Hotel Mesra Haiwan Peliharaan di Yaounde

I spent a few nights in the Yaounde Hilton and it was a mixed experience. I arrived and went through what has to have been the grumpiest security check I’ve had in a while. Hilton - please ask your security to at least greet people, maybe even be friendly; or at least polite. And they were like this almost all the time… Anyway I had booked online (bizarrely it is far cheaper to book online that actually through the hotel), and when I asked for an extra night the hotel wanted to charge me almost double the rate it was on Hilton’s own website. My room was adequate. It was dated and needs a refurb - and the bathroom could do with a deep clean. Food was broadly ok; but disappointing. The breakfast buffet was quite limited and exactly the same each day. It is bizarre that in the tropics only very limited fruit was offered. The Safou restaurant was fair. Pricey but some good prawns. When you get charged $30 for a burger you want it to be good - and it wasn’t. I strongly suggest the Hilton kitchen engage some of the many local organic farms to increase the range of salad items, fruit, local butter and so on. It’s all available very nearby! In short while staff of the hotel were friendly and tried to be helpful, it’s sort of got the ‘I’m the only 5 star hotel in town’ vibe where frankly it is well below most decent hotel standards and certainly the worst Hilton I have been to. And it is a hefty price! That it is in Yaounde is not an acceptable justification - it could be a lot better and should be a lot better.

This was a great introduction to Yaoundé with a straightforward reception into a place with character and in which everything worked and friendly staff. Meal prices were not exorbitant for a 4 star hotel, and the rooms and shower well equipped. All was clean and comfortable. The first room overlooked the street and was noisy and after opening the window, it was difficult to close, but I got a much quieter room on the opposite side of the corridor. Carpets dampen the noise of guests returning to their rooms and I got a good night's sleep. You'll pay over U$150/night and breakfast is extra. There is a good menu and the lamb was delicious!