Elementz Apartments
A self-catering base minutes from Zorg en Hoop Airport ΓÇö built for travellers who want space, a pool, and an easy launch into Suriname's interior.
Why Go
Elementz Apartments sits on quiet H.D. Benjaminstraat, a residential stretch of Paramaribo where you can settle in for a few nights or a few weeks without giving up hotel convenience. It's a rare find in the capital: air-conditioned units with real kitchens, a genuine outdoor pool, and an on-site restaurant, all about two kilometres from the domestic airport that flies you deep into Suriname's rainforest.
The Experience
Rooms feel more like apartments than hotel rooms ΓÇö fridge, microwave, kettle, walk-in shower, safety deposit box, and enough space to actually unpack after a long-haul flight. The pool courtyard is where the property earns its keep after a humid day out; there's usually a quiet handful of guests rather than a crowd. The on-site restaurant handles American-style plates with vegetarian and halal options, which is genuinely useful when you land late from an interior flight and don't want to hunt for food. The clientele is a low-key mix of business travellers, families, and expedition guests staging for jungle trips, and the vibe is comfortable rather than showy.
What to Try
Book a poolside breakfast on your first morning to reset from the flight in, then use the kitchen to stock up from a nearby toko (corner shop) for late-night snacks ΓÇö a huge advantage over standard hotels. If you're heading into the interior via Zorg en Hoop, ask reception to arrange the paid airport shuttle the night before; it saves the 5:30 a.m. taxi scramble. For a change of scene, walk out to 'T VAT Sidewalk Cafe or 168 Restaurant instead of eating on-site every evening.
Insider Tip
If you're doing a rainforest trip to Palumeu, Kabalebo, or Awarradam, Elementz is the smartest pre- and post-lodge stay in the city because it's walking distance to Zorg en Hoop ΓÇö you can effectively roll your bag to the terminal. Book the same unit on both ends of your interior trip and ask to leave excess luggage at the property between stays; most guests don't realise this is an option, and it means you fly into the jungle with only what you actually need.
The Practical Stuff
Address: H.D. Benjaminstraat 46, Paramaribo (an alternate rendering of Hermand D. Benjamin Straat). Roughly 2 km from Zorg en Hoop domestic airport, 3.3 km from Paramaribo Central Market, and 2.4 km from the Surinaams Museum at Fort Zeelandia. Free Wi-Fi, on-site parking, outdoor pool, and a paid airport shuttle on request. Reception speaks Dutch and English; SRD cash and cards are accepted, and USD/EUR are widely understood. Book direct via elementz-apartments.com or through the usual booking platforms ΓÇö the property tends to fill up around interior-flight departure days.
Pair It With
- 'T VAT Sidewalk Cafe Guide — Casual neighbourhood spot a short walk away ΓÇö good for a first-night dinner when you don't want to commit to a taxi into the historic centre.
- 168 Restaurant Guide — Nearby Chinese-Surinamese kitchen that locals actually use; a solid, inexpensive dinner option a few blocks from the apartments.
- 88 Car Rental Suriname Guide — Close-by rental agency ΓÇö pair a couple of Elementz nights with a car for day trips to the Commewijne coffee and cacao plantations.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — Handy activity operator in the area for a half-day adrenaline break between city errands and an interior flight.