São Tomé
Occupying the northern end of the island, this resort offers spacious duplex cabins of varnished wood with decks in a garden setting, overlooking a…
Must-see hotels in West Africa
Senegal
Some 28km south of Saint-Louis, this relaxed place has plenty of character. You can stay in well-equipped, low-roofed Mauritanian-style tents (with…
São Tomé
You have reached the end of the road. And that is why you are here. Compared to São Tomé's other ecolodges, Jalé is primitive, with three bungalows, a…
São Tomé
Striking the right balance between European standards and local ambience, the laid-back Omali is where locals, expats and foreign visitors all meet…
Gabon
This guesthouse (also known as the Case de Passage) offers six simple but comfortable fan-cooled rooms, a lounge, and a delightful terrace overlooking the…
Gabon
With its colonial feel, this charming hotel features plenty of wood panelling. It's tastefully decorated with local photographs and masks. Rooms are…
Guinea
This Guinean-Welsh run place on the edge of town is the exception to Pita's otherwise grotty offering of hotels. Pretty pink rooms have a pleasingly twee…
Accra
One of a growing number of Accra backpackers hostels, the Sleepy Hippo has a homely atmosphere and is a good place to meet other travellers. The dorms and…
Dakar
This welcoming and convivial spot is a great base for those wanting to learn a bit of surfing (or simply enjoy the easy access to fabled nearby breaks)…
Guinea
Prepare for a very big shock. Impeccable, spacious and tastefully decorated rooms set within individual cabins beside a clean, deep blue swimming pool…
São Tomé
While older than its nearby flagship sister, the Pestana São Tomé, the Miramar is the better deal. Instead of entering resort-land, you get the feeling of…
Guinea-Bissau
Newly opened by Bissau-Guinean-American champion kickboxer Adlino Costa, this camp on Ilha de Bubaque feels worlds away from the relative bustle of town –…
Gabon
This is a smart place with rooms set around the garden, river views and a great pool. It's very popular at weekends but you'll have the place to yourself…
Gabon
Recently reopened, this is a fun place for weekends. On offer are a diverse medley of entertainment from games tournaments to karaoke, drumming, salsa,…
Senegal
Run by a Swiss couple, welcoming Djidjack has round bungalows with conical thatch ceilings, African artwork and a small terrace. Budget travellers can…
Ghana
Tucked away on a quiet, clean stretch of beach, this collection of huts and cottages, set within a sandy and shady grove of coconut palms, is deservedly…
Sierra Leone
The only hotel on Bonthe, this place is firmly aimed at game fishermen, who come down from Freetown to search for tarpon in the local estuaries…
Ghana
Set in pretty landscaped gardens complete with wandering chickens, African Dream offers charming, if slightly careworn, rooms as well as a decent…
Sierra Leone
The most luxurious hotel on the peninsula, The Place offers airy bungalows with soaring ceilings, large bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks and coffee…
Benin
Built to accommodate its numerous visitors, the 70 rooms at Centre Songhai are spartan but clean. Fan rooms have a shower cubicle but shared toilets; the…
Accra
Originally a gift from the British government after Ghana’s independence in 1957, the Ambassador Hotel was rebuilt in 2011 for Swiss chain Mövenpick. But…
Ghana
It's the hosts' friendly welcome that makes this guesthouse so special. Originally from Jamaica, the family settled in Britain and then here. The rooms,…
Republic of Congo
A satellite camp of Mboko Camp, Lango has the more enchanting position, overlooking a massive jungle clearing and bai, where buffaloes, elephants and many…
Gabon
Modern two-storey wooden cottages look out onto the river or the beach here. It's an idyllic setting with palm trees and a pool. The beach-side restaurant…
Cameroon
Not in Limbe itself, but 18km beyond along the rain-lashed coast, this is a good choice if you want to enjoy the beach and creature comforts. The location…
Santo Antão
The last lodging option up the valley from Vila das Pombas is Chez Sandro, a hostel-like guesthouse run by a Frenchman and his Cabo Verdean wife. It has…
Sierra Leone
Tokeh Sands, which has sleek, white rooms with 24-hour power and air-con, opened here in 2013. You can swim out to the old helipad nearby, or kick off…
Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts
This three-storey villa sits in a quiet garden that makes the bustle of Bakau suddenly seem very far away. Self-catering apartments, with a decor of…
Cotonou
A quiet, sometimes overlooked boutique hotel catering to business travellers in a tranquil location close to the sea. The rooms are generously sized and…
São Tomé & Príncipe
Your best in-town option, this spick-and-span hotel is nicely located opposite the Papagaio River bridge, with a small grocery store downstairs. The rooms…
Cabo Verde
About 1km before reaching the village, this German–Cabo Verdean-run guesthouse has pleasant rooms set around a lava-stone-filled courtyard. It also has a…
Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts
This lush, oceanside property has a fantastic location, though the aging accommodation is in need of an update. Thatch-roof bungalows vary in quality and…
São Tomé
This bungalow resort was about to open during research. It's similar to neighbouring Praia Inhame ecolodge, but with a few disadvantages: the beach is not…
Cabo Verde
The hilltop Quinta da Montanha has pleasant if a little chintzy rooms, most with terraces and gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. The restaurant…
Gabon
This camp is close to the Kongou Falls in the national park and is run by the NGO Fondation International Gabon Eco-tourisme (FIGET). Visits here to view…
Guinea
With a wonderfully helpful management who'll go out of their way to please, and quiet, tidy rooms with floral bedsheets, this is as good as it gets in…
Dakar
A peaceful option tucked on a sandy backstreet in Yoff, Kakatar is a four-storey building topped by a lovely roof terrace with sea views. It has well…
Sierra Leone
The scrupulously clean rooms come with TV and mini-fridges. Plump for one of the deluxe rooms on the first floor, which are a good deal more spacious and…
Cape Coast
Originally built to accommodate Cape Coast University's visiting lecturers, this modern facility on the university's beautiful campus is now open to all…
Casamance
Guests feel right at home in this delightful, three-room spot run by a Belgian-Senegalese couple. Brightly painted and well-equipped rooms overlook a…
