Hemingways Collection, a Kenya-based luxury hospitality group, has expanded its East African presence by acquiring Heaven Holdings Ltd, the Rwandan hospitality company behind The Retreat, Fusion Restaurant, Heaven Restaurant, Heaven Boutique Hotel, and Heaven Experiences. Hemingways is a family-owned group known for its five-star boutique hotels. It also operates Hemingways Travel, one of East Africa’s largest corporate travel management company, and Hemingways Expeditions, a premium destination management firm. Alissa Ruxin, who co-founded Heaven Holdings with her husband, described the acquisition as the beginning of a new chapter for both their business and their family. The couple moved to Rwanda in 2006 as public health professionals but soon shifted focus to job creation through hospitality. In 2008, they opened Heaven Restaurant, which quickly became a favourite among Kigali residents and visitors alike. Over the years, the venture expanded to include Heaven Boutique Hotel, the five-star Retreat, and Fusion Restaurant. In 2018, they also launched Heaven Experiences, a boutique tour company offering cultural city tours around Kigali. Through their hands-on hospitality training programmes, more than 3,500 young Rwandans have gained practical skills in cooking, housekeeping, and customer service. Ruxin expressed strong confidence in the acquisition by Hemingways Collection, saying the group will carry the company forward while connecting Kigali to new East African networks. “They plan to keep all of our staff in place, so the 200 employees and trainees will continue carrying forward the legacy we’ve built,” she added. Ruxin, however, did not disclose the value of the transaction. She emphasised that the sale is not an exit from Rwanda, but rather a shift toward new opportunities, especially now that she is a Rwandan citizen. “We’re looking at investing in different sectors in the country. After 18 years, it felt like the right time to pursue other interests and contribute in new ways to Rwanda’s development,” she said. Ross Evans, CEO of Hemingways Hospitality Group, said the acquisition marks a strategic expansion beyond Kenya and a long-term investment in Rwanda’s tourism future. “To date, Hemingways has been a Kenyan business. But we took a strategic decision to expand outside of Kenya, and we selected Rwanda as a country that we felt warranted investment in the hospitality sector,” he said. Evans praised Rwanda’s long-term development agenda and its supportive business environment. “We strongly believe in Rwanda’s Vision 2050. We’ve been amazingly supported over the last two years as we’ve worked through this transaction, by both friends in the public and private sectors.” He added, “We’re very confident in Rwanda’s tourism strategy, which is focused on low-volume, high-value travel rooted in the country’s people and culture.” Evans described the current investment in Rwanda as “considerable” and said the Hemingways brand may eventually be introduced in Kigali. He also praised the foundation laid by the Ruxins, calling their work a model to build on. “We fully intend to build on that legacy, training Rwandan hospitality professionals and delivering the highest levels of luxury to both domestic and international guests,” he said.
