Hotels
Your critical guide to the best hotels and B&Bs in Accra
Kempinski now open
Good things come to those who wait.. Well, finally, the much-delayed Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City has now opened to compete for top billing with Ghana’s very finest hotels. The Gold Coast City Hotel is from the Kempinski group that has a global reputation for doing things in style, this is no exception. It will mark the brand’s West African debut and has the potential to be the city’s most dazzling hotel yet, with a complex spread over 35 hectares and comprising numerous buildings, including commercial and residential towers organised along a ‘broad boulevard and esplanade’. The hotel itself has 269 rooms, all at least 50 sqm in size, including a pair of seriously snazzy presidential suites. Guests can also enjoy an extensive spa with 10 treatment rooms, a hammam, yoga studios and a fully kitted-out beauty salon. Other hotel features include an organic food bar, a cocktail bar, tennis courts and a flashy outdoor pool. In addition, there will be seven meeting rooms with the latest audio-visual equipment, a number of outside meeting areas and a conference centre measuring 1,750 sq m. (024 143 44711, kempinski.com/accra).Keep tuned for more information and events at the Kempinski.
Book your hotel through Time Out Accra
Time Out Accra has launched a partnership with booking.com, an international hotel booking business that ‘guarantees the best available prices’. Every hotel in Accra that can be booked through Booking.com – more than 100 – can now be booked directly through Time Out Accra, whether that’s a little gem of a B&B such as Chez Delphy or a large design-led hotel such as the Labadi Beach Hotel we’ve got it covered. And for many properties you can read our critic’s review first. At Time Out Accra we’ve helpfully categorised the hotels so you can fine the hotels that meet your needs. For example, an early flight? Well see our choice of hotels near the airport. Or fancy a cooling dip? We’ve got the best pools for you too, plus much more. So when you’re ready to book a hotel for a guaranteed best price, just search for the property on Time Out Accra, click the red ‘Book Online’ link and get a great price on the hotel.
Critics' choice of hotels in Accra
Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City
This much-delayed hotel should soon be competing for top billing with Ghana’s very finest hotels. The Gold Coast City Hotel is from the Kempinski group that has a global reputation for doing things in style, this will doubtless be no exception. Scheduled to open in October 2015, will mark the brand’s West African debut and has the potential to be the city’s most dazzling hotel yet, with a complex spread over 35 hectares and comprising numerous buildings, including commercial and residential towers organised along a ‘broad boulevard and esplanade’. The hotel itself will have 269 rooms, all at least 50 sqm in size, including a pair of seriously snazzy presidential suites. Guests can also enjoy an extensive spa with 10 treatment rooms, a hammam, yoga studios and a fully kitted-out beauty salon. Other hotel features include an organic food bar, a cocktail bar, tennis courts and a flashy outdoor pool. In addition, there will be seven meeting rooms with the latest audio-visual equipment, a number of outside meeting areas and a conference centre measuring 1,750 sq m.
Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel
Backed by palm-studded grounds and a sweeping azure pool, Accra’s newest luxury bolthole is certainly living up to its hype. Waiters on roller blades glide across the gleaming patio, supplying fresh snacks and icy drinks to holidaymakers stretched out on loungers around the pool; the onsite luxury shopping centre is filled with high-end goods, from bold fashions at Nonterah to Afrocentric homeware at Joe’s Perspective (see p54); Sankofa restaurant pleases with an array of international flavours, and the cocktail lounge expertly whips up any favoured tipple. At the time of writing, the only slight downside to Mövenpick is that it feels a little like a new pair of shoes – shiny and impressive, but ever so slightly stiff. But with the stream of visitors surely on their way, its edges are set to be softened very soon indeed.
Fiesta Royale
The Fiesta Royale has smart rooms, efficient service and a good bar and restaurant, making it an ideal bet for business travellers and families. Its location, no more than 15 minutes from the airport, is superb. The rooms are large – choose between standard, executive suite or chalet – and all are kitted out with DSTV, free wireless, ample wardrobe space and a safe. A large breakfast buffet is also included. The hotel pool is on the small side, but a backdrop of Italian-style gardens makes it a picturesque and clean area for unwinding. All in all, it would pass as a reliable and well-run hotel anywhere in the world: the service is a cut above many of its competitors. Its Mansonia restaurant has a private dining area for groups and parties, and the bar and restaurant are also becoming very popular with non-residents, thanks to a menu of well-cooked Ghanaian, African and international specialties. Elsewhere, the Ceiba terrace offers a range of snacks and food.
Labadi Beach Hotel
The Labadi Beach Hotel is probably Accra’s plushest residence. In keeping with its reputation, its restaurants are also highly renowned, particularly the Akwaaba Restaurant under the keen eye of chef Gary Howard. There are buffet and à la carte options. The menu includes some superb fish options.
The best of Accra's hotels
Best hotels near the airport
Maybe you're in Accra for business, or perhaps you're just after a hotel in a convenient location. You're in luck: there are a good few great hotels just a stone's throw from the bustling Kotoka International Airport. The accommodation listed here ranges from basic, cheap and cheerful to international standard, with options to suit most budgets. So whether you're after a place with excellent business facilities and top-notch service or just somewhere to rest your weary head, here's Time Out's recommendations for hotels near Accra's airport.
Top 5 hotels with swimming pools
Deciding on a hotel in Accra? Bear in mind that the city can get hot. Really hot. And while exploring Ghana's capital is incredibly rewarding, sometimes all you'll want to do is laze by a pool in your swimsuit. Take a dip, keep the kids entertained and relax with Time Out's round up of the city's best hotels with pools. And if you're just looking for a place to visit for the day, these pools are available for the use of hotel guests and members of the public alike.
Hotels & resorts outside Accra
The Royal Senchi
The Royal Senchi Resort is a shiny new four star hotel situated on the west bank of the Volta River. It boasts 84 luxury guest rooms, infinity pool with pool bar, a fitness centre, upscale dining and competent, attentive staff. Rooms are tastefully decorated will all the mod cons, including 32 inch televisions. The conference centre is large and bright, mixing traditional touches with first class professionality. Beauty treatments in the spa include facials, hot stone massages, traditional back massages as well as salon treatments.
Elmina Bay Resort
A couple of minutes’ drive farther out of town lies the secluded new Elmina Bay Resort, not to be confused with Elmina Beach Resort. There are 26 rooms available for guests, notable for their cleanliness and bright style. All have sea views, DSTV, Wi-Fi, fridges and air-con, and beach access is excellent. There’s also a pool and a restaurant, making it the best bet around Elmina.
Aqua Safari Resort
We were rather taken aback by Aqua Safari. It faces out to the estuary of the River Volta, a mile or so upstream from the ocean. From an open-sided restaurant and bar you can see Ghana’s island-dwelling folk crab-fishing and clam-diving in the water. The forward-thinking owners offer guided tours to the islands for boat-building and basket-weaving workshops – there’s also a lot of water to play around in on a jet-ski or one of the pontoons. Game-fishing excursions can be arranged too. Best of all is the option to spend a lazy couple of hours exploring one of the most beautiful areas of Ghana by boat. The whole river environment gives a relaxing and slower pace of life; a stark contrast to Accra two hours away. The rooms are well-appointed, and large chalets all have sizable and impressive common areas and kitchens. There’s also a small pool if you don’t fancy a dip in the river. There’s a new, large conference centre with all the modern amenities you’d need.
White Sands Resort
Those willing to splash some cash for the millionaire treatment can stay at the deluxe private members White Sands Beach Club near Fetteh; slide into the infinity pool, sample the top-notch cuisine and enjoy some of the best service in Ghana. It’s exclusive enough to require you to email info@whitesands.com.gh before even seeing prices. However, non-members can visit between Mon-Fri.
Lansdown Ibru Heights
‘Hidden away’ doesn’t really do justice to the location here. This smart new villa complex in the lush folds of the hills around Aburi isn’t somewhere you’d stumble across – it’s only accessible via a long and winding road, and that’s just how the owners want it. Judging by the Range Rovers lined up outside, it’s pretty exclusive. It takes around an hour to reach from Accra (although road improvements mean this time will reduce), but it’s worth the drive. You’ll find eight villas, each with three bedrooms, a living area, jacuzzi and patio – they’re well-appointed and tastefully decorated. The property also has a conference suite seating around 24 (corporate groups being one of the main income streams here), and a gorgeous pool overlooking the valley. The open club house and restaurant above the pool are lovely spots to watch the clouds roll out in the morning, or listen to the sounds of the bush in the evening. It’s all built on a hill, so you’ll be working off the food from a menu that includes lamb tagine, T-bone steak, paella and traditional Ghanaian food. There’s a spa and a tennis court too.
Best Western Atlantic Hotel
There’s no missing the 100-room Atlantic Hotel, a huge white monolith overlooking the ocean around Takoradi. The rooms in the main building are modern and well-appointed – ask for one with ocean views. There are also 12 chalets, with single and family rooms among the leafy paths. The highlight, however, is the pool area – a ridiculously inviting sight on a hot day. Combine it with a seafood platter from the outdoor Canoe Bar and you have the makings of a lovely afternoon. The main Ocean View Restaurant & Bar offers a large buffet with the chance to try some flavourful Ghanaian cuisine. Like much in Takoradi, the hotel will cater mainly for the many oil workers who pass through the town – you can see one of the rigs being built in the Bay of Guinea from the terrace. There’s a vast conference and event suite, plus a smaller function space. A private golf course sits in front of the hotel.