Understandably so, at $350/night, I had high expectations for the Kempinski Djibouti, especially after reading the reviews on Trip Advisor. There is no doubt that its aesthetics are impressive, but the hotel really does end there.
I must give it to the marketing team, as their pictures of the hotel on brochures make it look spectacular, but the reality is far different.
The food was abysmal; the customer service lacking; and they don't even have an airport shuttle or car service (they had 1 private limo but it was not available).
My tv did not work for the duration of my stay, and it took 3 follow-up calls to the reception to even get someone to come to my room.
There is no wireless internet in the rooms (only the lobby), so you need to use an ethernet cord if you want internet access in your room, and alas, the hotel did not have any available, so I was forced to work down in the lobby in the evenings.
The gym is very small (the size of a standard hotel room), and the air conditioning was not working in the room when I worked out.
As you can see, it was a highly frustrating experience, and the staff were not accommodating to such issues - I am not a fussy traveler, so this review does not come from your typical Type-A personality where they are never happy about anything.
Therefore, I highly recommend against the hotel, especially given the exorbitant cost for little in return. I know the competing hotel is the Sheraton, and I did not visit it, but given it is 1/3rd the cost, yet still arguably nice, I will stay at the Sheraton for future trips to Djibouti.




