Atlantic Hotel

I didn't stay at this hotel, but I had dinner at the restaurant, and it was really excellent. Quite French, but with fresh, local seafood. I had pasta with prawns and fish, and a salad, and some wine. The dining room's décor was dowdy, and the service was a bit slow but it was very friendly.

I contacted the hotel a few days in advance to organize a transfer from the airport to the hotel. This worked seamlessly and they answered my emails promptly. On arrival, the driver was waiting after customs with my name printed on a sign. The transfer took about 15 minutes and cost 20 USD / 3500 DJF, payable at the hotel. I was checked in by the front office manager, Mohamed Abdu, who was friendly and accommodating. Naguiba at the front desk, was also both friendly and knowledgeable. They will help to organize tours if needed. The hotel room was of average three star quality by international standards, and while largeish, it was a bit worn out. The bed, however, was clean and comfortable, and there was a socket by the bed (of the regular European type) for charging your devices. Electricity was reliable. There was a desk with chair, armchairs and a coffee table as well as a fridge, a safe, reliable and efficient AC and wifi, which was was accessed via a hidden network; it was slow and fell off the grid every now and then, but it was free and unlimited. Don’t plan any teleconferencing while you are here, though. Two 0.5 L bottles of water were provided daily, and you got more on request. With better finishings, the room would reach four star standards. There is an unfurnished balcony, as well. The bathroom was not up to the same standard as the room. Water was lukevarm and there is no way to regulate the temperature, it is what it is. Water pressure in the handheld shower was okay. Amenities included shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion in individual tubes as well as small bars of soap. There was also a bathrobe and slippers. Do note that if you book a rate that is payable at the hotel, they will quote you USD but actually want you to pay in DJF. Don’t do as I did – I changed my euros into dollars before coming into Djibouti, only to have them changed into francs before payment. Breakfast was a simple buffet with wheat baguettes, cheese, fruit, vegetables, omelettes on request, some local hot items, yoghurt etc. It was included in the room rate and served in the ground floor breakfast room from 6:30 to 10. The hotel enjoys an excellent location, literally a minute from Menelik Square in the European Quarter. You get water and snacks in a kiosk opposite the hotel. There are several restaurants in Menelik Square, and the money changer ladies hang out a few blocks down Rue de Rome. The only real letdown is the price level. I paid 158 USD a night for something that would cost 40 USD in Saudi Arabia or 80 USD in Western Europe. Nevertheless, hotels in Djibouti are extremely expensive, and I found the price to be in line with the competition.