Atlantic Lumley Hotel

We were in town for work, and although the rooms looked good and were clean at first, the hot water was lukewarm at best. On the second day my colleague found a bedbug in their room. The hotel also didn’t take enough care to prevent food cross-contamination for allergies. I had a severe reaction and ended up in hospital twice in Freetown, then again after I got back to my home country.

The food had no variety, and there were mosquitoes and flies in the so-called restaurant. Some rooms also have very noisy air conditioning. Service was minimal, with few smiles from the waiters and the reception staff. They clearly need training. This place could be much better with a little effort.

After years of coming to the Atlantic Lumley hotel, my last two visits have been a real letdown. We had to change rooms three times before getting the right one. Another room in our group was occupied, then an hour after check-in those guests were told someone else had reserved it and they had to move. The next day, none of our keys worked, so all the rooms had to be rekeyed. Prices keep climbing while service keeps dropping. We’ll find somewhere else for our next trip to Sierra Leone.

The room was spacious, spotless, and nicely furnished, with a very comfortable bed and soft linens that made for a great night’s sleep. I also had everything I wanted there, including a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, and Nespresso machine. The hotel’s restaurant was another highlight, with flavorful, beautifully presented dishes and attentive service. There was plenty to enjoy around the hotel too, from the fitness center and lovely pool area to the spa. Everyone I dealt with, from the front desk to the restaurant and housekeeping teams, was warm and helpful. They were ready to answer questions or deal with concerns, and made me feel at home. Even the lobby made a strong first impression with its elegant design. My stay was wonderful from start to finish, and I’d recommend it to anyone after a luxurious, memorable visit.