Kigali Marriott Hotel offered a free Balinese and Swedish massage in order to write this review.

I’m very slowly coming around to the wonderful world of massages, and the Saray Spa at the Kigali Marriott has a lot to do with that. I’m one of those weirdos who doesn’t like massages. It can mostly be chalked up to a few strange massage experiences (like that time in Beijing where my massage ended with a ‘wet willy’… no kidding) and a few deep tissue massages that left me in pain for what felt like weeks. So after these unpleasant experiences, I guess I decided that I didn’t like them and that was the end of that.

But running a website like mine means that I often have businesses write me with offers so that I’ll write a review of their services. I don’t accept freebies from Kigali restaurants and cafes, but I can’t really afford regular spa treatments and expensive hotel stays, so I’m more open to taking occasional freebies in these categories so I can write about them. Long story short… I’ve had a bunch of somewhat reluctant massages over the past couple of years, and I think the two I’ve had at the Marriott Kigali have really helped me learn to love them.

Saray Spa is a super slick operation right from the greeting on arrival, all the way through to the end of your experience. The staff are friendly and very professional, the decor in the lobby and the treatment rooms is beautiful, and even the locker rooms are somehow welcoming. On arrival, you’ll be led to the changing room to switch into a robe and slippers before meeting your masseuse back out in the waiting area on the cozy couch. They’ll lead you into a treatment room where everything is designed to put you into an ultra relaxed state including the silence, the lighting, and the aroma of lemongrass wafting through the air. Because what is a massage without a good lemongrass waft, I ask you?

I felt at peace the moment I walked into the spa and all of my apprehensions about getting a massage faded away. My ‘wet willy’ defenses were down and I was able to enjoy a Swedish massage (Rwf 30,000 to 58,500 depending on length) on my first trip that was done with a perfect amount of pressure. On my second trip I was offered a Baliniese massage which is something I’d never heard of before. It was a full body massage which seemed to focus on pressure points. I thought it was the perfect combination of a relaxing, soothing massage with a bit more pressure occasionally to help get knots out.

They also offer foot, face and scalp, Indian head, hot stone, and back massages along with reflexology, aromatherapy and a variety of waxing options. Saray Spa also offer a variety of 30 minute body scrubs (Rwf 18,000 to 45,000) and wraps (Rwf 46,000), 30 or 60 minute facials (Rwf 26,000 to 45,000), and foot, face/scalp, hot stone, deep tissue, and they also offer packages with several treatments in one deal. If you’re a member of the Marriott gym you get 10% off all treatments.Check out their online  spa booklet and list of prices to decide which treatment is best for you.

Saray Spa is definitely one of Kigali’s best, with a full range of treatments, professional equipment, attention to detail, and well-trained and professional staff who are able to offer a variety of different massage techniques. Though they’re a bit more expensive than some other options in town, a treatment of any kind at the Kigali Marriott is definitely money well spent.

Hours: Daily, 9am – 9pm
Phone: 0222 111 111
Website: https://www.marriott.com/spas/kglmc-kigali-marriott-hotel/saray-spa/5889474/home-page.mi
Email: sarayspa.kigali@marriott.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaraySpaKigali

I was contacted a few weeks ago by Agnes, the owner of this new spa located in Kacyiru close to the road leading up to the US Embassy, inviting me and a friend to sample their place and write a review of their services. Always eager for a spa treatment (especially a free one!), I arranged for a facial (normally prices at Rwf 20,000) and manicure (Rwf 4,000) and my friend was lined up for a deep tissue massage (Rwf 20,000) and pedicure (Rwf 7,000).

Soothing Corner Spa was opened just a few months ago by Agnes and Rebecca, two ladies from Uganda who both went to beauty schools there where they obtained diplomas in beauty and cosmetology. They came to Kigali to visit a friend, liked the city, saw the opportunity to start a spa business here, and the rest is history!

We arrived at 10 am sharp to find a small house that had been renovated in an effort to achieve that typical spa-like feel, complete with dimmed lights, scented candles, soothing music, and very relaxed (but efficient) staff. After a short tour of the place, I was taken into a small room kitted out with a massage bed (complete with scattered flower petals) for my facial.

At first I wasn’t quite sure how the facial would work with me lying down rather than sitting halfway up in a chair. I’ve only had facials previously at Sunset Spa so that’s my only experience with this sort of thing, but the dimmed room and the flat bed had me wondering how this was going to work. But the dimmed lights were replaced with a bright lamp at all the right times and having a facial lying down was actually incredibly relaxing.

The procedure itself seemed to have all of the facial-like things that a non-expert such as myself would have expected. There were face washes, creams, steams, that horrible (but necessary) blackhead removing part, a face mask, eyebrow plucking, and a bonus shoulder massage. The facial lasted well over an hour with some chill time in between some of the treatments. I left the room feeling pretty great… months of moto smoke dirt scraped out of my pores. Oh yes. It was good and I’d totally recommend it!

The second phase of my little spa day was a manicure which, as a recently reformed lifetime nail-biter (yay me!), was my first ever so I don’t have anything to compare it to. Brian the mani-pedi guy (this seems to be a job dominated by dudes in Kigali, for some reason) go down to business straight away, working through the process with professionalism and efficiency. My nails were filed, buffed, washed, painted, and I even got a bonus hand massage at the end. All up, I was impressed and would happily go back.

My friend was happy with her massage and pedicure. I was creepily watching the pedicure as I waited to get my nails done and it all seemed to go as a pedicure should. She ended up relaxed and with shiny, hot pink toenails so that’s a winner!

Soother Corner does all of the usual massages, ranging in price from Rwf 10,000 for a foot or head massage up to Rwf 30,000 for a sports massage. Facials range from Rwf 15,000 to 30,000 and they also do all of the usual waxing treatments which go from Rwf 3,000 to 20,000. The prices are very good, especially considering the time nd care taken in the treatments.

The spa itself is located on the same road as Brachetto, closer to the US Embassy side. It’s only a short walk to the restaurant so pamper yourself a bit more that day with a pre- or post-spa lunch, so treat yourself! I was really happy with my experience at Soothing Corner Spa and look forward to seeing their business grow!

Prices listed were correct as of August 2015 but might change.

Hours: Daily, 10am to 10pm
Phone: 0735 283 609
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soothingcornerspa

Never having been much of a spa-person before, I must admit that my time in Kigali definitely has changed my perception of the necessity of facials, pedicures, deep tissue massages, eyebrow waxing…yeah, you name it. In many ways, beautifying treatments become an addiction, especially when you realize that they work. Luckily for us with addictive personalities, spas in Kigali are fairly cheap, and you don’t need to be on a UN salary to afford monthly visits to the beauty salon.

My recent visit to Sunset Spa also proved that low prices do not mean a drop in quality. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect when glancing through the brochure (I mean, a Swedish massage for only Rwf 15.000…?), but whatever doubts I had were washed (or rather exfoliated) away as soon as I stepped foot into the delicately decorated little spa far, far away in Kibagabaga.

The owner, Anke Candaele, opened the salon in March this year, and is offering all of the services Kigali women ache for, namely facials, waxing, massages, and pedi/-manicures. Perhaps it was because of Anke’s story (you know the one about the muzungu volunteer who ends up falling in love with Rwanda, marrying a Rwandan, and having adorable little children), or the fact that her skin was one step away from angelic, but I immediately took a liking to her. When asked about her rather low prices, she explained that with quality treatment and good service, she was hoping that clients would return regularly and frequently. After having trying a variety of treatments, I for one, can see myself returning to this spot for monthly relaxation sessions.

The first thing I recommend you try out is a facial. Trust me, it actually works wonders for your face, especially if you expose it to the Kigali sun and traffic fumes on a regular basis. A basic facial at Sunset Spa will only cost you Rwf. 15.000, though you might want to try out the more fancy ones (such as the Cell Active Facial) for Rwf. 30.000. As for massages, they offer a multitude of exotic options, such as Hot Stone (Rwf. 25.000), and Hawaiian (Rwf. 25.000). Being a purist, I tried out the Swedish Massage (Rwf. 15.000), and was impressed. Next time, I’ll try my luck with some hot, black stones. Or possibly one of the Spa Packages that also includes a body wrap. Or maybe I’ll do a combo of body wrap, pedicure, and… aaah! See, this is what happens when you suddenly find you can afford spa treatments!

Anyway, as for pedicure and manicure: also, high quality, including a bunch of fancy equipment, though in the higher end of the price scale (Rwf 7.000 to 8,000 for filing, painting, dipping in paraffin wax… yeah, I know, pretty awesome). Sunset Spa is also one of the few places in Kigali that offer Brazilian waxing, and – having heard horror stories about waxing experiences elsewhere – I would recommend you take the trip out to Kibagabaga for this particular treatment.

Ah yes, the trip out… Well, it is far away. Beyond Caiman, past the Akilah Institute for Women, aaaaall the way to the tip of Kibagabaga (or possibly at the center of a very intricate pattern of concentric circled roads…hmm, this area is confusing to me…) Obviously, I wouldn’t suggest you venture out here for a manicure alone, but why not make it a spa day? Do an hour-long facial while your nails dry. Or better yet, do a girl’s spa day (there are 2 massage rooms) and be fancy and splash out with a dinner at Pascha, Zen or Sakae.

I was offered all of the treatments for free to try them out for this article.

Location: Sunset Villas Estate, Kibagabaga
Hours: 10am – 9pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Booking: 0787 702 861