Few travellers know what to expect from Khartoum, and luxury is not usually high on the list. The Corinthia Hotel Khartoum changes that. Run by the Malta-based Corinthia group, it delivers the same polished experience as its European siblings, with a setting on the Nile that is all its own.
At a glance
Location: Nile Street, Khartoum, Sudan
Stayed in: Executive Suite
Best for: business travellers and visitors heading to the pyramids of Meroë
Reviewed: October 2017
8.8 out of 10
Note: this review reflects the hotel before the conflict that began in Sudan in 2023. Check the current situation before planning travel.
Setting and arrival
The service began before I had even arrived. Obtaining a Sudanese visa can be difficult, and the hotel’s team kindly guided me through the process. On first sight, the building looks more Dubai than Sudan: its sail-like silhouette has become a landmark of the capital and is even more striking up close. Check-in was quick, and the general manager, a keen traveller himself, took time to welcome me.
The rooms
My Executive Suite was spacious and calming, in soft yellows and browns. The bedroom centres on a king bed with a seating area, and a separate living room has a desk, a comfortable sofa and a welcome plate of fruit. The bathroom pairs a marble counter with mosaic tiling and a combined shower and bath: simple, but generous.
Dining and drinks
Mugran Restaurant serves an impressive breakfast buffet with Nile views to match, as well as international and Sudanese dishes later in the day. On the 18th floor, The Rickshaw is the highest restaurant in the city and draws crowds for its Asian fusion menu. Le Grill caters to steak lovers, sometimes with live music, and two cafés serve pastries and light meals. Club guests can retreat to the Executive Lounge, where a sunset drink overlooking the confluence of the Blue and White Niles is the perfect end to the day.
Spa and facilities
Wellness facilities are extensive: a Turkish hammam, Jacuzzi, sauna, an indoor pool, squash and tennis courts, and a modern gym. A massage here was among the most restorative of my travels. The Lebdah Ballroom and ten meeting rooms can host more than a thousand guests, and the National Museum is next door.
The verdict
The Corinthia Hotel Khartoum was one of the great surprises of my journey. Attentive, personal service, spacious suites and a genuinely varied dining scene made it the ideal base for exploring the capital and the ancient pyramids of Meroë.
- Rooms: 8.5
- Service: 9.5
- Dining: 9.0
- Facilities and spa: 9.0
- Location: 8.5
Corinthia Hotel Khartoum, Nile Street, Khartoum, Sudan.
Based on a stay in October 2017. Facilities, menus and prices may have changed since.
