Le Relais Hotel

A gem in the heart of town

Le Relais is a three star hotel on the Koulikoro road in the Hippodrome area of town. Behind it's unassuming facade lies a good restuarant, pleasant bar area, 36 bedrooms, and a small swimming pool and garden. Many expatriate Bamako residents come and eat in the restaurant which is well-known for its excellent Italian food. I have eaten in the restaurant often and enjoyed the pool.

Recently, we decided to stay at the hotel for a week and have left feeling relaxed and cared for. We had one of the balcony rooms overlooking the gardens at the back. The room was certainly adequate, although a little on the small side. The room service is very good and prompt., serving all the same dishes as the restaurant with no supplement. The satallite TV pleased my partner ... football on lots of channels! One drawback is the lack of a lift. The pool is medium sized and rectangular. There is no separate child's area. Sun beds and umbrellas are provided and residents can ask for extra towels for swimming from reception. Drinks and food can be ordered from the poolside.

I would certainly recommend Le Relais to anyone needing 'in town' accommodation, although the hotel is not really suitable for families with children. It is great for the business user or for someone passing through Bamako.

Unique Quality: One of the outstanding characteristics of Le Relais for me is its staff. They are all very pleasant, helpful and friendly. One certainly feels a 'guest'. There is a high standard of cleanliness and service. There are some nice views from the back balcony rooms of many trees and in the far distance the hills of Bamako. There is little noise although the main road is just in front. The hotel garden is very pleasant and great attempts are made to keep the pool and grounds clean and tidy.

The silver service restaurant is one of the best in Bamako. Fresh Italian food is served promptly and with style.

A wifi network connection is available throughout the hotel., giving free internet connection for guests with laptops. A computer is also available for guests to use in reception.