Sierra Leone
Don't mind the deer, they're tame, and part of the weird, wonderful family at this Lumley Beach hotel. The rooms, some of which have kitchenettes, are…
Must-see hotels in West Africa
Nigeria
Owned by a prince of the Benin royal family, Hexagon has a gallery which displays ancient artworks as well as contemporary pieces; the outdoor Coconut Bar…
Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts
This massive, 195-room property in Bakau has bright, handsomely furnished rooms and suites with all the mod cons – air-con, in-room safe, flat-screen TVs…
Sal
Right at the heart of town, the French-owned Les Alizés, has a mix of comfortable rooms with all the mod cons (flat-screen TVs, in-room fridges) but stiff…
São Tomé
An easygoing mix of locals and foreign visitors, this is the best midrange option. Spread out on ground level, it has a communal vibe, with a central…
Republic of Congo
Mboko's current incarnation dates from 2015, and it's an impressive place, set on an open strip of savannah peppered with giant termite hills. The rooms,…
Cabo Verde
Run by a German couple, Torre Sabina consists of one amazing double room with panoramic ocean vistas inside a funky tower right on Baixona beach in…
Senegal
This simple place with a few simple bungalows surrounded by greenery makes a fine but rustic base for exploring the delta. Knowledgeable guides offer…
Ghana
Set in lush green grounds right on the Volta River, Aylos Bay has clean, airy bungalows, some of which have small balconies with pretty garden or lake…
Santo Antão
This lovely garden hideaway with rooms and suites in two buildings is tucked away from the coastal strip along a footpath through banana and mango trees…
Radisson Blu M'bamou Palace Hotel
Brazzaville
Despite its architectural unpleasantness, Brazzaville's only international-standard hotel has a superb location in the centre of town overlooking the…
Cameroon
If money's not a concern then this is still the best choice in town, if for nothing else than its superb location in the heart of things in Douala. Rooms…
São Tomé
A super option, this family B&B on a quiet residential street near the sea offers three large rooms, each with private bathroom, in a spacious top-floor…
Bioko Island
Large, elegant hotel seemingly in the middle of nowhere, but close to the president's palace so provides plenty of room for overspill from the palace. It…
Santo Antão
One of the best lodging options in town, Kasa Tambla has handsomely appointed rooms, each with a bright colour scheme and high-quality fixtures. The best…
Gabon
This is a chic hotel with Zen-like design – all ochre walls, gravel and sculptural planting in the gardens, and a minimalist look in the rooms. It's very…
Sal
This well-run Italian-owned guesthouse has 15 clean, comfortable rooms – all with fridges, tile floors and elderly TVs. Some rooms are rather spacious…
Ghana
This beach resort offers a variety of upmarket rooms as well as a pool, a tennis court, a nine-hole golf course and a questionable mini animal sanctuary…
Boa Vista
Functional hotel on the main road into Sal Rei, with bright rooms that are generous with space and amenities – though the design is rather dated. The best…
Ghana
Owners Danielle and Olivier offer four clean, spacious rooms, two of which open out onto a sea-facing balcony. The romantic restaurant has a wooden deck…
Senegal
Overlooking the lagoon on the east side of Joal, a short walk from the bridge to Fadiout, this welcoming place has a handful of simple but appealing rooms…
Yaoundé
Central indeed, but miraculously tucked away from Yaoundé traffic in a spacious courtyard garden in the ministerial district. Rooms are threadbare but…
Ghana
Set in leafy grounds, complete with thatched chill-out area and a swing, this Christian guesthouse offers neat, clean rooms with fan and fridge, and the…
The Gambia
Set amid a pristine swath of Gambian forest, this locally run, ecofriendly option has rustic thatched-roof accommodation with mosquito nets and shared…
Ghana
A serene, friendly and beautiful place, with views of Wli Falls and the surrounding hills. Huts are simple but comfortable, and there's space for campers…
Gabon
Colourful and filled with light, the reception and bar here have lots of interesting local art and sculpture. The rooms are pleasantly appointed, and…
Senegal
Offers simple, good-value rooms set around a small, shell-strewn courtyard (rooms with air-con cost an extra CFA2500). Thierry has loads of info about the…
Cabo Verde
One of the most attractive places to stay in Brava, Sol na Baia offers a handful of tastefully appointed rooms (some with balconies), French-inspired…
Senegal
A friendly, garden-filled oasis that backs right onto the lake, Le Trarza has a mix of rooms: the best are spacious bungalows with tall ceilings and…
The Gambia
On the grounds of the Tanji Village Museum, guests can get a taste of the simple life by overnighting in a simple bungalow. It's bare-bones but clean,…
Sierra Leone
A gem of a hotel that opened in 2013, Hotobah sits at Murray Town junction – on the main route into town from the west, dubbed 'Banana Wata' – and has…
Ghana
An eclectic collection of dorms, huts and rooms set in a garden next to the beach, long-standing Big Milly's is popular, fun and sociable. There's a good…
Senegal
Brightly coloured Auberge Bouffe has well-maintained rooms and plenty of character, with attractive bungalows set amid a garden and surrounding a small…
Monrovia
The Royal is one of the classiest hotels in town. The complex holds plush rooms (including presidential suites from US$890), a coffee shop, a hair salon,…
Casamance
On the coastal road about 2km south of the village, welcoming Le Paradise has clean, well-maintained rooms – both rustic (in a traditional case à…
Brazzaville
Perhaps Brazzaville's most atmospheric top-end property, Mikhael's lobby is decked out in marble and there's local art, sculpture and carvings throughout…
The Gambia
This friendly place makes a great base for taking in Sanyang, with simple, reasonably priced accommodation just steps from the sun-kissed beach. There's a…
Senegal
Au Petit Jura is a small, charming, Swiss-run guesthouse located just a short stroll to the beach. Days can be spent lounging poolside, strolling the…
Boa Vista
Just around the corner from Sal Rei's main plaza is a small, friendly spot with clean rooms – some with African art on the walls – that open onto a shared…
Gabon
White-sand beaches, palm trees and a pool make this an idyllic place to spend the day or stay overnight. The bungalows are large and comfortable and are…
