La Residence

The rooms are on the small side, but everything else was perfect. The hotel has a great restaurant and bar attached, and the staff were nice.

There wasn’t much effort put into creating a pleasant atmosphere. A huge TV showing UFC and other sports was annoying, and several people watching videos on their phones at full volume made the place even less enjoyable. The furniture was cramped and badly arranged, the food poorly cooked, and the waiters were sweet and willing, but not well trained. Everything felt just a little bit off.

The staff were fantastic. The woman at the front desk helped us change money and arranged cheap transport from St Louis to Dakar. We arrived a day early, don’t ask, and they found us a room at short notice and moved our bags between rooms. The rooms aren’t incredible, but keep in mind you’re on a small island in a very old hotel. Our shower leaked a little, but otherwise the room was fine, and there was an air conditioner. The bar is solid, with a good range of drinks. The gin and bissap stood out, and it’s a nice spot to sit and have a drink. The restaurant wasn’t anything special, but there are plenty of great places to eat within a couple of blocks. I’d take some of the other reviews with a pinch of salt.

The restaurant service was very average, and the dinner was a disappointment. I ordered grilled fish, but it came out soggy because their grill wasn’t working. When I asked them to cook it again, they kept insisting that this was how they made it, before finally agreeing. The frozen fries served with it were hard as cardboard. I can’t recommend it. It was even more disappointing because I’d been there about 12 years ago and it had left such a great impression that I wanted to return. And that’s what I got.