Your stay — Hotel motel la Référence Plus
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The Property — Hotel motel la Référence Plus
A no-frills three-star motel on the N1 highway at the edge of Kindia, popular with overland travellers and traders breaking the Conakry–Kankan run. The lobby is tiled and functional, with a flat-screen TV playing local news and a reception desk where staff speak French and often help arrange bush taxis. Rooms are clean but basic — air conditioning, mosquito nets, reliable cold showers — and the USP is simply a safe, affordable stopover with a secure car park and a small courtyard bar.
Chronicles of Kindia
Kindia was founded in the early 20th century as a railway station on the Conakry–Kankan line, designed to export bauxite and coffee from the Fouta Djallon highlands. The town grew around the gare, and its colonial-era administrative buildings still stand along the main boulevard. Today Kindia is Guinea’s third city, a busy agricultural hub for citrus and bananas, with a lively Monday market that draws vendors from across the region. Its cultural identity is shaped by the Soussou and Peul communities, and the nearby Chutes de la Sala waterfall is a weekend escape for locals. The city feels dusty, pragmatic, and quietly confident — no tourist gloss, just real West African life.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kindia guide →Best months
December–February: the ‘cool dry season’ with clear skies, temperatures 22–28°C, and low humidity. Roads are at their best, and the Monday market is in full swing without rain disrupting travel.
Peak / festival surge
March–April are peak months due to the school break and bauxite industry business travel. Hotel prices can rise 20–30%. The Fête de la Soussou (varying dates) brings cultural parades and local tourism; expect limited availability at Motel la Référence Plus.
Budget shoulder season
November and May offer a good balance: drier roads in November (end of rains) and still tolerable heat in May (before the wet). Prices drop back to base rates, and rooms are easy to book. Fewer travellers means quieter courtyard evenings.
Weather & packing
June is the start of the wet season — expect heavy afternoon downpours and high humidity (80%+). Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and quick-dry trousers; leave cotton jeans at home as they never dry between storms.
Live City Briefing — Kindia
- The Conakry–Mamou highway (N1) is being widened through Kindia; expect slow traffic and occasional night closures near the motel until 2027. Allow an extra hour on any road trip.
- The Marchè de Briqueterie in central Kindia reopened after a fire in early 2025; it’s back to full trading but some stalls are still rebuilding — best to carry small CFA notes.
- The rainy season has been heavier than usual in 2025; the Chutes de la Sala trail may be slippery or closed after storms. Check at the motel reception for current conditions before driving out.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel motel la Référence Plus, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a ground-floor room at the back of the property, away from Rue de la République. These are quieter and avoid stairs — there is no lift.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing the street (Rue de la République) due to traffic and street noise, especially in central Kindia. Also avoid any rooms near the small parking area (max 4 cars) because of vehicle movement and chatter.
Best views
A rear-facing ground-floor room offers a quiet courtyard or residential view, minimising the busy Rue de la République vista.
Quietest floors
Ground floor only — the hotel has no lift, and all rooms are either ground floor or upstairs. The ground-floor rear rooms are the quietest.
🔊 Noise notes
Rue de la République is a central city thoroughfare — expect motorbike and taxi horns, market activity, and general street hubbub from early morning until late evening. The hotel's free parking (4 cars, first-come) can generate noise from arriving/departing vehicles. No EV charging or valet.
Insider tips
1. Park at the public car park 200 m away (5,000 GNF/night) if the hotel's small lot is full — it's cheaper and safer. 2. Use the lobby WiFi for messaging; don't expect in-room internet. For decent connectivity, buy a local mobile data SIM (e.g., Orange Guinea) for your phone.
- 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 motel la Référence Plus
Free basic WiFi in lobby only; no in-room internet; speeds sufficient for messaging but not streaming
No lift; all rooms on ground floor or accessed via stairs
No digital newsstand; no physical newspapers provided
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 16:00 costs 50,000 GNF
Free for same-day arrivals/departures; long-term storage not offered
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms
On-site free parking for 4 cars (first-come); no valet; nearest public car park is 200 m away, 5,000 GNF/night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; incidental hold of 100,000 GNF on check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Mosquée de Kakiwondi (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée Rail (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Bluezone de Kagbélén — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
VISTA Bank — 626 m · ~8 min walk
Pharmacie Amicale — 593 m · ~7 min walk
Km 36 — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Guinean Franc, GNF
Change money at banks or licensed bureaux in Kindia town; avoid airport exchangers as rates are poor.
Cards are rarely accepted except in a few upmarket hotels; cash is king, especially for small purchases.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 5-10% in restaurants if service is good, and tip hotel staff 10,000-20,000 GNF for assistance.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or Nescafé at a local buvette (small café) costs about 5,000 GNF.
A plate of rice with sauce and fish or meat at a street-side maquis costs around 15,000-20,000 GNF.
A main course of grilled chicken or fish with fried plantains at a basic restaurant runs 25,000-35,000 GNF.
The main market area and bus station have stalls selling grilled corn, beignets, and brochettes; good for cheap bites.
Mini-marts like Supermarché Kindia or smaller épiceries stock basics; for fresh produce, the central market (Marché de Kindia) is best.
Second-hand clothing stalls at the central market offer very cheap clothing; otherwise, basic items from small boutiques near the market square.
Shared taxis (usually 2,000-5,000 GNF per short ride) are the cheapest way around; from Conakry airport, take a bush taxi to Kindia (about 50,000 GNF) – no airport bus exists.
Eat at street-side maquis for meals half the price of sit-down restaurants; negotiate prices at the market; buy bottled water in bulk from supermarkets rather than single bottles at stalls.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kindia, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel motel la Référence Plus
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · VISTA Bank — 626 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Amicale — 593 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Conakry Gare Routière de Matam → Kindia main bus stop
💡 Minibuses are cramped and slow, but cheapest. Leave by 06:00 to skip Conakry traffic. From the Kindia stop, walk or take a moto-taxi to Motel Lausanne.
Conakry Gare Routière → Kindia Gare Routière
💡 Bush taxis are Peugeot 505s. Leave early to avoid midday heat. From Kindia gare, a moto-taxi to Motel Lausanne costs about 3,000 GNF.
Kindia Airport (or local entry point) → Motel Lausanne
💡 Agree on the fare before getting in. Motel Lausanne is about 3 km from the airport, so taxis are quick but negotiate down from 30,000 GNF.
Kindia town centre → Motel Lausanne
💡 Sit tight and negotiate in advance. Motel Lausanne is near the market – easy to find after a short ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel motel la Référence Plus?
Request a ground-floor room at the back of the property, away from Rue de la République. These are quieter and avoid stairs — there is no lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel motel la Référence Plus?
Avoid rooms facing the street (Rue de la République) due to traffic and street noise, especially in central Kindia. Also avoid any rooms near the small parking area (max 4 cars) because of vehicle movement and chatter.
Is Hotel motel la Référence Plus noisy?
Rue de la République is a central city thoroughfare — expect motorbike and taxi horns, market activity, and general street hubbub from early morning until late evening. The hotel's free parking (4 cars, first-come) can generate noise from arriving/departing vehicles. No EV charging or valet.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel motel la Référence Plus?
A rear-facing ground-floor room offers a quiet courtyard or residential view, minimising the busy Rue de la République vista.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel motel la Référence Plus?
1. Park at the public car park 200 m away (5,000 GNF/night) if the hotel's small lot is full — it's cheaper and safer. 2. Use the lobby WiFi for messaging; don't expect in-room internet. For decent connectivity, buy a local mobile data SIM (e.g., Orange Guinea) for your phone.
What time is check-in at Hotel motel la Référence Plus?
Check-in at Hotel motel la Référence Plus is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel motel la Référence Plus have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi in lobby only; no in-room internet; speeds sufficient for messaging but not streaming
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel motel la Référence Plus?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel motel la Référence Plus?
A plate of rice with sauce and fish or meat at a street-side maquis costs around 15,000-20,000 GNF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel motel la Référence Plus?
Shared taxis (usually 2,000-5,000 GNF per short ride) are the cheapest way around; from Conakry airport, take a bush taxi to Kindia (about 50,000 GNF) – no airport bus exists.
When is the best time to visit Kindia?
December–February: the ‘cool dry season’ with clear skies, temperatures 22–28°C, and low humidity. Roads are at their best, and the Monday market is in full swing without rain disrupting travel.
Top Attractions in Kindia
💡 Go early in the morning around 7am to see traders setting up and get the freshest fruit. Watch your pockets in crowded areas.
💡 Visit just before sunset prayer (around 17:30-18:00) to see the call to prayer from outside. Dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees.
💡 Photograph from across the square for the best angle. The guard may allow you into the courtyard if you ask politely in French.
💡 Best visited during weekday mornings when it's empty. The caretaker might offer a short tour of the plants if you tip 5,000-10,000 GNF.
💡 Take sturdy sandals to walk the rocky trail by the falls. There's a 10,000 GNF entry fee per person paid to the local guide at the gate.