“Le Pays De La Teranga” which means the country of hospitality, a nickname that Senegal was given by many travelers.
The word hospitality is deeply rooted there. No matter where you go you will be greeted with friendly open arms. It’s fabulous beaches and fascinating traditions make it one of the favorite destinations for tourists. Beyond a lush and generous nature, Senegal has not only an incomparable culture but also a very beautiful heritage.
There is so much to see and do in Senegal, that it’s impossible to discover everything during one stay, so I took another trip to Senegal and this time around if I had to remember one unforgettable experience, it would definitely be my 2-day experience at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dakar Sea Plaza.
Located on a pleasant west coast road in the city of Dakar, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dakar Sea Plaza is a 5-star hotel, which offers you an exceptional panoramic view of the bay. Indeed, it is the assurance of great comfort and quality service, in a beautiful natural setting. An atmosphere of tranquility reigns at this stunning property.
As soon as we arrived at the hotel, the first thing that impressed me the most was the extremely warm welcome we received. The efficiency, charm and warm welcome of all the hotel staff was just the beginning of an unforgettable experience. I pulled my camera out and jumped right into travel blogger mode because I didn’t want to miss anything. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and it is very strong making it easy to share each moment with my followers.
Day 1:
Breakfast at Restaurant L’Avenue
Although it is the most important meal of the day, most of the natives are content with just a coffee and baked bread that I had gotten used to. Breakfast at the Raddison was definitely outside of the norm, but it was worth it.
The restaurant and bar L’Avenue welcomes you for breakfast in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. It offers several options for all the different foodies of the world. An American breakfast which includes an unlimited buffet as well as an omelet station. A continental breakfast with different bread selections, pastries and kouign-amann. Hot drinks and fresh fruit juice of your choice are available. You can also choose à la carte meal if you are craving something specific.
Breakfast is served every day from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. What could be better than savoring steaming tea, fresh pastries, and seasonal fruit in a pleasant setting with impeccable service? Take me back!
After the wonderful breakfast, it was time for the couples spa treatment: fitness, Hamam and a couples massage. With a large space dedicated to sports and relaxation, the Radisson tries to contribute to improving the quality of life of its guests. From weight loss to detox to physical preparation, the hotel’s facilities offer expert and tailor-made care. For those who like to work out while they travel, a full high-quality gym with a qualified experienced coach is available if you would like a personal training session. The decor of the gym is also a highlight with a bar that offers fresh juices to enjoy after an intense workout.
The Hamam and Massage
If you book a stay at the Radisson Blu Sea Plaza, you will also have access to the Buddhatitude Spa that offers several different wellness packages. In a harmonious setting combining elegance, comfort, and well-being, discover the incredible effectiveness of the services at Buddhatitude Spa.
The spa is intimate & warm, perfect for a zen retreat. The focal point of the spa is the rooftop swimming pool, equipped with massage jets and adorned with a sublime fountain.
After our relaxing swim in the pool, we spent some time in the sauna detoxing and then it was time for that couples massage. The beautiful relaxing room and the experienced massage therapist was a perfect ending to our time at the spa.
Lunch at Restaurant La Galuchat
The view from this restaurant is OMG amazing! I could have just sat there all day without any food but, I’m glad we did eat because the food was delicious. A friendly outdoor atmosphere with exquisite dishes makes this restaurant the top choice among locals and visitors. The menu offers a selection of starters, grilled meats, fish, seafood, and even dessert. These specialty grilled dishes are ideal for sharing with friends and family.
After our fulfilling lunch, we decided to relax a bit after and lounge around on the beautiful terrace waiting for the final experience of the day package. I was excited about this because more food was involved.
“Sushi Cocktail Mix” Happy Hour
Now I know what you’re thinking, Sushi in Africa?! Well don’t knock it until you try and that’s exactly what I did. Now I don’t drink so the cocktails had to be mocktails but they were made to perfection with Monin flavored syrups. With more than 100 Monin premium syrups, this high-quality brand offers a wide range of flavors that can instantly transform any drink from ordinary to extraordinary.
Now for the sushi, I have never seen an African sushi chef before, so I was a little skeptical at first but he knew exactly what he was doing. Each sushi roll was made with fresh ingredients and was made up of the best combinations. Nothing was left on my plate, not even a grain of rice.
Day 2:
There was so much to do in the day package, we decided to split it up into 2 days so that I could share it all with our readers and not miss a detail.
Sunset Lunch
The Radisson Blu has so many strengths like the large swimming pool with the best view of Senegal’s sunset, that just took my breath away. When I found out we were having appetizers at the pool bar, it was the best way to kick off our second day at the hotel. We were seated right in the middle of the pool bar area, on a comfortable sofa, next to the pool so we had good food with a great view.
After a beautiful day spent trying a few different delicious appetizers and enjoying the gorgeous sunset, it was time for a quick nap so we could be refreshed for a soon to be unforgettable dinner at the Little Buddha restaurant.
Dinner at Little Buddha Restaurant
This beautifully unique restaurant invites you to discover a fusion cuisine that will stimulate your taste buds and awaken your senses. It displays a majestic ambiance that is unmatched in the area. The alcoves embracing the mezzanine and the bar carved in the shape of a dragon, offer privacy and stolen romantic moments in the sensual low lighting of the candles. Once you walk into the restaurant you are greeted by a gigantic captivating Buddha statue and colonial chandeliers of red velvet embroidered with gold threads that exude positive energy.
The cuisine is a tasty blend of East and West where each dish is a discovery. A special dining experience was reserved for us, we dined in an atmosphere of sharing, allowing us to try a lot of different items on the menu. 
Each dish highlighted specialties that were unique, refreshing, subtle and spicy.
Little Buddha also has a menu of great deserts and cocktail creations, influenced by the richness of local ingredients which gives the cocktails unique flavors. Subtle blends of fruit, aromatic herbs and spices will make your senses travel. My favorite dessert was the creme brulee with a side of vanilla ice cream. Mmmmmmm! I can still taste it.
Last but not least, a particularly warm thanks to the melodic captivating mixes of the resident DJ that set the mood all night. Little Buddha is a unique experience for those looking for an unforgettable moment.
Dinner was the final experience in our package and we did not want it to end. This day package is full of surprises that allowed us to fully explore everything the Radisson Blue, Dakar, Sea Plaza has to offer. BUT, don’t just take my word for it. If you’re ever in Dakar, go check it out for yourself. Tell them The Cultured Collective sent you!
Thank you again to the awesome marketing team at the Radisson for setting up such an amazing experience for us.
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Naomi is a stylish, adventurous traveler. She’s a bit of a daredevil that loves excursions. Those that know her, call her a shoe connoisseur. She is also obsessed with music and has a playlist for just about any mood. She’s a foodie that loves a good vegetarian/vegan spot. Want to know where she is headed next… stay tuned to find out!
