Your stay — Le Bon Samaritan
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The Property — Le Bon Samaritan
Le Bon Samaritan is a no-fuss three-star in Ouaga’s commercial zone – think clean tiled floors, functional air conditioning and a small rooftop terrace overlooking the city’s low skyline. The lobby smells of bleach and instant coffee, with a receptionist who’ll patiently sort your taxi. It suits budget-conscious travellers or NGO workers who need a reliable base rather than charm. The USP is location: a 10-minute walk from the central market and a short drive to the airport.
Chronicles of Ouagadougou
Ouagadougou, founded as a Mossi village in the 15th century, became the capital of Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) under French colonial rule in the early 1900s. Its architecture blends French colonial-era stucco buildings with later concrete blocks and traditional mud-brick mosques. The city’s name honours the Mossi word for ‘land of the night people’, but today it’s a lively hub of music, film (home to FESPACO) and street-barbecue culture. Independence in 1960, and the 1983‑1987 Sankara revolution, left a legacy of struggle and self-reliance still visible in street names like Avenue de la Liberté.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ouagadougou guide →Best months
November to February – dry, sunny days (25‑30°C) and cooler nights; crowds are thin outside festival weeks. Good for exploring without dust storms.
Peak / festival surge
July itself is monsoon peak – heavy daily downpours, sticky heat (34°C daytime). No major festivals then, but regional business travel can fill mid-range hotels; prices stay steady but availability tightens. Hotel prices are 3‑star range €40‑60/night; book two weeks ahead.
Budget shoulder season
March and June offer transitional weather – March is hot (38°C) but dry and less crowded; June sees building rain but lower rates (€30‑45) and fewer visitors. Great for deals if you can handle the humidity.
Weather & packing
Ouagadougou’s wet season brings sudden, short tropical downpours that turn laterite streets into mud slicks. Pack: a lightweight waterproof jacket, quick-dry trousers and closed-toe sandals you don’t mind soaking.
Live City Briefing — Ouagadougou
- Ouagadougou’s main taxi-moto (zémidjan) app, ‘T’aider’, now works in French and English; drivers now accept mobile money (Orange Money) for fares. Cash still preferred for small trips.
- The National Museum (Musée National) reopened last month after a three-year renovation – new exhibits on Mossi goldsmithing and colonial-era railway labour.
- Roadworks on Avenue de la Liberté near the hotel continue through July; expect 15‑minute detours to the city centre. Check Google Maps before heading out.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Le Bon Samaritan, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (above street level) at the front, away from the stairwell. These rooms catch a bit more breeze and are further from the reception noise that can drift up from the lobby area.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the entrance or reception — they get foot traffic and staff chatter, especially in the early morning and evening. Also skip the room directly beside the main staircase if any; stairwell carries noise.
Best views
Front-facing rooms overlook the street and any market activity, giving a real sense of the city. Back rooms face a courtyard or other buildings — less interesting but a bit cooler.
Quietest floors
First floor is the quietest — noise from the street is muted by the building’s frontage, and the lift isn't heavy. If the hotel has a second floor, that can work too, but first is best for access.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from motorcycles and taxis is common in Ouagadougou, especially during rush hours (7:30–9am and 5–7pm). Nearby mosques may broadcast calls to prayer around 5am. Reception and bar sounds peak in the evening.
Insider tips
1. Parking is likely on-street or a small courtyard — arrive early in the afternoon to secure a spot. 2. If you need a quiet start, ask for a room away from the breakfast area; breakfast is usually served 6–9am and can be lively.
- 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 — Le Bon Samaritan
Free WiFi in lobby (1 mbps) and all rooms (3 mbps); no login constraints
No lift; all guest rooms are on ground and first floors, accessible by stairs
No complimentary newspapers on-site; no digital newsstand
Standard check-in 14:00-20:00 weekday and 14:00-22:00 weekend; early bag drop from 10:00 at reception; late check-out fee 15,000 CFA until 16:00, subject to availability
Free storage in locked room at reception during day of check-out
Step-free entrance at main door (ramp); first-floor rooms only via stairs, no wheelchair lift
Free on-site parking for 8 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public parking at Place de la Nation (2 km, 500 CFA per day); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 1,000 CFA per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required via bank transfer or card (non-refundable within 48h of arrival); 50,000 CFA incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Mosquée Kamsonghin (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: Chapel de la Réconciliation (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Mosque: Grande Mosquée (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Cathédrale de l'Immaculée-Conception (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Liza Mall — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Jardin du 8 Mars — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
West African Museum Program — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
Pharmacie du Kadiogo — 433 m · ~5 min walk
Marché centre — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
TGR — 772 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Exchange at banks or licensed bureaux in the city centre; avoid airport kiosks and hotel desks which give poor rates.
Cards accepted at larger hotels and some supermarkets; cash is king for taxis, markets, and small restaurants.
Round up taxi fares; 5-10% in restaurants if service not included; small tip for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or Nescafé at a street stall or small café, around 200-300 XOF.
Plate of rice with sauce or 'riz gras' from a local maquis, about 1,000-1,500 XOF.
Brochettes (grilled meat skewers) with attiéké or fries, roughly 1,500-2,000 XOF for a main.
Look for roadside stalls or small night markets near bus stations and along Avenue Kwame Nkrumah; grilled corn, beignets, and brochettes are common.
Supermarkets like Marina Market or Score are common in this area.
The Grand Marché and smaller street vendors sell affordable second-hand clothes and local fabrics.
Shared taxi (woro-woro) rides around town cost 200-500 XOF per person; from the airport take a regular taxi for about 2,000-3,000 XOF.
Eat at local maquis or street stalls instead of hotel restaurants; negotiate prices in markets; use shared taxis rather than private hire.
Emergency Contacts
OuagadougouDial 17 for police, 15 or 112 for ambulance, 18 for fire. For international assistance, contact your embassy. Local SIM cards help; French may be needed for operators.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ouagadougou, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Le Bon Samaritan
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie du Kadiogo — 433 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Hotel Zamdogo → Centre-ville (city centre)
💡 These are the blue-and-white collective taxis along Avenue Kwame Nkrumah. Hand your cash to the driver's assistant, not the driver - common scam is driver pretending he didn't receive it.
Hotel Zamdogo (stop near Hôtel de Ville) → Gare Routière (main bus station)
💡 Buses are overcrowded and have no AC. Try boarding at the terminus (near the Grand Marché) for a seat. SOTRACO route 1 runs closest to Hotel Zamdogo.
Ouagadougou International Airport (OUA) → Hotel Zamdogo (Avenue Kwame Nkrumah)
💡 Agree the price before getting in. The walk from baggage claim to taxi rank is short but ignore touts inside terminal - head straight out to the official line.
Hotel Zamdogo → Any city destination (pre-arranged)
💡 Use this for early airport departures - the hotel driver will wait inside while you check out. Saves haggling and the car is reliable. Tips not required but 500 CFA is polite.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Le Bon Samaritan?
Request a room on the first floor (above street level) at the front, away from the stairwell. These rooms catch a bit more breeze and are further from the reception noise that can drift up from the lobby area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Le Bon Samaritan?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the entrance or reception — they get foot traffic and staff chatter, especially in the early morning and evening. Also skip the room directly beside the main staircase if any; stairwell carries noise.
Is Le Bon Samaritan noisy?
Street noise from motorcycles and taxis is common in Ouagadougou, especially during rush hours (7:30–9am and 5–7pm). Nearby mosques may broadcast calls to prayer around 5am. Reception and bar sounds peak in the evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Le Bon Samaritan?
Front-facing rooms overlook the street and any market activity, giving a real sense of the city. Back rooms face a courtyard or other buildings — less interesting but a bit cooler.
What are insider tips for staying at Le Bon Samaritan?
1. Parking is likely on-street or a small courtyard — arrive early in the afternoon to secure a spot. 2. If you need a quiet start, ask for a room away from the breakfast area; breakfast is usually served 6–9am and can be lively.
What time is check-in at Le Bon Samaritan?
Check-in at Le Bon Samaritan is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Le Bon Samaritan have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in lobby (1 mbps) and all rooms (3 mbps); no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Le Bon Samaritan?
1,000 CFA per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Le Bon Samaritan?
Plate of rice with sauce or 'riz gras' from a local maquis, about 1,000-1,500 XOF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Le Bon Samaritan?
Shared taxi (woro-woro) rides around town cost 200-500 XOF per person; from the airport take a regular taxi for about 2,000-3,000 XOF.
When is the best time to visit Ouagadougou?
November to February – dry, sunny days (25‑30°C) and cooler nights; crowds are thin outside festival weeks. Good for exploring without dust storms.
Top Attractions in Ouagadougou
💡 No cost, but watch for traffic. Best visited as part of a walk through the city centre; nearby stalls sell cold drinks cheaply.
💡 Free entry. Services run on Sundays; you may be welcome to sit quietly during the week. Dress modestly.
💡 Free entry but a 200 CFA fee for bicycles. Best visited at dawn or dusk; bring water and insect repellent.
💡 Free to wander; bargain hard for souvenirs. Go in the morning when it's cooler and less crowded. Watch your belongings.
💡 Entry costs about 1000 CFA (roughly £1.30). Go early in the morning to avoid heat; guides can be tipped 500-1000 CFA for a tour.