Bday Staycation
Hi Y’All!
It’s been a while. I’m doing fine, and I hope you are too.
My birthday came and went without anything extravagant. No fancy trip, no exotic destination. If I had the funds, trust me, I would have packed my bags and hopped on the first flight out. But since my wallet said “stay put,” I did the next best thing: I booked an Airbnb right here in the city. It was supposed to be a simple two-night escape, but I felt so good that I added an extra night. Treat yourself, right?
Tie dye tunic - tailor-made
Pants - Marwa Fashion
Sandals - Soumbedioune market
If you’ve been reading me for a while, you already know I have a soft spot for a good Airbnb. They’re sometimes cheaper than hotels and offer that much-needed peace and quiet away from the daily hustle. Lately, though, I’d been leaning more towards hotels — mostly because I was tired of buying groceries and cooking while supposedly “on vacation.” But this time, I didn’t even browse listings. I went straight for an acquaintance’s Airbnb that I’d been curious to try.
The flat is in a hip part of town — the kind of place with restaurants, hotels, clubs, and all sorts of entertainment. But it’s tucked away in a discreet little street, almost hidden. The building itself looks old, but step inside and you'll find everything you need. Two bedrooms, and one of them is massive — big enough to double as a living room. Exactly the kind of room I’ve been searching for in this city without success. And it even has a huge closet (which I absolutely didn’t need, but appreciated anyway). The bathroom comes with a bidet and a bathtub. The second bedroom is also big, and both rooms have AC units. My room also had a fan — and that fan was a lifesaver because I cannot stand to blast AC all day due to my allergies.
The entrance
The living room is cozy, with two sofas and a coffee table. There’s a smart TV, which we used to stream movies and play video games. Moreover, it has a full-length mirror, perfect for checking outfits. The kitchen has everything: a gas oven, a fridge, a kettle, a microwave, a blender, and all the plates, cups, and pots. It even has a little dining area, which we didn’t bother using.
Outside of the apartment you have the laundry room tucked away by a door. There is also a drying rack and an iron inside the apartment.
There’s also a pool! I didn’t go in — that was the plan, but there were other guests and, well… I don’t like sharing. Maybe next time. There’s also a security guard on site, who is helpful.
I stayed for three nights, and one of those nights was with the boys. We ordered food from the nearby restaurants and purchased fresh bread from the bakery just behind the building. On the second day, I cooked breakfast, and for lunch, my BFF dropped by, who was curious to see the flat, and brought food.
Of course, the flat isn’t perfect. A few things could be improved. The boys and I needed more extension cords — there were enough outlets, but not always close to where we wanted to lounge. The Wi-Fi worked, but it got spotty twice. You also have to recharge for electricity; I put in 10,000 XOF, and it lasted the entire three days, even with the AC running almost nonstop.
But let me tell you: the stay was rejuvenating. The flat is absolutely quiet — a kind of calm I’m not used to at home. Once you lock all the doors and windows, the world disappears. I slept so peacefully, even though I only got three to four hours because I was binge-watching shows. Still, I woke up early naturally, without an alarm or any external noise. I felt good. And honestly, that’s all I wanted.
Would I recommend this flat? Absolutely. I may go back and finally try the pool. I’d especially recommend it if you want to be in a lively area close to shopping, restaurants, and entertainment, but still enjoy peace and quiet inside.
And yes, the owner is an acquaintance. No, she didn’t pay me for this review. And yes, I paid for my stay. But don’t just take my word for it — check it out yourself right here.
And here is a short video on TikTok of the entire flat. Enjoy!
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