Your stay — Hotel du Plateau
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 Dakar.
The Property — Hotel du Plateau
Hotel du Plateau is a no-fuss, central base in Dakar’s colonial-era core: think clean white walls, terracotta tiles and a small courtyard with a plunge pool. It’s a 3-star that knows its limits — decent breakfast, reliable air-con, and a rooftop terrace with views over the city’s jumbled rooftops to the Atlantic. This place suits practical travellers who want to be walking distance to markets, galleries and the port, not those after pools or resort-style service.
Chronicles of Dakar
Dakar grew from a small Lebu fishing village into a French colonial capital, with Governor-General Faidherbe laying out the Plateau’s grid of boulevards and Art Deco buildings in the 1850s. Independence in 1960 brought modernist blocks and the vast African Renaissance Monument on a hill to the east. Today the city pulses with a music scene built on mbalax, street art in the Medina, and a thriving tech hub in Almadies. Dakar feels like West Africa’s cultural nerve centre — chaotic, loud, and relentlessly creative.
Best Time to Visit
Full Dakar guide →Best months
November to February: dry, sunny, 25-30°C, low humidity, and the city’s festivals (Dakar Biennale in odd years, Jazz Festival in May) aren’t in full swing so crowds are thin.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are peak season: European winter sun-seekers fill flights, hotel rates rise 30-50%, and the Dakar Rally (January) draws teams and fans. Expect full booking at mid-range hotels like Hotel du Plateau.
Budget shoulder season
April and May offer lower prices (20-30% off peak), still dry but hotter (30-33°C), with fewer tourists. The Jazz Festival in May adds cultural interest without overwhelming crowds.
Weather & packing
Dakar’s coastal location gives it a near-constant breeze, but July is the start of the rainy season with high humidity and sudden downpours. Pack a compact umbrella, quick-dry clothes, and a light waterproof jacket for mornings and evenings.
Live City Briefing — Dakar
- The new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line linking the Plateau to Guédiawaye started in late 2024; check if stops are operational near Hotel du Plateau for cheap, fast travel.
- Construction on the Corniche road extension near the port and the African Renaissance Monument area may cause traffic delays, especially in rush hours.
- Several new rooftop bars and restaurants opened in 2025-2026 on Rue de la République, a 10-minute walk from the hotel — good for evening drinks with harbour views.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel du Plateau, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the higher floors, above the 3rd floor, to minimize the potential street noise from the busy city streets. These rooms will also be away from the lift and service entrance, which might be more prone to noise from guests and staff.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the ground floor and the first floor may experience more noise from the street and the lift, as well as potential noise from the service entrance.
Best views
Unfortunately, the address of the Hotel du Plateau in Dakar does not provide any specific information about the hotel's orientation or view options. However, it's likely that higher floors will offer better views of the city.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and above are likely to be the quietest, given the hotel's layout and the fact that it's a 3-star property in a busy city.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the busy city streets and potential noise from the lift and service entrance are the main concerns at this hotel.
Insider tips
If you're driving, be aware that parking options may be limited in the area, so it's a good idea to arrive early to secure a spot. Request a room with a balcony if possible, as it will give you a bit more space and a view of the city.
- 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 — Hotel du Plateau
Free in public areas and rooms; Speed: 10 Mbps; No login constraints
Serves all floors; No stairs-only historic sections
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on all devices; Physical papers available in the lobby on weekends
24/7 check-in; Early bag-drop available from 10:00 AM; Late check-out until 16:00 with a fee of XOF 5000 (approximately USD 8.20)
Available for guests departing between 00:00 and 10:00; Cost is XOF 2000 (approximately USD 3.25) per bag per day
Step-free access; Wheelchair accessible rooms available; Limited mobility access to the second floor
On-site valet parking available; Nightly cost: XOF 5000 (approximately USD 8.20); Nearest public car park: Parking de l'Almadies (XOF 3000 per day, approximately USD 4.90); No EV charging on site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: XOF 1000 per night (approximately USD 1.60) mandatory city tax
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of 50% and an incidental card hold of XOF 5000 (approximately USD 8.20) 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
Use ATMs (BCEAO-affiliated banks) for the best rates; avoid currency exchange bureaux at Blaise Diagne Airport and tourist hotels — poor rates and high fees.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in supermarkets, hotels, and nicer restaurants; contactless common; small shops and street stalls cash only. M-Pesa-like mobile money (Orange Money/Free Money) widely used by locals.
Restaurants: round up or leave 5-10% for good service (service charge often included). Taxis: round up to nearest 500 XOF. Hotel staff: 1000-2000 XOF for porters/cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant Nescafé or strong café touba (spiced coffee) from street stalls or small bakeries — approx 200-300 XOF.
Thieboudienne (fish and rice) or yassa (marinated chicken/fish) from a maquis (local eatery) — about 1500-2500 XOF including drink.
Grilled fish with rice and vegetables from a local restaurant — main around 2500-4000 XOF.
Ngor, Yoff, and the Plateau's 'dibiteries' (grilled mutton spots) are popular; also roast peanuts from street vendors. Look for lunchtime thieboudienne from makeshift stalls in residential areas.
Citydia, Auchan, and Casino are the main supermarket chains in Dakar.
Sandaga Market (Plateau) for second-hand and new clothes; HLM market for fabric and tailoring; cheap sportswear and basics on Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop near the university.
Cheapest: shared 'car rapide' (minibus) for 150-250 XOF. Airport: take 'bus TATA' from Blaise Diagne to Gare Routière de Pompiers (1500 XOF) then a car rapide to the city. Rideshare (Yango/Yassir) is more comfortable: airport to central Dakar about 10 000-12 000 XOF.
Eat local dishes (thieboudienne, mafe, yassa) from maquis or street stalls — half the price of tourist restaurants. Buy bottled water in bulk from a supermarket (600 XOF for 1.5L vs 1500 XOF in a shop). Use shared car rapides for short trips instead of taxis — pay the same as Senegalese do.
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 Hotel du Plateau
🕒 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.
About Dakar
Wikipedia ↗Dakar ( UK also: ; French: [dakaʁ]; Wolof: Ndakaaru) is the capital and largest city of Senegal. The department of Dakar has a population of 1,278,469, and the population of the Dakar metropolitan area was at 4.0 million in 2023. Dakar is situated on the Cap-Vert peninsula, the westernmost point of ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel du Plateau?
Request a room on the higher floors, above the 3rd floor, to minimize the potential street noise from the busy city streets. These rooms will also be away from the lift and service entrance, which might be more prone to noise from guests and staff.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel du Plateau?
Rooms on the ground floor and the first floor may experience more noise from the street and the lift, as well as potential noise from the service entrance.
Is Hotel du Plateau noisy?
Street noise from the busy city streets and potential noise from the lift and service entrance are the main concerns at this hotel.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel du Plateau?
Unfortunately, the address of the Hotel du Plateau in Dakar does not provide any specific information about the hotel's orientation or view options. However, it's likely that higher floors will offer better views of the city.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel du Plateau?
If you're driving, be aware that parking options may be limited in the area, so it's a good idea to arrive early to secure a spot. Request a room with a balcony if possible, as it will give you a bit more space and a view of the city.
What time is check-in at Hotel du Plateau?
Check-in at Hotel du Plateau is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel du Plateau have Wi-Fi?
Free in public areas and rooms; Speed: 10 Mbps; No login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel du Plateau?
XOF 1000 per night (approximately USD 1.60) mandatory city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel du Plateau?
Thieboudienne (fish and rice) or yassa (marinated chicken/fish) from a maquis (local eatery) — about 1500-2500 XOF including drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel du Plateau?
Cheapest: shared 'car rapide' (minibus) for 150-250 XOF. Airport: take 'bus TATA' from Blaise Diagne to Gare Routière de Pompiers (1500 XOF) then a car rapide to the city. Rideshare (Yango/Yassir) is more comfortable: airport to central Dakar about 10 000-12 000 XOF.
When is the best time to visit Dakar?
November to February: dry, sunny, 25-30°C, low humidity, and the city’s festivals (Dakar Biennale in odd years, Jazz Festival in May) aren’t in full swing so crowds are thin.
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.