Our itinerary suggested we were staying in the Hotel Les Frontieres in the Ivorian town of Odienné. However, the day before our visit, we were told we had been moved to the more modern Hotel Sarah. However, when it was discovered they were hosting a large event, we reverted to the original Les Frontieres.
After a welcome hibiscus drink, we were shown to a separate block. Room 106 was large and light with a similarly large, but hard bed with two pillows each and a thick duvet which was immediately removed and relegated to the cupboard which contained the hot water boiler. There were two bedside tables, and the wall mounted bedside lights could be dimmed. Facilities included a wardrobe with hanging space only, a desk, chair, and tea and coffee making facilities for one. On top of the empty fridge sat a gang socket with a plethora of plugs in it, but there was only one free wall socket and none at the bedside.
The bathroom, with a separate toilet, had an excellent modern wet-room style shower but no shelving for our own toiletries and the only ones provided were two small bars of soap.
Unusually WiFi was only available in the rooms and not in the rest of the hotel: consequently, credit cards were not taken. Having input the rather convoluted WiFi password which involved a reference to God, God was not on our side, and we couldn’t get a signal. As there was no phone in the room, it involved several trips back and forward to reception. Eventually the manager returned with a telephone and router for his personal WiFi account.
The hotel had a tantalising looking pool, but the only problem was, it was empty. However, it was pleasant to sit around with lots of tables for eating laid around it.
We had been asked to preorder dinner and opted for 7pm. Eventually at 7.10pm, and with no sign of dinner or staff, we sought out a girl who returned with cling film covered plates. A shared starter of avocado and tuna salad was good, but the shared brochette had very chewy beef and was served with a separate sauce of couscous and a salsa. Having requested second beers, we were told they were not chilled and were served in an ice bucket. We appeared to be the only guests in the hotel and we sat until 8pm when the only interaction with staff was when the girl cleared the plates.
Our second evening was no more successful. The chicken yassa was very good, but the African chicken had very little meat on the bones. A bottle of Bordeaux wine was good value but a little sweet and not chilled, so the ice bucket came into use again.
At breakfast, we were served a tray with a basket laden with French bread, croissants and pain au chocolat, and asked if it was sufficient. There was also jars of strawberry and orange jams, but no butter or plates. The sachets of Nescafe and powdered milk with Lipton’s tea bags were served with a small jug of hot water.
We fleetingly crossed paths with a British tour group on our second night, but they sensibly ate dinner out.
This was a disappointing stay on all accounts, and we couldn’t help but wonder whether we would have fared better at the Hotel Sarah.
