Your stay — Hôtel des Princes
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Abomey.
The Property — Hôtel des Princes
Hôtel des Princes is a modest 3-star in central Abomey, a short walk from the Royal Palaces. The lobby feels like a functional, slightly faded colonial-era waystation: tiled floors, a small reception desk, and a seating area where staff are happy to help with taxi hire or museum tickets. It suits budget-conscious travellers wanting a clean, safe base for exploring the city's UNESCO-listed history, not a resort experience.
Chronicles of Abomey
Abomey was the capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey from the 17th to the 19th century, known for its powerful rulers and the famed Amazons. The city's architectural heart is the Royal Palaces, a UNESCO World Heritage site of mud-brick structures with bas-reliefs depicting royal history. Fire destroyed much of the palace complex in 1892 during French conquest, but restoration has preserved key buildings. Today, Abomey remains a quiet administrative centre, its identity tied to the legacy of Dahomey and the city's vibrant Marché d'Abomey, a hub for cloth, crafts, and local life.
Best Time to Visit
Full Abomey guide →Best months
December to February: dry season with lower humidity and comfortable temperatures (25-30°C); also the peak tourist period for the Royal Palace visits.
Peak / festival surge
January, during the Voodoo Festival (Fête du Vodoun) on January 10, draws crowds for ceremonies in Abomey and Ouidah; hotel prices can rise 20-30%, advance booking essential.
Budget shoulder season
November and March: still dry but less crowded; prices drop 10-15% on average, with mild weather and shorter queues at the palace museum.
Weather & packing
Abomey sits in a tropical savanna climate with two dry seasons; even in July (wet season), expect daily downpours. Pack a lightweight, breathable rain jacket and quick-dry walking shoes for muddy streets.
Live City Briefing — Abomey
- The Royal Palace museum recently reopened a restored hall (fall 2025) with new displays on Dahomey's art and oral history, enhancing the visitor experience.
- Road construction on the main RNIE 2 highway between Abomey and Cotonou may cause delays; allow an extra hour for drives from the airport.
- Wet season (May–October) means shorter hours at some open-air markets like Marché d'Abomey; check local guidance for street flooding in afternoon storms.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hôtel des Princes, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor overlooking the courtyard. The first floor is the lift level, so you avoid stairs, and the courtyard side is quieter than the street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception – they get foot traffic and street noise from Abomey's main road. Also skip rooms facing the street directly, as motorbikes and market traffic can be loud.
Best views
Ask for a courtyard-facing room – you'll get a view of the inner garden or patio, which is more pleasant than the street scene.
Quietest floors
First floor and above, but specifically rooms on the courtyard side – the street-facing side on any floor will be noisier.
🔊 Noise notes
Abomey's streets have motorbikes, vendors, and early morning church bells. The hotel is on or near a main road within the town, so street noise is the main issue.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on the first floor (with lift access) to avoid carrying bags up stairs – the hotel is a classic 3-star with no lift beyond ground level, so first floor is the easiest. 2. If you're driving, park in the secured courtyard (ask at check-in) to avoid street-side parking.
- 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 — Hôtel des Princes
Free WiFi throughout at 20 Mbps; no login required.
One lift serving all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to Le Matinal via QR code in lobby; physical papers not provided.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 09:00; late check-out until 16:00 costs 10,000 CFA (subject to availability).
Complimentary secure storage at reception for same-day use.
Main entrance has a ramp; the lift fits a standard wheelchair; no step-free access to the rear garden.
On-site open parking for 8 cars free of charge; nearest public parking at Place Goho (500 CFA for 24h); no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 500 CFA per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required for the first night via bank transfer or card link; a 20,000 CFA incidental hold on a credit card at check-in.
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Diamond Bank — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Pharmacie de l’étoile de Kpokon — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Bohicon — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Change money at banks in central Abomey or use the ATM at Ecobank near the marché. Avoid airport/tourist bureau rates.
Cards accepted in mid-range hotels and supermarkets in town; street vendors and taxis cash only. Mobile money (Moov/MTN) is common for local transfers.
Tipping not expected, but round up taxi fare or leave small change (200–500 CFA) for good service at restaurants. Hotel staff happy with the same.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant Nescafé with sweetened condensed milk from a street stall, about 200–300 CFA.
Plate of pâte (maize dough) with sauce and fish from a roadside 'maquis', around 500–800 CFA.
Grilled chicken or fish with attiéké at a local boui-boui, main dish around 1000–1500 CFA.
The main market (marché d'Abomey) has daytime stalls; near the Palais Royaux, evening vendors sell fried plantains and brochettes.
No major budget supermarket chains; small épiceries near the grand marché or the large Alafia Supermarché on RNIE2 have basic dry goods.
Second-hand clothes (fripes) sold at the grand marché on market days (Wed & Sat). New fabric from the cloth stalls near the Palais.
Moto-taxis (zémidjans) are the cheapest way: short trips 100–200 CFA. From Cotonou airport, take a shared bâché minibus to Abomey for about 2000 CFA.
Eat at maquis/boui-boui for local street food rather than hotel restaurants. Negotiate moto-taxi fares before riding. Skip souvenirs sold to tourists near the Palais; buy fabric straight from market stalls.
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 Hôtel des Princes
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Diamond Bank — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie de l’étoile de Kpokon — 1.9 km · ~24 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 Hôtel des Princes?
Request a room on the first floor overlooking the courtyard. The first floor is the lift level, so you avoid stairs, and the courtyard side is quieter than the street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hôtel des Princes?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception – they get foot traffic and street noise from Abomey's main road. Also skip rooms facing the street directly, as motorbikes and market traffic can be loud.
Is Hôtel des Princes noisy?
Abomey's streets have motorbikes, vendors, and early morning church bells. The hotel is on or near a main road within the town, so street noise is the main issue.
Which rooms have the best views at Hôtel des Princes?
Ask for a courtyard-facing room – you'll get a view of the inner garden or patio, which is more pleasant than the street scene.
What are insider tips for staying at Hôtel des Princes?
1. Request a room on the first floor (with lift access) to avoid carrying bags up stairs – the hotel is a classic 3-star with no lift beyond ground level, so first floor is the easiest. 2. If you're driving, park in the secured courtyard (ask at check-in) to avoid street-side parking.
What time is check-in at Hôtel des Princes?
Check-in at Hôtel des Princes is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hôtel des Princes have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout at 20 Mbps; no login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hôtel des Princes?
500 CFA per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Hôtel des Princes?
Plate of pâte (maize dough) with sauce and fish from a roadside 'maquis', around 500–800 CFA.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hôtel des Princes?
Moto-taxis (zémidjans) are the cheapest way: short trips 100–200 CFA. From Cotonou airport, take a shared bâché minibus to Abomey for about 2000 CFA.
When is the best time to visit Abomey?
December to February: dry season with lower humidity and comfortable temperatures (25-30°C); also the peak tourist period for the Royal Palace visits.
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.