Splendid Hotel Ouagadougou

Rooms and decor

The picture from recent reviews of Splendid Hotel Ouagadougou is a 4-star boutique sitting dead center in the CBD, in a heritage style mixed with African-modern. There are around 120 rooms plus some suites, typically 20-30 sq m, leaning on tile floors, wood furniture and warm earth tones. Plenty of guests note the rooms aren't large or minimalist the way a trendy European hotel would be, but they feel homey and have their own charm. Beds are comfortable, the air-con is cold enough, and bathrooms are clean with hot-water showers and the basics covered. Some rooms open onto the pool and small garden; others face the street, so light sleepers should ask for an inner room since you can hear Avenue Kwame Nkrumah at night. The recent reviews are honest that parts of the building show their age — some furniture has been used hard and a few bathrooms want renovating — so this isn't a place where every detail looks brand new, but for the price in this city it's fair.

Food and amenities

Breakfast comes up often. It's a buffet that blends French classics — croissant, baguette, cheese, eggs to order — with a West African corner of fresh tropical fruit, pressed juice and millet porridge. The read from recent reviews is that it gets your day going comfortably: not fancy, but filling and with enough choice. The main restaurant runs French-African dishes through the day, and the bar stays open late for a drink. Out in the small garden there's a pool with sun loungers, and several guests say it's shadier and quieter than expected — a good place to rest after walking the hot city center. Free Wi-Fi reaches the whole hotel but slows at times, especially in rooms at the far end of the building, so take online meetings from the lobby instead. There are also meeting and banquet rooms for small-to-mid-size events.

Location and getting there

The location is the number-one selling point. Anyone who has been to Ouagadougou knows most hotels sit outside the center and need a car every time, but Splendid is parked where you can walk to everything — Marche Rood-Woko in about 10 minutes, Place de la Nation in 8-10, the heroes monument and local restaurants an easy stroll. That's a draw for NGO workers, business travelers and culture-minded explorers who don't want to lose time on transport. The other thing guests praise is how close the airport (OUA) is — a 5-8 minute drive. Land in the early evening, clear immigration, grab a taxi, and you're checked in before dark, which suits short meetings or a connection on to a neighboring country.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. The most common note is room size — they run smaller than the big chains nearby, and the older classic decor won't suit everyone. Parts of the building show wear: some reviews mention bathrooms that want renovating and well-used furniture, so anyone expecting the polish of a big-city 5-star will find it a touch dated. Wi-Fi can be slow in rooms at the far end of the building, so check it first if you need to work online. Front-facing rooms catch some street noise from Avenue Kwame Nkrumah at night — ask for an inner room facing the pool or garden. And the in-house restaurant and bar are simple rather than fine dining, so for a smarter dinner you'll head out to a restaurant in town.

Our take

Friend to friend: Splendid Hotel Ouagadougou is a 4-star boutique that sells a central CBD location, a quick airport hop and warm, easygoing staff at a price you can actually reach. It's best for business travelers, NGO and embassy staff, culture-minded explorers and solo travelers who want a base to walk the city from. Couples who like a classic, charming feel will be happy too; families can stay but the rooms may feel small for a group. It isn't the pick for anyone wanting a full spa-resort — for that, Sopatel Silmande in Zone du Bois fits better — and it's pricier than the city's guesthouses, so hard-budget backpackers should look elsewhere. The read from recent reviews is that if you can accept rooms that aren't brand new and a few spots that want a refresh, in exchange for the location and the service, Splendid makes a very good travel companion in the capital. Overall we give it 8.1/10 — a central boutique that's good enough and good value for a few nights in Ouagadougou.