Best hotels and hostels in Benin

Top ChoiceLodging in Grand Popo

Looking for a night at some place extra-special? Make a beeline for this lovely property, the pride and joy of affable Mathieu Yélomé, a young Beninese chef. The six units borrow from African traditional designs and are embellished with various artistic touches.

Top ChoiceLodging in Ouidah

An atmosphere of dreamlike tranquility wafts over this well-organised guesthouse tucked away in a side von in a quiet neighbourhood. The neatly tended garden has places to lounge; the six rooms, though not luxurious are crisp and spruce; and there's an on-site restaurant (meals from CFA2500). Bike hire is available.

Lodging in Porto Novo

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 more-expensive air-con rooms have a private bathroom (with hot water) but are still very good value. The centre has two good restaurants: a cheap African open-air maquis (mains CFA1200) and a more upmarket restaurant (mains CFA2500 to CFA3500).

Lodging in 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 tastefully designed, and the communal areas are expertly decorated with arts and crafts. Other perks include a soothing plant-filled garden, a gym, a pool and a panoramic terrace with sea views. Evening meals are available by request. Rates include breakfast.

Top ChoiceLodging in Parc National de la Pendjari

A lovely place in a beautiful setting on a small hill (views!), Pendjari Lodge mixes old-style safari ambience with nouveau bush chic. It sports a handful of luxury, semipermanent tents and a large dining area and lounge with wooden decks overlooking a valley. One quibble: the menu (set menus from CFA6000) is a bit limited but does the trick after a hot day out and about.

Lodging in Natitingou

Set in a rambling garden, the Bellevue is a charming collection of sweet bungalows and paillotes. Rooms are simple yet spotless, as is the food in the restaurant (much of which comes from the on-site vegetable garden).

Lodging in Ouidah

Squeezed between the ocean and the lagoon, Casa Del Papa is the closest thing to an exclusive resort you'll find on the coast. It features a host of facilities and amenities, including three pools, a volleyball court, two bars and a restaurant overlooking the beach. There are numerous activities on offer as well as excursions across the lagoon and to nearby villages.

Lodging in Grand Popo

Down a track from the main street, you'll easily find this reggae land by following Bob Marley's languorous beats. It's the hideout of choice for Cotonou's expat beatniks, and oozes peace and love: cocktails flow at all hours of the day and night, rooms are spartan yet funky and the shared facilities surprisingly clean.

Lodging in Natitingou

'Palace' might be pushing it a bit, but this venture is something special, blending African touches with European levels of comfort. All the bungalows, which are arranged around a leafy compound, are embellished with paintings made by a local artist. The garden is compact but easily one of the nicest in Nati. There's an on-site restaurant, with a limited selection of simple dishes. It's in a quiet area.

Lodging in The Atakora Region

We can't think of a better place for immersion in local culture. This modernish tata house features five rooms that are tidy, functional and well priced, and a well-scrubbed ablution block. Hearty meals too. It's run by Ecobenin, which offers high-quality ecotours in the area. Bikes are also available. Rooms include breakfast and dinner.

Lodging in Natitingou

This efficiently run hotel is a safe bet. Although not the height of luxury, rooms are colourful, comfy, spacious and serviceable, with modern, clean beds, and the restaurant has a reputation for fine food, with an emphasis on meat dishes (mains from CFA5200). Hot water is available in the more expensive rooms. One downside: the hotel is not shielded from the noise of the main road.

Lodging in Grand Popo

A great place to recharge the batteries, Awalé Plage's most notable features are its excellent service, beachfront setting, beautiful gardens awash with tropical trees, large swimming pool and well-maintained bungalows. There is an excellent beach bar and the on-site restaurant (mains CFA2600 to CFA6500) prepares delectable French-inspired dishes with a tropical twist.

Lodging in Cotonou

Ultramodern rooms meet historic colonial structure at this waterfront hotel. Its rooms are arguably the best in the city – especially those with sea views – with sleek bathrooms and attractive decor. The list of facilities is prolific, with a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, a private beach, a business centre and tennis courts. Rates include breakfast.

Lodging in Cotonou

Ignore the slightly surreal surrounding towers of containers at the next-door port. Inside, this hotel encircles a courtyard and features a tasteful mix of West African art, plus a long, oasis-like pool and a garden. The paillote (straw hut) restaurant-bar serves meals (CFA3900 to CFA6500). Rooms are comfortable and the bungalows spacious.

Lodging in Possotomé & Lake Ahémé

In a stunning lakeside location, Chez Théo is guaranteed to help you switch to 'relax' mode. A path through a garden bursting with all sorts of exotic trees leads to a great bar-restaurant (mains from CFA4200) on a stilt platform with cracking views. Rooms are far from fancy but are kept scrupulously clean. All kinds of tours can be organised.

Lodging in The Atakora Region

This is a wonderfully laid-back Boukombé haven, with a leafy courtyard, a chilled-out ambience and tasty meals. Rooms occupy a large tata house. It's basic but clean and high on character. Joséphine and her daughter Valérie can organise village visits, cultural tours and dance classes. Pick-ups from Natitingou can also be arranged.

Lodging in Parc National de la Pendjari

Although it's starting to fray around the edges, this establishment offers spacious, utilitarian rooms with good bedding, and its location at the heart of the park is hard to beat. If you're watching your money, opt for the spartan bungalows. There's an on-site restaurant (meals CFA6500) and bar with decent Beninese fare and cold-ish beers.

Lodging in Route des Pêches

This well-run guesthouse scores high points with its location – it's only 300m away from the beach in a peaceful area. The six sun-soaked rooms are neat and tidy, the flower-filled garden is a great spot to decompress and the views of the sea from the rooftop terrace are nothing short of charming. Meals can be arranged (from CFA3000).

Top ChoiceLodging in Cotonou

This adorable guesthouse, run by a helpful French couple, is one of those whispered secrets that is passed around by word of mouth. The rooms are simple yet impeccably clean and the welcoming lounge area is a good place to meet other travellers. It's brilliant value, and it's tough to find a friendlier place to stay.

Lodging in Abomey

You'll love the exotic garden, complete with antelopes, crocodiles, tortoises, monkeys, flower bushes and huge wood carvings. Accommodation-wise, it's a bit less overwhelming, with no-frills, yet spacious, rooms. The on-site restaurant is average; opt for a contemplative drink in the garden instead.