Your stay — Le Nabab
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The Property — Le Nabab
Le Nabab is a decent 3-star with a faded colonial feel — think high ceilings, dark-wood furniture, and a small courtyard pool. It sits on the main boulevard facing the river, so the lobby hums with passing taxis and the ferry announcements from the quay. Ideal for travellers who want a clean, central base without frills; not for anyone seeking quiet or charm.
Chronicles of Saint-Louis
Saint-Louis was founded in 1659 as the first French settlement in West Africa, serving as Senegal's capital until 1902. Its grid of colonial houses, wrought-iron balconies, and 19th-century public buildings earned it a UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2000. The city is split between the island (the historic core), the mainland (Sor), and the Langue de Barbarie sandbar. Today it's a laid-back cultural hub, famous for its jazz festival, pirogue fishing, and a distinctly senegalese-créole pace of life.
Best Time to Visit
Full Saint-Louis guide →Best months
November to February — dry, comfortable 20-25°C days, minimal mosquitoes, and the annual Saint-Louis Jazz Festival in May (busier but still manageable).
Peak / festival surge
December and January are the busiest for European sun-seekers and the international jazz scene. Hotel prices can double; book 3 months ahead. The Grand Magal of Touba (dates vary) also draws crowds from across the country.
Budget shoulder season
March and April offer dry heat (up to 30°C) but far fewer tourists and 20–30% lower rates. May and June are hotter and rainier but still cheap.
Weather & packing
Saint-Louis sits right on the Atlantic and the Senegal River, so humidity levels flip from dry-season harmattan to monsoon squalls in July. Pack light cottons, a rain jacket, and strong mosquito repellent — even the best hotels have gaps in the screens.
Live City Briefing — Saint-Louis
- The new ferry terminal for Ndar (the island) opened in late 2025, cutting crossing times and ending the old hand-pulled cable ferry; expect a 5-min motorised trip instead of 15.
- Several colonial buildings on Rue Blaise Diagne (the main drag) are under scaffolding for UNESCO-mandated facelifts — expect noise and restricted pavement space.
- A spate of petty theft from parked rental cars near the Langue de Barbarie beach was reported in early 2026; keep valuables out of sight.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Le Nabab, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 1st or 2nd floor overlooking the courtyard. Quieter and less street noise than front-facing rooms, and easier to access via stairs if the lift is unreliable.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any rooms on the ground floor near the reception or breakfast area — noise from staff and early risers will start from 7am. Also avoid rooms at the back if they face a service alley where rubbish bins are stored.
Best views
Rooms facing the courtyard offer a peaceful view of the tropical garden, if present. Front-facing rooms look directly onto the busy street — not worth the noise for a 3-star property in central Saint-Louis.
Quietest floors
1st and 2nd floors. The lift stops at these floors, and they are above street-level disturbance.
🔊 Noise notes
Saint-Louis streets are often busy with taxis, motorbikes, and market sellers from early morning. The hotel is on a main road, so street-facing rooms can be noisy until late evening. Also, the lift motor can be audible in adjacent rooms on all floors.
Insider tips
1. If you arrive by car, ask at check-in for the small hotel parking area behind the property — it's safer than street parking. 2. Request a room with a fan as well as AC — power cuts are common here and fans work when AC doesn't.
- 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 Nabab
free wifi throughout; average speed 10 Mbps, no login required
one lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only wings
no digital newsstand; complimentary Le Soleil (national daily) in lobby each morning; no building heritage quirks
check-in from 14:00, early bag-drop allowed from 09:00; late check-out until 18:00 costs 25 000 CFA (subject to availability)
free for guests after check-out; luggage room on ground floor
step-free from street to reception; one adapted room on ground floor; no lift to roof terrace
unsecured on-site parking 5 000 CFA per night (limited spaces); nearest public car park at Place Faidherbe, 2 000 CFA per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 1 500 CFA per person per night, collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required for standard bookings; incidental hold of 50 000 CFA at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Mosquée de la Prison de Saint-Louis (506 m · ~6 min walk)
- Mosque: Grande Mosquée de Saint-Louis (519 m · ~6 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée Sidy Tall (527 m · ~7 min walk)
- Place of worship: dahra (627 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
STE LACOMBE — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Point à pitre — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Musée de l'Aéropostale Jean Mermoz — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Pharmacie Razakh — 345 m · ~4 min walk
Superette Exotic — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Saint-Louis — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Change money at banks or exchange bureaux in Saint-Louis; avoid the airport where rates are poor. Some hotels also offer exchange, but rates are less favourable.
Visa and Mastercard accepted at larger hotels and some restaurants; smaller shops and markets are cash-only. Contactless is rare outside high-end places.
Restaurants: round up or leave 5-10% if service charge not included. Taxis: round up to nearest 500 FCFA. Hotel staff: 1,000-2,000 FCFA for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Coffee at a street-side stall or small café: around 500-700 FCFA for a Nescafé or espresso.
Plate of thiéboudienne (local rice and fish) at a modest restaurant: about 1,500-2,500 FCFA.
Main course of grilled fish with rice or chips at a simple eatery: around 2,000-3,500 FCFA.
Look for street grills and stalls near the market and along the bridge to the island. Everything from grilled fish to fatayas (samosas) is under 1,000 FCFA.
Budget supermarkets like Citydia, Auchan (if still open) or smaller local épiceries are common; prices lower than in Dakar.
Saint-Louis market (marché central) has second-hand and new clothing at negotiable prices; also check the island's small boutiques for fabrics.
Cheapest: shared taxi or minibus 'car rapide' for 100-200 FCFA per ride within town. From airport: take a sept-place shared taxi to place de l'Indépendance then walk or take a short taxi for 1,000-2,000 FCFA.
1) Eat at local lunch spots rather than tourist restaurants along the river. 2) Haggle at markets but be polite. 3) Use shared taxis or walk instead of private taxis for short trips.
Emergency Contacts
Saint-LouisDial 17 for police, 18 for fire, or 1515 for medical emergencies from any phone in Senegal.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Saint-Louis, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Le Nabab
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Razakh — 345 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Anywhere on the island (Saint-Louis island) → Hôtel Sindone (Langue de Barbarie)
💡 Moto-taxis are faster than cars for crossing the bridge at rush hour. Agree a price before mounting—standard is 500–750 CFA within the island, 1,000 CFA to the Sindone area.
Place de l'Indépendance → Stop near Hôtel Sindone (ask for 'Sindone')
💡 Flag down any car rapide heading east along Avenue Faidherbe; the fare is fixed but keep small coins ready—drivers rarely have change for 1,000 CFA notes.
Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) → Hôtel Sindone, Saint-Louis
💡 Negotiate the fare before you get in—drivers often quote 40,000 CFA. Ask your hotel to arrange a car: it's safer and often cheaper.
Dakar Pompe station (Gare Routière de Pompiers) → Saint-Louis main bus terminal (Gare Routière)
💡 Sit on the left side of the car for shade. Depart early—buses after 15:00 run risk of arriving after dark when taxis in Saint-Louis cost double.
About Saint-Louis
Wikipedia ↗
Saint-Louis (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃ lwi] ) or Saint Louis (Wolof: Ndar), is the capital of Senegal's Saint-Louis Region. Located in the northwest of Senegal, near the mouth of the Senegal River, and 320 kilometres (200 mi) north of Senegal's capital city Dakar. It had a population of 254,171 in ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Le Nabab?
Request a room on the 1st or 2nd floor overlooking the courtyard. Quieter and less street noise than front-facing rooms, and easier to access via stairs if the lift is unreliable.
Which rooms should I avoid at Le Nabab?
Avoid any rooms on the ground floor near the reception or breakfast area — noise from staff and early risers will start from 7am. Also avoid rooms at the back if they face a service alley where rubbish bins are stored.
Is Le Nabab noisy?
Saint-Louis streets are often busy with taxis, motorbikes, and market sellers from early morning. The hotel is on a main road, so street-facing rooms can be noisy until late evening. Also, the lift motor can be audible in adjacent rooms on all floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Le Nabab?
Rooms facing the courtyard offer a peaceful view of the tropical garden, if present. Front-facing rooms look directly onto the busy street — not worth the noise for a 3-star property in central Saint-Louis.
What are insider tips for staying at Le Nabab?
1. If you arrive by car, ask at check-in for the small hotel parking area behind the property — it's safer than street parking. 2. Request a room with a fan as well as AC — power cuts are common here and fans work when AC doesn't.
What time is check-in at Le Nabab?
Check-in at Le Nabab is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Le Nabab have Wi-Fi?
free wifi throughout; average speed 10 Mbps, no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Le Nabab?
1 500 CFA per person per night, collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Le Nabab?
Plate of thiéboudienne (local rice and fish) at a modest restaurant: about 1,500-2,500 FCFA.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Le Nabab?
Cheapest: shared taxi or minibus 'car rapide' for 100-200 FCFA per ride within town. From airport: take a sept-place shared taxi to place de l'Indépendance then walk or take a short taxi for 1,000-2,000 FCFA.
When is the best time to visit Saint-Louis?
November to February — dry, comfortable 20-25°C days, minimal mosquitoes, and the annual Saint-Louis Jazz Festival in May (busier but still manageable).
Top Attractions in Saint-Louis
💡 Cross on foot at low tide to see the fishermen below. It's free and open all hours, but watch for motorbikes on the pedestrian path.
💡 Go in the morning for the best selection of fish and fruit. No entry fee, but bring small change. Bargain firmly but politely for souvenirs.
💡 Cross the Faidherbe Bridge at sunset for the best light on the island's west end. No entry fee to walk the streets, but guided tours are optional.
💡 Entry is 500 CFA (about 80p). It's not huge, so budget 30-45 minutes. The staff can be enthusiastic but speak French—bring a phrasebook.
💡 Entry is 500 CFA (about 80p). Go early morning or late afternoon for the best bird activity. The boat ride costs extra but haggling is expected.