Design Hotels has welcomed its first hotel in Central and West Africa, La Maison Palmier. Slated to open in April 2022, the property is a leafy oasis featuring works by local artists, over 200 palm tree varieties, and bespoke furnishings.
For the first boutique hotel in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Original Abdallah El Ghandour had a specific vision: to create a place where locals, expats, and visitors intermingle. To turn this vision into a refined reality, he enlisted Abidjan native Desiré Mbengue to oversee the architecture and Maxime Liautard to design the interiors. The result is a nine-building property, with a strong focus on green public spaces, locally sourced materials, and regionally produced products.
The low-slung concrete buildings are juxtaposed with high-ceilings, custom terrazzo flooring, and floor-to-ceiling windows. With public spaces at the heart of the project, interwoven garden paths connect the living areas with the restaurant, the bar, a pool checkered with green marble and numerous terraces.
In each of the 74 guestrooms, Senegalese designer Aissa Dione has curated a selection of textiles to create warm and welcoming atmospheres. Custom carpets in rich reds and greens pair with wood panelling and bespoke furniture. Bathrooms are spacious and light-filled, accented with cream- and sage-coloured tiles and elegant Art Deco-influenced faucets. Beyond the Standard Rooms are the Superior Rooms, which offer ample space and lush garden views; Junior Suites with separate sleeping and living rooms, as well as a guest bathroom; and Signature Suites, each of which boasts distinct dining, living, and sleeping areas, a guest bathroom, and in some, a balcony. All rooms and public spaces are also adorned with photographs and sculptures by artists from the Côte d’Ivoire.
Next to the pool and a covered terrace are Le Bistrot Palmier and Le Bar. Much like the fact that all building materials were sourced from within the subregion, the restaurant too uses local ingredients to create contemporary French and international cuisine.
There is also an onsite fitness centre outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and yoga mats, and with personal trainers on request, as well as The Studio which is available for private events of up to 60 people. Whether The Studio is arranged like a boardroom or a banquet hall, the space emits a stately vibe – reflecting the embassies nearby – and offers a breathtaking view of the hotel’s outdoor spaces.
