Seku Bi — Hotel in Dakar

The last time I was in Africa was pre covid 4 years ago, I was trying to decide between Boma, or Pullman but decided on Seku Bi, a boutique owned by a woman from my alma mater.

Style. Sea facing & beautiful space combining two French Colonial villas

Setting. A sanctuary and hideaway facing the Atlantic, in the most westerly City in Africa, in downtown Dakar on the Petite Corniche, only 2 blocks from Place de l’independence, 1 minute walk down to Teranga Beach Club (part of the Pullman Hotel next door), 4 min walk to the best seafood restaurant in town (le lagon 1) and a short walk to the excellent La Fourchette (my fav)

Explore. Many restaurants, shops, art galleries around including the super cool agence TRAMES.

Rooms. Was in room 5 with a small balcony facing the sea, although I could barely see the ocean, there is something just as soothing and comforting to see only the leaves of the thriving palm tree, especially since the weather was perfect and I never had to close the balcony doors ! (Room 6 with a huge balcony is even nicer, but it wasn’t available). Lovely handcrafted furniture and decor everywhere. Every morning I woke up to a dawn chorus of birds and parrots outside.

@ the hotel. private oasis, lounger lined garden, enviably stylish living room upstairs from Bantu Wax shop. Fantastic staff, François gave me another room to chill in since I had a 11 pm flight and needed a late check out.

Food & drinks. I loved starting my morning with a huge glass of freshly squeezed juice, avocado peperoncino toast with poached eggs, excellent selection of tea. Their Italian restaurant was one of the best in town as well.

Prices. €1800 for 6 nights

Rating. 4/5 SB should upgrade the payment system. I wired €900 deposit in August. After 4 nights (on xmas eve) 1 of the staff I corresponded with said SB has not received my deposit & asked if I have evidence. I was flabbergasted, especially after multiple emails between 8/25 & 9/5 when SB finally confirmed receipt. While checking out, I showed another staff his email (re: deposit received) + bank screenshot showing the deduction, but was still asked to send the evidence when I can.

I also expected to pay the rest by card but paid cash. Was surprised as most of the upscale Dakar restaurants/hotels accept...

I really wanted to love Seku Bi. A friend in Dakar had recommended it and it is centrally located, completely cut off from the craziness of Dakar, with wonderful contemporary art and a lovely garden. But it's just not run very well. We arrived early and they gave us access to a room to shower -- but our room was not available till 6 pm because they let the previous guest have late checkout. Then a privacy shade in the bathroom was missing, the safe didn't work, the door knob came off and the room was dusty. That's just not acceptable in a hotel that charges 300 Euros a day. Unlike other hotels, they aren't connected to sendwave so you have to pay cash or transfer from a bank. (They never confirmed whether they received the deposit we sent by wire transfer.) The rooms are a decent size though the lights by the bed are very dim. Don't imagine you will be able to read in bed unless you have a Kobo or similar ereader. During our stay we went to the Loman Art House and looked at their rooms, which are 1/3 the price and twice the size -- and also filled with art. Not quite as central but we would have preferred...

I really wanted to love Seku Bi. A friend in Dakar had recommended it and it is centrally located, completely cut off from the craziness of Dakar, with wonderful contemporary art and a lovely garden. But it's just not run very well. We arrived early and they gave us access to a room to shower -- but our room was not available till 6 pm because they let the previous guest have late checkout. Then a privacy shade in the bathroom was missing, the safe didn't work, the door knob came off and the room was dusty. That's just not acceptable in a hotel that charges 300 Euros a day. Unlike other hotels, they aren't connected to sendwave so you have to pay cash or transfer from a bank. (They never confirmed whether they received the deposit we sent by wire transfer.) The rooms are a decent size though the lights by the bed are very dim. Don't imagine you will be able to read in bed unless you have a Kobo or similar ereader. During our stay we went to the Loman Art House and looked at their rooms, which are 1/3 the price and twice the size -- and also filled with art. Not quite as central but we would have preferred...