Hotel de La Poste

Stayed here as part of a tour across Senegal. The hotel is a blast from the past, with the aviation artefacts and history. There are little touches all over the place talking about this past, which is very cool. THe central courtyard is rather pretty with its whitewash and the greenery hanging off the roof and the railings. Our room was on the top floor, which sounds lovely until you realize that there is no elevator, so we had a good workout for the day odd that we stayed here…going up and down 3 flights of stairs. The room was decent enough, and had an extra bed that i used to spread and sort out my belongings easily vs working out of my duffel. The bathroom was tiny but clean. One thing i did appreciate is the several power plugs. The hotel bar is quite a nice spot to get a drink or coffee…although touts do come by trying to peddle their wares, if you sit outside. The hotel has a small room onsite for breakfast but that is not the main restaurant. The restaurant and a pool area plus bar are located about a block odd away on the riverfront. We did enjoy a decent meal there. Though our group was suffering from a bad intestinal bug picked up in the previous hotel and couldn’t relax fully. Overall this is a decent option in the centre of the Old Town, and a good dive into the past. The post office is just across the street, so use the opportunity to mail loved ones a postcard or two.

We stayed here 2 nights during a tour of Senegal. The central courtyard full of flowers is beautiful and they are constantly cleaning the whole hotel. The breakfast is good. It is an old hotel with no elevators. The hotel is on a busy corner and is noisy at night. The hotel restaurant, Flamingo, is 3 blocks down the street on the river and has good food, but a limited menu selection for hotel guests whose meals are included. The wifi did not work in our room. The front desk staff was friendly, helpful and spoke English.

While this hotel isn't as modern or refined as many of the newer buildings on the peninsula, you can't do better for a truly character-full stay right in the centre of old town with stunning views over the bridge and river. Rooms are simple and super-clean and the staff are so welcoming and warm. I love the central courtyard with it's (surely record-breaking) single-palm-garden. Despite being on the main road, the hotel always has an air of tranquillity, perfumed with it's special incense. I usually go elsewhere for breakfast, but love to sit on the leafy veranda in the evenings for drinks and often pop over the road to use the pool when I'm staying. It's old and pretty rustic these days (the indoor bar has some questionable taxidermy decor, so maybe don't peer into the gloom too hard) but that's part of it's charm! Saint Louis has such vibrant history, and staying at this hotel places you right in the centre of it.

In a place full of history an ideal place to stay is the Hotel de la Poste, whose origins go back to 1850, although the building dates from a later time. Always a very French place it is today owned by Toubab Senegalese (thus of European, in fact French origin). Besides a hotel it is now also like a museum of the pioneering days of the Aeropostale, full of photos, old letters and posters from the 1930's. In room 219 used to stay Jean Mermoz, who did the first crossing of the Southern Atlantic by plane. Our room was No 222, also with a great view of the Saint Louis landmark, the Pont Faidherbe, illuminated at night. Although the hotel in many ways shows its age, we enjoyed staying here for its atmosphere. Beautiful is the courtyard with its many plants and also a palm tree, from where the stairs go up to the rooms in the first and second floor. In the big dining hall with many posters is to be found a breakfast as of 6am with three juices, besides orange also 'bissap' (a bright red cold tea from Hibiscus flowers) and 'Bouye' (made from the fruit of the Baobab). Very French are the Baguette, the Croissants, the 'Vache qui rit' cheese. To be had are also yoghurt, hard boiled eggs, beef ham and pastry. The hotel's restaurant is across the coastal road by the river, called 'Flamingo'. Next to it is the swimming pool, free for hotel guests, but also visited by outsiders against a fee. No towels are provided, the shower was not working and it all didn't look very clean, especially the sun loungers, so I only went there once.