{"id":102795,"date":"2025-06-04T12:32:43","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T12:32:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/kenyas-hemingways-collection-acquires-heaven-holdings"},"modified":"2025-06-04T12:54:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T12:54:11","slug":"kenyas-hemingways-collection-acquires-heaven-holdings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/economy\/kenyas-hemingways-collection-acquires-heaven-holdings","title":{"rendered":"Kenya\u2019s Hemingways Collection Acquires Heaven Holdings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>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.<\/p>\n

Hemingways is a family-owned group known for its five-star boutique hotels. It also operates Hemingways Travel, one of East Africa\u2019s largest corporate travel management company, and Hemingways Expeditions, a premium destination management firm.<\/p>\n

Delegates during the handover ceremony in Kigali on Monday, June 2<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Hemingways is a family-owned group known for its five-star boutique hotels.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Through their hands-on hospitality training programmes, more than 3,500 young Rwandans have gained practical skills in cooking, housekeeping, and customer service.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey plan to keep all of our staff in place, so the 200 employees and trainees will continue carrying forward the legacy we\u2019ve built,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Ruxin, however, did not disclose the value of the transaction.<\/p>\n

Alissa Ruxin, who co-founded Heaven Holdings<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re 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\u2019s development,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Ross Evans, CEO of Hemingways Hospitality Group, said the acquisition marks a strategic expansion beyond Kenya and a long-term investment in Rwanda\u2019s tourism future.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Evans praised Rwanda\u2019s long-term development agenda and its supportive business environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe strongly believe in Rwanda\u2019s Vision 2050. We\u2019ve been amazingly supported over the last two years as we\u2019ve worked through this transaction, by both friends in the public and private sectors.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cWe\u2019re very confident in Rwanda\u2019s tourism strategy, which is focused on low-volume, high-value travel rooted in the country\u2019s people and culture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Evans described the current investment in Rwanda as \u201cconsiderable\u201d and said the Hemingways brand may eventually be introduced in Kigali.<\/p>\n

He also praised the foundation laid by the Ruxins, calling their work a model to build on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe fully intend to build on that legacy, training Rwandan hospitality professionals and delivering the highest levels of luxury to both domestic and international guests,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Delegates during the handover ceremony in Kigali on Monday, June 2<\/p>\n\r\n