Hotel La Residence

The harassment made this place feel unsafe. A group of men were constantly hanging around the hotel and restaurant, aggressively asking for money. The so-called security and hotel staff did nothing. After I told them to stop yet again, a huge scratch appeared across the driver’s-side door and front bumper shortly afterward. I can’t say who caused it, but the timing was alarming. They confirmed a double room with a river view, then on arrival said they were fully booked. The room they gave us was terrible. I asked three times before they finally moved us after I showed the confirmation. The next morning there were only about three guests in the whole place, so it clearly wasn’t full. Terrible, not recommended. Don’t stay here.

The laundry service was like magic, and the staff were so helpful. It’s a clean, well-kept hotel with a glorious courtyard full of mature plants. I’m really glad we stayed in this wonderful place, filled with history.

The courtyard is a lovely center to the hotel, with palms, flowers, and ornamental plants. Rooms are arranged around it, and those facing the river have small balconies. The 40 rooms have bathtubs, air conditioning, TVs, and other modern conveniences. The building stands beside the Faidherbe bridge over the Senegal River. It is connected to Flamingo Restaurant, not far from the river, and hotel guests can use the restaurant’s pool. The restaurant serves a delicious breakfast buffet, and the rooms have vintage posters and wall lamps with aviation themes. More old air-transport posters and historic photos line the hotel. The gift shop has a range of souvenirs at reasonable prices. The bar and reception area include African elephant tusks in the decor, and the parking lot is spacious and safe for cars and motorcycles. The Post Office and Tourist Office are right across the street. This hotel is historically tied to the early days of airmail, when pioneering flights went from Brazil to the Cape Verde Islands, then to St. Louis, Senegal, and north to Europe. It originally dates to 1850, though the current structure appears to be from the 1920s, as Richard Bradshaw once told me. The hotel was designed by Gustav Eiffel. I have wonderful memories of my stay, especially the comfort and the hospitality of the staff. My American friend Richard Bradshaw shared his experience with me, and it forms the heart of this review. For all these reasons, I give the hotel four stars.

The rooms are basic and there’s no lift, but the atmosphere made the stay well worth it. It felt like stepping into another era. Wonderful.