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Djibouti Palace Kempinski
Djibouti · Kempinski · Core Luxury
Djibouti Palace Kempinski has sat on a peninsula in the Gulf of Tadjourah since 2009, at the meeting of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes visible from the terrace. From October to February the gulf fills with juvenile whale sharks averaging just four metres, the youngest aggregation known, and guests snorkel with them minutes from the hotel.
- 177 rooms
- Opened 2009
- Neighborhood: Plateau du Marabout
- Rooms from 409 sq ft (38 m²)
About Djibouti Palace Kempinski
- The Gulf of Tadjourah hosts the world's youngest documented whale shark aggregation: scientists studying the site since 2012 have found average lengths of just four metres, some as small as two.
- Djibouti sits at the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, through which about 10 percent of global seaborne oil trade passes; the hotel terrace looks over that waterway.
- The Marine Protected Area around Arta Bay was created to protect the whale shark feeding zone; this is the closest luxury base for reaching it.
- Entry-level rooms start at 409 sq ft (38 m²).
History
Djibouti Palace Kempinski opened in 2009 as a beachfront house on the Bay of Tadjourah, at the meeting of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The gulf's juvenile whale shark aggregation, visible from October to February, is the property's rarest draw; shipping lanes of the Bab-el-Mandeb run past the terrace.
The setting
The hotel sits on Ilot du Héron in Djibouti, overlooking the Bay of Tadjourah and the waterfront edge of the capital. That setting gives it a prime coastal position at the meeting point of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, which Kempinski highlights as part of the property’s appeal. 3 km from La Siesta Beach.
Restaurants and bars
- Arabesque — Restaurant · Italian
- Grand Barra — Restaurant
- Tentazioni — Restaurant · Italian
- Bankoualé — Restaurant · Seafood and grills
- Cafe Arta — Café
- Lac Assal — Restaurant · International (Mediterranean and Asian spices)
- Lac Abbé — Restaurant
- Sky Lounge — Bar
Experiences
- Diving in the Red Sea — The page invites guests to dive in the Red Sea from the hotel.
- The K Wellness & Spa — Treatments inspired by European, Asian and Middle Eastern traditions, customised to each guest's desired outcome.
Amenities
- The K Wellness and Spa
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Fitness centre with free weights and machines
- Personal trainers available
- Tennis court and tennis classes
- Private terrace rooms and suites
- State-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities
- Beachfront location on Tadjourah Bay
- Infinity pool
- Hot tub
- Water sports
Awards
- Djibouti's Leading Hotel 2025 (World Travel Awards) (2025)
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