A former Italian colony, Eritrea is set with in lush central highlands, with distinctive red earth formations and an untouched Red Sea coast. The InterContinental Asmara hotel is the first 5-star property located in the capital, adjacent to the UN Headquarters and a short distance from both the airport and city centre.
With a reputation as one of safest capital cities in Africa, Asmara enjoys great climates, clean and tree-lined streets peppered with former Italian designed buildings. The former Italian Embassy, the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the hillside Coptic Church are amongst some of the architectural examples not to be missed.
“The natural beauty of this country is breathtaking with spectacular and varied landscapes. The InterContinental Asmara is the perfect base for both tourists and business travelers, offering a luxurious retreat with extensive facilities and a professional, friendly and hospitable service.” Said Roger Kacou, Director of Operations, InterContinental Hotels Group, Africa.
Opened in 2001, the hotel’s 108 Deluxe rooms all boast balconies and are equipped with full deluxe amenities; direct dial telephone, voice mail, working desk, hair dryer, mini bar, radio, remote controlled television with movie channels and satellite stations, 24 hour room service, laundry, valet facilities and complimentary newspaper. There are an additional 22 Suites including six Junior Suites and six Executive Suites with spaciously designed lounge areas. The four Diplomatic Suites consist of large deluxe bedrooms and large salons and the two Presidential Suites consist of three royal rooms each, two with king size beds, a sitting room, a dining room, a meeting room and a large terrace. Finally the hotel’s four Ambassador Suites consist of two deluxe rooms and a grande salon.
A highly recommended road trip is the winding 2 hour journey (115km) from Asmara to the coastal town of Massawa. The road meanders through green mountainous scenery punctured with traditional villages and herds of Baboons demanding to be fed by all that pass them by. The old steam railway built by the Eritreans under Italian colonization operates weekly and offers tourists the opportunity to travel through the mountains in 1930s Italian style.
The archipelago of 200 islands off the coast of Massawa offer divers, fishing enthusiasts and sailors the rare opportunity to experience the splendor of the Red Sea in complete solitude and away from the usual hordes of tourist excursions. Carved wooden doors, balconies and shutters line the streets of this sleepy town offering charming examples of Arab and Ottoman architecture. Massawa comes alive at night with people spilling onto the streets from the bustling cafes booming music and families shopping in the cool evening weather.
The Eritrean coffee ceremony is something that should not be missed but requires some patience and a great deal of time. Fresh coffee beans are grilled, crushed and boiled in the traditional way, with the most basic utensils and over an open fire.
Having adventured to the coast, InterContinental Asmara offers the traveler a welcome rest-bite. Whether it’s lounging at the indoor or outdoor swimming pool or indulging in first rate therapies on offer at the spa, guests can enjoy five star service and attention 24 hours a day should they so chose.
A variety of food and beverage outlets are available offering Buffets, authentic Italian cuisine, traditional Irish fare, as well as light snacks, pastries and ice cream.
Five conference and banqueting facilities are available for business guests as well as large company groups. Facilities include the Selam Conference Center that is able to accommodate 420 people theatre style as well as translation services of up to five languages. Salon Massawa, Nafka and Dekemhare can accommodate anything between 30 – 150 people in either classroom, U-shape, theatre, seated dinner or reception set up, depending on the need.
Adding to InterContinental Hotels Group popularity in Africa is the fact that it operates the world’s largest hotel loyalty program ¬ Priority Club Rewards, where guests earn points or air miles with any of our 45 partners, every time they stay at one of our 3,500 hotels around the world. With these they can either get free stays at our hotels or free flights. “Unlike other hotel companies we do not impose any black out dates for these redemptions, nor do we cancel the points if they have not been used for a period of time. That is a real advantage for our customers,” said Kacou.
With direct flights operating from Dubai to Asmara with Eritrean Airlines, there has never been a better time to either discover Eritrea or to simply get away from it all and treat yourself to the luxuries on offer at the InterContinental Asmara.
