Must-see hotels in West Africa

  • Hôtel Napoléon Lagune

    Lomé

    The Napoléon Lagune is not in the centre but its perch on a lively stretch of the Bé lagoon is outstanding. It offers a range of well-equipped (if…

  • La Douceur

    Togo

    Down a dirt track in the stadium's neighbourhood you'll find this cosy bird's nest in a proudly maintained and flowered little compound; rooms are…

  • Chez Alice

    Lomé

    This perennial favourite is run by a friendly and efficient Swiss woman. Rooms in the massive wood structure are spotless and bright; camping is available…

  • Auberge La Gueïla

    Mauritania

    A fabulous French-run place, with six charming rooms, excellent food (to be taken in the courtyard garden), a library and even a massage room for real…

  • Marie Antoinette

    Lomé

    A fantastic choice, with bright clean rooms. Extra touches like colourful wall murals in the rooms put a smile on your face each morning, as does the over…

  • Pension Les Palmiers

    Conakry

    The doily-adorned couches, cute living room and caring owners make this one a five-heart guesthouse, if not a five-star hotel, and as such it seems to…

  • Auberge Bab Sahara

    Mauritania

    Bab Sahara has been a little slice of overlanders' heaven since 1999. There's a selection of tikits (stone huts) with air-con, caravans and tents, plus a…

  • Villa Rose

    Burkina Faso

    This lovely guesthouse, run by Dutch-Burkinabé couple Franca and Moctar, sits in the leafy neighbourhood of Koko, east of the centre, just off the main…

  • Le Wafou

    Abidjan

    If the Flintstones won the lottery and moved to West Africa, they'd live somewhere like this. Set in large grounds, Le Wafou's gorgeous bungalows take…

  • Villa Bobo

    Burkina Faso

    With its four zealously maintained rooms, prim bathrooms, atmospheric veranda, colourful garden and pool, Villa Bobo is a delight. Xavier, the French…

  • Le Calypso

    Burkina Faso

    Le Calypso's lovely rooms combine traditional adobe architecture with modern comforts and impeccable cleanliness. The huts are arranged around a beautiful…

  • Purple at the Blowfish

    Lagos

    Not only a great boutique hotel with classy and comfortable rooms, the Blowfish's restaurant Purple offers nice dining by the pool with Indian, Italian…

  • La Licorne

    Abidjan

    La Licorne is a pretty boutique hotel run by a friendly French family. Rooms are individually decorated, and there's wi-fi, a bar, a hot tub, a book…

  • Relais de la Porte Mayo

    Cameroon

    Streets ahead of anywhere else in town, it's frankly amazing that a place like this exists in a town like Maroua. French run, the Porte Mayo has bundles…

  • Adamaoua Hotel

    Cameroon

    This brand-new hotel is easily the best option in town: a short stroll from the station and next to the main bus companies, its sparkling fan-cooled…

  • Makaira Lodge

    São Tomé & Príncipe

    Here lies the great secret of Príncipe lodging. During research Makaira Lodge had just opened, and was putting the finishing touches on its dipping pool…

  • Lopé Hôtel

    Gabon

    Made up of 30 cottages of varying sizes, the Lopé Hôtel has a superb position overlooking a bend of the Ogooué River surrounded by dramatic hills and…

  • La Baie des Tortues Luth

    Gabon

    La Baie des Tortues, with an enviable location miles from anywhere right on the beach, has 20 thatched rooms, some elevated for sea views, some round and…

  • Pongara Lodge

    Gabon

    A remote option on the coast is the excellent Pongara Lodge, which is deep into the national park. With just six bungalows, the look and feel is rustic,…

  • Eco-Village d'Enamino

    Gabon

    On the coast 35 minutes south of Omboué by 4WD, this simple, rustic camp has just two bungalows made of local materials, each sleeping four. A great…

  • Zebrabar

    Senegal

    Around 22km south of Saint-Louis, this peaceful spot makes a great base for excursions into the Parc National de la Langue de Barbarie. Accommodation is…

  • Colonial Guest House

    Cabo Verde

    This gorgeously renovated colonial mansion facing the ocean houses the town's nicest place to stay. Run by a Danish–Cabo Verdean couple, it has rooms with…

  • Tortuga B&B

    Cabo Verde

    This heavenly little beach hideaway is a 10-minute drive or a 30-minute walk along the beach from town. The live-in Italian owners take good care of their…

  • Gîte du Lac

    Senegal

    Set on the north shore of the lake, the Gîte du Lac makes a great base when you want to get away from it all. It has attractive cabins that open onto a…

  • Kasa da Igreja

    Santo Antão

    Located just north of the small village of Chã da Igreja (heading towards the coast), this French-run charmer has four attractive rooms (the best with…

  • Mandina River Lodge

    The Gambia

    If you feel like a treat, you can stay in the forest at this exclusive and very stunning eco-retreat, an elegant marriage of lavishness and respect for…

  • Malika Surf Camp

    Dakar

    This small, Italian-run place on Yoff beach has a bohemian vibe that draws a mix of surfers, aspiring surfers and those just wanting to enjoy the beach…

  • Spinguera Eco Lodge

    Boa Vista

    Boa Vista's most magical hideaway is an abandoned fishing village converted into a stunning eco-lodge by the Italian artist owner. Inside whitewashed…

  • Residencial Chez Hujo

    Santo Antão

    The recently opened Chez Hujo has 12 brightly painted rooms, all with quality mattresses, windows overlooking greenery and private hot-water bathrooms …

  • Casa D-Mar

    Santo Antão

    This delightful five-room guesthouse offers comfortably furnished rooms and a lovely terrace with sea views, not to mention a warm welcome provided by the…

  • Quicksilver Boardriders Dakar

    Dakar

    Tucked behind the Quicksilver shop is this appealing guesthouse, which has the hip-but-laid-back surfer vibe you'd expect from the well-known clothing…

  • Casa no Caminho

    Santo Antão

    North of Chã da Igreja, the German-run Casa no Caminho consists of three attractive bungalows, all with fine views. The pleasant garden is strung with…

  • The Green Ranch

    Ghana

    At this welcoming B&B and riding school, three simple rooms, handcrafted from wood, stone and mud, sit in grassy grounds with stunning lake views. The…

  • One World Village

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    Run by a Swedish-Gambian couple, One World offers great value for its simple but pleasantly furnished rooms. The grounds in front contain a garden and a…

  • La Boaventura

    Boa Vista

    La Boaventura has simply furnished dorms and guestrooms – all with private bathrooms and some with sea views – set around a vine-fringed courtyard. The…

  • Likwale Lodge

    Gabon

    This recently renovated, Kenyan-style beach lodge by the lagoon edge in Mayumba village has expansive gardens, charming chalets and plenty of space to…

  • Hotel de la Poste

    Senegal

    Step back in time at this elegant 36-room hotel, which first opened its doors back in 1850 and was a favourite with aviator Jean Mermoz and other…

  • Leo's

    The Gambia

    Perched on a cliff behind Brufut beach, Austrian-run Leo's has five bright, well-appointed rooms and one suite, all attractively furnished. Rooms have…

  • Au Fil du Fleuve

    Senegal

    In the southern half of Saint-Louis, this grand 19th-century merchant's house has been transformed into a lovely boutique B&B, with three unique rooms,…

  • Urbano Hotel

    Accra

    The rooms may be snug at this new Osu spot, but they're cool, spotless and pretty good value for the area. Plus there's no need to stay in your room when…

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