La Parenthèse

La Perenthèse is a lovely family hotel, with a friendly feel and professional staff. Sylvain and Stephanie opened this beautiful new place in 2024. At the pool bar, the cocktails could hold their own against ones in Cancun, Rio, or Miami. Looking over the beach to the ocean from the pool is enough to turn a cold spirit into a romantic fool. The main reason to come, though, is the cuisine. The local chef serves some of the best food in West Africa, with the feel of a Michelin restaurant in central Paris. When you wipe your plate clean, you know how good the cooking is. At night, all you hear is the ocean, and there’s no city noise when you’re lounging by the pool. Whether you’re here for a few days or just an hour for lunch, the place will captivate you. Don’t miss it when you visit Senegal.

I spent three nights here in February 2025, and the value is excellent for a hotel and restaurant at this level. La Parenthèse has six rooms for up to 12 guests, with 18 staff. Sylvain and his wife have thought through even the smallest details, and the team is exceptionally well trained, warm, and kind. Despite the class of the hotel, it never feels stuffy. The restaurant is a highlight. The talented Senegalese chef serves French-leaning food with Senegalese dishes and influences throughout, and the plating is so artful you’ll want to take pictures. You can order caviar, Normandy scallops, or foie gras, but we didn’t need to splurge. The regular menu was excellent on its own. Our room was large, with a great bed, lovely linens, and well-appointed amenities. Each evening’s turndown included a small surprise gift. The bathroom was spacious, and the hot water was strong and reliable. The decor and art are simple and tasteful. The infinity pool, deck, and bar face the Atlantic. There’s a small tidal river just beyond the pool. You can wade across at waist depth, or staff can row you over to the barrier sand coast. Eight beach lounges sit beneath four permanent thatch umbrellas. It’s a lovely place to relax in the cool sea breeze or collect shells, including the remarkable number of large mollusk shells. I can’t recommend La Parenthèse, Sylvain, and the team enough.

Everything is brand new at this beautiful property, which was just completed in October 2024. The location is lovely, the place feels quite luxurious, and the food was outstanding, with French and Senegalese flavors together. Staff were helpful and accommodating. I’ll definitely come back!

We had excellent lobster, with wonderful scenery, lovely staff, and fantastic hospitality. Hope we get the chance to come back sometime! Bettina