Doubletree by Hilton Pointe-Noire

The hotel facilities and rooms are clean, but the restaurant area isn’t. One of the managers doesn’t seem to pay attention to hygiene, and refused to speak English when I addressed the issue. The regular staff were very good and friendly.

This was my second stay, and I still think it’s one of the best hotels I’ve seen in West Africa. The staff are very friendly, the rooms are lovely, and the food is good. The manager speaks English, French, and Dutch fluently. Most staff know basic English, which is enough to help if you can’t manage in French. I don’t think you’ll find a better hotel in Pointe Noire.

The room was comfortable, with a huge bed and a fantastic shower. Staff were lovely, friendly, and keen to help, and the laundry came back quickly and was good. The main problem was communication and food during our 10 days of isolation, when we weren’t allowed out of the room. The wifi struggled with IPV TV streaming, WhatsApp video calls, and video courses for my online classes. TV had about eight French-language channels and one English-language news channel, which made the isolation painful at times. Meals were a set menu, and if you didn’t like it, that was tough. They didn’t seem to consider allergies or specific dietary needs. The food was generally good, but trying to eat steak with a plastic fork was a disaster. By the end, I was sick of bread and pastries. A very comfortable forced stay, let down by the food and communications.

The staff were a highlight, so helpful, professional, and friendly. The rooms were comfortable and clean, and the common areas were lovely, especially the gym and pool area, which looked nice at any time of day. The internet connection was great for work trips. The location also makes it easy to get around the city. I had my best stay at this DoubleTree hotel in Pointe-Noire, and it’s definitely becoming my home away from home when I’m there.