Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Comfortable, Conveniently located, All necessary facilities |
| Disadvantages: |
Some may find it a bit expensive |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
Many of you who might have read some of my previous opinions will be aware that I travel to West Africa quite frequently and one of the destinations that I visit most is Accra in Ghana.
When travelling to Africa in general one of the most important decisions you must make is the hotel that you intend to stay in.
You need a place that provides you with comfortable rooms, clean food and water, entertainment and security.
My hotel of choice is the Golden Tulip Accra Hotel.
This hotel is part of the Golden Tulip chain of hotels. Golden Tulip hotels enjoy a high reputation throughout the world. More on the Golden Tulip chain later in this opinion.
The Golden Tulip Accra Hotel is located just 2 km from Accra’s Kotoka International Airport and is commonly referred to as the “airport hotel”.
Most major airlines have a change of shift (personnel) at Accra since a majority of flights originating from Europe take off just a few hours after landing, heading back to Europe.
Naturally the same crew members cannot make the journey back and they have a shift change in Accra. Many major airlines namely KLM, Swissair, British Airways use the Golden Tulip Accra Hotel for the accommodation of their respective crew members.
The hotel boasts a “4-Star” rating and has a total of 234 rooms. All major credit cards are accepted and rates are competitive for a “4-Star” hotel.
Prices range from US$200 – US$135 for a Double Room. The actual prices per room will all depend on the type of rate that you apply for. You can always apply for a booking at the cheapest rate and you will certainly get a booking provided it is not during peak season. Naturally during peak season the higher rate bookings would gain more preference. The system is very much the same as airlines who would naturally be more inclined to give a passenger, holding a fully paid economy ticket, a seat rather than one holding an excursion ticket.
For Accra the room rate is relatively cheap compared to other major hotels such as the Labadi Beach Hotel (where the Queen stayed when she visit Ghana recently), Novotel and La Palm Royale Beach Hotel.
They provide all the usual amenities that one would expect from a reputable hotel and these include:
Air Conditioned Rooms
Bar/Lounge
Business Center
Hairdryers Available
Health Club
Kitchenette
No Smoking Rooms/Facilities
Pool
Restaurants
Parking
Casino
Jazz Bar
Tennis Courts
The main entrance of the hotel is rather different from many other hotels that I have visited. It is made totally of glass with blue painted wooden beams. It looks like a giant greenhouse.
Attitudes of the staff from the receptionists to the bellboy are very professional and courteous. They are always willing to help and are very jovial and provide quite pleasant conversation.
The pool is my favourite. Nothing beats lying in the baking hot sun next to a wonderful swimming pool. The feeling you get when you get into the water is just so phenomenal it is really hard to explain.
At nights the Jazz Bar or Casino can be visited but these are usually only busy during the weekends. If you are looking for good entertainment then you will have to leave your hotel and visit the various bars, pubs and restaurants in town.
The hotel does provide you with hotel taxis, which can be hired on an hourly basis. Rates are relatively high when compared to the cost of the local Accra taxis. However the added security of the hotel taxi with driver is well worth the money spent. Driver will also act as a guide. During the day you can use the local taxis. However make sure you bargain.
Rooms are pleasant and of average size. They are in white wood finish with blue upholstery. The overall feeling of the room is very cozy. Your television provides you with around 40 channels through satellite including all the live sport events and football.
Each room has a combination safe where you can store your valuables conveniently and safely.
The bathroom/toilets are rather small but provide all the necessary features and toiletries.
If you fancy a game of tennis there are coaches available who can teach you and play with you and all this at a very nominal fee of around £ 2.00 per hour.
Overall the hotel is very conveniently located with all the necessary amenities to make your stay an enjoyable and comfortable one.
The Golden Tulip chain of hotels consists of over 300 hotels in 240 cities and across 42 countries. Out of the 300 hotels 240 hotels are located in Europe and the balance 60 hotels spread through Africa, Americas, Caribbean, Middle East and Pacific Asia.
They also have a working partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines since 1975 and you can earn points on KLM’s Frequent Flyer Card by staying at all Golden Tulip Hotels.
You can find out more about the Golden Tulip Accra Hotel and all the other hotels in the Golden Tulip chain at their website: www.goldentulip.com
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
02.06.2004
