sector. During the trip, he connected with the owner of Rutete Eco Lodge in Rwinkwavu, who welcomed him for a month and guided him in managing parts of the lodge. That experience gave him his first real insight into Rwanda.
Robin's first visit included trips across the country, from northern lakes to the shores of Lake Muhazi. It was the latter that captured his imagination. Its calm waters, scenic landscapes, and proximity to Kigali and Akagera National Park made it an ideal location for a hospitality project appealing to both domestic and international visitors.
"When I returned home, I reflected on what I had seen and experienced and decided to come back to Rwanda to establish my project here," the investor revealed.
The name 'Dolce Vita,' Robin explains, means 'the sweet life' in Italian, a lifestyle centred on enjoying simple pleasures and savouring life's beauty. He said he wanted to bring that concept to Rwanda, noting that Lake Muhazi's natural charm and tranquillity offered the perfect setting to blend this philosophy with local culture.
Muhazi Dolce Vita is already operational, and Robin is planning further developments to enhance the lakeside experience. He has applied for permits to build additional tourist facilities, including a specially designed boat for lake excursions, beach-volleyball and beach-soccer courts, and a pétanque area, a traditional French game that encourages family and community interaction. Scenic spots for photography will also be added to showcase the lake's beauty.
District Mayor Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi highlighted the hotel's positive impact on the local community, noting that it provides a ready market for locally grown agricultural produce while generating employment opportunities and additional income for residents.
Rooms at Muhazi Dolce Vita are priced between $100 and $120 (146,000â€"175,000 Rwandan francs) per night, and the hotel currently employs 16 permanent staff, ensuring a high standard of service for visitors.
With its combination of natural beauty, thoughtful design, and a young entrepreneur's vision, Muhazi Dolce Vita is positioning itself as a must-visit destination for weekend getaways from Kigali and for tourists exploring Rwanda's eastern region.
IGIHE
