Hotel Tamana

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 laid-back, the bathrooms are immaculate and the ambience of the leafy courtyard is a wonderful place to retreat after a long Bamako day.

Other highlights include a swimming pool, a reasonably priced laundry service and a varied restaurant menu with everything from pizzas and chicken sandwiches to brochettes de capitaine. The location - removed from the clamour of the city centre but close to good restaurants and bars - is also one that you'll soon appreciate. If you've spent any time researching Bamako hotels, you'll quickly realise what great value this is, although the rooms with shared bathroom cost a little more than they should. The courtyard and all public areas are decorated with traditional African colours and artefacts in exactly the right proportions - just enough to give personality but not enough to overwhelm. There's a small shop, resident guide and a commitment by the owners to keep all but their approved salesmen off the premises. There's also a quieter annexe a few doors down the street.