Paradise Malahide is a charmingly rustic and simple guesthouse. It’s not luxurious or pretentious, and doesn’t feel out of place in the surrounding environment. It’s well-run, exceptionally friendly and, with a reputation for great food and a lovely location, we think it’s excellent value for money.
Paradise Malahide is owned and run by a local Rwandese woman, who lives here with her son. Opened to guests in 2003, it was formerly her family home, and has retained a personal, homely atmosphere. It also feels very well cared for; on our last visit in May 2017 the immaculate gardens were ablaze with colour from the vast quantities of bougainvillea, a testament to the pride taken with the property. With lovely views across the lake, it is also a great sundowner spot on a clear evening!
Guest rooms at Paradise Malahide are made up of six individual bungalows and four ‘apartment’ rooms, all fairly simple, and linked by pathways that are lit at night. The circular bungalows, built of local wood and volcanic rock, are dotted around the gardens to one side of the central area, and the ‘apartment’ rooms are grouped in a larger two-storey structure at the far end.
The bungalows have a double bed with mosquito netting, a couple of bamboo chairs, a small table and a wardrobe. Rattan matting covers the flagstone floors, and African kanga curtains add a splash of colour, though the rooms feel quite dark. On the plus side, they do remain cool despite the heat outside.
A small tiled bathroom leads off the bedroom, and it’s similarly very simple and designed to be functional rather than stylish. There’s a small sink, flush toilet and, across one side, a low wall with a brightly coloured shower curtain that separates the shower and stops water going over the floor.
The ‘apartment’ rooms are in a separate building, with a twin room and a triple room on the ground floor and the same arrangement on the first floor. Although similar to the bungalows in design and style, these rooms are more spacious, and have a large veranda at the front, set with a couple of chairs.