Sierra Lighthouse Hotel

“Running Up That Hill”

I secured a great deal for the Sierra Light House Hotel on Booking. The hotel accepts CC payments. In this case, the USD room rate will be converted to local currency. Surprisingly, the conversion rate is advantageous to guests, so paying by CC is actually cheaper! The ATM machine in the lobby (Rok… more

I secured a great deal for the Sierra Light House Hotel on Booking. The hotel accepts CC payments. In this case, the USD room rate will be converted to local currency. Surprisingly, the conversion rate is advantageous to guests, so paying by CC is actually cheaper! The ATM machine in the lobby (Rokel Bank) didn't work for me. My reservation was for a Deluxe Double Room with Balcony and Sea View, which was the cheapest room type available. My reservation specified the room featured 2 double beds. Instead, I was given a room with a single double bed, which was more appropriate, since I was traveling solo. Unfortunately, the double bed consisted of 2 single beds pushed together. The entrance to the room featured a comfortable sitting area with a sexy yellow sofa. I also had a desk, a TV and a mid-sized fridge with complimentary water. Even though my room was close to hotel reception, the hotel WiFi only worked in the salon, not in the bedroom. Next up was the spacious & well-appointed bathroom. Patience is required to have a hot shower, especially at night. The good news is that your patience will always be rewarded. The screeching bathroom ventilator was testament to the fact that even though the rooms are well maintained, they are also well worn. The bedroom featured a 2nd desk & TV, as well as ample closet space. The balcony offers magnificent views of the bay. At night, the Lagoonda Casino across the bay is illuminated. Since the bedroom is right next to the coastline, you can hear the waves crashing upon the rocky shore, which is a soothing sound to fall asleep to. Other reviews have mentioned the bad road leading to the hotel, so I was fully aware of that fact. But I figured I could get a taxi whenever I wanted to go out, especially at night. Think again! When I asked the security guards to call me a taxi the first evening, they couldn't. The only way to get a taxi was if a security guard walked to the main road and flagged down a taxi for me. Not wanting to inconvenience them, I decided to walk to the main road. Security assured me it was perfectly safe, even though it's pretty dark at night. Since I was walking, the rocky road wasn't much of an issue. But the fact that it was an uphill walk all the way made it a struggle. Throughout my entire stay, every time I wanted to leave the hotel, I had to walk up that damn hill. Oh, how I hated that bloody hill!

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“My first trip back in years - needed a reliable place!”

At the nth hour, my partner and I needed a reliable, good place to stay so switched our booking to the Sierra Lighthouse based on word of mouth. We both think this was the right decision, as the hotel is full of character and staffed by welcoming, attentive and engaging locals. It also had an ATM w… more

At the nth hour, my partner and I needed a reliable, good place to stay so switched our booking to the Sierra Lighthouse based on word of mouth. We both think this was the right decision, as the hotel is full of character and staffed by welcoming, attentive and engaging locals. It also had an ATM which worked for most of our stay! This made a huge difference, as Sierra Leone has a cash-based economy and despite what you might think, it is VERY expensive! The rooms were a great size, with a small reception area which was very handy for receiving guests and doing some work, despite it being quite dark and somewhat airless. The sleeping area looked out over Man O'War Bay, and coming from cold and gloomy London it was lovely to have the beautiful, atmospheric view plus the sounds and sights from Lumley Beach, across the bay during the day. Sadly, also across the bay was the Lagoonda/Mambo Spot night club; pounding, pumping loud music every weekend night - ouch! ouch! ouch! This continued long after the noise of the live music/festivities from the Lighthouse's own external dining stopped and continued into the small hours. (The resident band were AMAZING - catch them if you can!) The nightclub at the Lagoonda was loud and did cast quite a blight, but as it was only at weekends and we were only there for two weekends we could live with it. Be warned though: maintenance at the Sierra Lighthouse is a little problematic! We requested an extra chair and small table to join the (ripped) chair on our balcony, and were promised them every time but they never appeared. Also, the ventilator in our room began screeching madly on our second day, and again we requested it be repaired and despite the attendance of hot and sweaty men (who spent their days banging away at something upstairs - we were out a lot so could escape this, fortunately) up to the time we left the ventilator still screeched whenever we put it on so of course we just had to remember never to use it! On the up side, the food was great! The chef did a FANTASTIC job! While I wish there could have been more local dishes on offer rather than just jollof rice (which was fabulous) there was quite a range of food on offer and all the food was amazing! Bizarrely though, breakfast bed was sweetened (why???), but I requested branflakes/cornflakes instead and they complied!!! Wonderful! AND the staff were happy to prepare omelettes etc on the spot! If you use room service or need to speak to reception, please get used to the fact that staff might put the phone down on you without warning you the conversation is over. This seems to be new Sierra Leonean trait since the spread of mobile phones so they were not alone in leaving us chatting to an empty phone line! Occasionally frustrating but mostly hilarious - which basically sums up our whole time in Freetown. Internet - it exists. Don't depend on it. Don't be deterred by the terrible state of the road leading to the Sierra Lighthouse. It isn't long and it is worth the bumps in the road for your stay at this quaint, engaging place. If you can deal with minor frustrations you might find - as we did - that they even add to the charm of the overall experience. Go. Enjoy. And don't think about the money! They need it more than you and you can earn it back later -it's worth it!

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“Une adresse précieuse”

Une hotellerie de bonne facture Une atmosphère sympathique , un feeling to be at home/ Mais par dessus tout a Friday Buffet Grill party fantastic. Thanks to the Cook and his team, thanks to Andrew the Hotel Manager

“Ok hotel, helpful staff”

Staff at the hotel were great. Everything except the WIFI was ok at the hotel, the WIFI dropped in and out. The hotel could do with a refurb as looking a little tired. It's in an ok location, but still a long walk to the beach, plus out of the city. Lots of parking and secure. Good value for money … more

Staff at the hotel were great. Everything except the WIFI was ok at the hotel, the WIFI dropped in and out. The hotel could do with a refurb as looking a little tired. It's in an ok location, but still a long walk to the beach, plus out of the city. Lots of parking and secure. Good value for money in Sierra Leone.

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