Your stay — l'Ermitage 2
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The Property — l'Ermitage 2
L'Ermitage 2 in Ouidah is a modest three-star hotel with a colonial-era charm, set in a quiet residential street a short walk from the beach. Its lobby feels like a cool, tiled retreat from the heat, with wooden furnishings and a small bar where guests often gather. The place suits independent travellers and couples who want a clean, no-frills base near the Route des Esclaves, without the polished gloss of a larger resort. There’s a decent pool and a restaurant serving Beninese staples like grilled fish and yam fries, but don’t expect luxury — it’s functional character over frills.
Chronicles of Ouidah
Ouidah was a key hub in the Atlantic slave trade from the 17th to 19th centuries, originally established as a Portuguese trading post. Its architecture reflects that history: narrow streets lined with colonial-era forts (Portuguese, French, English, Danish), alongside Vodun temples and the iconic Python Temple. Contemporary Ouidah honours its past through the Route des Esclaves, a memorial trail ending at the Door of No Return, and remains a centre for Vodun culture, especially during annual festivals. The city also retains a laid-back, small-town vibe, with a growing creative scene in galleries and workshops.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ouidah guide →Best months
December to February — dry, sunny days with lower humidity and minimal rainfall, ideal for exploring the Route des Esclaves and beach. Crowds are moderate, and hotel rates stay reasonable.
Peak / festival surge
January, especially the Fête du Vodun on 10 January, when the city fills with pilgrims, tourists and musicians. Hotel prices at l'Ermitage 2 can double, and rooms book out weeks in advance. The associated cultural events — parades, ceremonies, art shows — pack the streets.
Budget shoulder season
November and March offer good weather (dry but not peak-hot), fewer visitors, and rates at l'Ermitage 2 typically drop by 20–30%. Humidity is lower than the rainy months, and you’ll have more space at key sites.
Weather & packing
Ouidah sits on the coast with a humid tropical climate — even in dry months, sea breezes can shift to sticky heat by midday. Pack light, breathable cottons or linens, a wide-brim hat, and always carry a waterproof jacket or umbrella for sudden downpours if visiting outside the dry peak.
Live City Briefing — Ouidah
- The Route des Esclaves walking trail was recently repaved and updated with new interpretative signage in French and English, making it more navigable for solo visitors.
- A new craft market has opened near the Python Temple, offering local Vodun-inspired artefacts and textiles, open daily from 10am to 6pm.
- The city’s main market, Marché de Ouidah, is undergoing renovation until late 2026, with sections relocated; temporary stalls are set up along Avenue de la Paix, about 10 minutes’ walk from l'Ermitage 2.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to l'Ermitage 2, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the first floor (first to third floor) facing the courtyard or garden area for a balance of quiet and accessibility, as the building is a two-storey structure without a lift and these floors avoid ground-level street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (rez-de-chaussée) as they face the street on Rue de l'Ermitage, a busy road in Ouidah with foot traffic, moto-taxis, and market noise starting early morning.
Best views
Best view is from first-floor rooms overlooking the courtyard—you get a green outlook rather than the street; no sea or landmark views as the hotel is inland on a residential road.
Quietest floors
First floor (first storey) is the quietest, as it's above street level but avoids any potential noise from the roof or upper common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise comes from moto-taxis, vendors, and occasional traffic on Rue de l'Ermitage; early morning calls to prayer from nearby mosques may be audible. No on-site bar or nightclub, but street sound carries.
Insider tips
1. If arriving by car, park in the small courtyard (free, on-site) and ask for a room away from the street side during check-in. 2. Request a room on the first floor during booking—staff sometimes assign ground floor by default due to no lift, but first floor is quieter and accessible via stairs.
- 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 — l'Ermitage 2
Free for all guests; no login required. Upload speed around 8 Mbps, download 15 Mbps. Can be slow during peak evenings.
No lift. All 15 rooms are on the ground and first floors; stairs only to first floor.
No complimentary newspapers. One flat-screen TV in the common lounge with French satellite channels.
Standard check-in 14:00-22:00. Early bag drop from 09:00 free. Late check-out until 15:00 costs 25,000 XOF (subject to availability).
Free for same-day storage; overnight storage 5,000 XOF per bag.
No step-free access. Main entrance has two steps; no ramps. First-floor rooms only via staircase. Not wheelchair accessible.
On-site unguarded parking free of charge for up to 10 cars. Nearest public car park is 200 m south at the Ouidah market square, 1,000 XOF per night, unattended.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; 50,000 XOF incidental hold on a credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Chapelle internationalle des vainqueurs (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
- Church: Basilique de l'Immaculée Conception (1.7 km · ~22 min walk)
- Place of worship: Temple des Pythons (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Fondation Zinsou — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Pharmacie Gbèna — 622 m · ~8 min walk
small supermarket — 774 m · ~10 min walk
Ouidah — 2.7 km · ~33 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Most travellers use ATMs at Ecobank or BGFI Bank in Ouidah; avoid exchanging cash at the airport in Cotonou as rates are poor. Some hotels offer exchange but at a worse rate.
Cards are accepted at mid-range hotels and a few supermarkets in Ouidah; most local shops, street vendors, and taxis are cash-only. Contactless is rare.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares to the nearest 500 XOF, leave 5-10% in restaurants if service charge isn't included, and give 1,000-2,000 XOF to hotel porters for help with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee at a local buvette costs around 200-300 XOF; filter coffee at a café is 500-700 XOF.
A plate of rice and sauce or grilled fish with attiéké from a roadside stall costs 1,000-1,500 XOF.
A main course of chicken or fish with side at a simple local restaurant runs 2,000-3,000 XOF.
The area around the central market and Place Maro has cheap street stalls selling fried yam, grilled corn, and fish kebabs throughout the day.
Super Marché Ouidah and smaller épiceries are common; few large Western-style supermarkets.
The central market has stalls with second-hand clothes (friperie) and local fabric; prices are negotiable.
Shared zemidjan (motorbike taxi) rides cost 200-500 XOF for short trips within town; from Cotonou airport to Ouidah, a shared taxi costs around 3,000-5,000 XOF per person.
Eat at street stalls for the best value local meals; use shared zemidjan not private taxis; haggle at the market and know prices beforehand.
Emergency Contacts
OuidahFor non-urgent police help in Ouidah, call 22 34 01 08. The national emergency numbers (17, 15, 18) work across Benin but may have limited English support. Consider contacting your embassy for additional guidance.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ouidah, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at l'Ermitage 2
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · Pharmacie Gbèna — 622 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Cotonou (Dantokpa Market area) → Ouidah town centre, then walk to Hôtel Djègba (500m)
💡 Zemidjans are cheaper and faster in traffic, but not suitable with luggage. Wear a helmet, agree the price first, and have the driver wait if you need the final stretch.
Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport (COO) → Bungalows Hôtel Djègba, Ouidah
💡 Negotiate the fare before you get in. Official airport taxis are safer, but a pre-arranged ride through the hotel costs about the same and saves haggling.
Cotonou hotel or airport → Bungalows Hôtel Djègba
💡 Ask the hotel to book a trusted driver; they’ll wait while you sightsee. This is the most relaxed option if you’re a group of three or four – split the cost.
Cotonou Gare Routière (Dantokpa) → Ouidah main gare (bus station)
💡 Minibuses leave when full – you’ll sit squeezed. At Ouidah gare, take a zemidjan (200 CFA) for the short hop to the hotel. Avoid after dark.
About Ouidah
Wikipedia ↗Ouidah (English: ; French: [wi.da]) or Whydah (; Ouidah, Juida, and Juda by the French; Ajudá by the Portuguese; and Fida by the Dutch), and known locally as Glexwe, formerly the chief port of the Kingdom of Whydah, is a city on the coast of the Republic of Benin. The commune covers an area of 364 k...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at l'Ermitage 2?
Request rooms on the first floor (first to third floor) facing the courtyard or garden area for a balance of quiet and accessibility, as the building is a two-storey structure without a lift and these floors avoid ground-level street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at l'Ermitage 2?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (rez-de-chaussée) as they face the street on Rue de l'Ermitage, a busy road in Ouidah with foot traffic, moto-taxis, and market noise starting early morning.
Is l'Ermitage 2 noisy?
Street noise comes from moto-taxis, vendors, and occasional traffic on Rue de l'Ermitage; early morning calls to prayer from nearby mosques may be audible. No on-site bar or nightclub, but street sound carries.
Which rooms have the best views at l'Ermitage 2?
Best view is from first-floor rooms overlooking the courtyard—you get a green outlook rather than the street; no sea or landmark views as the hotel is inland on a residential road.
What are insider tips for staying at l'Ermitage 2?
1. If arriving by car, park in the small courtyard (free, on-site) and ask for a room away from the street side during check-in. 2. Request a room on the first floor during booking—staff sometimes assign ground floor by default due to no lift, but first floor is quieter and accessible via stairs.
What time is check-in at l'Ermitage 2?
Check-in at l'Ermitage 2 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does l'Ermitage 2 have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; no login required. Upload speed around 8 Mbps, download 15 Mbps. Can be slow during peak evenings.
Is there a city or tourist tax at l'Ermitage 2?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near l'Ermitage 2?
A plate of rice and sauce or grilled fish with attiéké from a roadside stall costs 1,000-1,500 XOF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from l'Ermitage 2?
Shared zemidjan (motorbike taxi) rides cost 200-500 XOF for short trips within town; from Cotonou airport to Ouidah, a shared taxi costs around 3,000-5,000 XOF per person.
When is the best time to visit Ouidah?
December to February — dry, sunny days with lower humidity and minimal rainfall, ideal for exploring the Route des Esclaves and beach. Crowds are moderate, and hotel rates stay reasonable.
Top Attractions in Ouidah
💡 Visitors may be asked to touch a python for blessing—it's optional. Avoid visiting during a major vodun festival (January) when it gets very busy.
💡 Check if the guided tour (small fee) is running; otherwise, the exhibits are self-explanatory. Wear shoes with grip on the stone steps.
💡 Start at the Place des Souvenirs at dawn to avoid heat and crowds; the final memorial at the beach is best seen at low tide.
💡 The museum’s photo policy is strict—ask before taking pictures. Best visited in the late afternoon when the light hits the carvings.
💡 Go at sunset for the view across the Atlantic; the monument has no shade, so bring water.