Review of Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel, by Andrew Mueller

The Corinthia Bab Africa is unmissable, one of the tallest, widest and grandest buildings in Tripoli. Only a few years old, and perched in a brilliant location, overlooking the Mediterranean yet a short walk from Green Square, it towers over the dusty, litter-choked alleyways of Tripoli¹s historic Medina like a prop from a science fiction film which has been errantly delivered to the set of a biblical epic. The Corinthia consists of two curving towers, one slightly taller than the other, linked by a cavernous reception area topped by a triumphal arch. Outside and inside, it is difficult not to suspect that the owners of the Corinthia and Saddam Hussein may have had architects and decorators in common. The feeling of wandering into some tyrant¹s palace is amplified by the large portraits of Colonel Gadaffi in the Corinthia¹s common areas.

The rooms

The logic behind the curved shape of the Corinthia¹s towers becomes apparent on entering any of the rooms ­ all 299 rooms have a sea view. The rooms have cool tiled floors and are very generously sized, with comfortable beds, satellite television, safes, hairdryers and minibar ­ although, Libya remaining an unreconstructed Islamic state, the beer inside is non-alcoholic. Most blessedly ­ and regular visitors to the Middle East will appreciate this ­ the rooms are quiet. The traffic that teems around the base of the hotel is rendered wondrously inaudible by the double glazing, the walls are thick, and the air conditioners do not rouse themselves to more than a gentle buzz even at full blast. The bathrooms are large and handsome, and supplied with every imaginable accessory.

The rooms have internet access, but these facilities are unavailable to Mac users. There is a business centre in the lobby area, though it is absurdly expensive and its internet connection seems to come and go with the tides.