T+L’s Hotel Review of Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa in Benin

Arriving at Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa at night has a cinematic quality. Set within a sprawling natural park, the hotel slowly emerges from the dark, its illuminated rooms stacked like glowing blocks, where floor-to-ceiling windows offer a glimpse of the elegant spaces within. The entrance, marked by soaring bone-white porte-cochères, heightens the drama, with a touch of art deco glamour.

Inside the hotel, which opened in September 2024, the mood is decidedly luxe: towering ceilings, contemporary light fixtures suspended like a hailstorm frozen in time, and custom gilded shelves displaying objets d’art by local artisans. The lobby is strikingly bright, day or night.

The welcome here is attentive and rooted in local culture. Kwabo, a word of welcome in Fon, one of Benin’s major languages, sets the tone. It’s warm, respectful, and omnipresent, much like the hotel staff themselves.

The hotel’s location is ideal—just five minutes from Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport and near the Embassy district. “At the Sofitel, you have the impression of being in the city but also at a seaside resort,” says Juliette Peron, the hotel’s general manager. It’s a fitting description of a destination straddling the rhythm of a modern city and the legacy of an ancient culture.

“Benin is a good first destination for people visiting West Africa,” she adds. “It has a rich culture and history—it’s the home of Vodou.” And that cultural resonance extends beyond its borders. Even American blues music echoes this heritage, with roots that can be traced back to West Africa.

Below, my review of Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa.

The Rooms 

At Sofitel Cotonou, a standard room is anything but austere. Each of the 198 accommodations includes a private balcony, a plush Sofitel MyBed, rain showers, Diptyque amenities, and views of either the city or the sea. At the top end, the five duplex suites feature separate living rooms and private pools. 

The interiors pair French refinement with local design accents: think Haussmannian touches like blonde parquet flooring and elegant mouldings, offset by decor in bold splashes of turquoise, royal purple, and burnt sienna.

While entry-level guest rooms start at a generous 430 square feet, the largest—an expansive 2,150-square-foot Presidential Suite—includes a separate dining room, making it ideal for families or groups looking to gather in style.

Rooms also feature stocked minibars and Nespresso machines.

Food and Drink 

The food and drink options at Sofitel Cotonou cater to every craving, whether it’s a mood or a flavor.

The poolside bar and restaurant, Corniche, comes alive on evenings and weekends. Its menu spans French classics like sole meunière with English-style potatoes to crowd-pleasers like wagyu smash burger with cheddar and bacon. The bar pours a full slate of cocktails, including the signature Benin sunset—a blend of premium tequila, grapefruit cream, orgeat syrup, and fresh ginger.

Inside, Vivo offers a globe-trotting menu that touches down in the Middle East, India, Africa, and France. Options range from pâté en croûte and lamb kofta to dal tadka and a smoked tomahawk steak, seasoned with salt from nearby Ouidah. During my visit, I opted for a generously spiced chicken tagine with juicy black olives and crisp, buttery bread, paired with a glass of Koelenberg sauvignon blanc from South Africa.

At the heart of the lobby, a commanding horseshoe-shaped bar doubles as a social hub, ideal for an aperitif, digestif, or a nightcap with friends. Here, guests can order bites from the 24/7 room service menu.

The crown jewel, though, is L’Ami with a menu crafted by Michelin-starred chef Georgiana Viou. Diners can choose between two tasting menus or order à la carte. Viou, who was born in Benin and is now based in France, focuses on classical French techniques with prime local ingredients.

I started my meal with leeks prepared two ways—barely pickled and lightly breaded, then fried to a golden crisp, revealing a sweet, tender vegetable. The risotto, flavored with pesto made from African basil, had an al dente bite and a nice crunch from fried sunflower seeds. For my main, the red carp was delicately sauteed and served with black olive stuffing and smooth carrot puree.

Lastly, guests can also dine in their room. The room service menu features comfort food with Beninese twists, like a chicken club sandwich with local squash.

Activities and Experiences

For travelers looking to work up a sweat, Sofitel Cotonou offers plenty of options. You can swim laps in either the indoor or outdoor pool (unless, of course, you have your own private pool in a duplex suite). The modern gym is well-equipped with treadmills, rowing machines, elliptical trainers, free weights, yoga mats, and more. Towels, bottled water, and apples are on hand, and staff are ever present if you need assistance. You can continue your wellness routine in the sauna and traditional hammam.

Beyond the hotel grounds, Sofitel’s concierge team connects guests with local guides for tours and excursions. A top recommendation is a day trip to Ouidah, a coastal city with a rich history, which was once the major hub of the West African slave trade. There, guides bring essential historical context to sites such as the “Door of No Return” memorial arch and Temple of the Pythons.

The Spa

Sofitel Spa Signature by Kos Paris, a luxe Parisian natural skincare brand, offers a full menu of treatments to recharge the body and mind.
Start with a full-body exfoliating scrub, followed by a tension-melting massage. Or opt for the Oil Ceremony, where layers of delicately scented oils are massaged into the skin in a soothing ritual. The hotel’s signature Legend facial, inspired by the Japanese facial kobido massage, blends traditional techniques with modern skincare for a natural glow.

The spa boasts over 10,000 square feet and features warm wood tones, high ceilings, and a minimalist aesthetic that creates a calming atmosphere. In addition to treatment rooms, there’s a sauna, a traditional hammam, and a serene indoor pool for relaxation before or after treatments.

Family-friendly Offerings 

Sofitel Cotonou makes traveling with children a little more convenient with its Family Escapade by Le Petit Prince package. It includes a second, adjoining guest room at half price, complete with kid-friendly amenities. The hotel also includes late checkout with the package.

Also of interest to parents, the spa has a dedicated kids’ space, the Kids Villa, with attentive caretakers, so parents can relax knowing their little ones are being entertained and well cared for.

Location  

Located in the heart of Benin’s economic capital, the hotel is near the Embassy district and many local points of interest: the Esplanade des Amazones monument, Dantokpa Market, the historic town of Ouidah, and the floating village of Ganvié.

Book Now

The hotel is part of Accor’s ALL loyalty program. Members enjoy benefits, including status points for each stay, exclusive access to food and cultural events, early arrival and late check-out (based on availability), airport lounge and luggage services, a dedicated members’ desk, and access to the hotel’s Club Millésime lounge. Members can also take advantage of the family program and book adjoining rooms at half price.

Nightly rates at Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa start from $310.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.