Must-see hotels in West Africa

  • Ritz Hotel

    Lagos

    The name's a bit of a misnomer, but this hotel is a reasonably decent budget option. Rooms are fine in a grubby 'by the hour' sort of way, but they're…

  • Hotel Gã-Djau

    Guinea-Bissau

    Hotel Gã-Djau is basic, but it's the smartest option. It's a 15-minute walk from the market (ask for directions there). The rooms have fans, but the…

  • Hôtel Mantise Palace

    Guinea

    A dilapidated and, by the looks of things, half-closed place on the edge of town. Water comes by the bucket, there's a couple of hours of electricity and…

  • Formaca Pesqueria

    Guinea-Bissau

    You can rent a breezy room at the fishing training centre around 200m north of the port. There is electricity, but the rooms do not have fans. Meals can…

  • HBC Viper Hotel

    Guinea-Bissau

    This low-slung building near the entrance to town passes as Gabu's classiest option. Rooms are in stand-alone bungalows, and there's a pool that can get…

  • Hôtel Tangama

    Guinea

    If you like low prices and mildewed rooms with saggy beds then this place will pass muster. The biggest selling point is the open fire in the dining room …

  • Residencial Paraiso

    Cabo Verde

    At the leafy northern end of Platô, this guesthouse has seen better days, and its basic rooms are overpriced, but at least there's free wi-fi and the…

  • Peerage Retreat

    Lagos

    The best option for the money on the island, this family-run hotel is clean, friendly and well run. Given the deal, it fills up fast. Just make sure the…

  • Paulma's Guesthouse

    Liberia

    Around 5km from town on the Ganta Hwy, this secure place offer above-average friendly service. The on-site restaurant cooks up Lebanese and African dishes…

  • Residence Eburnéa

    Abidjan

    This place has several types of room, including charming duplexes and cute apartments with miniature kitchens and balconies. There's also a small pool and…

  • La Madrague

    Côte d'Ivoire

    La Madrague taps into Grand Bassam's spirit with its smart, lovingly decorated rooms. There's local art on the walls and Ivoirian cloth swaddling the…

  • Auberge Beau Séjour

    Côte d'Ivoire

    Simple, clean and minimally furnished rooms in Taï town that are perfect for an overnight stay before you hit the park. There's air-con and en suite…

  • Auberge Oasis de Terjît

    Mauritania

    The main spring has been taken over by Auberge Oasis de Terjît, where a mattress in a tent by the trickling stream is on offer. A meal costs about UM1500.

  • Hotel Vision

    Guinea-Bissau

    Hardly a vision and just barely a sight for sore eyes, this hotel located in the northeastern part of town at least has large rooms with windows.

  • Taverne la Bassamoise

    Côte d'Ivoire

    Recently renovated, this place has lovely bungalows underneath a canopy of bougainvillea. The decor is simple and bright, and the pool is large.

  • Pastoral Center

    Liberia

    The Pastoral Center offers basic dorm beds at low prices – worth it if you are truly on a budget and need a secure place to rest your head.

  • Le Marly

    Abidjan

    Le Marly offers simple, plantation-style huts in a pretty garden setting. At the end of a short track just off Blvd de Marseille.

  • Hôtel Leveneur

    Côte d'Ivoire

    The centrally located Hôtel Leveneur has the dishevelled backpacker thing down to a T, though we suspect it's not deliberate.

  • Le Cannelle

    Côte d'Ivoire

    Overlooking the waters and with simple and clean rooms, Le Canelle also has a decent restaurant on the beach.

  • Les Jardins d'Ivoire

    Côte d'Ivoire

    Located in the Balmer area of town, Les Jardins d'Ivoire has a pretty garden, a swimming pool and clean, smart rooms.

  • Hôtel le Pollet

    Côte d'Ivoire

    Hôtel le Pollet overlooks the Sassandra River. The rooms are simple and clean, and there's access to the beach.

  • Auberge des Caravanes

    Mauritania

    A traveller-friendly place at the entrance of the village. Breakfast (UM1000) and dinner (UM1500) are available.

  • Noble House Motel

    Liberia

    Basic rooms and a simple place to stay; makes a convenient base for jumping off to Mt Nimba. Book in advance.

  • Novotel

    Abidjan

    The Novotel has smart rooms, four-star amenities and a large outdoor pool, all in the heart of Le Plateau.

  • Le Pullman

    Abidjan

    A good, upmarket chain hotel. Plush rooms come equipped with wi-fi and everything you could possibly need.

  • Residencial Djaraama

    Guinea-Bissau

    Simultaneously scruffy and tacky, the most that can be said is that 1st-floor rooms have balcony spaces.

  • Buba Hotel

    Guinea-Bissau

    A basic hotel on the riverfront in Buba. Electricity is 24-hour and breakfast is available.

  • Posada Bela Vista

    Guinea-Bissau

    The most acceptable lodging in Buba; located next to the river at the eastern end of town.

  • Le Brennus

    Côte d'Ivoire

    A good hotel in the centre of town, with simple and clean rooms and efficient service.

  • Auberge Warane

    Mauritania

    Rooms at Auberge Warane are a bit bunker-like but the place is friendly enough.

  • Berça do Rio

    Guinea-Bissau

    Rooms are fairly depressing; however, meals are more than acceptable.

  • Monjue Hotel

    Liberia

    A basic hotel that can be noisy at weekends.

  • Hôtel Tamana

    Mali

    This charming hotel out by the Hippodrome is easily our favourite in Bamako. The rooms have character, the staff are among Bamako's friendliest and most…

  • Le Campement

    Mali

    This sprawling, centrally located place is Djenné's tourism central with dozens of rooms across a wide price range, a large and pleasant open-air…

  • Hôtel Ya Pas de Probleme

    Mali

    Mopti has been crying out for a mid-range hotel like this. A delightful French- and Dogon-run place, Ya Pas de Probleme has beautifully decorated rooms,…

  • Le Loft

    Mali

    We like this place. The building may not appear to be Bamako's most promising from the outside but inside is another, completely renovated and altogether…

  • Hôtel Ambedjele

    Mali

    Styled like a Dogon village just off the road between Mopti and Sévaré, this charming Spanish-run place has expansive gardens, a rock pool for swimming…

  • Sahara Passion

    Mali

    Although not as good as its Gao equivalent, Sahara Passion, close to the Flamme de la Paix monument on Timbuktu's northern outskirts, has rooms with high…

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