Hotel Review: Africa Queen

Back in the summer of 2022, I found myself grabbing lunch at Hotel Africa Queen while waiting for the owner of our rental house to swing by. I’d originally wanted to stay there, but at the time, I felt the rates were a bit on the pricey side.

Fast forward to summer 2024, and I decided to give Africa Queen a try, even if just for one night. I was spending a few days in Somone with the boys at a cosy bed and breakfast, but for our last evening, I thought a little splurge was in order.

Africa Queen Hotel is beautifully situated near the lagoon in Somone. It’s a sizable hotel right on the beachfront, complete with two pools (one for kids and one for adults) and an on-site restaurant. I booked our rooms via WhatsApp before our arrival: a standard room for the boys and a supérieur for myself, opting for half-board so we could have two meals included. But upon arrival—right around lunchtime—I decided to upgrade to all-inclusive since I didn’t feel like venturing out to find food. Not sure if this had anything to do with it, but we ended up with an upgrade as well: a deluxe room for me and a supérieur for the boys.

View from outside my hotel room

Honestly, the deluxe wasn’t hugely different from the supérieur. The rooms were the same size, though the deluxe included a coffee and tea machine, a bathrobe, and a little more refinement in the amenities. The rooms were comfy—nothing overly spacious, but the bed was super cosy, and the soft bedding was a nice touch. Each room came with a TV, a mini-fridge, and air conditioning. The décor was also lovely, with neutral tones accented by colourful bedding.

Blue weaved bedding 

Coffee machine in the deluxe room

I didn’t spend much time in the room, aside from a quick shower and sleep. Lunch was served in the open-air restaurant by the pool, and while the food wasn’t particularly standout, it was satisfying. There was a buffet of salads, seafood, grilled options, and classic sides like rice, French fries, and grilled veggies. Dessert was a mix of fresh fruit, cakes, and mousses.

Breakfast

Later, my sister-in-law and her kids joined us from Dakar to enjoy the hotel’s brand-new splash water park. It’s a small, colourful play area with water features that kids can run through, and because it was raining, we had the whole place to ourselves. The younger kids adored it, but surprisingly, the older ones had a blast too. I thought it was a great addition to the hotel—perfect for kids who might not yet be confident swimmers but still want water fun under their parents' watchful eyes.

The kids enjoying the water park

The hotel also has a beachfront area, though the weather kept us from venturing out to the sand. Overall, I really enjoyed our stay at Africa Queen. It’s a peaceful spot, the service was good, and the staff were welcoming and attentive. The food could use a little upgrade, but they seem to be expanding, as there’s a new wing with what looked like an infinity pool and posh lounge chairs—likely aimed at an adult crowd. I just hope this new addition doesn’t bring a spike in prices. I’m already planning my return, inshallah!

Beach