Your stay — ex maison
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The Property — ex maison
Ex Maison feels like a calm, art-filled guesthouse dropped into the middle of a busy Dakar neighbourhood. The lobby doubles as a small gallery, with local paintings and vintage furniture, run by a Senegalese-French couple who actually live on site. It suits independent travellers who want local character over chain predictability: breakfast is homemade, the courtyard is a quiet spot for a book, and you’ll get honest tips from the staff. You’re not in a hotel – you’re staying in someone’s curated home.
Chronicles of Dakar
Dakar was founded in 1857 as a French colonial fort on the Cap-Vert peninsula, replacing the older coastal settlement of Gorée. The city grew fast after the railway to Saint-Louis opened in 1885, and its architecture still mixes art-deco colonial buildings, 1970s modernist blocks, and recent glass towers. Today Dakar is the political and cultural capital of Senegal, known for its music scene (mbalax), the Dak’Art contemporary art biennale, and a fast-growing tech sector. The city’s identity is proudly Wolof-rooted but deeply linked to the diaspora, with a rhythm that’s both laid-back and relentlessly energetic.
Best Time to Visit
Full Dakar guide →Best months
January and February: dry, 22–25°C, clear skies, low humidity, and few tourists, so flights and rooms are cheaper.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are peak: the weather is perfect (dry season), plus Christmas and New Year attract diaspora visitors back. Hotel prices can double. The Dakar Rally (now in Saudi Arabia) no longer drives traffic, but the city fills for the Saint-Louis jazz festival in May.
Budget shoulder season
April and November: still dry, warm but not scorching, and you’ll find hotel discounts of 20–30% versus the December peak.
Weather & packing
Dakar’s climate is deceptively tricky: the harmattan wind from the Sahara can drop visibility and irritate eyes, even on a cloudless day. Pack a lightweight scarf for dust, plus mosquito repellent for evening – and one long-sleeve shirt regardless of how hot the forecast looks.
Live City Briefing — Dakar
- The new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line along the Corniche opened in early 2026, cutting cross-city travel from 90 to 40 minutes; the nearest stop to Ex Maison is at Fann, a 10-minute walk.
- The Musée des Civilisations Noires added a temporary exhibition on Senegalese street photography (until October 2026), and it’s worth the 30-minute taxi from the hotel.
- July is the start of the rainy season: expect sudden heavy showers in late afternoon, so carry a compact umbrella and plan indoor activities for after 4pm.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to ex maison, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on floors 3 to 5 facing the courtyard (away from Avenue Peytavin) for a quieter night and better air circulation.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-facing) – noise from Avenue Peytavin traffic and foot traffic near reception is constant.
Best views
Street-facing rooms offer views of Avenue Peytavin's busy life and nearby colonial architecture; but courtyard-facing rooms give a calmer, treed outlook.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 5 are generally quieter if away from the street; upper floors (6+) may have lift machinery noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Avenue Peytavin is a main artery in central Dakar – expect motorbikes, taxis, and street vendors from early morning. Weekend noise from nearby bars can carry.
Insider tips
1) If you drive, ask if they have off-street parking – street parking on Peytavin is scarce and patrolled. 2) Check-in early to secure a courtyard room; they tend to go first.
- 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 — ex maison
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; typical speed 20 Mbps download; no login required
Single lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to Le Soleil and Jeune Afrique via QR code in lobby; no physical papers
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 18:00 costs CFA 25,000 (subject to availability)
Complimentary for same-day arrivals/departures; overnight storage CFA 5,000 per bag
Step-free entrance at main door; lift to all floors; no wheelchair-adapted bathrooms
On-site secure parking CFA 5,000 per night; nearest public car park at Place de l'Indépendance, CFA 2,000 per hour; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CFA 1,500 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; CFA 50,000 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Grande Mosquée de Dakar (971 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Cathédrale du Souvenir africain (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée du Port (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée El Hadji Oumar Kane (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centre commercial Touba Sandaga — 660 m · ~8 min walk
Place de l’Indépendance — 996 m · ~12 min walk
Musée des Civilisations Noires — 400 m · ~5 min walk
Grand Théâtre National de Dakar — 631 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 624 m · ~8 min walk
Pharmacie Avicenne — 110 m · ~1 min walk
dakar express — 689 m · ~9 min walk
Gare de Dakar — 426 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA Franc, XOF
Change money at banks or reputable exchange bureaux in town; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux where rates are poor.
Cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets, but smaller shops and street vendors are cash-only; contactless is rare.
Restaurants: 5-10% if service charge not included; taxis: round up the fare; hotel staff: 1,000-2,000 XOF for porters or housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee (café touba) from street stalls costs about 200-500 XOF.
A plate of thiéboudienne (rice and fish) at a small local eatery costs around 1,500-2,500 XOF.
Grilled fish or chicken with fries at a simple restaurant: 2,000-3,500 XOF for a main.
The area around Place de l'Indépendance and the Soumbédioune market has plenty of street food stalls with grilled meat and sandwiches.
Supermarkets like Auchan are common in Dakar, including near Avenue Peytavin.
Head to Sandaga Market or Tilène Market for affordable second-hand and new clothing.
Cheapest way around is the local minibus ('car rapide') or shared taxi for 200-500 XOF per ride; from the airport, take the Dakar Dem Dikk bus for 1,500 XOF or a shuttle.
Eat at street stalls or local eateries (maquis) rather than tourist restaurants; use car rapides and shared taxis over private ones; buy fruit and snacks from markets not hotels.
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 ex maison
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 624 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Avicenne — 110 m · ~1 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 ex maison?
Request rooms on floors 3 to 5 facing the courtyard (away from Avenue Peytavin) for a quieter night and better air circulation.
Which rooms should I avoid at ex maison?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-facing) – noise from Avenue Peytavin traffic and foot traffic near reception is constant.
Is ex maison noisy?
Avenue Peytavin is a main artery in central Dakar – expect motorbikes, taxis, and street vendors from early morning. Weekend noise from nearby bars can carry.
Which rooms have the best views at ex maison?
Street-facing rooms offer views of Avenue Peytavin's busy life and nearby colonial architecture; but courtyard-facing rooms give a calmer, treed outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at ex maison?
1) If you drive, ask if they have off-street parking – street parking on Peytavin is scarce and patrolled. 2) Check-in early to secure a courtyard room; they tend to go first.
What time is check-in at ex maison?
Check-in at ex maison is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does ex maison have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; typical speed 20 Mbps download; no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at ex maison?
CFA 1,500 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near ex maison?
A plate of thiéboudienne (rice and fish) at a small local eatery costs around 1,500-2,500 XOF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from ex maison?
Cheapest way around is the local minibus ('car rapide') or shared taxi for 200-500 XOF per ride; from the airport, take the Dakar Dem Dikk bus for 1,500 XOF or a shuttle.
When is the best time to visit Dakar?
January and February: dry, 22–25°C, clear skies, low humidity, and few tourists, so flights and rooms are cheaper.
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.