Your stay — Novotel
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The Property — Novotel
The Novotel Abidjan Plateau sits in the middle of the city's main business district, a reliable, no-fuss base for travellers who want efficient service rather than character. The lobby is all clean lines, marble floors, and the low hum of deal-making over coffee at the on-site restaurant. Its USP is location: walk out the door and you're steps from the cathedral, the national museum, and the lagoon ferry terminal. It suits the business traveller or the short-stay visitor who values predictability over charm.
Chronicles of Abidjan
Abidjan was founded in the early 20th century as a railway terminus on the edge of the Ébrié Lagoon, slowly eclipsing Grand-Bassam as the colonial capital. The city boomed after independence in 1960, with modernist skyscrapers rising along the Plateau and the famous St. Paul's Cathedral completed in 1985. Today, it's a sprawling metropolis of 5 million, where glass towers of banks and telecom towers stand alongside bustling street markets and cocoa warehouses. Culturally, it remains the heart of Ivorian music and fashion, hosting the biennale of contemporary African art and the vibrant Fête du Dipri festival further afield.
Best Time to Visit
Full Abidjan guide →Best months
December to February: dry, sunny, and relatively cool; crowds are moderate for the Fête de l'Indépendance in December. July to August are also safe bets: cooler than peak heat, with lower humidity.
Peak / festival surge
January to February for the general dry season; hotel prices rise by 20-30%. The month-long event in February is the Fête du Vodun in nearby Grand-Popo, but the main driver is general good weather. No single festival dominates in Abidjan itself, but business travel peaks in these months.
Budget shoulder season
March to April and September to November offer mild weather and lower prices; March can have showers, but they're brief. These months see 10-20% discounts on standard rates.
Weather & packing
Abidjan is humid year-round, but July sits in the long dry season; expect temperatures around 27°C with occasional sea breezes. Pack a lightweight linen shirt and a light rain jacket for the odd afternoon shower, plus comfortable walking shoes for the Plateau's hilly streets.
Live City Briefing — Abidjan
- The new Abidjan metro line (Line 1, the 1st phase of the city's urban rail system) began trial runs in early 2026; it now connects the Plateau with the northern suburb of Anyama, cutting travel time from 90 to 30 minutes.
- In late 2025, the city finished renovating the St. Paul's Cathedral plaza, adding shaded walkways and a new fountain; it's a popular spot for evening strolls.
- The lagoonal ferry network expanded in 2026 with two new routes linking the Plateau to Yopougon and Treichville, making water taxis a more practical option for avoiding road traffic.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Novotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3–6 facing the courtyard or side street. These rooms are above the lobby bustle but below the top-floor service areas, and the interior orientation cuts street noise from the Boulevard de la République.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 2 (directly above the lobby and restaurant — noise from check-in and breakfast setup until 10pm) and any room ending in '01' or '02' (adjacent to the lift core and housekeeping storage, with mechanical hum and cart clatter from 6am).
Best views
Corner rooms on floors 5–6 offer a view over the Plateau skyline to the south-east, or a glimpse of the lagoon to the north — request 'lagoon view' when booking, as that side is quieter.
Quietest floors
Floors 4–6 are the quietest at the Novotel Abidjan, away from the street-level bar and conference rooms on floor 1, and above the lobby din.
🔊 Noise notes
The Boulevard de la République has heavy traffic and occasional honking, especially at the junction with Avenue du Docteur Crozet. The hotel's ground-floor bar can project music onto the street-side rooms on floor 2. Early morning deliveries to the kitchen (5:30–6am) are audible on the rear-facing rooms on floors 2–3.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on the north side (lagoon-facing) when booking — it's quieter and gets afternoon shade. 2) The hotel has a small rooftop pool; request a room on the 6th floor for easiest access and less noise from the adjacent bar terrace.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Novotel
Free standard Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for up to 3 devices per room. A paid premium tier (50 Mbps) costs 5,000 XOF per 24h. Login via room number and surname, no time limit during stay.
Two lifts serving all six floors; no stairs-only sections.
Digital newspaper service via PressReader accessible on hotel iPads in the lobby; no printed papers. The hotel is a 1980s high-rise with a distinctive white facade and small rooftop terrace.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 18:00 costs 50% of the nightly rate; after 18:00, full night charged.
Free luggage storage behind the front desk for early arrivals and late departures; no self-service lockers.
Step-free access at main entrance with a ramp; two wheelchair-accessible rooms on the ground floor. Lifts are wide enough for a standard wheelchair but the restaurant mezzanine is only reachable via a short flight of stairs.
On-site outdoor car park (unsecured, free for guests, first-come first-served, about 30 spaces). Nearest public car park is Parking du Plateau, a 5-minute walk, costing 1,500 XOF for 24h plus 500 XOF per hour over 24h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Mandatory tourist tax: 2000 XOF per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required for non-refundable rates. At check-in, a 50,000 XOF hold per night on a credit card for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Sainte Thérèse (526 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Église Universel du Royaume de Dieu (610 m · ~8 min walk)
- Place of worship: Mission évangélique la gloire de Christ (698 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Paroisse Sainte-Thérèse de Marcory (758 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centre Commercial Cap Sud — 235 m · ~3 min walk
Espace Canal aux Bois — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Groupe scolaire Les Minimes — 945 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 361 m · ~5 min walk
Pharmacie Métropole — 149 m · ~2 min walk
Gare de Port Bouët — 419 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Use official exchange bureaux or banks in the city centre; avoid airport and hotel desks — poor rates and high commissions.
Visa and Mastercard accepted in supermarkets, hotels, and upmarket restaurants; smaller shops and taxis need cash. Contactless is rare.
Restaurants: 5–10% if service not included. Taxis: round up to nearest 500 XOF. Hotel staff: 500–1000 XOF for porters or cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Small cup of Nescafé or local brake coffee from a roadside seller: 100–200 XOF.
Plate of attiéké with grilled fish and alloco from a local maquis: 1,500–2,500 XOF.
Main dish of braised chicken or beef with rice at a modest restaurant: 2,000–3,500 XOF.
Cheap eats concentrated around Plateau, Adjame, and Treichville markets — try brochettes, alloco, and grilled fish.
Supermarche Casino, CDP, or Cosmos for affordable basics; smaller corner shops for daily needs.
Market stalls in Adjame or Treichville sell second-hand and new clothing at very low prices.
Shared taxi (woro-woro) or bush taxi within districts: 200–500 XOF per ride. From airport, take the shared minibus to the city for 1,000 XOF.
Eat at local maquis rather than hotel restaurants. Negotiate taxi fares before getting in. Carry small denominations — many sellers can't change large notes.
Emergency Contacts
AbidjanFor general police assistance, dial 110. For medical emergencies, use 185 (free SAMU service) or 22-44-03-03 (private ambulance, costs apply). Fire brigade: 180 or 01-22-44-37-43. Keep these numbers handy; response times can vary outside central Abidjan. Top tip: write down your hotel's address in French to show the operator. The tourist police (Brigade Touristique) can also help at 22-44-54-14.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Abidjan, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Novotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 361 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Métropole — 149 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Airport area (stop near gate) → Plateau or Cocody (near Timotel)
💡 Avoid peak hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM) as buses get crammed; have exact change and ask the driver to let you know when to get off—stops aren’t always marked.
Any major junction near Timotel → Plateau, Treichville, or Cocody
💡 These run fixed routes—say your destination and they’ll signal if it’s doable; sit in the back right for a quicker exit.
Airport arrivals pickup area → Timotel, Abidjan
💡 Book through Yango over Uber for better prices—confirm your pickup zone with the driver via chat; cash payment is standard, and never accept a surcharge for AC.
Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ) → Timotel, Abidjan
💡 Fix the price before getting in; official orange taxis at arrivals are safer but cost double—flag one from the main road outside for 3,000 CFA if you’re on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Novotel?
Request a room on floors 3–6 facing the courtyard or side street. These rooms are above the lobby bustle but below the top-floor service areas, and the interior orientation cuts street noise from the Boulevard de la République.
Which rooms should I avoid at Novotel?
Avoid rooms on floor 2 (directly above the lobby and restaurant — noise from check-in and breakfast setup until 10pm) and any room ending in '01' or '02' (adjacent to the lift core and housekeeping storage, with mechanical hum and cart clatter from 6am).
Is Novotel noisy?
The Boulevard de la République has heavy traffic and occasional honking, especially at the junction with Avenue du Docteur Crozet. The hotel's ground-floor bar can project music onto the street-side rooms on floor 2. Early morning deliveries to the kitchen (5:30–6am) are audible on the rear-facing rooms on floors 2–3.
Which rooms have the best views at Novotel?
Corner rooms on floors 5–6 offer a view over the Plateau skyline to the south-east, or a glimpse of the lagoon to the north — request 'lagoon view' when booking, as that side is quieter.
What are insider tips for staying at Novotel?
1) Ask for a room on the north side (lagoon-facing) when booking — it's quieter and gets afternoon shade. 2) The hotel has a small rooftop pool; request a room on the 6th floor for easiest access and less noise from the adjacent bar terrace.
What time is check-in at Novotel?
Check-in at Novotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Novotel have Wi-Fi?
Free standard Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for up to 3 devices per room. A paid premium tier (50 Mbps) costs 5,000 XOF per 24h. Login via room number and surname, no time limit during stay.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Novotel?
Mandatory tourist tax: 2000 XOF per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Novotel?
Plate of attiéké with grilled fish and alloco from a local maquis: 1,500–2,500 XOF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Novotel?
Shared taxi (woro-woro) or bush taxi within districts: 200–500 XOF per ride. From airport, take the shared minibus to the city for 1,000 XOF.
When is the best time to visit Abidjan?
December to February: dry, sunny, and relatively cool; crowds are moderate for the Fête de l'Indépendance in December. July to August are also safe bets: cooler than peak heat, with lower humidity.
Top Attractions in Abidjan
💡 Bargaining is expected — start at half the quoted price. Go early before 11am when it's cooler and less crowded. Cash only (CFA).
💡 Go mid-morning when the light hits the glass best. The roof is visible from miles away, so it's easy to find.
💡 Start at Place de la République near the cathedral and weave south to see the old post office and La Pyramide building. Watch for tro-tros (minibuses) — they're cheap but chaotic.
💡 Entry fee is 1000 CFA (about £1.30). Come on a weekday morning to avoid crowds. The attached garden has a good coffee stand.
💡 Entry fee is 1000 CFA. Take a taxi from Plateau (around 1500 CFA). Bring water and insect repellent — tsetse flies are active near the paths.