Review Dream Lounge, the lounge at Kigali airport for Rwandair passengers

At theKigali Airport, the national airline Rwandair has its own lounge. The entire fleet, from the A330s to the small Dash 8-400s, is equipped with Business Class cabins, which justifies having a lounge for exclusive use. It is on the second floor of the tiny terminal, past both passport control and security checks. Past the latter it is to the left of the departure lounge, marked by a clearly visible 'Dream Lounge' sign..

They are entitled to access, in addition to the Business Class passengers of the Rwandan company, also Dream Pass frequent flyer cardholders with Gold and Diamond status.. There is no scanner to authorize entry: the attendant simply checks the boarding pass or Dream Pass, makes a photocopy, and then points to the (non-sliding) glass door.

Beyond that, a Space set up in two rooms: one dedicated to food & beverage, the other to relaxation. In one corner there is also a children's area with some games, a mini-slide and so on.

Upon entering it after the sun sets (the hall has some large windows on one side overlooking the terminal parking lot from which natural light enters during the day), you are greeted by a decidedly cold environment. Not because Rwandans are obsessed with air conditioning, but because the white ceiling lights, coupled with the white walls and granite floor They communicate anything but a sense of warmth and welcome.

Not even the colorful armchairs, a few scattered potted plants, and a few paintings on the walls (including one truly remarkable for its color and size, depicting a pair of gorillas in the foreground in front of a vast panorama of hills-that is, Rwanda in one image), succeed in warming the environment.

In the relaxation area there are no sofas, no chaise longues, only small armchairs with rather upright backs. So, relaxation is relative. Here and there, there are low tables (white as well) where you can find power and USB-A sockets. Entertaining the guests are two wall-mounted televisions positioned on opposite sides of the room. The wi-fi is free.

In one corner are the bathrooms, supervised by an attendant, which also house a shower room.

The other room, the one closest to the entrance of the hall, houses A buffet of cold or warm snacks (including beef and chicken samosas) and another of hot dishes, including fried fish, chicken in a dark sauce, rice, stewed vegetables. A more than satisfactory offer, considering that we are certainly not in a major international hub.

On the beverage front, there are plenty of water and soft drinks, while with regard to alcohol we go from some varieties of beers (including a local one) directly to rum, whiskey and the like, while there is no trace of wine, let alone bubbles. A coffee bar with an Italian espresso machine, offers. Coffee, tea and other infusions prepared by a barista.

• dream lounge
• dreampass