LUXURY BEACH RESORT, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

Beach resorts are fast becoming a big business venture in Ghana; a common sight at coastal areas with a lot them springing up with catchy names to attract customers to their location for the experience, and luxury beach resort at Bortianor is no exception.

I got to know of the place after a friend visited there with her friends for a photoshoot session and I said, “hey, is the place nice? Do you think it will be worth the long journey and annoying traffic?”. Knowing me as I am, she said not exactly but I can give it a go, which I did after church service, on one Sunday afternoon with a friend. Take a seat and enjoy the ride with me to Luxury beach resort, or something like that.

TRAVEL TIME.

As I always say, your mode of transportation and time of day plays part to the travel time.

MADINA                1 HOUR 34 MINUTES.

WINNEBA              1 HOUR 21 MINUTES.

TEMA                      1 HOUR    42 MINUTES.

CAPE COAST          2 HOURS  43 MINUTES.

ACCRA MALL                           47 MINUTES.

OSU                                           57 MINUTES.

 

 

TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

With the heavy traffic in mind, I knew I had to go with a privately owned car, so I asked a friend and we agreed to go together. This was comfort for me because once you get onto the N1 road heading through Dzorwulu, Lapaz, Kwashieman, Abofun, Mallam junction, McCarthy junction, to Bortianor in public transport, can be very energy draining with all the bus stops and getting down to board another car, asking for directions bargaining fares and all that. It is a smooth ride on a good road with a charged atmosphere at each turn you look, people busily selling (plantain chips, bottle and sachet water, rugs, boiled egg with pepper, chocolate, yogurt, snacks, just name it) their wares to passengers, drivers, and passersby. Then the almighty traffic makes the whole experience memorable. 

You get to hear the sound of the sea waves once you get on the inner road of Bortianor and see the sea as you get close. I could count a lot of beach resorts on that stretch which gives you options and promotes competitive business. What is most important to me on a personal ride is music. Music selection is very key for me but then again, I am a talker so music and a good conversation does the trick all the time. Upon arrival I could not be more grateful for listening to my friend on taking a sandal in addition to my heel. Yes, in all my glamour I forgot we were going to a beach and wore a pink heel. They have an okay parking  space with a guard to assist you get a good spot.

 

PRICING

Unlike many beaches, there is a lake or a river to cross before getting on the beach itself and that adds to the uniqueness of it. There is a wooden bridge you walk on.

10 cedis           Gate fee.

10 cedis           Boat ride

 3 cedis            Kebabs

10 cedis           Medium bottle of water

1,000 cedis       VIP SEATING

SEATS

I found it problematic that, there were few seats available. I mean, not everyone would want to be out on the sand. They do have seats, but most were under the sun with 8 huts or umbrella serving as shades, so we had to wait for someone under the tree seats to get up so would occupy them. Something caught my attention as I looked around, they have a designated area for those who want VIP and VVIP seats. 

Now, that is not what caught my attention, the prices did. For a 1000 cedis you got a small area with nothing spectacular to it aside a 32- or 40-inch flat screen tv with seats as regular as anything with the difference being cushions, as the ones we sat on was hard wood to the butt. Well, maybe it came with all manner of expensive drinks and what have you but for that price I expect more of a good seating set up and privacy.

 

ACTIVITIES

For those who love to horse ride, you are sorted, as there are few for a good price you can ride on, with the guide walking beside you. I am yet to try a horse ride myself but, I know I will on my next visit.

Aside that, you can go on a paddle boat ride but do not worry, you will not be the one paddling. The boys working the boats are very entertaining and fun to be around as they told us stories of the fishes, how to fish for what kind, where and at what time of the day to get a good catch. They can stop for a while for you to breathe in the experience if you want to, then paddle on back to shore. Well, that is how we begun ours and was a good way to. It's quite a stretch, and worth it.

They also have a playground for the family and kids, very colorfully painted and safe to be on. You can play beach soccer and beach volley with your friends there. It's just beside the playground for the purposes of fun and entertainment.

If you want something calming to watch, you can watch the fishermen on shore moving their boats to have it cleaned out. You will see canoes and boats of all sizes with the usual flags, a similar view of when you go to the shores of James town.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

It was no doubt entertaining. Customers were treated to trendy songs and some were dancing on their feet. The place was lively as the sound systems were that good that, as we left the seating area to the sea side, we could still hear the songs.

Walking on the sand watching people do their own thing kept us entertained. Some were having girls' day out, some were having photoshoot sessions, the love birds were promising each other heaven and earth, and all manner of activities going on.  We just could not stop laughing at the number of public displays of affection going on. It is a pet friendly facility, once it's on leash.

 

FOOD

Like most beaches I have been to, my eyes begun scanning for the kebab stand. I can not do without sticks of kebab at the beach. We found it and made our order which took a while because he was attending to other people. It was spicy with a lot of pepper and onions, just the way I like it. They also have food so you can order for them at affordable prices. Had it with a chilled bottle of malt go with.

NIGHT AND DAY TIME

Having seen a couple of evening footage, I knew I had to stay longer to see for myself. So we sat on the sand and watched the sun set and had conversations from one topic to another. Trust me when I say it was worth it. As though everyone was waiting for same, the place was lit up, the music changed, the people changed and it was an eye-catching view. They lit up the lights at the resort and it was just beautiful.

 

RESORT

Often than not, people use the word ‘resort’ and I get shocked at their architectural interpretation of it. Their resort has nothing luxurious about it, you may mistake it as someone’s house just on the premises. I was dumfounded by it, it looked unkept the surroundings, somewhere I would not stay.

 

BATHROOM

My biggest downside was the bathroom, I found it both alarming and unhygienic. It’s a wood like structure nicely done with a nice exterior to make you think it’s a conventional washroom with the WC and a wash basin. Far from that, it was a hole in ground structure to do your business and piss; more like a modified open urination but it is covered some sort, so you do not fall. I was beyond appalled because the stench hits you once you open the door. You piss and it drains to the sand, I have had to use this sort of washroom at a different beach. I mean the least you can do to have a dignifying washroom, employ cleaning staff to keep it neat at all times so that customers like myself will come back with more people. Other than that, you may have to reduce your intake of liquids and this made me wonder how the toilet looked.

 

To sum it up, I traveled with expectations that was not entirely met. When I searched for the place, I saw a picture of seats covered in white and caught my attention, only to get there and see nothing of such. Maybe it was done by request for an occasion. Again, the beach needs to be cleaned, as some parts were dirty and filled with plastic waste and the rest. With no dust bins sited on the beach itself, where would people dump their rubbish, because not all will collect it and take away.

One of the things I loved was the number of private little set ups I saw, which meant you can have your intimate events there, once you notify them and do the needful. I recommend they improve the place because it has a lot of potential.

 

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