La Palm Royal Beach

This hotel was once one of the best in Accra, but has been eclipsed by the new front-runners. With this in mind, it’s gone through a needed refurbishment process – and, we have to say, looks very much better for it. The rooms have always been pretty good: all 159 are based in round ‘chalets’, and the idea is that it’s a village complex. Standard rooms are large, clean and well laid out, with flatscreen TVs, safes, wireless internet, air con and comfy beds. It also still has one of the best pool complexes in Ghana, an ideal place to spend an unrushed Sunday. The La Palm Kids Theme Park is a pleasant and safe enclosed park right by the main pool, and there’s a shallow pool that’s also well suited to kids. All pool facilities are open to non-residents for GH¢40 for adults and GH¢20 for children. Other hotel features include a casino, fitness centre and a spa and sauna. There are several restaurants, including the Royal Dragon Chinese and the Continental, but our pick would be to head to the open-sided and thatched Ghanaian Village (0302 215100). It overlooks the beach, and makes a great place to sample local dishes such as red red (bean stew with plantain). As an added bonus there’s often live highlife on weekend evenings – this is one of the few places to see it. Note that prices are cheaper on weekends.