Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire

Service levels were low from check in to check out

Excellent service, except that on arrival at hotel from the airport the first day, the shuttle carrying us refused to drop us at the entrance of the hotel but left us at the parking to carry our own luggage to the hotel. I think there's something wrong with the arrangement with the hotel shuttle.

The place is very lovely but the only downside is the lack of maintenance of the external structures like the pool by the bar and the paint on the building have nearly all come off.

The Sofitel Hotel complex is yet another example of the excellent architecture that exists in the Ivory Coast. Designed by Belgian architect Pierre Fakhoury, the hotel is comprised of two towers, one built in the early 60s and the other in the late 60s. The two buildings are connected by a gallery that also leads to the conference center; at the far end, you will find the casino and a small conference/meeting room which resemble two circular paillotes. The complex has five restaurants, three which are located in the main tower area: the Le Toile, with a 180° view of Abidjan and the lagoon on the 14th floor of the tower is the more luxious one; another which overlooks the swimming pool and has a very tropical atmosphere; and a French brasserie with a very contemporary décor in dark wood, black and gold details. There is yet another restaurant near the secondary lobby, with many beautiful details that are reminiscent of African cultures (I do not know if specifically Ivorian), and another in the Casino building. The hotel also has a couple of bars, one in the main lobby and another one by the swimming pool. The two lobbies are beautiful but very different from one another; one is more contemporary and sophisticated, and the second one, more run-down, with a '70s atmosphere, with leather sofas and mirrors on the walls. A pool winds organically along the several buildings, allowing temperatures to cools down. The garden area, where the above mentioned swimming pool is located, as well as a regular swimming pool, is dotted with several trees and bushes and has a giant chess game that guests can play with. Off the hotel's main lobby, to one side one can find a SPA, and a few shops and a cinema to the other. Staff is very attentive and friendly. I was a guest at the hotel, but did not stay in one of the rooms. Sofitel definitely has all the perks of a five star hotel and hopefully it will continue to demonstrate to the world how premium quality can be attained anywhere. I was approached by a young man (also a guest, as he and his friends were using the hotel pool towels) in the garden area who insistently offerered his "services" in spite of my rejection and then refusal to speak to him. Staff in the area seemed to know what was going on and did not intervene. This was an upsetting experience and, unfortunately, stained my overall opinion, reason why I will only give the hotel four stars.

It was ok. Not really bad but clearly not much better than my stay in other Accor properties in Abidjan offering even lower charges.