The Protea Asokoro comprises 83 rooms over six floors in the central business district of Abuja. It’s everything you come to expect from the South African hotel brand: briskly efficient and not overly showy.

Marble floors complement clean crisp lines in an elegant, understated lobby overlooked by an internal mezzanine floor. A small bar area with seating for 20 is nestled towards the rear of the main lobby, and towards the front double doors lead onto a private courtyard pool area in which an inviting mosaic tiled pool sits, flanked by a small wet bar and bougainvillea.

Rooms are large, comfortable, and well equipped. There is a decent desk space at which to work, consistent Wi-Fi, a 42-inch flat-screen TV with a 24 channel DSTV subscription, mini fridge, and safe. Rooms are not the most stylish, but they are entirely functional: the finish level is good and everything works as it should.

There are three function rooms available, catering for between 30 to 150 delegates, and an extremely well-equipped gym in the basement. Staff are happy and available, balancing friendliness with efficiency well. The hotel’s got a great location for those doing business in Abuja, but there is little else in the way of restaurants in the surrounding area, so look to Wuse 2 if you wish to dine out.

It’s not the cheapest hotel in Abuja, but the Protea brand comes with a reputation for high standards – and the Asokoro comfortably measures up.