On Djibouti’s waterfront, Djibouti Palace Kempinski faces the Gulf of Tadjoura from a palm-lined estate of ochre facades, arched windows and seafront terraces. Rooms and suites carry African and Arabian influences through warm colours, carved timber, patterned textiles and large windows looking towards the sea, gardens or mountains. The resort-style grounds include outdoor pools, tennis courts, restaurants, meeting spaces and lawns that run down towards the water. At sunset, the strongest images are the palms, arcades and pool terraces set between the hotel and the bay.