Luxury is not the first word that comes to mind when thinking of Bangui. Yet in the centre of the capital of the Central African Republic stands the Laico Ledger Plaza, a five-star hotel built to international standards and, in a country with a difficult security situation, a genuinely safe and comfortable place to stay.
At a glance
Location: Central Bangui, Central African Republic
Stayed in: King room, courtyard view
Best for: business travellers, diplomats and anyone needing a secure base in Bangui
Reviewed: November 2016
8.3 out of 10
Setting and arrival
The hotel is about 10 kilometres from Bangui M’Poko International Airport and offers complimentary transfers. Passing through the gates, the contrast is striking: immaculate green lawns replace the dusty streets outside. Check-in was efficient.
The rooms
My room centred on a king bed facing a dressing table and wall-mounted TV, with a small seating area by large windows overlooking the courtyard. The marble bathroom has a combined bath and shower, a hairdryer and a make-up mirror. Wi-Fi and cable TV were both reliable, which is not a given in the region.
Dining and drinks
La Colline Restaurant serves an international breakfast buffet indoors or beside the pool, as well as lunch and dinner. The first-floor bakery turns out excellent fresh bread. The Coffee Lounge Bar is open all day for snacks and drinks, and Bar Ambassadeur is the evening meeting point.
Facilities
The pool and its loungers are a world away from the city outside. There is a well-equipped gym, best visited during the day when it is quieter, a tennis court, a spa that is worth booking ahead, and a weekend nightclub. A business centre and banqueting hall for up to 400 guests serve the hotel’s mainly professional clientele.
The verdict
Professional, courteous service, particularly in the restaurant, rounded off a reassuring stay. In Bangui, the Ledger Plaza is the only hotel that offers international luxury, and it does so with real competence.
- Rooms: 8.5
- Service: 8.5
- Dining: 8.0
- Facilities and spa: 8.5
- Location: 8.0
Laico Ledger Plaza Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic.
David stayed as a guest of the hotel. Based on a stay in November 2016. Facilities, menus and prices may have changed since.
