{"id":56882,"date":"2026-01-18T15:20:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T15:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/muhazi-dolce-vita-inside-a-young-french-investor-s-lakeside-gem-in-rwanda\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T16:00:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T16:00:15","slug":"muhazi-dolce-vita-inside-a-young-french-investor-s-lakeside-gem-in-rwanda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/muhazi-dolce-vita-inside-a-young-french-investor-s-lakeside-gem-in-rwanda\/","title":{"rendered":"Muhazi Dolce Vita: Inside a young French investor\u2019s lakeside gem in Rwanda (Photos)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s degree in hospitality management. His vision was to establish a hotel that combines his training in hospitality with Rwanda\u2019s natural beauty.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI first visited Rwanda in 2023,\u201d Robin said. \u201cThat was the first time I really saw Rwanda.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Robin\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;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,&#8221; the investor revealed.<\/p>\n<p>The name \u201cDolce Vita,\u201d Robin explains, means \u201cthe sweet life\u201d in Italian, a lifestyle centred on enjoying simple pleasures and savouring life\u2019s beauty. He said he wanted to bring that concept to Rwanda, noting that Lake Muhazi\u2019s natural charm and tranquillity offered the perfect setting to blend this philosophy with local culture.<\/p>\n<p>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 p\u00e9tanque area, a traditional French game that encourages family and community interaction. Scenic spots for photography will also be added to showcase the lake\u2019s beauty.<\/p>\n<p>District Mayor Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi highlighted the hotel\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>Rooms at Muhazi Dolce Vita are priced between $100 and $120 (146,000\u2013175,000 Rwandan francs) per night, and the hotel currently employs 16 permanent staff, ensuring a high standard of service for visitors.<\/p>\n<p>With its combination of natural beauty, thoughtful design, and a young entrepreneur\u2019s vision, Muhazi Dolce Vita is positioning itself as a must-visit destination for weekend getaways from Kigali and for tourists exploring Rwanda\u2019s eastern region.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100789 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/791368770-87635.jpg\" alt=\"\u201cDolce Vita\u201d in Italian means \u201cthe sweet life.\u201d This is the origin of the hotel\u2019s name, suggesting that anyone who visits seeks a life of comfort and tranquility.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100788 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/746326009-56ff3.jpg\" alt=\"The hotel comprises six bungalows with single rooms and two bungalows with double rooms designed for families. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100787 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/746325850-33d10.jpg\" alt=\"The hotel rooms overlook the lake.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100786 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/757308776-e682c.jpg\" alt=\"The hotel\u2019s bathrooms have unique features, allowing guests to shower while enjoying the fresh breeze from outside.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100785 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/746325894-aec3b.jpg\" alt=\"The bungalows feature cozy bedroom. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100784 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/746325920-b8bd9.jpg\" alt=\"Guests can relax on the veranda while taking in the scenic views of Lake Muhazi.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100783 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/746325971-c4a0f.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100782 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2ebbd883bb82a348c60cdd8976f129c5-96498.jpg\" alt=\"Rooms at Muhazi Dolce Vita are priced between $100 and $120 (146,000\u2013175,000 Rwandan francs) per night.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100781 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/webp\/exp_1762076188_6907261c84b6b-13558.webp\" alt=\"Guests at the hotel can relax while enjoying views of Lake Muhazi.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100780 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/webp\/exp_1762075890_690724f2f2ff1-8668e.webp\" alt=\"The hotel offers a range of games and activities to help visitors unwind and enjoy their stay.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100777 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/webp\/exp_1762076353_690726c128ac4-07338.webp\" alt=\"Beach volleyball is among the activities being developed to attract tourists and enhance the guest experience at the hotel.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100779 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/webp\/exp_1762076062_6907259ec32fc-a518e.webp\" alt=\"The hotel\u2019s services include massages designed to help guests relax and recover from fatigue.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100778 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/webp\/exp_1762804383_6912429f9d696-75a27.webp\" alt=\"Guests can also make the most of their visit by enjoying scenic boat rides on Lake Muhazi.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100775 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/746325988-6c00a.jpg\" alt=\"Such walkways lead to peaceful resting spots by the lake.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-100776 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/746325864-ed234.jpg\" alt=\"At night, the hotel takes on a stunning appearance.\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On the serene shores of Lake Muhazi in the Muhazi sector of Rwamagana District, a new hotel has opened its doors to tourists. Muhazi Dolce Vita, built on two hectares of prime lakeside land, promises not only a comfortable stay but also an immersive experience in one of Rwanda\u2019s most picturesque locations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000100790,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[75],"byline":[170],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-56882","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tourism","tag-homenews","byline-igihe"],"bylines":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"contributors":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"featured_image":{"id":2000100790,"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/791368770-87635.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":0,"height":0,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/791368770-87635.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/791368770-87635.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/791368770-87635.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/791368770-87635.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/791368770-87635.jpg","width":0,"height":0}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56882","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/131"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56882"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56882\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000100790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56882"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56882"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56882"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=56882"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=56882"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}