Your stay — Home
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The Property — Home
A no-frills city bolthole on the edge of the busy Point E district, 'Home' trades on location and practicality rather than polish. The lobby smells of floor polish and coffee, with a reception desk that doubles as a small bar and a noticeboard tacked with local taxi numbers. It suits independent travellers and short-stay workers who need a clean, safe base within walking distance of the Alioune Diop university strip and a short taxi ride from the Plateau. Think functional, not fancy – but the staff speak English and French and will sort you a phone SIM or a ferry ticket without fuss.
Chronicles of Dakar
Dakar began as a tiny Lebou fishing village on the Cap-Vert peninsula, then the French built a fort and port in the 1850s, turning it into the colonial capital of French West Africa. The city's grid-planned Plateau district, with its Art Deco and neo-Sudanese buildings like the Cathédrale du Souvenir Africain, still sits between the new concrete high-rises of the business centre and the sprawling, lively médina. Independence in 1960 brought rapid expansion, and today Dakar pulses with a confident, pan-African energy – from its bustling markets and mbalax music scene to the contemporary art at the Musée Théodore Monod.
Best Time to Visit
Full Dakar guide →Best months
December to February – the harmattan wind drops humidity, skies are clear, and daytime temperatures sit around 25°C. It's also the Réunion des Arts et des Lettres season, so the city has a cultural buzz without being overrun.
Peak / festival surge
July to September – it's peak rainy season, hot (30-32°C) and sticky, but this is also the Dakar Biennale (May-July in even years) and the Grand Magal de Touba (dates vary). The Biennale drove hotel occupancy up by 20% in 2024; prices spike 30-50% and advance booking is essential.
Budget shoulder season
March to May – still warm (27-30°C) and largely dry, with fewer tourists than the December-February peak. Hotel rates drop 15-25%, and attractions like the Marché Kermel and Île de Gorée are much quieter.
Weather & packing
Dakar's coastal location means the harmattan often blows dust from the Sahara, making the sky hazy and grit coating everything. Pack a sunhat and light scarf for dust protection, plus a rain jacket if visiting between June and September.
Live City Briefing — Dakar
- The new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line along the VDN (Voie de Dégagement Nord) opened in September 2025 – a fast, cheap route from the airport to the city centre, bypassing much of the notorious traffic.
- The Musée de la Femme on the Plateau recently completed a renovation, with a new permanent exhibition on Senegalese textile traditions – worth a morning visit.
- Several streets in the Médina were dug up in early 2026 for a drainage overhaul; expect dust and detours if exploring that district on foot.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Home, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (floors 3 or 4) facing the courtyard, away from the street. These rooms are quieter and get better natural light, as the building is low-rise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (especially near the reception or kitchen) and any room facing Rue OKM-211 directly. Street noise from motorbikes and taxis can be intrusive, especially during the day.
Best views
The best view is from a top-floor room facing the courtyard (if available) or a side window looking over neighbouring rooftops. Rue OKM-211 is a busy residential street, so there's no scenic vista, but the upper floors give a sense of space.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, as they are farthest from street level and common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Rue OKM-211 is a typical Dakar street with motorbikes, honking horns, and street vendors. The hotel is in a working-class area, so expect noise from early morning to late evening. The lift may also cause vibration on adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1. If you arrive by motorbike or car, check with reception about parking — many mid-range hotels in this area have guarded street parking or a small lot. 2. Request a room on the upper courtyard side at booking; the hotel is small enough that staff may accommodate. 3. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper, as Dakar noise is hard to escape even in a 3-star hotel.
- 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 — Home
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps) for all guests; a premium tier (20 Mbps) costs 5,000 CFA per 24 hours. No login constraints — simple room-number and surname entry.
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections. The ground-floor lobby and breakfast area are fully accessible.
Complimentary digital access to PressReader (100+ newspapers); no physical papers. The building was originally a mid-century merchant's house with a distinctive spiral staircase in the lobby.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 (free). Late check-out until 18:00 costs 15,000 CFA; after 18:00 a full night's rate applies. 24-hour front desk.
Complimentary storage for same-day arrivals and departures. Overnight storage if requested costs 5,000 CFA per bag.
Step-free main entrance with a ramp; the lift and ground floor are wheelchair accessible. There are no accessible guest rooms or roll-in showers — the bathrooms have a 10cm step.
No on-site or valet parking. The nearest public car park is Parking Place de l'Indépendance (500 m away), 4,000 CFA per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A 50% advance deposit is required at booking; at check-in a 30,000 CFA incidental hold is placed on a credit card.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Dioulu Kay (765 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Chapelle Cité ASECNA (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée de la Divinité (1.2 km · ~14 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée Cité Assemblée Nationale (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Ya Awa deco — 245 m · ~3 min walk
Siege Pan africa — 921 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
PAMECAS — 469 m · ~6 min walk
Pharmacie de la Renaissance — 502 m · ~6 min walk
Supérette Antonia — 535 m · ~7 min walk
Arrêt de bus DDD — 2.8 km · ~35 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Use bank ATMs in the area for the best rate; avoid airport exchange bureaux and unofficial street changers who give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard accepted in most supermarkets, hotels, and mid-range restaurants, but cash is essential for small shops, taxis, and markets; contactless is rare.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 5–10% in restaurants if service charge not included, and give 500–1000 CFA to hotel porters or cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee with condensed milk from a street stall or bakery — about 200–300 CFA (0.30–0.45 EUR).
A plate of thieboudienne (rice and fish) or maffe (peanut stew) at a local ‘dibiterie’ — about 1500–2500 CFA (2.30–3.80 EUR).
Grilled fish or chicken with rice and sauce at a roadside grille — main around 2000–3000 CFA (3–4.50 EUR).
The Grand Dakar market streets (Soweto or Castors area) for grilled meats, fish, and fataya (fried pastries); dinner stalls run from 18h–22h.
Auchan and City Dia supermarkets are common in the 24095 area for basics; smaller boutique shops are pricier.
Hundreds of fabric stalls and tailors in Sandaga market (accessible by taxi) — buy ready-made or get custom pieces in 2–3 days.
Local minibuses (‘cars rapides’) cost 150–300 CFA per short ride; from the airport, take the Dakar Dem Dikk bus 5 or 7 (500 CFA) to the city centre, then connect locally.
Eat at lunchtime ‘plat du jour’ stands for the biggest portions and lowest prices; negotiate taxi fares before getting in (start at half the initial quote); buy bottled water in bulk from supermarkets (300 CFA per 1.5l vs 1000+ CFA from street vendors).
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 Home
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · PAMECAS — 469 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie de la Renaissance — 502 m · ~6 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 Home?
Request a room on the top floor (floors 3 or 4) facing the courtyard, away from the street. These rooms are quieter and get better natural light, as the building is low-rise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Home?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (especially near the reception or kitchen) and any room facing Rue OKM-211 directly. Street noise from motorbikes and taxis can be intrusive, especially during the day.
Is Home noisy?
Rue OKM-211 is a typical Dakar street with motorbikes, honking horns, and street vendors. The hotel is in a working-class area, so expect noise from early morning to late evening. The lift may also cause vibration on adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Home?
The best view is from a top-floor room facing the courtyard (if available) or a side window looking over neighbouring rooftops. Rue OKM-211 is a busy residential street, so there's no scenic vista, but the upper floors give a sense of space.
What are insider tips for staying at Home?
1. If you arrive by motorbike or car, check with reception about parking — many mid-range hotels in this area have guarded street parking or a small lot. 2. Request a room on the upper courtyard side at booking; the hotel is small enough that staff may accommodate. 3. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper, as Dakar noise is hard to escape even in a 3-star hotel.
What time is check-in at Home?
Check-in at Home is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Home have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps) for all guests; a premium tier (20 Mbps) costs 5,000 CFA per 24 hours. No login constraints — simple room-number and surname entry.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Home?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Home?
A plate of thieboudienne (rice and fish) or maffe (peanut stew) at a local ‘dibiterie’ — about 1500–2500 CFA (2.30–3.80 EUR).
What is the cheapest way to get around from Home?
Local minibuses (‘cars rapides’) cost 150–300 CFA per short ride; from the airport, take the Dakar Dem Dikk bus 5 or 7 (500 CFA) to the city centre, then connect locally.
When is the best time to visit Dakar?
December to February – the harmattan wind drops humidity, skies are clear, and daytime temperatures sit around 25°C. It's also the Réunion des Arts et des Lettres season, so the city has a cultural buzz without being overrun.
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.