Dakar is spread across a peninsula, and traffic means that where you sleep shapes your trip. The Plateau puts you among the historic sights, the western corniche has the resort hotels and the sea, and the Almadies at the far western tip are quieter and good for value. Here is how the three areas compare, with the five hotels we recommend.
The Plateau: the walkable base
Staying in the historic centre puts the IFAN museum, Place de l'Indépendance, Sandaga Market and the Gorée ferry area within a short distance of each other. Hôtel Fleur de Lys Plateau is the pick here, a hotel with an outdoor pool, free valet parking and, according to its property page, a six-minute walk to the IFAN museum and the Presidential Palace and eight minutes to Place de l'Indépendance. It suits first-time visitors, history fans and anyone who prefers walking to taxis. The trade-off is that the Plateau is busy on weekdays and the beaches are a taxi ride away.
The Corniche Ouest: resorts by the sea
The western corniche in the Fann area is where the big hotels sit, with sea breezes and easy access to the Soumbédioune craft village and the Museum of Black Civilisations. Terrou-Bi Resort is the beachfront splurge, with a private beach, outdoor pools, a hammam and free parking, and its page lists a walk of about fourteen minutes to the Soumbédioune fish market. Noom Hotel Dakar Sea Plaza, formerly the Radisson Blu, is the full-facility alternative with 241 rooms, an outdoor pool, a spa, three restaurants and a bar, attached to a shopping centre. Both suit couples, families and business travellers who want facilities, and both need taxis for the Plateau.
The Almadies: quieter and good value
At the western tip, the Almadies and Ngor area has beaches, restaurants and the golf club, and it is the best side of the peninsula for setting out to Lac Rose and Bandia. Yaas Hotel Dakar Almadies is a modern choice with free buffet breakfast and free secured parking, and Lodge des Almadies is the budget pick, with a pool open around the clock and free parking. Both are walkable to Pointe des Almadies beach, according to their property pages. The trade-off is distance, since the Plateau and Gorée ferry are a long taxi ride.
How to choose
If this is your first visit and you want to walk, pick the Plateau. If you want a beach, pools and a resort feel, choose the corniche. If you want value and a quieter base for day trips and plan to hire a driver, pick the Almadies. Whichever you choose, ask about transfers from Blaise Diagne International Airport, which is roughly an hour from most of the central and corniche hotels by car and a little less from the Almadies, depending on traffic.
Practical points
Check whether breakfast is included, because it is free at Yaas but charged at the larger hotels. Confirm parking if you hire a car, and ask for a quiet room if you are a light sleeper, particularly in the Plateau and the Almadies where evenings can be lively. Book early for the dry season, from roughly November to May, when demand is highest.
