The Auberge Grand Popo is situated on the beach at the quiet end of town - not that there is exactly a noisy end! It is close to the Mono River and the Old Town and the road here gets little traffic so it is very quiet.
The 2 main buildings date from French colonial times and some of the rooms are in these (cost 14,000 CFA/€22). My room was a bungalow in the gardens (24,000 CFA/€37) which was quite spacious and simply decorated with well made wooden furniture, a nice big bed with mosquito net and a good bathroom - shower only, no bath. There no AC which didn't bother me at all, and is more environmentally friendly, but there are windows on 2 sides which open to get plenty of cooling sea breeze and a ceiling fan. The room faced the beach and the sea, with a verandah on one side and the other window faced the road, which got very little traffic - just people singing on their way to work!
The restaurant is open sided, though covered, and faces the beach and the sea on one side. Food is lovely - a mixture of French and European with fabulously fresh local ingredients and delicious bread.
Staff are helpful and friendly, they don't speak much English but I managed to get extra clothes hangers and, of course Beer! The service in the restaurant is what you would call "relaxed"- nothing is hurried but you always get what you ordered in reasonable time and most of the staff are friendly and smiling.
The pool is quite shallow for lap swimming but pleasant enough for cooling off and dipping in. There is a craft shop selling local artefacts and you can buy postcards in reception.
They will also organise trips for you - I didn't use this service as I had my own guide.
I would higly recommend this hotel if you are visiting Grand Popo.
Unique Qualities: Relaxed atmosphere, lovely beachfront location and gardens, great food and in a quiet end of town close to the Old Town and the River. Very charming.
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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80
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Phone: 229 2243 0047
Address: BP-6, Grand Popo
Website: www.hotels-benin.com
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on Apr 23, 2008
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