Your stay — Amazone
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The Property — Amazone
The Hôtel Amazone is a concrete, no-frills three-star on the outskirts of Abomey. Its lobby feels utilitarian – tiled floor, plastic chairs, a small reception desk – but the real draw is its location 500 metres from the Royal Palaces of Abomey, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The small pool and shaded terrace are a practical bonus after a morning walking the dusty courtyards. It suits independent travellers who want a safe, clean base for a historical stopover rather than boutique charm.
Chronicles of Abomey
Abomey was the capital of the powerful Dahomey kingdom from the 17th century until the French conquest in 1892. The city's defining feature is its chain of royal palaces, each enclosed by high mud-brick walls and decorated with bas-reliefs that tell the kingdom's military and spiritual story. After independence, Abomey retained its role as a cultural anchor of southern Benin, though it remains a provincial market town rather than a tourist hub. Today its vibrancy comes from its artisan guilds – weavers, potters and brass-casters who keep pre-colonial techniques alive – and the annual December Vodun festival.
Best Time to Visit
Full Abomey guide →Best months
December and January – dry season, cooler Harmattan winds, and clear skies for palace exploration without rain disruption. Also the Abomey Cultural Festival (late December) draws modest crowds but adds a local ceremonial dimension.
Peak / festival surge
July to August is the heart of the rainy season in southern Benin; torrential afternoon downpours are common. Hotel prices remain flat as demand is low, but the risk of muddy roads and cancelled tours is real. No major festivals drive visitation.
Budget shoulder season
November and February – the rains have just stopped (or not yet started), temperatures are still manageable (28-32°C), and tourist numbers are at their lowest, so you can negotiate rates directly with smaller guesthouses.
Weather & packing
Rainstorms in July can flood unpaved roads around Abomey, turning short walks into impassable slogs. Pack lightweight, quick-dry trousers and a proper rain jacket with sealed seams – an umbrella alone won't cut it.
Live City Briefing — Abomey
- The Royal Palaces museum has reopened after a two-year renovation of the main exhibition hall; entry is now 5000 CFA for foreigners (cash only, bring small denominations).
- Construction on the RNIE 2 highway linking Abomey to Cotonou is ongoing; allow an extra hour for the drive due to diversions and gravel sections near Bohicon.
- July is peak mango season – street vendors sell them for 50 CFA each, but avoid unpeeled fruit unless you're confident it's washed with safe water.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Amazone, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. These are quieter and more private, and the upper floors avoid ground-level activity.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (1st floor in UK numbering) — they suffer from street noise and pass-through traffic near the reception and entrance. Also avoid rooms at the front of the hotel facing Abomey's main road, as traffic and motorbikes can be loud, especially in the early morning and late evening.
Best views
Rooms at the back of the hotel overlook the inner courtyard — a more peaceful view of garden or walled space, rather than the dusty street and passing motorbikes. Some rooms may have a partial view of the palace or local rooftops, but it's modest.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors (UK: 1st and 2nd) are the quietest here — above street-level noise but not so high that stair-climbing is a chore.
🔊 Noise notes
Abomey's main road carries motorbike traffic, vendors, and early-morning calls to prayer from nearby mosques. Street-facing rooms get this full blast. The hotel's own bar or restaurant may also generate low-level noise until late.
Insider tips
1. If arriving by car, park around the back or side of the hotel — front parking is tight and exposed to street theft. 2. Ask for a fan as well as the air-conditioning unit — the AC can be noisy, and a fan gives you a quieter option at night.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Amazone
Free, single network ‘HOTEL AMAZONE’ – good speed in lobby (approx 15 Mbps), moderate in rooms (5-8 Mbps); no password, captive portal with name/room number
No lift – the hotel is a single-storey colonial-style villa; all rooms on ground floor, no stairs
No digital newsstand; a free paper copy of La Nation (Benin's state daily) is left in the breakfast room each morning
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop permitted from 10:00 free of charge; check-out by 12:00; late check-out charged XOF 10,000 per extra hour until 18:00
Free storage in locked room behind reception; no limit on pieces but only until 20:00 on departure day
Step-free entrance via a shallow ramp at the side gate; all rooms and bathrooms are on flat ground; no grab bars in showers; narrow doorways (approx 75 cm) may challenge wide wheelchairs
Free on-site courtyard parking for 8 cars (first-come, first-served); no valet; nearest public car park is Place Goho parking lot (200 m, XOF 500 per night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no separate tourist tax in Abomey)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking via bank transfer or cash; at check-in a refundable cash deposit of XOF 20,000 for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Impact Centre Chrétien campus de Bohicon (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Eglise Assemblée de Dieu (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Ecobank — 638 m · ~8 min walk
Pharmacie de l’étoile de Kpokon — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
DAGBA (ex ETS SAINT HONORÉ) » » — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Bohicon — 496 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Use local banks or Forex bureaux in town for better rates; avoid airport exchange kiosks as they give poor rates.
Credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels; carry cash for daily purchases.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% is appreciated for good service; taxis don't expect a tip unless hired for a day; small gratuity for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →An espresso or Nescafé at a street-side maquis (small café) costs about 300 XOF.
A plate of pâte (maize dough) with sauce or rice and beans at a local food stall costs around 800–1,200 XOF.
Grilled chicken or fish with alloco (fried plantains) at a simple restaurant main costs about 1,500–2,000 XOF.
Along the main road near the market area, you'll find vendors selling grilled corn, beignets, and skewered meat.
Small neighbourhood boutiques and open-air markets are the norm; there's no major supermarket chain in Abomey.
The central market (Marché d'Abomey) sells second-hand clothing and wax prints at haggled prices.
Zemidjans (motorcycle taxis) cost 200–500 XOF for short trips; from the airport in Cotonou, take a shared bush taxi (about 3,000 XOF) to Abomey.
1. Eat at local food stalls (pâte or yam dishes) instead of sit-down restaurants. 2. Haggle at markets for everything. 3. Use shared bush taxis rather than private car hire for intercity travel.
Emergency Contacts
AbomeyIn Abomey, dial 117 for police, 112 for ambulance, 118 for fire. For reliable assistance, also contact the local gendarmerie or nearest hospital. English is not widely spoken; have a French phrase ready or a local guide's number.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Abomey, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Amazone
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Ecobank — 638 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie de l’étoile de Kpokon — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Abomey town centre (Place Goho) → Hôtel Guédévy 1
💡 Know the hotel's location—many drivers call it 'Guédévy' but ask for 'the hotel near the old palace'. Carry small change; drivers rarely break 1000 XOF notes.
Cotonou (Dantokpa bus station) → Abomey (gare routière)
💡 Buses stop at Bohicon, 4 km from Abomey. Take a moto-taxi (zemidjan) from Bohicon to Hôtel Guédévy 1 for 300 XOF. It's slower but cheaper than a direct taxi.
Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport (COO) → Hôtel Guédévy 1, Abomey
💡 Agree on the price before you get in—drivers often start at 35,000 XOF. Haggling to 25,000 XOF is normal. Check the car's AC and tyres before leaving; many taxis are old sedans.
Hôtel Guédévy 1 → Any Abomey site (Royal Palaces, Dan Museum)
💡 Book through the hotel desk—they know reliable drivers and will negotiate a fixed price for the day (around 10,000 XOF for a half-day tour). Avoid hailing from the street for long trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Amazone?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. These are quieter and more private, and the upper floors avoid ground-level activity.
Which rooms should I avoid at Amazone?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (1st floor in UK numbering) — they suffer from street noise and pass-through traffic near the reception and entrance. Also avoid rooms at the front of the hotel facing Abomey's main road, as traffic and motorbikes can be loud, especially in the early morning and late evening.
Is Amazone noisy?
Abomey's main road carries motorbike traffic, vendors, and early-morning calls to prayer from nearby mosques. Street-facing rooms get this full blast. The hotel's own bar or restaurant may also generate low-level noise until late.
Which rooms have the best views at Amazone?
Rooms at the back of the hotel overlook the inner courtyard — a more peaceful view of garden or walled space, rather than the dusty street and passing motorbikes. Some rooms may have a partial view of the palace or local rooftops, but it's modest.
What are insider tips for staying at Amazone?
1. If arriving by car, park around the back or side of the hotel — front parking is tight and exposed to street theft. 2. Ask for a fan as well as the air-conditioning unit — the AC can be noisy, and a fan gives you a quieter option at night.
What time is check-in at Amazone?
Check-in at Amazone is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Amazone have Wi-Fi?
Free, single network ‘HOTEL AMAZONE’ – good speed in lobby (approx 15 Mbps), moderate in rooms (5-8 Mbps); no password, captive portal with name/room number
Is there a city or tourist tax at Amazone?
None (no separate tourist tax in Abomey)
Where can I eat cheaply near Amazone?
A plate of pâte (maize dough) with sauce or rice and beans at a local food stall costs around 800–1,200 XOF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Amazone?
Zemidjans (motorcycle taxis) cost 200–500 XOF for short trips; from the airport in Cotonou, take a shared bush taxi (about 3,000 XOF) to Abomey.
When is the best time to visit Abomey?
December and January – dry season, cooler Harmattan winds, and clear skies for palace exploration without rain disruption. Also the Abomey Cultural Festival (late December) draws modest crowds but adds a local ceremonial dimension.
Top Attractions in Abomey
💡 Go on Saturday morning when the street market sets up nearby. Buy fresh mangoes or grilled plantain from women selling from baskets. No entry fee.
💡 Try the local cheese 'wagashi' from Fulani sellers. Prices for tourists are marked up—start haggling at half the first quote. Best to go early morning before 10am.
💡 Bring a small gift (kola nuts or palm oil) to offer the priest. Do not touch the pythons—they are considered holy and handlers will show them. Go with a guide to understand the rituals.
💡 Combine with the Royal Palaces ticket for a discount. Photography inside costs extra—ask first. The museum shop sells decent local art at fixed prices.
💡 Visit between 8am and 10am to avoid crowds and heat. Ask a local guide near the entrance for a short tour—they'll charge less than the official guides inside.