Accra

Accra
is probably not the first destination that springs to mind
when planning a holiday. And while it’s true that the city’s
notorious traffic jams, relentless street vendors and pumping music
might take some getting used to, the Ghanaian capital’s eclectic
mix of cultures is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. A full
day out in Ghana’s most vibrant city requires a certain amount of
repose, which can be found at none other than luxury boutique hotel
Villa Monticello. Just ten minutes from Kotoka International
Airport, located in a prestigious and tranquil neighbourhood, lies
one of Ghana’s most outstanding hotels. Peace and TLC are as
guaranteed as the sunshine.

Villa Monticello has been recognised for its world-class
service by design industry heavyweights; it has swept up a number
of awards as well as being voted Ghana’s Leading Hotel almost every
year since its opening in 2011. The hotel prides itself on
combining modern luxury with rich traditional culture, reflecting
the growing hospitality industry in Accra and the entanglement of
the city’s roots with a new entrepreneurial spirit.

Rooms

…are not rooms, but suites. The hotel offers 16 of them and as
the old saying goes, quality over quantity. Each luxurious suite
has been inspired by an international city or famous figurehead –
think the grand archways of Marrakech and the dreamy pastels of
Lake Como. Prices range from just under £350 to around £800,
depending on whether you opt for the slightly smaller but
nevertheless opulent junior suites or one of the three extravagant
presidential suites.

What’s for breakfast?

Everything you need to start your day right. Wake up to freshly
baked pastries, tropical fruit, stacks of fluffy pancakes with
maple syrup or a full English. Not a morning person? The hotel
offers brunch from 10AM to 4PM at the weekend so fear not, you
won’t be missing out on the most important meal of the day.

How about lunch and dinner

Villa Monticello’s restaurant, Chapter One, is headed by
internationally recognised executive chef Ruby Paintsil, so you’ve
barely got to step out of your suite for exquisite cuisine. The
lunch and dinner menus are pretty extensive – whether it’s seafood,
curry, traditional Ghanaian food such as cassava and yams or a leg
of Scottish roast beef that you’re after, Chapter One has got it
covered. Wash your meal down with a glass of the strong stuff; the
restaurant has a carefully curated wine list, offering guests a
chance to sample rich flavours from South Africa and beyond.

Is there a bar?

Yes – if you aren’t tempted by the extensive wine list Chapter
One offers, head to the hotel’s intimate cabana-style cocktail bar
and lounge, where you can indulge in some of Villa Monticello’s
signature cocktails.

Amenities

The hotel offers a state-of-the-art gym and even a personal
trainer if you’re one of those people who insists on working out on
holiday. If the idea of spending hours on the treadmill doesn’t
really appeal to you, relax outside in The Courtyard, or take
advantage of the in-suite spa treatments available. The hotel also
offers a concierge service called, helpfully, Koncierge, a team of
experts on Accra and the surrounding region should you need any
information about where to go and what to do.

Things you should know

The hotel has three floors but no lift so prepare yourself for a
daily leg workout.

Within a short walk you can find…

Some good areas to shop till you drop. The location is one of
the many selling points of Villa Monticello – it’s a ten minute
drive to the centre of town, a 20-minute drive to the beach and is
round the corner from the airport, though you may find that the
hardest journey of all.