La Maison Palmier Hotel Review

Overview of La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels

La Maison Palmier, a Marriott property in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, proved to be an unexpected oasis of luxury and tranquility in the heart of this West African city. During our two-night stay in late April, my boyfriend and I were thoroughly impressed by the hotel’s stunning design, exceptional service, and top-notch amenities.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear that La Maison Palmier stands out as a true luxury option in Abidjan. The hotel blends contemporary design with tropical elements, creating an atmosphere that is both stylish and relaxing. With its lush gardens, featuring an impressive array of palm trees and a striking pool area, the property offered a welcome respite from the bustling city beyond its walls. Our two-night stay here allowed us to relax and recharge so that we were ready to explore the city from an Airbnb for a few nights after our stay.

How I Booked La Maison Palmier, Design Hotels

We booked our stay at La Maison Palmier using two 35,000-point free night certificates from our Marriott credit cards. This proved to be an excellent use of these certificates, considering the hotel’s typical nightly rates of $250 to $300 or 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Marriott points can be earned with the following credit cards, and all but the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card offers a free night certificate worth a minimum of 35,000 points (some cards may require a minimum spend before earning a free night award).

• Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Interestingly, we structured our booking as two separate one-night stays, one under my account with Titanium status and another under my boyfriend’s account with Platinum status, as each of us had a certificate that was due to expire soon. We booked the first night under my account (Titanium) and the second night under my boyfriend’s (Platinum) as we figured that I had a better chance of a good upgrade and we hoped we would be able to stay both nights in the same room. Spoiler alert: We were able to, but it was a bit more dramatic than I had hoped.

La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels Location

La Maison Palmier is situated in Les Deux Plateaux, an upscale residential neighborhood known for its leafy streets and tranquil atmosphere. This location proved to be a perfect balance between accessibility and serenity.

The peaceful setting of Les Deux Plateaux provided a welcome respite from Abidjan’s energy, allowing us to truly unwind after a busy few weeks of travel and allowing us to recharge so we could explore Abidjan after our stay. We particularly appreciated the sense of privacy that came with staying in such an affluent area.

While we primarily enjoyed the hotel’s amenities during our short stay, we noticed a selection of restaurants and cafes in the vicinity. This mix of on-site luxury and nearby dining options added to the appeal of the location.

Best Parts of La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels

Inviting Pool Area

The pool at La Maison Palmier was a true highlight of our stay. Located in the hotel’s courtyard, it offered a perfect blend of sun and shade throughout the day. The comfortable lounges surrounding the pool provided ideal spots for relaxation, and we appreciated that it never felt crowded during our visit. While not large, the pool’s design and setting created an oasis-like atmosphere that perfectly complemented the hotel’s overall ambiance and was a great way to cool off on a hot day.

Well-Equipped Gym

Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the hotel’s spacious and well-appointed gym. During our stay, we found it had all the equipment necessary for a comprehensive workout. The variety and quality of the fitness facilities stood out, especially considering the hotel’s boutique nature.

Generous Suite Upgrade

Our stay was enhanced by an upgrade to a spacious suite. The two-room layout with 1.5 bathrooms provided ample space and privacy, making our stay exceptionally comfortable. This generous upgrade truly elevated our experience at La Maison Palmier.

Tranquil Location

The hotel’s setting in the upscale Les Deux Plateaux neighborhood was a standout feature. The peaceful, leafy surroundings offered a welcome escape from the city’s hustle and bustle, while still being well-located to explore Abidjan’s attractions.

La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels Drawbacks

Room Allocation Confusion

The most significant drawback we personally experienced was some confusion over our room allocation. Despite informing the staff about our two separate reservations and requesting to stay in the same room for both nights, we encountered an unexpected issue. On the second day, around 4 PM, we received a call from the front desk asking if we were ready to move rooms. This came as a surprise and caused some stress, especially as I was about to start several hours of scheduled calls. Fortunately, as the hotel wasn’t fully booked, we were able to remain in our room. However, this miscommunication briefly added unnecessary tension to our stay.

Potential Noise Issues

While we didn’t experience this personally, it’s worth noting that some guests have reported noise from the pool area and bar can be disruptive, which is typical for a hotel with a courtyard or atrium layout. This is particularly an issue for rooms on the ground floor or facing the pool. Light sleepers might want to request a room away from these areas or consider bringing earplugs.

Compact Pool Size

The pool, while beautiful and central to the hotel’s design, is relatively small. This might not be ideal for guests looking to swim laps or during peak times when the hotel is at full capacity.

Limited Dining Options

The hotel offers one main restaurant and a bar. Some guests have mentioned that the food quality doesn’t always match the price point, which could be a consideration for those expecting a wide range of dining choices. We only ate breakfast at the hotel and found that the food was adequate but not memorable.

Getting to La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels

La Maison Palmier is conveniently located about 20 km from Abidjan Airport, with the journey taking anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic conditions. The hotel doesn’t provide airport shuttle service, so we arrived at the hotel via a taxi ordered through the Yango rideshare app from the nearby town of Grand Bassam. Yango was consistently a convenient and reliable option for getting around town.

For travelers flying into Abidjan, I would highly recommend using the Yango app for your transfer from the airport to the hotel. It’s user-friendly, efficient, and eliminates the need to negotiate fares with local taxis. We also used Yango when leaving the hotel to stay at our other accommodation in the city, finding it consistently reliable throughout our stay. Keep in mind that you’ll need a local phone number to sign up for Yango, but you can easily pick up a SIM card at the airport when you arrive.

Check-In

Our check-in experience at La Maison Palmier was smooth and efficient. We were pleasantly surprised to be able to access our room slightly earlier than the standard check-in time, which is always a welcome bonus after traveling.

The staff was accommodating when we explained our situation with two separate bookings. They assured us that there would be no issue with staying in the same room for both nights. However, it’s worth noting that there was some confusion about this arrangement later in our stay, as mentioned in the drawbacks section.

Check-in was quick and efficient, though we did need to wait for about 20 minutes for our room to be completely ready. The staff recognized my Titanium status and made us aware of the complimentary breakfast.

The Room at La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels

We were fortunate to be upgraded to a Junior Suite, which offered a spacious and well-designed layout. Upon entering, we stepped into a comfortable living room area, complete with a large desk, a cozy couch, and a sizable coffee table. To the right of the entrance was a convenient half bathroom.

The bedroom, located off to the side, featured a large and exceptionally comfortable bed. The full bathroom was equipped with a shower, though it’s worth noting that the shower had only a wall instead of a door.

While this modern design element added to the suite’s contemporary feel, a slightly longer wall might have offered more privacy and prevented water from splashing into the bathroom area. However, this minor design quirk didn’t significantly impact our overall comfort.

The decor throughout the suite was tasteful and in keeping with the hotel’s design-forward aesthetic. The overall ambiance was luxurious and inviting.

Food and Drink

Our dining experience at La Maison Palmier was primarily limited to breakfast, which was complimentary thanks to our Marriott status. The breakfast offered a nice variety of options and was of good quality, though it didn’t particularly stand out compared to other luxury hotel breakfasts we’ve experienced.

A highlight of our stay was the welcome amenity—or rather, amenities, as we received two due to our separate bookings. While the snacks provided were pleasant but not particularly memorable, the bottle of sparkling wine was a delightful touch, especially refreshing given the warm weather.

The standout amenities at La Maison Palmier were undoubtedly the beautiful pool area and the well-equipped gym, which we’ve discussed in previous sections. The hotel also offers a spa, though we didn’t have the opportunity to use these facilities during our stay.

La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels Family Friendliness

While La Maison Palmier doesn’t specifically cater to families with children, it could be described as family-friendly in a general sense. During our stay, we didn’t notice any families or specific amenities dedicated to children. This suggests that the hotel is perhaps more oriented toward adult travelers, couples, or business guests. Families considering a stay here should be aware that there aren’t specific facilities or services geared toward entertaining younger guests, but families could very well have a comfortable stay here.

Final Thoughts on La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels

Our experience at La Maison Palmier was overwhelmingly positive, as it offers a level of luxury and sophistication that stands out in Abidjan and across much of Africa. The hotel successfully delivers on the high standards expected of the Design Hotels brand, with its thoughtful aesthetics, comfortable accommodations, and attentive service.

La Maison Palmier provides a tranquil oasis within the bustling city of Abidjan, offering a level of comfort and style that rivals upscale hotels in more established tourist destinations.

I would heartily recommend La Maison Palmier to travelers seeking a luxurious and design-forward experience in Abidjan. It’s particularly well-suited for

• business travelers who appreciate a comfortable and stylish environment with good working facilities;
• couples on a romantic getaway, who will enjoy the serene atmosphere and upscale amenities;
• design enthusiasts who value aesthetics and attention to detail in their accommodations; and
• travelers who want a peaceful retreat after exploring the vibrant city of Abidjan.

While the price point may be higher than some other options in the city, the quality of the experience justifies the cost for those who prioritize comfort, design, and service in their travels. La Maison Palmier successfully brings a touch of international luxury to Abidjan, making it a standout choice for discerning travelers visiting the Ivory Coast.