While the mainland is fairly far away from the business centers of Victoria and Lagos Islands, its proximity to the airport and the bulk of Lagos’s residents could make it desirable for a handful of business travelers. Be advised, however, that it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to three hours to get into the city center from here, so plan accordingly and around rush hour.

The Best Western Ikeja is on a busy street just east of the airport, and is a standard entry in the brand’s offerings. The lobby here is long and dark with a parallel reception desk. Beyond the front room, the hotel’s only restaurant winds out to the right, where depending on the hour of the day it’s possible to get buffet, western or Nigerian food. Elevated slightly above the dining room is a bar with a dozen seats and a full spectrum of alcohol. Though neither the dining room nor bar are enough to write home about, the facility is clean and warmly appointed, and the staff are friendly and competent.

Behind the restaurant and outside of the building is a blue-tiled, forty foot long pool and a few lazy chairs around the perimeter. Though it was under construction at the time, it’s expected to be functional by September of 2013. There’s also a small gym next to the pool, though it may just be a re-purposed closet. Don’t plan on getting much exercise done here.

Rooms at the Best Western Ikeja are pleasant and fairly large, with medium flat-screen televisions, fresh paint and a large work space. This is also one of the only hotels in the country with carpeting in the rooms, which was a welcome surprise.

Wireless internet is free throughout the hotel and there is a modest business center with a half dozen computers for use in the lobby area.