Your stay — Chez Asao
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The Property — Chez Asao
Chez Asao is a compact, no-frills three-star in Dakar’s Plateau district, just a few blocks from the ocean. The lobby is tiled in cool blue and white, with a wooden reception desk and a persistent hum of street life through the front door. It suits budget travellers, Peace Corps types, and solo backpackers who want a clean bed, a working air conditioner, and easy access to the city centre — not atmosphere or frills.
Chronicles of Dakar
Dakar grew from a small Lébou fishing village into the capital of French West Africa, its grid of streets laid out by colonial planners. The Plateau’s Art Deco and neo-Sudanese buildings — like the Cathédrale du Souvenir Africain — reflect a mid-20th-century optimism that still shapes the skyline. Independence in 1960 turned Dakar into a hub of pan-African politics and culture, home to the Musée Théodore-Monod and the annual Dakar Biennale. Today its streets are a jostle of orange taxis, street food vendors, and the scent of grilled fish, with a young, entrepreneurial energy that coexists with crumbling colonial facades.
Best Time to Visit
Full Dakar guide →Best months
November and December offer dry, sunny days with average highs around 27°C, minimal rain, and lower humidity than the summer. January is also good but slightly cooler, with the Dakar Rally traffic in early January pushing up hotel occupancy.
Peak / festival surge
July is the peak of the rainy season and the off-season for most visitors. Humidity is high, daily showers are common, and many hotels discount rates by 20-30%. The main event is Tabaski (Eid al-Adha), which falls in mid-July 2026 — expect street celebrations, but also many shops and restaurants closed for 1-2 days. Book well ahead if arriving around Tabaski.
Budget shoulder season
June and October are the true shoulder months — still warm and humid, but with fewer downpours than July-August and lower hotel prices. October sees the tail of the rains but also the start of the cultural season, with smaller crowds at major sites like Goree Island.
Weather & packing
July in Dakar means 28-32°C heat with 80% humidity and sudden downpours, often in the afternoon. Pack exclusively light cotton or linen clothes, a waterproof jacket with a hood, and sturdy sandals that can handle puddles — no jeans, no leather shoes.
Live City Briefing — Dakar
- The Dakar Dem Dikk bus network has added two new rapid transit lines along the Corniche and to the Hôpital Principal, cutting journey times from the Plateau to the airport by about 30 minutes.
- The new Musée des Civilisations Noires, which opened in 2018, now runs expanded weekday hours until 7pm and has a free audio guide in English — worth a half-day visit.
- July is the middle of the rainy season: expect short, heavy thunderstorms most afternoons, and check ferry schedules to Goree Island as they may be cancelled at short notice in rough weather.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Chez Asao, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the interior courtyard rather than Rue St Joseph. These floors are high enough to avoid street noise but low enough that the lift isn't a problem, and the courtyard side is quieter in the evenings.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground floor rooms – they pick up street noise from Rue St Joseph and foot traffic from the lobby. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor, as the lift motor rumbles through the walls during peak hours.
Best views
Rooms on Rue St Joseph side have a street view but overlook the busy road, so you'll see local shops and passers-by. The interior courtyard view is less dramatic but far more peaceful.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest ones in this building because street noise dampens at that height and the lift stops less often.
🔊 Noise notes
Rue St Joseph is a fairly busy street in central Dakar, so expect car horns, motorbikes, and the occasional call to prayer from nearby mosques – especially on lower floors.
Insider tips
1) If you arrive by car, ask reception about local parking garages – the hotel doesn't have its own lot, but there's a secure one two streets over. 2) Request a room with a desk if you need to work; many standard rooms have a small table, but specifying it in advance helps avoid a cramped setup.
- 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 — Chez Asao
Free, no login required. Speed adequate for email and browsing but not for streaming video.
No lift. All rooms are on the first floor via stairs.
No complimentary digital newsstand. No physical papers. Property is a converted colonial merchant's house with original terracotta floor tiles and high ceilings.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop from 08:00. Late checkout until 16:00 costs 20,000 CFA (subject to availability).
Free for same-day before check-in or after checkout; overnight storage not available.
No step-free entry – two steps at the main entrance. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Public parking available at Place de l'Indépendance, 500 meters away, 1500 CFA per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 1000 CFA per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of one night's stay required at booking. At check-in, a hold of 50,000 CFA for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Saint-Charles-Borromée (74 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Presbytere de Gorée (146 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée de Gorée (293 m · ~4 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parc Adanson — 57 m · ~1 min walk
Ancien Musée de la Femme — 42 m · ~1 min walk
Aire de jeu — 530 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
CBAO — 198 m · ~2 min walk
Pharmacie — 344 m · ~4 min walk
Goree-Dakar Ferry — 319 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Change money at banks or official exchange bureaux in town; avoid airport kiosks and tourist-area bureaux as they give poor rates.
Cards are accepted in hotels and some restaurants, but smaller shops and markets expect cash; contactless is rare.
Restaurants: 10% if no service charge included. Taxis: round up the fare. Hotel staff: small tip for help with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or Nescafe at a street-side stall, around 300-500 XOF.
Plate of thieboudienne or yassa from a street vendor or small local restaurant, about 1500-2500 XOF.
Grilled fish or chicken with rice at a local eatery, main dish roughly 2000-3500 XOF.
Street food is concentrated around the Marché Kermel and along Avenue Albert Sarraut, with brochettes, accara, and beans.
Supra or Casino supermarkets are common in the area.
Marché HLM or Marché Sandaga for affordable clothing and fabric.
Shared taxi (car rapide) at 150-200 XOF per ride; from the airport, take the Dakar Dem Dikk bus to the city centre for about 1000 XOF.
Eat at local street stalls rather than tourist restaurants; always agree a price in advance with taxi drivers; buy bottled water from supermarkets not corner shops.
Emergency Contacts
DakarTourist Police: 33 889 46 58. For non-urgent medical help, call the US Embassy: 33 879 40 00. Keep a local SIM or use hotel front desk for dialling.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Dakar, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Chez Asao
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · CBAO — 198 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie — 344 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) → Hôtel Faidherbe, Plateau
💡 Use the official prepaid booth just outside arrivals. Ignore touts. Pay in local CFA, not euros. For return, ask your hotel to call a reliable driver—street hail can double the price.
Hôtel Faidherbe, Plateau → Anywhere in Dakar (e.g., Médina, Almadies)
💡 Download Orange Taxi in advance—it shows a fixed price and avoids haggling. Works best on Plateau. At rush hour, be prepared for surge pricing. Not for airport trips because drivers often refuse long hauls.
Hôtel Faidherbe (stop: Avenue du Président Lamine Guèye) → Marché Kermel / Sandaga / Médina
💡 Hop on going west for Marché Kermel, east for Sandaga. Wave it down clearly. Stops are unmarked—tell the driver 'hôtel' as you near your drop. Women: sit in the front section; men usually fill the back.
Airport (stop: Aéroport) → Place de l'Indépendance (10 min walk to hotel)
💡 Cramped and very hot. Only do this with a small backpack. Have exact change—the conductor won't break notes. The bus terminates at Place de l'Indépendance; walk south on Avenue Pasteur for Hôtel Faidherbe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Chez Asao?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the interior courtyard rather than Rue St Joseph. These floors are high enough to avoid street noise but low enough that the lift isn't a problem, and the courtyard side is quieter in the evenings.
Which rooms should I avoid at Chez Asao?
Avoid ground floor rooms – they pick up street noise from Rue St Joseph and foot traffic from the lobby. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor, as the lift motor rumbles through the walls during peak hours.
Is Chez Asao noisy?
Rue St Joseph is a fairly busy street in central Dakar, so expect car horns, motorbikes, and the occasional call to prayer from nearby mosques – especially on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Chez Asao?
Rooms on Rue St Joseph side have a street view but overlook the busy road, so you'll see local shops and passers-by. The interior courtyard view is less dramatic but far more peaceful.
What are insider tips for staying at Chez Asao?
1) If you arrive by car, ask reception about local parking garages – the hotel doesn't have its own lot, but there's a secure one two streets over. 2) Request a room with a desk if you need to work; many standard rooms have a small table, but specifying it in advance helps avoid a cramped setup.
What time is check-in at Chez Asao?
Check-in at Chez Asao is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Chez Asao have Wi-Fi?
Free, no login required. Speed adequate for email and browsing but not for streaming video.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Chez Asao?
1000 CFA per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Chez Asao?
Plate of thieboudienne or yassa from a street vendor or small local restaurant, about 1500-2500 XOF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Chez Asao?
Shared taxi (car rapide) at 150-200 XOF per ride; from the airport, take the Dakar Dem Dikk bus to the city centre for about 1000 XOF.
When is the best time to visit Dakar?
November and December offer dry, sunny days with average highs around 27°C, minimal rain, and lower humidity than the summer. January is also good but slightly cooler, with the Dakar Rally traffic in early January pushing up hotel occupancy.
Top Attractions in Dakar
💡 Free entry applies to the main exhibition hall only. Check if temporary shows have separate pricing. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.
💡 Arrive by 10am to see the most activity. Come with cash if you want to buy — fish is cheap but you'll need to cook it yourself. Avoid touching anything unless buying.
💡 The boat costs about 500 CFA round trip. Bring water and snacks — the island has few facilities. Best on weekdays when locals are at work.
💡 Go late afternoon to avoid the heat and catch sunset views over the city and Atlantic. The escalator up the hill costs extra but saves a steep walk.
💡 Entry is 500 CFA. The zoo portion is extra and run-down — skip it and stick to the forest trails. Bring insect repellent.