Experience: Hotel Franco, Yaounde, Cameroon

A review of Hotel Franco in Yaounde, Cameroon from the trip Wandering West Africa.

Highlights

Great location and views.
Pool and outdoor terrace.
Comfortable rooms.
Friendly and personable service.

Background

In the quiet business and government district is the high-rise Hotel Franco. With a central location, near the train station and a forty minute free shuttle to the airport the hotel is well positioned for business and tourism alike. As one of the more well known choices in Yaounde, I was excited to experience it myself.

Experience

Taking the train from Duoala I was glad to have a short commute to the hotel. The reception quickly checked me in and I was soon relaxing in my room in one of the upper floors. The view was fantastic of the mountains cradling the capital city. I stayed in a Deluxe Room with a queen sized bed, flatscreen television, and working desk. Wifi was free and worked well in the lobby.

The bathroom was very comfortable with a shower/bath combination and a sink with a large mirror.

In terms of dining, Restaurant Nyanga is the fine dining experience located next to the lobby. Serving French cuisine with touches of Cameroonian flavor.

Baobá Bar is the main bar next to the lobby is a favorite for locals to meet and have a drink. Sit around the African sculptures and artworks while enjoying a cocktail.

My personal favorite was the Sanaga Bar, located next to the pool. The grill served some tasty snacks and the beers were always ice cold!

The main attraction at the hotel is the outdoor pool. Suntanning by the pool is a great option for a relaxing day. As the location is very central, Yaounde’s attractions can be accessed by foot, otherwise taxis are aplenty. I walked to the embassy area several times to soak in the local atmosphere.

For business guests, the business center open 24/7 and they have several options for events and conferences. The main conference room can seat up to 200 people and offers a video projector, podium and wifi.