Accra Beach Hotel & Spa

Cruising along the island’s main coast road, it’s hard to miss Accra -- the entrance is well-marked in front of the four-story building wrapped with arched balconies. The facade is dressed in beige, but the resort side of the building screams '80s old school with its soft pink and blue-green trim exterior. Though not luxurious by any means, Accra has a warm and comfortable resort vibe -- even if some areas are outdated. Rooms unfold in two wings on either side of the lobby -- enveloping the huge curvy pool, large octagonal pool bar, and lofty palm trees that line the gorgeous beachfront. The bright aqua pool perfectly matches the seashore which makes for some stunning postcard views -- especially from higher floors. Walkways wind around the pool and over the bridge to the laidback beach -- guests are free to bring their own alcohol. The central and open location of Accra is refreshing -- guests will never feel “trapped,” but deck chairs do fill up early when it’s busy. The poolside bar attracts a fun daytime vibe and provides nighttime entertainment, like karaoke. The traditional resort flavor may be a tad cheesy for some, but the impressive a la carte restaurants take a more sleek, contemporary tone. Pacifika, for instance, with its dimmed Asian-inspired interior and fuchsia accent lighting feels more big city than Barbados…with sophisticated food to match. 

Accra has a prominent and central location next to the main coast road, just 16 minutes from Grantley Adams International Airport. Guests can walk across the street to an ATM, convenience stores, boutiques, and eateries for lunch and dinner or easy snacks. St Lawrence Gap or The Gap -- a one-mile-long stretch of restaurants, shops, and nightlife -- is within a three-minute drive. Oistins Fish Fry, a popular Friday night experience, is a nine-minute drive in the other direction. Other nearby highlights include Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary (three minutes) and Bridgetown (eight minutes). There’s a fun beachfront bar a short walk up the beach. Free on-site parking is available. For those without a car, cabs can be arranged, and taking the local bus is inexpensive (there's a stop near the hotel.)

This four-story property offers two hotel wings with a range of rooms and suites finished in varying decor. Many rooms have undergone renovations, so some are more modern and palettes vary between soft and bold blends of yellows, blues, and greens offset with crisp white bedding. Some newer rooms feature sliding wooden shutters opening onto balconies, and newer furniture -- although some guests complain that some rooms remain outdated.  All rooms include coffee- and tea-making facilities, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, desks, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Ocean Front rooms have balconies with whirlpools; Penthouse Suites unfold over two levels with spectacular views; and two-bedroom layouts are available.Bathrooms feature granite vanities, stand-up showers, and a basic selection of individual toiletries. Higher categories have whirlpool tubs. Pool and ocean views can be quite stunning so it might be worth spending the extra money to avoid the Island View Room -- which is of a stark vacant lot next door or the road.

The Rockley Beach, on which the resort sits, is a big draw to the property. The long white-sand stretch attracts a laidback crowd of locals and tourists, and offers plenty of its own sunbeds and umbrellas for guests. Free boogie boards, goggles, and swim fins are also available. The main pool is large, surrounded by deck chairs, and neighbors a swim-up poolside bar that has a fun vibe during the day. There is a modestly-sized adults' pool off to the side.Chakra Spa features six tranquil treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam room, and an extensive menu that includes massage and facial services, body rituals, nail treatments, and hair removal. There's a simple fitness center spread over two levels that features everything necessary for a proper workout. Fun social events include the manager’s cocktail party and weekly karaoke nights. Four meeting rooms are equipped with internet and video conferencing facilities. There’s a business center for guest use and an event planner on hand to assist with all manner of on-site events. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the property.Coco Patch restaurant serves a buffet breakfast, plus a mix of Caribbean and international flavors. It's open for breakfast and lunch, and also hosts themed nights (with live music) in a canopied space on the other side of the pool. Pacifika is a sleek contemporary space with a Paficic Rim inspired menu featuring fusions of Thai, Japanese, Indonesian, and Chinese. Accra Deck offers a modern European menu. Pacifika and Accra Deck are a little pricey, but offer a more upscale contrast to Coco Patch and mainstream resort fare. The swim-up poolside bar has reasonable prices and attracts a lively atmosphere, especially on karaoke nights. Sunset Bar provides cocktails and happy hour on the beach. Sand Bar in the lobby serves espresso coffee and cocktails, and the manager hosts weekly cocktail parties.