HOTELS

DOUALA

Douala is Cameroon's major seaport, and a city of 3.5+ million. There is a wide selection of hotels of varying standard. From personal experience I make the following comments.

My preferred hotel is the AKWA PALACE which is right in the commercial heart of town. The hotel has reliable quality rooms and services, and they take most credit cards, and cash travelers cheques in most major currencies. Rooms run from about US$65 per night. This represents the best value in town. The hotel has a secluded garden area and pool at the rear. Akwa 1, the older, renovated building, and quite adequate, is US$47.00 per night.

The MERIDIEN is also good quality, but more expensive. It has lovely grounds, and very good security. Rooms range from about US$85 per night.

The IBIS is also a reliable, secure hotel at a reasonable rate. A popular business hotel.

The SAWA has tired rooms, poor quality food and unreliable water supply in the dry season. The grounds however, are expansive and delightful. They do take most credit cards.

YAOUNDE

Yaounde is the capital of Cameroon. At the top of the range is the YAOUNDE HILTON, a magnificent hotel, with the best of service. It is located in the heart of the Government district. It has excellent restaurants and bars, although quite expensive. Rooms start at US$255. Meals are superb, but expensive. A tin drum band plays in the foyer every afternoon. Swissair and Cameroon Airlines have offices in the complex.

The resort hotel of MONTE FEBE SOFITEL is a 15 minute drive from the heart of town, and in the Presidential Palace district. It commands magnificent views over Yaounde, and has it's own 9 hole golf course. Food and services are good, and rooms start at US$125. As with the Hilton, they take most credit cards. Taxis from there to the C.B.D. are expensive.

The HOTEL DES DEPUTES is in the centre of the Government District, and rear rooms have a pleasant view over a small lake, with the Prime Minister's residence, and other exclusive homes in the background. It is primarily for the use of Government Deputies when the Parliament is in Session. It is of modest standard, but has a huge lounge / bar / restaurant area, which is a popular meeting place for business people. Mini suites at US$60 per night are good value, although be prepared for some faulty equipment. Security is very high, and there is always a taxi to be had at the door. The hotel only takes AMEX cards, or cash only.

THE CENTRAL HOTEL. This follows the design of a typical 2 story country motel in Australia. Rooms are of very basic quality, however prices are only US$26 per night including continental breakfast. The do have a few good quality suites at US$52, which have a fridge, and separate lounge room. There is a delightful roundhouse in the yards for meals, although food is basic. It is an ideal place to stay if you have a vehicle, but difficult without one, due to few taxis visiting. As the crow flies, the Central is very close to the Hilton. Cash only accepted for accounts.

THE PRESTIGE is a basic hotel, with rooms, units, and small apartments, close to the C.B.D. It is in a noisy location, with small grounds, but boasts good security. Rooms start at a modest US$22, cash only. It is very popular with visiting businessmen, and is usually booked out.

THE ROYAL is a basic hotel, with reasonable restaurant, located in the C.B.D, but a little too close to the massive produce markets. Taxis cruise past the door day and night. Rooms are very basic, but adequate. Rooms are from about US$26, and they do reluctantly take Visa. One interesting feature is a cluster of cabanas on the flat roof, which can be used for meetings. They have no safe deposit facilities.

OUT OF TOWN

Hotels out of the two major centres are basic, but usually clean, and with surprisingly good quality food. In the major East Province city of Bertoua, I recommend the HOTEL MANZA. A typical single story Australian motel. Save a bucket of water if u arrive in the dry season, as the town supply is poor. Rooms average US$22 cash only.

BAMENDA has good quality hotels.

Every small town and many villages have small hotels where rooms can be had from $2/5, and these are usually presentable.

Maxwell Shean
Honorary Consul