Benin Hotel Tips by sachara

At the untarred coastal road from Ouidah to Cotonou are some campements, mostly at the landside of the road.
Not far from Cotonou we found ''Beaulieu de Balmas'', at the oceanside of the road.
It was possible to camp here and there were also 4 cabins, nicily situated just at the beachfront. I took the only cabin, which could be locked with a key, allthough I found out later, that the beach was also guarded at night. For a cabin they asked 10.000 CFA, too much in relation to the facilities. Finally I paid 3.000 CFA (6 dollar) a night.

Unique Qualities: The location at the beach was superb. We
had a nice New Years Eve Party at the beach.
The facilities were poor with only one toilet for 30 persons. There was no running water and electricty. In the cabin I could ask for a bucket of water everyday.
At Beaullieu de Balmas was no restaurant, but it was possible to buy softdrinks and beer, when the staff was around.

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Theme: Campground
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Address: Togbin Plage, Cotonou
Directions: At the coastal road, 5 KM west of Cotonou.

After 3 nights Beaulieu de Balmas we moved to another place 1KM more east, to hotel "Cauris Coquillage''. This hotel is not at the beach side of the road, but has nice bungalows with electricity and showers.
And we really enjoyed the swimmingpool and the outdoor restaurant with delicious food.
The bungalows for 2 persons were 12.000 CFA. It was allowed to camp in the garden for 1000 CFA.

Unique Qualities: Nice and relaxed atmosphere. The pool and the restaurant were very popular. We liked it, that there were a lot of local visitors in the weekends.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 00229-900472
Address: 08 BP 1092, Cotonou, Benin
Directions: Togbin Plage, 4 KM west of Cotonou
Website: http:members.fortunecity.de/radasachs
Other Contact: rada_sachs@yahoo.de

In Lake Nokoue about 8 KM from the launching point in Abomey-Calavi you can find ''Chez Rafael". You will see the auberge, built on stilts in the lagoon, just before you reach Ganvie village. You can miss it, because of the striking red colour of the building. It looks like a peaceful place in the middle of the lagoon. I didn't visit the place myself.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 490175
Directions: You will see this red building on the lake at the left side, just before you will arrive in Ganvie village.

In the centre of Ganvie you can find also a hotel on wooden stilts.
I didn't stay in the hotel, but had a short visit to the restaurant. There is also a souvenir-shop.
From this place you have nice views at the island with the church, the place where the villagers fetch their water and the rather busy traffic of pirogues on the water.
The rooms have bathrooms and flushtoilets.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 490017
Directions: Just in the centre of Ganvie, opposite the church.