Your stay — Omar
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The Property — Omar
The Hotel Omar feels like a calm, no-fuss base in Dakar's lively centre: a small lobby with tiled floors, a helpful receptionist who knows the neighbourhood, and a reliable rooftop terrace for evening drinks. It's a three-star that doesn't pretend to be luxury – clean rooms, functioning air conditioning, and a decent breakfast of baguette, butter, and Nescafé. Best for solo travellers or couples on a budget who want a safe, central spot near the Plateau's main streets rather than a resort-style stay. The vibe is practical Senegalese efficiency, not boutique charm.
Chronicles of Dakar
Dakar grew from a small Lebou fishing village into a major French colonial port city in the 19th century, officially becoming the capital of French West Africa by 1902. Its architecture still shows the colonial imprint in the Plateau district, with wrought-iron balconies and pastel facades alongside modernist blocks built after independence in 1960. The city's cultural identity is shaped by the vibrant music scene (mbalax), the dynamic art galleries of the 'Dakar Biennale', and its role as a hub for West African trade and politics. Today, Dakar is a fast-growing, traffic-heavy metropolis where traditional markets like Kermel sit beside glass-fronted banks and new Chinese-built highway flyovers.
Best Time to Visit
Full Dakar guide →Best months
November to February – dry, sunny days around 25°C, low humidity, and the Harmattan wind keeps evenings cool. This is also the tourist high season, but crowds are moderate compared to Europe.
Peak / festival surge
July to August – the height of the rainy season (June-October) and the Grand Yoff heat. It's also the time of the Dakar Biennale (in even-numbered years) and the Tabaski festival (dates vary). Hotel prices increase 20-30% then, and the city is fuller with diaspora visitors.
Budget shoulder season
March to May – still dry, slightly hotter (30-33°C), but far fewer tourists and lower rates. April is especially good for budget if you can handle the heat.
Weather & packing
Dakar's climate is coastal and humid, so mornings can be cool and cloudy even in the rainy season, then blazing hot by noon. Pack thin cotton layers, a light rain jacket for sudden downpours July-October, and always bring sunscreen and a hat.
Live City Briefing — Dakar
- The new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, launched in early 2025, now runs along the Corniche from the Plateau to Guédiawaye – a quicker, cheaper way to bypass the notorious Dakar traffic.
- July 2026 is a quieter time for festivals (no Biennale), but look for local theatre performances at the Institut Français just a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
- The government is enforcing a plastic-bag ban; bring a reusable shopping bag for markets – most vendors now charge a small fee for their recycled-paper alternatives.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Omar, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third floor or above, facing away from the main street. Higher floors reduce street-level noise and offer better airflow in Dakar's humid climate.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those near the reception or street side. Ground-level rooms suffer from street noise (traffic, hawkers) and may lack privacy.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floors facing east or north offer views over neighbouring rooftops or the city skyline, avoiding direct sun glare in the afternoon. No sea view is guaranteed at this address.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and above tend to be quieter, as the building's lift and lobby activity concentrates on lower levels.
🔊 Noise notes
Dakar's streets are busy with moped taxis, mosque calls and market chatter, especially during daylight. The hotel's central location amplifies traffic noise, particularly on the street-facing side.
Insider tips
Ask for a room at the back of the building (away from the road) when booking. If arriving late, request a quiet floor in advance — reception can sometimes allocate a quieter wing if you call ahead. No on-site parking is mentioned, so use a taxi or check for nearby paid lots.
- 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 — Omar
Free Wi-Fi throughout, average speed 15 Mbps; no login or time limits
One elevator serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections
No digital newsstand or physical newspapers; flat-screen TV in rooms offers basic satellite channels (including BBC World News)
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 09:00 (no fee); late checkout until 18:00 costs 50% of one night’s rate (must request by 08:00 same day)
Complimentary luggage storage after checkout or before check-in, in a locked room at reception
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; elevator to all floors; no accessible rooms with widened doors or grab bars; entrance to shower has 10 cm lip
Free on-site parking in an unguarded dirt lot for about 12 cars; nearest public car park is in the Mermoz shopping centre, 800 m away, costing XOF 1,500 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no applicable city or tourist tax in Dakar for this hotel category)
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required by bank transfer or credit card; additional XOF 30,000 incidental hold per night on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Al Mutazamin (554 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: Toucouleur Karack Mosque (746 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Saint Pierre des Baobabs (981 m · ~12 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée ESEA (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
China mall — 866 m · ~11 min walk
Courtyard — 795 m · ~10 min walk
Musée Léopold Sédar Senghor — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Chez Abdou — 2.5 km · ~31 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
BGFI — 68 m · ~1 min walk
Martin Luther king — 293 m · ~4 min walk
Top — 519 m · ~6 min walk
Terminus Dakar Dem Dikk Liberté 5 — 2.8 km · ~34 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Use ATMs or bring euros/US dollars to change at local banks or forex bureaux; avoid airport exchange counters as rates are poor.
Cards accepted in upmarket hotels, some supermarkets, and larger restaurants; smaller shops, street stalls, and most taxis are cash-only. Contactless is rare.
Restaurants: round up or leave 5–10% if service charge not included. Taxis: round up fare. Hotel staff: small tip for luggage or room service (500–2000 XOF).
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local café Touba coffee (spiced Senegalese brew) from street stalls costs 100–300 XOF.
Plate of thieboudienne (fish and rice) or yassa (chicken/onion) at a local maquis or street restaurant: 1500–3000 XOF.
Simple grilled fish with rice and vegetables from a roadside grill: 2000–4000 XOF for a main.
Sandaga Market area, Colobane, and along the Corniche have stalls selling grilled meat (dibi), fataya (fried pastries), and shawarma.
Super U and Score are common budget supermarket chains in Dakar.
Sandaga Market and HLM Market for affordable secondhand or locally made clothes; also the marchés artisanaux for crafts.
Cheapest way: minibus 'car rapide' or shared taxi (clando) for 150–300 XOF per ride. From airport: take bus line 100 or 107 to the centre (approx 500 XOF) or a shared taxi (1500–3000 XOF).
Eat where locals eat—street food is safe and cheap. Haggle at markets but always politely. Use local SIM (Orange or Free) for data rather than roaming.
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 Omar
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · BGFI — 68 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Martin Luther king — 293 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 Omar?
Request a room on the third floor or above, facing away from the main street. Higher floors reduce street-level noise and offer better airflow in Dakar's humid climate.
Which rooms should I avoid at Omar?
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those near the reception or street side. Ground-level rooms suffer from street noise (traffic, hawkers) and may lack privacy.
Is Omar noisy?
Dakar's streets are busy with moped taxis, mosque calls and market chatter, especially during daylight. The hotel's central location amplifies traffic noise, particularly on the street-facing side.
Which rooms have the best views at Omar?
Rooms on the upper floors facing east or north offer views over neighbouring rooftops or the city skyline, avoiding direct sun glare in the afternoon. No sea view is guaranteed at this address.
What are insider tips for staying at Omar?
Ask for a room at the back of the building (away from the road) when booking. If arriving late, request a quiet floor in advance — reception can sometimes allocate a quieter wing if you call ahead. No on-site parking is mentioned, so use a taxi or check for nearby paid lots.
What time is check-in at Omar?
Check-in at Omar is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Omar have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, average speed 15 Mbps; no login or time limits
Is there a city or tourist tax at Omar?
None (no applicable city or tourist tax in Dakar for this hotel category)
Where can I eat cheaply near Omar?
Plate of thieboudienne (fish and rice) or yassa (chicken/onion) at a local maquis or street restaurant: 1500–3000 XOF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Omar?
Cheapest way: minibus 'car rapide' or shared taxi (clando) for 150–300 XOF per ride. From airport: take bus line 100 or 107 to the centre (approx 500 XOF) or a shared taxi (1500–3000 XOF).
When is the best time to visit Dakar?
November to February – dry, sunny days around 25°C, low humidity, and the Harmattan wind keeps evenings cool. This is also the tourist high season, but crowds are moderate compared to Europe.
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.