In the heart of Kinshasa, on a quiet stretch of the Congo River, the Kempinski Hotel Fleuve Congo is the capital’s best-known address. Its 237 rooms and suites look out over the river towards Brazzaville, and the city centre and diplomatic quarter are only a short drive away.
At a glance
Location: Banks of the Congo River, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Rooms: 237 rooms and suites
Stayed in: Executive Deluxe Room, upper floor
Best for: business travellers, diplomats and leisure visitors who want the best of Kinshasa
Reviewed: November 2016
9.0 out of 10
Setting and arrival
Arriving across the river from Brazzaville, I had only a short drive to the hotel. Check-in was quick, and the first impression from my room was unforgettable: a panorama of the river and the city. The airport, by contrast, is around 45 minutes away.
The rooms
My Executive Deluxe Room had a king bed facing the TV and desk, a sofa and table by the window, a safe, coffee and tea facilities and fast Wi-Fi. The bathroom pairs a beautiful soaking tub with a separate shower and a modern vanity. But the view is what you will remember.
Dining and drinks
The Riviera Restaurant serves a breakfast buffet with live cooking stations, including Congolese dishes and fresh river fish. The Lobby Lounge has piano music, pastries and drinks; Hevea Grill, beside the pool, serves Mediterranean dishes; and K Sports Bar draws an evening crowd with big screens, pool tables and bar food.
Facilities
The pool, surrounded by loungers, is a welcome escape from the heat. There is a modern gym with a yoga room and two tennis courts, while Kinshasa’s 18-hole golf course and the National Museum are nearby. The hotel also has the city’s only auditorium for large conferences, plus a business centre.
The verdict
Service was excellent from arrival to departure. Among Kinshasa’s growing choice of hotels, the Kempinski remains the most luxurious and the most complete, with remarkable views, stylish rooms and the city’s best dining under one roof.
- Rooms: 9.0
- Service: 9.0
- Dining: 9.0
- Facilities and spa: 9.0
- Location: 9.0
Kempinski Hotel Fleuve Congo, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
David stayed as a guest of the hotel. Based on a stay in November 2016. Facilities, menus and prices may have changed since.
