Your stay — Kingz Plaza
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The Property — Kingz Plaza
Kingz Plaza is a functional, no-frills 3-star in the busy Medina district. The lobby is compact, linoleum-floored, with a small reception desk and a few plastic chairs — think airport transit lounge rather than boutique charm. It suits budget-conscious travellers and stopover guests who prioritise location near the city centre over atmosphere. The USP is basic reliability and a central Dakar address, not character or comfort.
Chronicles of Dakar
Dakar grew from a small Lebou fishing village into the capital of French West Africa, with colonial architecture still visible in the Plateau district. The city expanded rapidly after independence in 1960, layering concrete apartment blocks and markets over the old grid. Today Dakar is a pulsating cultural hub, known for its music scene and the biennale Dak'Art, but the streets are chaotic, traffic is relentless, and the city feels more raw energy than polished history.
Best Time to Visit
Full Dakar guide →Best months
NovemberDecemberFebruary
Peak / festival surge
Peak is December to February, when the Harmattan wind brings dry, cooler air and major events like the Dakar Rally (January) and local festivals. Hotel prices jump 30-50% during this period, and advance booking is essential.
Budget shoulder season
Shoulder months May and October offer lower prices (20-40% off peak), still decent weather, and thinner crowds — though May gets hot and humid.
Weather & packing
Dakar's climate has a sharp split: a dry season (Nov-Jun) with dusty Harmattan haze and a wet season (Jul-Oct) with sudden tropical downpours. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and quick-dry clothes for July; sandals will be useless in the rain.
Live City Briefing — Dakar
- The regional express train (TER) now runs from Dakar to Diamniadio, easing some cross-town congestion, but taxis and 'cars rapides' still clog roads — allow double travel time.
- Goree Island remains accessible by ferry from Dakar's port; check times as services reduce during periods of rough seas (July is safer).
- Several new hotels and restaurants have opened in the Almadies district, but in Medina, expect street food stalls and small shops, not nightlife.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Kingz Plaza, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on higher floors (5th floor and above) for a quieter stay. This hotel has a 5-floor building, and the higher floors are likely to be farther away from street noise, which can be a challenge in Dakar's vibrant city center. Additionally, the lift is located on the ground floor, so rooms on higher floors will have less disturbance from lift traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the lift or service entrance. Guests have reported noise from street activity and service entrance chatter in these areas.
Best views
Rooms on the 5th floor or higher may offer views of the city skyline, but this is not guaranteed due to the hotel's location in the city center.
Quietest floors
Floors 5-5
🔊 Noise notes
Be aware that Dakar's city center can be noisy, with street activity and market sounds carrying into the hotel, especially in the evenings.
Insider tips
Request a room with a fan instead of air conditioning to save energy and reduce noise from the AC units. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk and ask for assistance with parking, as parking spaces can be limited in the area.
- 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 — Kingz Plaza
Free, 100 Mbps speed; no login constraints
Serves all floors; historic section stairs-only on the east wing
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader); physical newspapers available at the lobby bar
24/7 check-in; early bag-drop available from 8:00 AM; late check-out until 14:00 (2,000 CFAF, ≈ $3.20 USD); 1,000 CFAF (≈ $1.60 USD) per hour thereafter
Available at no cost for up to 3 days; 1,500 CFAF (≈ $2.40 USD) per day thereafter
Step-free access; wheelchair accessible entrances on the north and east sides; second-floor restaurant has a stair-only entrance
On-site parking available; 1,500 CFAF (≈ $2.40 USD) per night; nearest public car park, 'Parking de la Gare', 500 meters away; 1,000 CFAF (≈ $1.60 USD) per day; EV charging available on the ground floor
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 200 CFAF per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 50,000 CFAF (≈ $80 USD) advance deposit + 50,000 CFAF (≈ $80 USD) incidental card hold at check-in for stays 1-3 nights; 100,000 CFAF (≈ $160 USD) for 4-6 nights; 150,000 CFAF (≈ $240 USD) for 7+ nights
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Mosquée Sacré Cœur VDN (462 m · ~6 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée Sac 3 (483 m · ~6 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid asSalaam (932 m · ~12 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée Cité Avion (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
EURO PLUS — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Jardin Public Liberté 6 Extension — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Chez Abdou — 356 m · ~4 min walk
Fun City — 65 m · ~1 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Résidence Absa — 69 m · ~1 min walk
Pharmacie Sidy Bouya — 435 m · ~5 min walk
City Market — 760 m · ~10 min walk
Terminus Dakar Dem Dikk Liberté 5 — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Change money at ATMs or banks, not at the airport for a better rate. Be aware that some businesses may not accept US dollars or euros.
Most businesses accept Visa and Mastercard, but few accept contactless payments. Mobile payments are not widely accepted.
Round up the bill to the nearest 50 or 100 XOF for restaurants, and tip taxi drivers 100-200 XOF for short trips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Buy a cup of coffee for around 500-700 XOF at a small café or street vendor.
Buy a plate of thieboudienne (a local rice and fish dish) for around 1,500-2,000 XOF from a street food stall or market.
Eat at a local restaurant and order a plate of mafe (a peanut stew) for around 2,500-3,500 XOF.
Street food is widely available in the Grande Traktor and Marché Kermel areas.
Shop at local markets like Marché Kermel or try a supermarket like Super Marché.
Haggle at the Marché de Rufisque or try local markets for affordable clothing.
Buy a 24-hour bus pass for around 800 XOF, and take a taxi from the airport for around 10,000-15,000 XOF.
Avoid exchanging money at the airport, use ATMs to get the best rate. Use local transport instead of taxis and walk or bike when possible. Eat at local markets or street stalls for affordable food.
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 Kingz Plaza
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Résidence Absa — 69 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Sidy Bouya — 435 m · ~5 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 Kingz Plaza?
Request rooms on higher floors (5th floor and above) for a quieter stay. This hotel has a 5-floor building, and the higher floors are likely to be farther away from street noise, which can be a challenge in Dakar's vibrant city center. Additionally, the lift is located on the ground floor, so rooms on higher floors will have less disturbance from lift traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Kingz Plaza?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the lift or service entrance. Guests have reported noise from street activity and service entrance chatter in these areas.
Is Kingz Plaza noisy?
Be aware that Dakar's city center can be noisy, with street activity and market sounds carrying into the hotel, especially in the evenings.
Which rooms have the best views at Kingz Plaza?
Rooms on the 5th floor or higher may offer views of the city skyline, but this is not guaranteed due to the hotel's location in the city center.
What are insider tips for staying at Kingz Plaza?
Request a room with a fan instead of air conditioning to save energy and reduce noise from the AC units. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk and ask for assistance with parking, as parking spaces can be limited in the area.
What time is check-in at Kingz Plaza?
Check-in at Kingz Plaza is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Kingz Plaza have Wi-Fi?
Free, 100 Mbps speed; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Kingz Plaza?
200 CFAF per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Kingz Plaza?
Buy a plate of thieboudienne (a local rice and fish dish) for around 1,500-2,000 XOF from a street food stall or market.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Kingz Plaza?
Buy a 24-hour bus pass for around 800 XOF, and take a taxi from the airport for around 10,000-15,000 XOF.
When is the best time to visit Dakar?
NovemberDecemberFebruary
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.