“Another cocktail, sir?”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
One of the exciting things about heading back to Ghana in 2023 was the chance to visit one or two old favourites but also have a chance to explore some new hotels and lodges too. Despite having stayed in many places in previous visits, they have often been at the budget end of the market (mainly because KickStart Ghana would be paying) but this was a holiday and if you cannot treat yourself on one of those then when can you? However, it was far from 5* resorts all the way. Some of the very best places I’ve stayed, when travelling in any country, are the ones where passion and pride for a place shines through. So here are a few reviews and recommendations for your next visit to Ghana.
Somewhere Nice
Yep, that really is the name of this hostel. Somewhere Nice does what is says on the tin. I’d even be tempted to rename it Somewhere Really Nice. Firstly, it’s in a great location. It’s less than a 20 minute drive to many of the main attractions in Accra (Osu, Independence Arch and Square, Makola Market, Jamestown and the airport). It also has a swimming pool, complete with a swim up bar(!). The rooms were clean, the staff were friendly and there’s a lovely outdoor chill space. On top of this the included breakfast is fantastic. Pancakes, fresh fruit, coffee and omelettes is the perfect way to start the day. It felt like a classic good-vibes hostel and it is rare to find those in Ghanaian cities. The private rooms are large and comfy too. The perfect place to base yourself when arriving/leaving Ghana and to explore Accra.
Expect to pay around £50 for a private double room, including breakfast.
AFIKI Resort
Afiki Resort is a stunner. The house is proudly sat on the edge of Ankwanda, a small fishing town, and right on the beach. It’s an ideal place to stay if you’re looking to do a mix of sunbathing and swimming plus exploring the sights of Elmina, Cape Coast and Kakum National Park.
The location is a huge selling point for this accommodation. You can stroll along the beach in to the village and when I did I was invited to play board games and chat football a couple of times. The palm trees on the beach not only provide shade but a continuous supply of sweet coconuts to keep your thirst quenched too! Staff were more than happy to book taxis but I’d recommend taking the hour long walk along the beach in to Elmina, it is beautiful.
Finally, the food. It’s the closest I’ve come to what I’d call “home-cooked dinner” at a hotel in Ghana. It tastes so much like the fare that I’ve eaten time and again when I’ve been living in Ho. It’s cooked with love and the portion sizes do not disappoint. The roof-top restaurant, with the sounds of crashing waves, is an idyllic place to watch the world go by as well. They have recently finished and opened a swimming pool too, but I’d still recommend the ocean!
Expect to pay around £60-£80 a night, depending on the room, including breakfast.
Bridgeview resort
I’ll admit it, this is a hotel for when you want to push the boat out and by far the most expensive on this trip to Ghana. However, Bridgeview Resort is pretty special. Perched on the hill above the Volta River and Adomi Bridge, with a three-tiered infinity pool, it is a place to visit when you want to be pampered but also get in the party mood. The DJ goes hard, just like the cocktails. The service is a little over the top for my liking but it cannot be denied that the staff are attentive and will look to do anything they can to make your stay an enjoyable one. A big shout-out to the staff that ran down the hill to help us carry the cases and bags up! This is also the place where I finally summoned the bravery to get my drone out at sunrise.
Expect to pay around £160 a night, with breakfast included.
Meet me there lodge
I’ve possibly saved the best until last. In defence of the other hotels, all of which were excellent, Meet Me There has had a few more years to perfect their craft. And perfect their craft they have.
An eco-resort, where the profits support a local NGO, their tagline is “Relax, Unplug and Reset”. They are proud of having no wifi, no hot water. no air-conditioning and no TVs. But let’s concentrate on what they do have. Stunning rooms overlooking the lagoon that the resort sits on, delicious locally-sourced food, a spa, sunrise yoga (if that’s your thing) and a canoe that you paddle to take yourself to the beach. I’d visited back in 2017, and had been impressed, but they’ve made improvements in every area since.
The staff are friendly and chatty but relaxed at the same time – my perfect vibe. Unfortunately it rained for the first 36 hours of our visit but we still loved the stay. I cannot recommend this place highly enough. Don’t forget to check out their shop too.
Expect to pay around £70 a night for their best rooms with a private bathroom.
So there are some of the accommodation highlights on my most recent visit to Ghana. The tourism industry has come on leaps and bounds since I first started visiting and there is good value to be had in all parts of the country. You will not be disappointed if you visit.
davecoles 