Your stay — Richard maison
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The Property — Richard maison
The Richard Maison is a modest three-star in the Pacot district, a quiet residential hill above Port-au-Prince's hotter, dustier centre. Its lobby feels more like a well-kept guesthouse — tiled floors, cane furniture, ceiling fans turning slowly — with a small plunge pool and a breeze off the mountains that cuts the humidity. It suits the cautious traveller who wants a reliable, clean base with on-site security and a plantain tree in the courtyard, not a resort.
Chronicles of Port-au-Prince
Founded by the French in 1749 as Saint-Domingue's capital, Port-au-Prince grew rich on sugar and coffee, then was largely rebuilt after the 1770 earthquake. The Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) made it the world's first black republic's capital — its gingerbread houses, with steep verandahs and lacy woodwork, are a surviving architectural signature, though many still bear damage from the 2010 earthquake. Today, it's a sprawling, informal city of iron markets, tap-tap buses, and a stubborn creative scene in music and art.
Best Time to Visit
Full Port-au-Prince guide →Best months
December to February: coolest, driest, with clear skies and the Fête du Mardi Gras buzz contained to February.
Peak / festival surge
February: carnival month, with the biggest parades in Jacmel but spillover in Port-au-Prince — hotel rates can double, book three months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
November and April: fewer visitors, lower rain than May–October, rates at the Richard Maison often 20–30% below peak.
Weather & packing
July is the wet season's start — expect daily downpours of 30 minutes, then sun. Pack a light rain jacket and closed-toe shoes for muddy streets.
Live City Briefing — Port-au-Prince
- A new tap-tap route on Route Delmas now runs until 10pm, easing evening movement from the airport side of town.
- The Marché en Fer reopened after a 2023 fire — it's fully operational but hot and crowded; keep valuables hidden.
- July brings the Fête du Drapeau — 18 May, not July, but local flags and small parades appear throughout the month, so expect occasional street closures near the Champ de Mars.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Richard maison, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard (away from the street). These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level noise but still within easy stair access if the lift is slow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid the ground floor — it suffers from street noise from Port-au-Prince traffic and potential dampness. Also avoid rooms next to the stairwell or lift shaft, where door slams and motor hum carry through the walls.
Best views
Ask for a room on the third floor with a window facing the courtyard or side street — you'll get some natural light without direct traffic noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 1–3 (first to third) are generally quieter, with less foot traffic from the lobby and better sound insulation from street-level noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Port-au-Prince streets are busy with honking, motorbikes, and occasional loudspeakers. The hotel's location on a main road means street noise is constant during the day and sporadic at night. Request a room at the back.
Insider tips
1. The lift is likely small and slow — pack light and consider taking the stairs for floors 1–2. 2. Bring earplugs — even quiet rooms can catch distant street noise. Ask reception for a fan or AC unit to mask residual noise.
- 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 — Richard maison
Free basic WiFi in all rooms and lobby; speed approx 10 Mbps; no login required
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only
No physical newspapers; no digital newsstand
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 if room not ready; late check-out (by 17:00) costs 50% of nightly rate
Free; available at front desk after check-out and before check-in
No step-free access; entrance has one step, no ramp; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is 200 m west (Parc de Stationnement de la Place Boyer); cost 500 HTG per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10% tourist tax added to room rate upon booking
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; $50 USD incidental hold at check-in (credit card only)
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Baptiste Angélique de la Trinité (344 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Calvary Chapel (927 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Église Notre-Dame du Rosaires (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: Église Notre Dame (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mall Tanis Jumelle — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Terreno — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Pharmacie Bon Prix — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Puits Blain — 996 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Haitian Gourde, HTG
Exchange at banks or official cambio bureaux in the city centre; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux where rates are poor.
Cards are accepted in upscale hotels and restaurants in Pétion-Ville, but most shops and street vendors prefer cash; contactless is rare.
Tip 10% in restaurants if service isn't included, round up taxi fares, and give 50-100 HTG to hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small local coffee from a street vendor or café, about 25-50 HTG.
A plate of rice, beans, and meat from a local 'boutik' or small eatery, around 150-300 HTG.
A main dish like griot or pikliz at a casual neighbourhood restaurant, about 300-500 HTG.
Head to the main market area or along Delmas Road for fried plantains, akra, and grilled corn from street stalls.
Supermarche Delimart and Supermarché Goave are common budget chains in the Port-au-Prince area.
The Iron Market (Marché en Fer) is the main place for affordable second-hand or locally made clothing.
Tap-taps (shared minibuses) cost about 25-50 HTG per ride; from the airport, take a shared tap-tap or negotiate a moto-taxi for around 200-300 HTG.
Eat at street stalls or local eateries rather than tourist restaurants; always negotiate prices at markets; use tap-taps instead of private taxis for short trips.
Emergency Contacts
Port-au-PrinceWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Port-au-Prince, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Richard maison
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Bon Prix — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Anywhere in Port-au-Prince (e.g. Pétion-Ville or airport) → Villa Imperial
💡 Use a recommended driver from your hotel (e.g. James at +509 34XX-XXXX). Pay in USD or Gourdes as agreed. Always confirm the car has a working seatbelt. This is the safest option if you're not fluent in Creole.
Toussaint Louverture International Airport → Villa Imperial, Port-au-Prince
💡 Buy a voucher at the official booth just outside baggage claim before approaching any driver. Do not take unsolicited offers. Agree on the fare in USD or Gourdes before getting in; $35 is standard to most central hotels.
Champ de Mars (city centre) → Villa Imperial area (likely Delmas 60 or nearby)
💡 Only take tap-taps with a valid licence plate and that look in decent condition. Tell the driver 'Delmas 60' (or your exact street) as you hop on. Expect it to be packed. Keep valuables hidden and your phone in your pocket.
Portail Léogâne bus station (near the airport) → Villa Imperial via Route de Delmas (approx. 20 km)
💡 These are minibuses that fill up quickly. The route is not direct; you'll need to ask to get off near Villa Imperial. Best to know the hotel name in Creole: 'Otèl Imperial'. Don't try this during heavy rain—roads flood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Richard maison?
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard (away from the street). These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level noise but still within easy stair access if the lift is slow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Richard maison?
Avoid the ground floor — it suffers from street noise from Port-au-Prince traffic and potential dampness. Also avoid rooms next to the stairwell or lift shaft, where door slams and motor hum carry through the walls.
Is Richard maison noisy?
Port-au-Prince streets are busy with honking, motorbikes, and occasional loudspeakers. The hotel's location on a main road means street noise is constant during the day and sporadic at night. Request a room at the back.
Which rooms have the best views at Richard maison?
Ask for a room on the third floor with a window facing the courtyard or side street — you'll get some natural light without direct traffic noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Richard maison?
1. The lift is likely small and slow — pack light and consider taking the stairs for floors 1–2. 2. Bring earplugs — even quiet rooms can catch distant street noise. Ask reception for a fan or AC unit to mask residual noise.
What time is check-in at Richard maison?
Check-in at Richard maison is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Richard maison have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi in all rooms and lobby; speed approx 10 Mbps; no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Richard maison?
10% tourist tax added to room rate upon booking
Where can I eat cheaply near Richard maison?
A plate of rice, beans, and meat from a local 'boutik' or small eatery, around 150-300 HTG.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Richard maison?
Tap-taps (shared minibuses) cost about 25-50 HTG per ride; from the airport, take a shared tap-tap or negotiate a moto-taxi for around 200-300 HTG.
When is the best time to visit Port-au-Prince?
December to February: coolest, driest, with clear skies and the Fête du Mardi Gras buzz contained to February.
Top Attractions in Port-au-Prince
💡 Go early morning before 9am to avoid the worst crowds and get better bargaining. Keep your valuables tucked away.
💡 The guided tour in French or Creole is excellent; ask for an English speaker if needed. No photography inside.
💡 Buy a fresh coconut from the vendor near the north gate for about 50 gourdes. Not much else to do here except sit.
💡 The park is safe during daylight hours; avoid after dark. Take a tap-tap from town along Route de Delmas 31 — it drops you at the entrance.
💡 Check their Facebook page the day before to see current shows; some are free on weekends. Bring exact change.