YEAR OF RETURN: BEST OF ACCRA – ROOFTOPS

Dope views, dope tunes and dope food, need I say more? If you’re looking for a good time in Accra, look no further – we have got you covered!

FEATURING THE LOVELY KIMBERLY HAYES. ALL PHOTOS SHOT BY ELROY SALAM.

 

Happy 62 Ghana! March has truly proven to be a month of madness with the celebration of Ghana Independence Day and International Women’s Day packed into one week. In honour of both holidays, my girl Kimberly Hayes (last featured in On the Representation of Women and Forming a Togolese Identity) visited Ghana for her very first time and I wanted to make sure that she experienced Ghana in style.

 

 

ALEXXA WALKER KIMBERLY HAYES - ACCRA GHANA INDEPENDENCE - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL

ALEXXA WALKER KIMBERLY HAYES - ACCRA GHANA INDEPENDENCE - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL
WE DEY GHANA – ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY

 

We started off our trip with Accra, the capital of Ghana.

The bustling metropolitan of Accra is a melting pot of different cultures, activities and festivities as it is often the entrance and exit point for many travellers. The hustle is real though in Accra, and with her expanding food and drink culture, we wanted a taste of her best as we celebrated what it meant to be Independent Women.

 

ALEXXA WALKER KIMBERLY HAYES - WOMEN EMPOWERMENT GHANA INDEPENDENCE - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL
“THROW YOUR HANDS UP AT ME”

 

Best of Accra by day: Suncity hotel apartments

As one of Africa’s warmest cities, Accra gets reeal hot during the day. Depending on what time of year it is, the humidity can be stifling; it is a wonder how hawkers and sellers manage to roam the streets all day in the sun. We selected our first rooftop for the day based on these key features: good drinks, good food, and an even better place to cool off. We naturally gravitated towards Suncity Hotel Apartments, a chic hotel, bar and restaurant situated in the trendy neighbourhood of Osu.

 

ALEXXA WALKER KIMBERLY HAYES - DRINKS SUNCITY HOTEL APARTMENTS - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL
COCKTAIL O’CLOCK AT SUNCITY HOTEL APARTMENTS – ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY

 

By day, you can have one of their signature cocktails to bring down the heat while enjoying one of their seafood specialties by the pool. By night, they open up their skybar on the top floor illuminated by pixie lights, jazz rhythms and hip hop beats – making it a great place to catch up for a drink, grab a bite to eat and meet fellow Ghanaians, travellers and city goers in addition to artists and musicians passing through the country. (Take note that their skybar is only opened on weekends.)

 

Why we love Suncity?

We love Suncity Hotel Apartments because of their jaw-dropping sunlit pool on the 6th floor of the hotel giving us a rad view of the ocean and Accra coastline. It is one of the very few rooftops in Accra that gives you access to a pool, making it a hot spot for pool parties, gatherings and day-drinks. They also host grill-nights and live bands every Friday, so you can grab your crew to enjoy the live music, delicious food and 360 views for an amazing start to the weekend.

 

ALEXXA WALKER KIMBERLY HAYES - GIRLS SUNBATHING POOL SUNCITY HOTEL APARTMENTS - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL

ALEXXA WALKER KIMBERLY HAYES - GIRLS SUNBATHING POOL SUNCITY HOTEL APARTMENTS - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL

ALEXXA WALKER KIMBERLY HAYES - GIRLS SUNBATHING POOL SUNCITY HOTEL APARTMENTS GHANA ACCRA - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL

 

It was hard to resist ordering their entire French-inspired menu since their chef is actually the main man behind La Chaumière, famed for being one of the best restaurants in Accra. We decided to keep it light by ordering the calamari and prawn starters and pairing them with a gin-mojito and strawberry daiquiri, which were di-vine. The food, drinks, setting and overall laid-back vibe made Suncity the perfect start to a boozy Saturday afternoon.

 

ALEXXA WALKER KIMBERLY HAYES - GIRLS SUNBATHING POOL SUNCITY HOTEL APARTMENTS GHANA ACCRA TRAVEL - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL

Host the baddest pool party at Suncity Hotel Apartments. For more info, check out Suncity Hotel Apartments’ website here, or on Instagram here and Facebook here


Best of Accra by night: Skybar 25

We dried off and headed to Skybar 25 for a change of skyline. Skybar 25 is located on the 25th floor of the Villagio building in the airport area, giving you unbeatable views of the Accra metropolis. Towering at the tallest building in West Africa, the venue boasts much more than just good views.

The electronic tunes are perfect for the cityscape-backdrop and create an inviting atmosphere that keep the good vibes rolling. The cocktails are stellar, made with fresh fruity ingredients that – to our demise – make us forget that there is any alcohol in them in the first place. The food is some of the finest that you’ll find in Accra, offering a wide range of sharing plates to specialty dishes. Each plate and cocktail is crafted with immense care, making them almost too beautiful to consume.

 

ALEXXA WALKER - COCKTAIL WOMEN DINING SKYBAR 25 BEST ROOFTOPS ACCRA GHANA - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL
CUCUMBER AND BASIL SOUR, YO YO MA.
ALEXXA WALKER KIMBERLY HAYES - WOMEN DINING SKYBAR 25 BEST ROOFTOPS ACCRA GHANA - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL
GOOD FOOD AND EVEN BETTER COMPANY AT SKYBAR 25

 

We of course left no crumb nor drop of liquor untouched.

We started off with the venison carpaccio signature club and pan fried Atlantic scallops, which left our mouths watering for more. Our favourite of the two was the scallops due to the differing textures and contrasting yet complementing tastes between the eggplant puree and mango and mint sauce (#neverforget). I mean, look. at. that.

 

ATLANTIC SCALLOPS FINE DINING SKYBAR 25 BEST ROOFTOPS ACCRA GHANA - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL
ART – PAN FRIED ATLANTIC SCALLOPS
ALEXXA WALKER KIMBERLY HAYES - FINE DINING SIGNATURE CLUB SKYBAR 25 BEST ROOFTOPS ACCRA GHANA - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL
SIGNATURE CLUB – VENISON CARPACCIO

 

The next course consisted of the “not only bread” vegetarian dish and red snapper. “Not only bread” was so divine both on the eyes and the tastebuds that it could break the internet on its own (move over Kim K). The red snapper, however, was the pièce de résistance. Perfectly prepared and paired with the colourful ratatouille, we will probably be sending each other messages saying, “Remember the red snapper from Skybar 25?” long after we grow old.

 

VEGETARIAN FOOD FINE DINING SKYBAR 25 BEST ROOFTOPS ACCRA GHANA - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL
VEGETARIAN NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD
FINE DINING FOOD SKYBAR 25 BEST ROOFTOPS ACCRA GHANA - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL
STILL DREAMING – RED SNAPPER AND RATATOUILLE

 

We ended the meal with the passionfruit semifreddo, a pineapple martini and strawberry mojito just in time for sunset. Everything was flawless. Big ups to Chef Alessio and his team for a sensational service.

 

ALEXXA WALKER KIMBERLY HAYES - COCKTAILS WOMEN DINING SKYBAR 25 BEST ROOFTOPS ACCRA GHANA - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL

COCKTAIL WOMEN DINING SKYBAR 25 BEST ROOFTOPS ACCRA GHANA - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL
STRAWBERRY MOJITO, YASS.

 

Why we love Skybar 25?

We love Skybar because of their great taste in every-thing. From the music to the decor, the food to the drinks, our entire experience was phenomenal. But above all, we love their hospitality. Their GM and co-owner, Nick, made it his business to chat with every table, and despite being new to Ghana, the staff made Kim and I feel at home. Skybar 25 is the type of place that makes you remember, not because of the view, the food, or the music, no – that can be easily replicated. We remember because of how they made us feel. In the end, that is truly why we return, and why we will definitely be back at Skybar 25.

 

ALEXXA WALKER KIMBERLY HAYES - SUNSET WOMEN DINING SKYBAR 25 BEST ROOFTOPS ACCRA GHANA - ELROY PHOTOGRAPHY - RAWTRVL

Get on top of the world at Skybar 25! Check out their website here for upcoming parties and events. You can also follow them on Instagram here.


WORK WITH US!

Are you a business owner or creative? Let’s collaborate. We take on projects that are aligned with our mission and vision of celebrating diversity, culture and creativity. To take part of our Year of Return series, contact us at xx@rawtrvl.com or elroysoffice@gmail.com.

Follow Kimberly Hayes on Instagram @kimberly_hayes_. Check out Elroy on Instagram @elroy_photography and Twitter @elroygh for more dope photos.

You can find me on Instagram @rawtrvl.

 

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