I recently got back from two nights at Hotel La Residence Saint Louis in Senegal after a long and arduous drive across the country. As an independent 3-star hotel in the heart of Saint Louis, Hotel La Residence promised architectural heritage and quality accommodations.
This was my first time in Saint Louis, and although we had an issue with our initial room (the bathroom began leaking), we were eventually moved to a junior suite on the third floor and left to enjoy the panoramic views over the island.
In this review, I’ll share how to get to Hotel La Residence Saint Louis, the positives and negatives, and everything you need to know before visiting Saint Louis, Senegal.
Hotel La Residence Saint Louis, Senegal
Set along a busy street in the heart of downtown Saint Louis, a city in the northwestern region of Senegal, Hotel La Residence is one of the few 3-star hotels we stayed in during our road trip across West Africa, often slumbering in guesthouses.
After a particularly long drive, it was on this rare occasion that we found ourselves searching for somewhere to stay which offered a more comfortable experience. Hotel La Residence promised architectural heritage, relaxation and one of the best restaurants in Saint Louis.
Saint Louis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – well, the island is – and it is on this island that the hotel is located. The city was one of my favourite places in Senegal, and if you enjoy colonial architecture, sea air and a quaint character, it’s likely somewhere you’ll enjoy too.
The hotel was fairly empty, even in May, which is the end of the dry season and consequently the peak season. Between November and May, Senegal receives its most visitors; however, as an off-the-beaten-path destination, these numbers still remain relatively low.
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How to get there from Dakar
Getting to La Residence Hotel Saint Louis from Dakar, Senegal’s capital, is straightforward. Most international flights will enter Senegal via the capital, although Saint Louis does have an airport.
Flying from Dakar to Saint Louis takes approximately 45 minutes, Mondays to Fridays, with Air Senegal, who offer a direct morning flight from Dakar Yoff (DSS) to Saint-Louis (STL). It’s possible to book flights online with Skyscanner or directly at the airport.
Alternatively, there is a good road between Dakar and Saint Louis. Driving takes about 3.5 hours in a private car or taxi and roughly 4.5 hours by bus.
If you’re coming straight from the airport, I recommend taking a taxi to Saint Louis Island, which takes about 20 minutes, as there are no buses. The Hotel La Residence address is 159 Ave Blaise Diagne, St Louis 46024.
Check-in
We arrived in the afternoon and were able to check in immediately. Check-in is typically from noon until midnight, and check-out is at noon.
We were given one of the larger twin rooms on the first floor with a beautiful bathroom and lounge area, which was a welcome change from the dusty, concrete box rooms we’d been staying in prior. I’m exaggerating a little here, they were not too bad!
Nevertheless, Hotel La Residence was proving a dream. The man at the reception was lovely, both my dad and I were tired from the drive and wanted to rest, so I thought a soak in the bath would be a great idea.
Not more than ten minutes after we’d settled and I began running the bath, we had a knock at the door. Unfortunately, there was a leak coming through the ceiling on the floor below, and my dream of a relaxing soak came to an end.
Initially, we were moved to another room, which wasn’t as nice and much smaller, but after a gentle conversation with the staff, we were later moved to the junior suite on the top floor. This room had direct access to the roof terrace and fantastic views over Saint Louis – at no extra charge!
Accommodation Options
Hotel La Residence Saint-Louis Senegal offers twenty-five rooms, nine suites and a penthouse apartment spread over three floors and around two patios overlooking a courtyard.
Each room has personalised decoration and a modern bathroom with views over Saint-Louis Island from the top floor. The lower levels have partial views, street views and courtyard views; sometimes all three.
The building is pretty unique and reminiscent of a ship with its different decks, and there is a beautiful rooftop terrace.
Room amenities
All rooms are equipped with:
- Wi-Fi (although it wasn’t reliable)
- Orthopedic bedding
- Air conditioning
- Flat-screen TV
- A welcome tray with tea and coffee
- A kettle
- A fridge-bar
- Pets are allowed
The first room we were given was pretty large with enough space for two twin beds, a vanity desk and a lounge area with two sofas. The bathroom was modern, although some areas had begun to deteriorate and could do with a refresh. The view from this room was of the street.
The second room was extremely small and dark. It wasn’t somewhere I would have liked to have stayed, especially paying more than usual. There was only a window onto the courtyard; I recommend requesting a street view if choosing a standard room – you’ll get more light.
The junior suite was very large and wonderful. The bathroom was narrow in comparison to the first and only contained a shower. However, the room was airier and had a much larger seating area. It had direct access to the rooftop terrace with incredible views over the island of Saint-Louis.
Accessibility
Unfortunately, this isn’t the best place for people with mobility issues. The upper floors are not accessible, which proved an issue for my dad, who at the time was suffering from mobility issues.
He was able to reach the top with determination, but with no lift, the three flights it takes to reach the suites on the upper levels could prove impossible for others.
The restaurant is on the ground floor, which is accessible; however, the terrace, again, is on the top floor and not accessible.
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Hotel Amenities
Hotel La Residence Saint Louis Senegal is geared towards mid-range to luxury travellers, being one of the more renowned hotels in the area and offers a range of amenities designed to give you the best possible stay. Let’s take a closer look.
Wellbeing & leisure facilities
Hotel La Residence is a small boutique hotel that does not offer spa facilities. However, they feature a games room that includes billiards, board games, and a library. It is also possible to arrange a paid massage in the room.
There’s also mention of a solarium, but I think this is for the use of the apartment guests, and a pool, but I did not see a pool and believe this to be incorrect. There is no pool on-site.
Excursions
The hotel works closely with a local travel agency (Sahel Découverte) to offer a selection of excursions for its guests. Some of the really interesting excursions on offer include a day trip to the Village of Savoigne, the model village of Village of Gelakh and Djoudj National Park.
Furthermore, the hotel appears to be in collaboration with The Bou el Mogdad Cruise – which looks frickin epic! It’s a 6-day cruise along the Senegal River bordering Mauritania to the sleepy former trading post of Podor.
There are multiple stops along the cruise, and it’s an activity that is on my Senegal bucket list. I definitely think it’s something worth looking into if you’re planning a more extended trip to Senegal.
Dining Experience
At check-in, we were told about the dining options. There is an onsite restaurant and bar, and the morning menu features a buffet-style breakfast from 6:00 AM.
Breakfast
The breakfast was included in our room rate and featured a continental-style buffet with plenty of bread, cold meats and cheeses; pastries, local cakes, and fresh juices were on offer; fresh fruit; and eggs made to order.
It was good, filling and plentiful.
La Residence’s Restaurant
The restaurant is said to be one of the best on the island; however, we decided to eat at local restaurants to claw back some of our budget.
Nevertheless, reviews are positive. Hotel La Residence offers an à la Carte menu that sounds delicious with choices like Fulani goat cheese salad at 4,800 CFA, Sea Bisque for 3,800 CFA, Zebu steak with pepper for 8,500 CFA and St-Louisienne stuffed fish at 6,800 CFA.
And for those who crave authenticity, every day of the week, the chef offers an African dish for 5,000 CFA, which I thought was a nice addition.
La Residence’s Bar & Terrace
The bar is large with a welcoming open-air patio within the courtyard of the hotel. It’s charming, and although we only briefly visited, I sat in a comfortable armchair and noticed a beautifully designed space.
Amenities within the bar include Wi-Fi (which was stronger than in the rooms), as well as newspapers, board games and a pool table. On occasion, the patio hosts musical aperitifs, concerts and exhibitions.
Let’s not forget the rooftop terrace with gorgeous views of the Senegal River and Faidherbe Bridge; I recommend enjoying sunset cocktails.
The servers were attentive and friendly, coming over to take our drink order within minutes of us sitting down. However, for the rooftop terrace, you’ll need to order at the bar and request that they bring up the drinks.
Top Things To Do On Saint Louis Island
Saint-Louis Island offers a variety of activities to enjoy. The old colonial city, fishing community and historical elements make it an ideal spot for exploration.
Wander the streets: Simply one of the most enjoyable activities in Saint-Louis is exploring the island. It’s filled with crumbling colonial-era architecture, yet still wonderful to admire. Amongst the architecture, sites like the Great Mosque and the Cathedral are worth passing by; a visit to the fishing village and cemetery could also be fun.
City tour by horse-drawn carriage: Horse and cart are still used throughout Senegal as a means of transport. In Saint-Louis, I saw them lots and the animals looked to be well taken care of – it will be a bumpy but nostalgic way to explore the city.
The Faidherbe Bridge: Pont Faidherbe is one of the most iconic landmarks in Saint Louis. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel (yep, the Eiffel Tower guy). The bridge connects the mainland to Saint Louis Island and is lovely at sunset.
L’archipel de Musées (Mupho Saint Louis): L’archipel de Musées is made up of eight small exhibition spaces scattered across Saint Louis Island. Each space has its own theme—photography, history, sculpture, antiques—and they all give a unique insight into Senegalese culture and the city’s past.
Marché de Sor (Sor Market): For a more local experience, one of the most exciting things to do in Saint Louis is to explore Marché de Sor, especially if you love a bit of chaos.
Find a more detailed account in my guide to ten of the best things to do in Saint Louis.
Final Thoughts: Hotel La Residence Saint Louis, Senegal
Do I recommend Hotel La Residence Saint Louis Senegal? Yes, I do, for anyone looking to unwind in the heart of the island. Even with the initial leakage issues and room changes, in the end, it’s a great place to stay in Saint Louis with lovely views and an energetic atmosphere.
I would set aside three days in Saint Louis. Two days to explore the island and the surrounding area, and one day to visit the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary.
The hotel staff provided a friendly and attentive service. They were readily available to help and answer any questions, and gave us a great room (in the end). We were always greeted with smiles, which was nice.
The final thing to note is that although it didn’t happen to us, there have been reports of items going missing from the rooms. It’s important to remember to lock up anything of value and not to leave money or valuables lying around.
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👉 Check price and availability >> Hotel La Residence Saint Louis Senegal.
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