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Arriving at Shammah Hotel
My first impression of Shammah was that it was a small bed-and-breakfast type establishment, which I think is an apt description (though it’s not that small).
The staff were friendly and welcoming and greeted my hosts by name.
After a quick check-in, the receptionist showed me to a single room on the ground floor, complete with en-suite bathroom.
The bedroom had all the usual amenities, such as telephone and TV.
As I mentioned previously, I spent a week at Shammah Hotel.
The cost of the single room I was staying in was US$35 a night, inclusive of breakfast.
To sum up my experience there, it was the perfect homely room away from home.
Shammah was extremely clean.
The impeccable white sheets were changed daily.
To date, I can still clearly remember the clean sparkle of their white tiles.
The en-suite bathroom seemed more like a residential bathroom than one you’d expect to find in a hotel.
I was particularly touched by the detail that went into creating such an atmosphere, details as small but as thoughtful as a small packet of cotton ear buds in the bathroom.
The Food
Meals at Shammah Hotel, including the breakfast that comes with the room, are served at Cafétariat Snack, a restaurant located on the front facade of the hotel.
Although I didn’t eat there often (I am not a big fan of breakfast), I particularly enjoyed the Salade de Shammah (a sort of Chef’s Salad) that I ate there once or twice.
The staff at Shammah Hotel mentioned to me that the hotel’s owners are devout Christians.
For this reason, the establishment does not allow unmarried couples to share a room, nor guests to entertain visitors of the opposite sex in their bedrooms (a rule that staff is not hesitant to enforce).
Although this may seem unduly strict, this rule may contribute greatly to why such an inexpensive hotel located so close to the center of town manages to maintain a feeling of wholesomeness, with no suggestion of sleaze, at all!
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As you can tell, I much enjoyed my stay at Shammah Hotel.
I recommend it highly to anyone looking for good basic accommodation in Bujumbura.
It was extremely clean, and I found the price very reasonable.
If you will be visiting Burundi soon and are wondering where in Bujumbura to stay (especially if you are not looking for luxury accommodation) then Shammah Hotel might be just what you are looking for.
You can find Shammah Hotel’s contact information here. Please contact them to find out more.
If you ever do visit Shammah Hotel, remember to let me know what you think.
I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Until the next time,
Biche
Milimani Gardens Kigali
Mlimani Gardens are gardens in Kicukiro, Kigali.
This is a great location for weddings and other big events as it has great capacity.
Mlimani Gardens has one of the best views in Kigali, especially at night.
The road to the gardens stretches along a panoramic view of the city.
The gardens themselves are very well maintained and are an ideal location for a weekend out with your kids, for an afternoon picnic, or simply to spend time outdoors.
One downside is that Mlimani Gardens is a bit out of the city, with the final 5 km to the gardens being a dirt road.