Looking for somewhere to stay in Sierra Leone’s capital? Then here are the best Freetown hotels!
Almost everyone travelling in this West African country will spend at least a bit of time in Freetown, so knowing the best places to bed down, in advance of your arrival, can really help you to relax here.
After all, travel in Sierra Leone is not for the faint-hearted, especially in Freetown!
But don’t worry I’ve got you covered with this list of the top Freetown hotels – all of which can be accessed easily from both the country’s airport and city centre.
And that’s because almost all of the options on this list are situated in the district of Aberdeen.
One of the wealthy city suburbs, and conveniently located right along the coast, Aberdeen offers the greatest collection of tourist services in Freetown, including bars, restaurants and, of course, those all important Atlantic Ocean sunset views.
It’s also the place where the sea ferry arrives into Freetown from the airport (learn more about this here), so if you’re looking for an easy and fairly relaxed place to stay in Freetown, look no further than Aberdeen and this list of my top hotel picks there…
Related Posts
- 15 Best Things to Do in Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Complete Sierra Leone Packing List
- 21 Things to Know Before You Travel to Sierra Leone
My trip to Sierra Leone was sponsored by the Sierra Leone National Tourist Board, but as always, all views are my own.
This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.
#1 Home Suites Boutique Hotel
Coming in at number one on this list of the top hotels in Freetown it’s Home Suites Boutique Hotel.
A small and relaxed option, this top Freetown hotel is set just a few streets back from the beach, in a quieter area of Aberdeen away from the main strip.
If you feel like relaxing in privacy, then it’s great to know this lovely spot has a swimming pool, as well as a gym and a great onsite restaurant.
Comfortable rooms all include fast speed wifi and desks, as well as tea and coffee facilities and some even offer ocean views.
Scoring high for cleanliness, staff and excellent wifi, if you’re needing to work as well as holiday in Freetown, then this is the ideal hotel for you.
Book your stay at Home Suites Boutique Hotel here.
#2 Mamba Point Hotel
In at number 2, it’s the Mamba Point Hotel, which is definitely another top place to stay in Freetown.
Also offering a pool and gym facilities, along with gardens and a guest lounge, this is a wonderfully relaxing spot that is again set slightly beyond the busy Lumley beach strip.
Sea view rooms however soon make you realise you’re not far away and there’s easy connections to the airport sea ferry too.
Breakfast, which gets great guest reviews, can be enjoyed outside on the terrace, and there’s a bar for evening drinks as well.
Close to all the city action, but far enough away for things to feel peaceful and calm, the Mamba Point Hotel is a great option for holidaying couples looking to relax, as well as explore here.
Reserve your room here.
#3 The Lead Hotel
Another one of the top-end choices when it comes to Freetown hotels, the Lead Hotel is probably the most luxurious spot in the capital in my opinion.
Fantastic for business and holiday travellers alike, this Freetown hotel is again situated in the Aberdeen area, although this time, it’s right on the coast and even boasts its own private beach!
This means you are able to enjoy gorgeous seaviews from many of the rooms, as well as from the spacious pool area and the quiet sandy strip infront of the hotel where the Atlantic Ocean gently laps.
Airport connections are easy from the nearby Sea Bird Express terminal, otherwise, the private jetty here allows you to enjoy your own bespoke transfer too.
With different suites, this is the only aparthotel in Freetown and it offers kitchenettes and balconies, along with separate living areas and terraces in many of its apartments.
High speed wifi is available throughout the property and there’s also a hotel fitness centre, bar and restaurant where you can enjoy your downtime, not to mention landscaped gardens and free parking.
Book your stay at The Lead Hotel here.
#4 The Stafford Lodge
Now we move to the more affordable scale of the Freetown hotel market and first up is The Stafford Lodge.
A lovely family-run guesthouse with a gym, free parking and good wifi, all rooms here offer private bathrooms, flatscreen TVs, air conditioning and balconies.
A great breakfast is served and the staff are polite and helpful when it comes to assisting with your adventures in Freetown!
Set outside of Aberdeen, the Stafford Lodge is very near the American Embassy, as well as the fantastic Leicester Peak lookout (see picture of me above!)
It’s also only a short drive to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
There are 15 rooms here, as well as an onsite restaurant, bar, laundry service and even a tour company who arrange some great Freetown excursions too.
Grab your room at The Stafford Lodge here.
#5 Cole Street Guesthouse
And finally, we come to Cole Street Guesthouse, our last entry on this list of top Freetown hotels and another good value option.
Set just beyond Aberdeen in the Murray Bay area, (which is near to Cockle Bar and the boat departure point to Bunce and Tasso Island by the way), this 4 star property offers rooms each with their own bathroom and balcony, plus air-conditioning and wifi.
Sea views are available in many of the rooms, otherwise there’s a hotel terrace to enjoy too, as well as a nice bar area.
Reviews praise the comfort and cleanliness of Cole Street Guesthouse, which was built by the late Lati Hyde-Forster – the first woman to graduate from Fourah Bay College in Freetown.
With a fantastic story behind it, this modern and friendly guesthouse is the perfect place to stay in Freetown if you’re on a medium budget.
Book your stay here.
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Mini Travel Guide to Freetown
When to Visit?
The best time to visit Freetown is between the months of December and February.
Learn more in this post I wrote all about when best to visit Sierra Leone.
How Long to Visit For?
1 week is a good amount of time to see a lot that Sierra Leone has to offer, including Freetown, the surrounding beaches and islands, plus some of the nearby wildlife destinations too, like Tiwai Island.
How to Get There?
Most travellers arrive into Sierra Leone via the capital’s international airport.
Flights from Europe are direct with Brussels Airways and Air France, or via Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc.
Kenya Airways and Turkish Airlines also operate flights here from other destinations.
As always I use Skyscanner to find the best plane prices.
To get from the airport to central Freetown, it’s then best to take the ferry service, which is timed to run with arriving flights.
Sea Bird Express are the main operator and tickets cost $45 USD.
The ticket office is located outside the airport, just across the street from the arrivals hall.
Learn more in this post I wrote all about arriving into Sierra Leone’s airport.
How to Get Around?
It’s best to get around Sierra Leone care of a tour company or an arranged driver.
Visit Sierra Leone can help with both.
Travel Insurance for Sierra Leone
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.
Travel Money in Sierra Leone
Cash is king in Sierra Leone, so I advise bringing lots of USD, Euros or Pound Sterling with you, which can then be exchanged in banks or on the street in Freetown.
Don’t rely on ATMs in this country, as many don’t work and cash withdrawals are limited.
Paying by card in this country is really only available in top-end hotels, restaurants and bars.
On the occasion that you can pay by card (and as a good backup option), I highly recommend a Wise card.
The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates and no sneaky transaction fees, I never travel anywhere without mine. Sign up to get yours here.
Where to Travel After Sierra Leone?
After Sierra Leone, I travelled north to The Gambia.
Learn more about travelling in this fantastic West African country here.
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So there you have it, the 5 best hotels in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Are you planning to visit this city?
Have any questions?
Then don’t hesitate to drop them into the comments box below…
