Carlson Rezidor, one of the ten largest hotel groups worldwide and one of the leading hotel operators on the African continent, has confirmed the launch of the Park Inn by Radisson Kigali in Rwanda.

The stylish upper midscale property featuring 161 rooms is Carlson Rezidor’s second hotel project in Kigali.

The group already develops the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre Kigali that is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2104.

The Park Inn by Radisson will welcome the first guests just a few months later in third quarter of 2014.

“We are delighted to introduce our young and dynamic brand Park Inn by Radisson to Rwanda and to further strengthen our presence in the country.

“Africa is a key development market for our group, and our African portfolio now comprises 50 hotels with a total of 11,000 rooms in operation and under development across 21 countries,” said Wolfgang Neumann, president, Rezidor Hotel Group.

The site of the Park Inn by Radisson Kigali is centrally located in the up-market Nyarugenge district of the city centre - less than 12km west of the International Airport, Rwanda’s primary point of entry.

Besides 161 comfortable and functional guest rooms, the hotel will offer a 225m² all-day dining restaurant, a 80m² lobby bar, a club lounge, an outdoor swimming pool with a 110m² pool bar and terrace, 500m² meeting & conference facilities as well as gym, spa, hair salon and nightclub.

Kigali is Rwanda’s most populated city with more than one million inhabitants and is also the country’s most important business and convention destination.

Tourism, minerals, coffee and tea are Rwanda’s main sources of foreign exchange; and with Rwanda having joined the East African Economic Community, it is aligning its budget, trade, and immigration policies with its regional partners.