Usually, I plan how best to spend my weekends by Friday. Well, last week was a bit different. As I was still anticipating on whether to meet and catch up with friends or stay at home and relax, a notification flashed on phone screen.

Guess what? It was an email from the PR and Marketing Manager of Park inn by Radisson Kigali, Gloria Padua. I was asked if I was interested to stay at the hotel for Friday and Saturday weekend, with all-expense catered for, apart from alcoholic drinks. It was so okay with me. I am not even an alcohol fan. So, I was sorted.

I doubt you would say "No” if you were in my shoes. Well, this was a blessing in disguise.

What sprung in my mind at that moment was taking a break. Away from home. Away from destruction. Away from the sound of my alarm clock. With various cravings of good food. Yes! good food. Sleeping like a baby and chillaxing. Let me take you through the whole scenario.

The envisioned day was Friday 28, February. Unlike other days where I leave work at around 5 pm or 6 pm, this time around I had an event to cover that ended a bit late. 

This explains why I checked-in to the Hotel at about 11:00 pm.

I was welcomed by a light-skinned slender beautiful lady, whose name slipped my mind. I can’t forget the fact that she was friendly, and addressed me by my name. There is something special about someone addressing you by your name. Well, that is a story for another day.

She took me briefly through the hotel’s services. She also made it clear that my check-out time on Sunday was midday.

I was handed my swipe door card and stepped into the elevator to my room. It was on the fifth floor. Which happens to be the last floor. There is a lot of privacy because no one can go beyond level one, without a room card.

When I entered the room, I must say, it was beyond what I expected. I took a tour around. It was an executive room with all the necessary equipment a visitor needs.

The writer while enjoying the camera moment as serving her self with a variety of food.

The bed was well made, with white bedsheets, two white pillows, and a white, heavy duvet. Since the weather was bad, and I was freezing, I was tempted to dive in, immediately.

Who enters such a clean bed before showering? I dashed to the bathroom. It was just right next to the room door. Well organized, God knows with how many towels. White in colour. As white as snow.

There I was, glancing at myself in the mirror just next to the sink. My eyes were tired. They seemed red but I thought it was so because I had a cold.

Just on the left side of the sink, there is a magnifying mirror. I turned my face to it. To check out my face for any spots, rash or pimples as my face seemed stretched and I could easily see every tinny detail.

The sink area is separated from the showering area. After viewing my face for about five minutes. I brushed my teeth, gently with warm water, with the guidance of the magnifying mirror, until I was sure that my teeth were super clean.

I had much time of my hands. There was no rush for anything. I was just having my alone time.

I then proceeded to the showers. I had a warm bath, for about thirty minutes.

I wiped myself dry and headed back to the room. The bathroom is equipped with two toilet rolls, two white face towels, a packet of one new toothbrush and toothpaste, hand soap, and three big white cotton body towels.

Just next to the toilet, there is a small dustbin and toilet brush.

Did I tell you that the room lights, the air conditioner, and the fridge, require the room card to put on? So you now know.

All freshened up, dressed in my nightgown, I switched on the TV while leaned on the bed and crossed my legs in a homey position to watch international news.

I was eager to know the state of Coronavirus. But wait, I was hungry at that time. I called room service and placed my dinner order. It was about 11:30 pm. The stomach was demanding. The weather was inimical.

I ordered for chicken and chips, and African tea, with much ginger. It was delivered to my room in about 30 minutes, accompanied with a bowl of salads and avocado.

These people are so thoughtful. How on earth did they even know that I love avocado so much? I can literally eat it with anything. Avocado is my appetite booster.  

Food was brought to me, well organized and balanced. The way the plate was organized and assembled, ushered in my appetite. Food is served with a fair proportion. Not too much or too little. Just enough for an adult, at least.

The look at the food and the aroma was mouth-watering. I had a yummy late-night dinner.

Well, back to the room tour. The room is big enough. It has a double bed, five by six.  With some nice decorations. Both sides of the bed have bed lights that are in different sets. With sockets on the wall, to allow the guest to increase or reduce the lights to their preference.

The room’s floor is all covered by a comfortable carpet. Just like the ones that are put in five-star hotels’ conference rooms. There is a wardrobe right opposite the bathroom. The wardrobe has a number of clothes’ hangers to enable the guest to hang their clothes after ironing them.  

Next to the wardrobe is a medium house cabinet that has cutlery, two cups, two glasses, two bottles of drinking water, a coffee maker, and a tin with tea spices like tea leaves, drinking chocolate, coffee, and coffee cream.

Down the carbonate, there lies a small refrigerator. The rooms have free Wi-Fi that is fast and doesn’t require a password to log in. It connects automatically.

Inside Park Inn rooms.

The room has a flat-screen. Next to it is a table and a chair. This is where I had my dinner. It is a table with a chair, there are pencils on it and a notebook. That space can also be used for reading or writing.

On the right-hand side of the bed. There is a single sofa maroon chair, with a table. In case you have a visitor, they can sit comfortably as you dialogue away.

On the lower side of the bed, there is a table. It can work as a table or chair. It is big enough that even three people can fit on it.

The bed has two side tables that have drawers. On the top of the right table is where the room landline telephone, a notebook, and a pencil, are placed.

When you look through the window of the room, there is a clear view of the whole of Kigali. For me who loves photos, I enjoyed posing from everywhere. The mornings were exceptional, I could wake up and open my curtains and just stare at the water fountain down. Listening to the sound of the water flowing. What a beauty Park inn by Radisson Kigali is!

After having my dinner that very night. I rested for about thirty minutes, I had my prayers and covered myself tightly in the warm bed.

Truth be told, the bed was cosy. The pillows were soft enough to allow my head and the neck rest calmly throughout the night. The night seemed short. Do you know that a good night's sleep comes with good night dreams? That’s a story for another day.

The following day was Saturday. I woke up at around 8:00 am. I had a shower, prepared myself and went to the hotel restaurant for breakfast, on the ground floor.

The breakfast had a variety of eatables, like starters, buffet, snacks, juice, tea, water, fruits and much more. It was my stomach that limited me.

The weather was just perfect. I proceeded to the poolside, on level one. I was served with a drink as I meditated, and relished the moment. Of course, later I swam.

In a blink of an eye, it was time for lunch. I went to the restaurant for lunch. I ordered for garlic bread and vegetable spring rolls as starters, avocado salad, and the main course of club sandwiches. This was accompanied by a mocktail.

You could have seen how colourful the table was.

After having that delicious meal, I rested for 10 minutes then left for salon, on level one. I needed some hairstyling and spraying services. Generally to give my hair some life. It was done with a professional touch.

By 8:00 pm, I was having dinner. French fries and fish fillet, along with a cold coca-cola. I called it a day.

The following day, Sunday morning, I had a massage for about one hour.  The masseuse introduced herself to me and gave me a few instructions. As I laid on the bed, she played some soft music. Just to make me relax, as I enjoyed the massage. Every moment was worth it.

Too sad I was about to check out. I didn’t want to go. But like the saying, "Every good thing comes to an end.” It was time to say goodbye. But before I did so, I desired to have a word with the chef behind the delicious meals.

Fred Ntare, the Executive sous-chef at Park Inn by Radisson met me for a short interview. When asked what makes their food unique and tasty, he said, food is well presented with a variety of flavours, from fresh natural ingredients.

He also noted that the meals are well presented to the guest, with the right proportion, well balanced with a clean appearance. While the client is served, eye contact is maintained while serving the guests, to be sure whether they are pleased with the food or require anything else.

"Food is the joy of the stomach, that is why, as we prepare it, we have to be in our right mood. Any meal we prepare is done with the whole passion and dedication. Food should be well balanced and have the right ingredients,” he emphasized.   

After the interview, I checked out at around 11:30 am.

I recall the welcoming staff, neat area, superlative customer services, and care. I am looking forward to coming back again.

Indeed, Park inn by Radisson Kigali is a place to be if you are looking for an amazing hotel with good services and delectable food.