Abidjan has grown into a confident, cosmopolitan city, and the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire is its most celebrated address. Built in 1963 and thoroughly renovated in 2011, it overlooks the Ébrié Lagoon and St Paul’s Cathedral and blends French grandeur with Ivorian character.
At a glance
Location: Cocody, on the Ébrié Lagoon, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Stayed in: Superior Room, lagoon view
Best for: business travellers, families and anyone wanting an all-in-one resort in Abidjan
Reviewed: October 2016
8.9 out of 10
Setting and arrival
The Sofitel team collected me at the airport after my flight from Monrovia. The scale of the property is the first surprise: it is practically a small town, with almost everything you could want on site.
The rooms
My Superior Room looked over the lagoon. A king bed faces a flat-screen TV and desk, with a minibar, safe and efficient air conditioning. The bathroom has a generous rain shower and Lanvin toiletries.
Dining and drinks
There are three restaurants and four bars. Le Toit d’Abidjan is the fine-dining French restaurant, with city views to match. La Brasserie serves French classics in a smart-casual setting, and La Gourmandise hosts the breakfast buffet, where the service stood out. All three emphasise fresh local and imported ingredients.
Facilities
The range is exceptional: a fitness centre, spa, tennis courts, boutiques and even a cinema showing films in French and English. Two large pool areas with bar service are the daytime highlight, one with a children’s play area, and an 18-hole golf course is nearby. A large auditorium with custom lighting hosts concerts, weddings and major events.
The verdict
Refined, attentive service and an extraordinary range of facilities make the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire much more than a place to sleep. It is a destination in itself, and the finest hotel in Ivory Coast.
- Rooms: 8.5
- Service: 9.5
- Dining: 9.0
- Facilities and spa: 9.5
- Location: 8.5
Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire, Boulevard Hassan II, Cocody, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
David stayed as a guest of the hotel. Based on a stay in October 2016. Facilities, menus and prices may have changed since.
