I have stayed at the Tiama once or twice a year for 5 years and even lived there for 3 months once.
The Hotel Ivoire and Hotel Golf are state owned dumps which you should avoid at all costs. You will want to move out after one night if not sooner. The Novotel is OK as is the Sofitel, but the Tiama is the best and priced between the two. The Novotel has a very large pool and is used by aircrews, but the food is not great and its 3-4 star versus 4-5 for the Sofitel and Tiama.
The Tiama is very clean. No insects!
Service is fast, competent, friendly and inobtrusive.
Security is excellent too and as the hotel is used by the UN etc.
There is free secure underground parking within the hotel.
It is across the road from a police station and pharmacy, and next door to Standard Chartered bank which has a secure guarded 24 hour international ATM.
The location is CBD so busy during the day but you should not walk around at night.
The doorman can arrange a car and driver for about $10 an hour or $50 a day if you have a lot of errands to run. There is also a rental car desk in the hotel if you want to pay twice as much for a newer car via them.
The restaurant and room service serve top quality european food. $10 for a club sandwich. $14 for breakfast. $3 for a mini bar Coke. Dinner mains are $20-$30 which is expensive but it is a luxury restaurant not a local joint.
The aircon works 100% and is quiet.
Rooms are not designer but are in very good condition with very nice bathrooms. Get a "senior" room if you want a sitting area. High floors have better views, obviously.
There are 3 free in room english and french movies every day and night. Good range of foreign TV stations too, CNN etc.
There is a proper business center with fast satellite internet access. In room access via a cable or wifi is also available for $15 a day.
There is small shop with international magazines and newspaper and local souvenirs etc.
The smallish pool is on the roof of the parking garage and is a good spot to relax or have lunch. There is a gym too but I have never been in there.
They have meetng rooms and a large second floor bar which you can hold functions in. I did that once and it was a good deal and very well done.
Re prices, book direct and you should only pay 60% of the rack rate. Expect to pay about $150 for a junior room, slightly more for senior. They have suites too but I have not seen them.