How to Find Luxury Hotels in Dakar, Senegal

The capital of Senegal and the westernmost city in Africa, Dakar is home to more than a million people. Here are some tips for booking accommodations on that next visit.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Credit card
• Passport
• Telephone
• Computer with Internet access

Choose Your Lodging

1. Stay in Le Méridien Président hotel, just a few miles from the city center and the airport. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, it's one of the most luxurious hotels in West Africa; you can expect traditional amenities, as well as unusual ones, such an archery range. Book online at the hotel's Web site (see Resources below), or call 011 ([phone].
2. Visit the Senegal Tourist Office Web site for a partial listing of four-star hotels (see Resources below). Four stars is the highest classification given to hotels in Dakar. For reservations, contact the establishment. When calling from the United States, dial 011 (+221) before the local number.
3. Choose from one of several three- and four-star hotels near the city center. You'll find they offer most of the standard western amenities, although you may not be able to get room service.
4. Stay in the southernmost part of Dakar and visit the Cap Manuel cliff. The high point on the peninsula affords outstanding ocean views.
5. Lodge near Lac Rose, better known to English speakers as Pink Lake. This mineral-filled lake shines with a beautiful pink glow.
6. Stay near the French Cultural Center and enjoy Le Printemps des Cordes, an annual celebration of traditional African stringed instruments that takes place in May.
7. Check out the Fann area, where the wealthy locals live and dine.

Travel Around

8. Fly into Dakar-Yoff-Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport, and take a taxi or hired car to your hotel. Use taxis to get around town.
9. Rent a bike to experience another perspective of the city at a leisurely pace. You can rent bikes on the Corniche Ouest located near the Assane Diof Stadium.

Know Your Destination

10. Discover one of the most metropolitan cities in West Africa. The city is home to slightly more than a million people, while nearly 2.5 million inhabit the surrounding area.
11. Remember that Dakar is a commune, one of 67 in Senegal. The country is a former French colony, and French remains the official language.

Tips & Warnings

• 011 is the dialing prefix used for telephoning abroad from the United States. If you're calling from another country, check which international dialing prefix to use. All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a “+” sign.
• Come in January to catch the finish of the Dakar Rally. This off-road motor marathon covers more than 4,000 miles across several countries before winding up in Senegal.
• Book online when possible to get access to special deals or vacation packages.
• Expect traffic jams in Dakar. The position of the city center at the highest point on the peninsula makes planning transportation difficult.