Excellent location, friendly and helpful staff, safe and clean accommodation.

Stayed in March 2025

More difficult to communicate with the staff if you don't speak French. They didn't change the bed linen and towels in 4 days. There was no soap in the bathroom. The bathroom was very wet after using the shower. Air conditioning and breakfast for an additional fee. The breakfast area is at the reception.

Very good location, close to restaurants, shops, banks. Clean and comfortable room, nice balcony. Safe area. Rooftop terrace. You can pay by bank card.

Stayed in February 2025

As with my previous experience here, there was construction next door, pretty much an arm's length away from the windows. I personally had no major issue with it. I do not blame the property as this is out of their control but adding this information just to provide a full picture of what to expect with Karl's Guesthouse. Hopefully, construction will be completed soon.

I stayed here three weeks prior, at the beginning of my Benin trip. I had such a wonderful experience that I made sure to return when it was time for me to get my return flight home from Cotonou. As previously, the staff was excellent. The room was clean and spacious and the air conditioning, which you pay extra for, helped me sleep well. I had a flight leaving at 1 in the morning. Benoit knew that no one reserved the room for that night so he let me know that if i wanted, i could stay a few extra hours so I could rest prior to my very, very long flight home. This was above and beyond for me. The extra rest time made such a difference and I am so grateful that Benoit extended this generous offer to me.

Stayed in November 2024

A bit strange making eye contact with the builders across the road whilst you’re showering.

Great location in walking distance of the airport

Stayed in October 2024

Great location and great staff!

Stayed in May 2024

Very nice and helpful Owner from Germany Great value. Friendly staff.

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing really.

I had made a comment during my previous stay, and it had been taken care of when I returned a week later. Benoit was very helpful. He had started to learn English using DuoLingo.

Stayed in March 2024

Karls is in a great location near a bunch of embassies. Good restaurants are nearby, grocery stores, ATMs, and plenty of moto-taxis. Friendly and helpful staff!

Stayed in January 2024

Very friendly staff. Good location.

Stayed in December 2023

Was generally ok and the staffs where kinda helpful in helping me commute around town considering the fact that I didn’t understand French

Stayed in August 2023

Everything was great :)

Karls Guesthouse was perfect for our extended stay in Cotonou. The room was a good size, clean, with a comfortable bed and nice desk to work at (the small, colorful birds visiting the garden outside the window was an added bonus). The kitchen had everything we needed to cook meals at home. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The neighborhood is safe and several nice restaurants, cafes, and shops are nearby. We hope to be back one day!

Stayed in July 2023

Everything fine ! Especially nice people. Exactly the right place when working in Bénin for a short period .

Stayed in July 2023

i got everything done and seen for what i wanted from my visit, thanks to the three boys at the guesthouse.

Breakfast was not included , and neither do i take breakfast, but Benoit made me an excellent cup of coffee each morning for free. This property has three excellent young men helping Karl, the owner, run this guesthouse: Carlos , Jeff and Benoit. Carlos showed me round Cotonou on his motorbike, he is the best motorbike driver ever, and knows Cotonou very well. Jeff also kindly took me around some other areas of Cotonou on his motorbike. i really got to see all the main sights with these two young men. Dantokpa market with Carlos was a most memorable day, the most chaotic and exciting market i have ever been into. The guesthouse is in a very safe area and there are some good restaurants around the hotel for Western cuisine. The airport is close by, but not of walking distance, and the guesthouse has their own arranged drivers for pickup and collection, each fare was 4000cfa. The local produce of fruits was amazing and cheap.

Stayed in June 2023

Karl's guesthouse is perfectly situated in the friendly neighbourhood of Haie Vive. It's very close to the best (expat) bars in town (check out Le Livingstone, Pura Vida and for live music Hotel Residence) and various small or bigger shops. I found it to be one of the best value-for-money deals in Cotonou. Rooms are clean, functional and equipped with everything I needed. Karl has been living in Benin for a long time and can give great recommendations for your Benin visit. Be aware that it's standard to charge extra in Benin for the use of A/C. I personally only needed a fan (beginning of March).

Stayed in March 2023

A perfect simple hotel. Well located, clean and charming staff

Stayed in November 2022

No fridge in the room. Management must inform other residents not to use what doesn't belong to them in the shared fridge downstairs. Air conditioning is optional which I understand but it's over priced.

Very nice staff. Big beds. Smart value. Okay location. Free bike rental service. Good WiFi.

Stayed in October 2022

It's very annoying to have to pay extra for Aircon.

Staff were very obliging. We later stayed in another hotel in the same area where the room was almost identical, but the staff were not nearly as helpful or friendly. The room is basic but functional. Karl's is an easy walk to Livingstone's, the local hangout for expats.

Stayed in September 2022

Friendly staff and efficient communication by host. Beautiful facility, attention to aesthetics. Nice location, very helpful front desk.

Stayed in October 2022

I missed a waste paper basket in the room. The bedside lamp was not sufficient for reading.

We were not offered breakfast. I thought it was not in the package. Benoit was a lovely host, even though he spoke no English and my French was a collection of words!! The place was clean and quiet and close to the airport.

Stayed in March 2024

Air-conditioner in the room was not working

There is no provision for breakfast

Stayed in March 2024

Upon checkout, they advised we had to pay in CFA, even though my booking confirmation said Euro or card. There was no card payment facilities. When they agreed to let us pay Euro, they tried to charge us 6x the price until I asked them to bring up the booking confirmation. Finally got the right price, paid, then 15 mins later when waiting for a taxi they suddenly said we need to also pay 30€ for aircon. This was not advised at check in or written in the booking confirmation email.

Shower was good, rooms were clean, wifi worked

Stayed in January 2024

support from staff exceptional

Excellent staff and good customer service

Stayed in September 2023

Pay extra for airco.

Very convenient location and accessible staff. Big bed and bathroom, kitchen incorporated. The neighborhood around is packed with good restaurants and bars.

Stayed in May 2023

There are no comments available for this review

Stayed in August 2025