Conveniently located in the heart of Dakar’s downtown business district, dubbed the Plateau, the Al Afifa is great value if you want to stay in the city but don’t want to pay through the nose for it. Run by a Lebanese family, this high-rise block is ugly from the outside, but the rooms are clean and comfortable enough, and there’s a pool and a pretty green terrace area to escape the hustle – and Dakar knows a thing of two about hustle – of Plateau.
The double rooms start at US$82, and there are more spacious suites available for US$140. But frankly, if you’re looking for luxury, there are better places to stay. What the Al Alfifa does well is mix location with comfort and value: you won’t want to while away the day lounging on the beds, but they’re clean and more than decent enough for a good night’s sleep. Most of the rooms have private balconies, and some come with bathtubs. If you’re a non-smoker, make sure you request a non-smoking room. It sounds obvious, but when we last stayed at the Al Afifa, our double room reeked of stale smoke.
Downstairs, by the pool and terrace there’s a cafe serving breakfast dishes – the omelettes are reasonable – bar snacks, and drinks. It’s a great spot to cool down after wandering around Plateau, especially since it’s hidden away: a little oasis in the middle of the city.
But there are better things to do in Plateau than sit around at your hotel. The Al Afifa is within stumbling distance of Dakar’s French Institute, a gorgeous colonial-era building and grounds that includes the excellent Le Bideew restaurant and an outdoor music venue under the stars.
Expert Review
Conveniently located in the heart of Dakar's downtown business district, dubbed the Plateau, the Al Afifa is great value if...
Conveniently located in the heart of Dakar’s downtown business district, dubbed the Plateau, the Al Afifa is great value if you want to stay in the city but don’t want to pay through the nose for it. Run by a Lebanese family, this high-rise block is ugly from the outside, but the rooms are clean and comfortable enough, and there’s a pool and a pretty green terrace area to escape the hustle – and Dakar knows a thing of two about hustle – of Plateau.
The double rooms start at US$82, and there are more spacious suites available for US$140. But frankly, if you’re looking for luxury, there are better places to stay. What the Al Alfifa does well is mix location with comfort and value: you won’t want to while away the day lounging on the beds, but they’re clean and more than decent enough for a good night’s sleep. Most of the rooms have private balconies, and some come with bathtubs. If you’re a non-smoker, make sure you request a non-smoking room. It sounds obvious, but when we last stayed at the Al Afifa, our double room reeked of stale smoke.
Downstairs, by the pool and terrace there’s a cafe serving breakfast dishes – the omelettes are reasonable – bar snacks, and drinks. It’s a great spot to cool down after wandering around Plateau, especially since it’s hidden away: a little oasis in the middle of the city.
But there are better things to do in Plateau than sit around at your hotel. The Al Afifa is within stumbling distance of Dakar’s French Institute, a gorgeous colonial-era building and grounds that includes the excellent Le Bideew restaurant and an outdoor music venue under the stars.