Located on the outskirts of Plateaux Region’s cultural hub, Kpalimé, the Hotel Royal is a favourite amongst travellers, who rate it highly for its tranquil, leafy setting, and exceptionally hospitable owners.
Overview
Located a half-hour walk from Kpalimé, the Hotel Royal is a low-slung, single-storey property with a terracotta-tiled roof. The guesthouse is almost hidden behind the big-leaf plants and trees which crowd its well-manicured gardens, where tables and chairs are positioned between statues and fountains. The hotel has 11 rooms, lounge area, and bar/restaurant, though given its calming atmosphere, guests are most usually found eating and drinking on the terrace, which offers incredible views of the revered Mt. Kloto. WiFi is also available.
Food & service
Hotel Royal is owned and managed by Caroline and Jul Lekey, who go to immense lengths to ensure travellers have a memorable stay, encouraging guests to treat the guesthouse as a home-from-home. Jul is American-Togolese, while Caroline is Austrian by birth, but speaks several languages, including French, English, Greek and German. This cultural melting pot is reflected in the hotel’s home-cooked meals, which include apple strudel from Austria, American spare ribs, and Greek souvlaki, as well as Togolese dishes.
Accommodation
The hotel’s 11 rooms are all spacious, with queen-size beds, en suites, wardrobe, desk and chair, as well as lounge seating. The general style is simple and unfussy, while also being clean and comfortable. Each room also offers a view of the gardens.
Activities
Hiking in the nearby Togo-Atakora mountain range is one of the primary reasons for a stay in this part of Togo, not least to explore Mt. Kloto, which is just a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Waterfalls, sacred forests full of bats and other wildlife, and historical sites such as Kpalime itself, and a colonial-era German cemetery, are all easily accessible from the guesthouse. Caroline and Jul will also be more than happy to share activity ideas and to arrange transport and local guides as required.