Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Zurich, has officially opened the 260-key Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
Originally built and presented as a gift by the United Kingdom to Ghana after the West African country gained independence in 1957, the completely rebuilt hotel blends 21st century amenities with original artwork from contemporary Ghanaian artists. The collection of more than 1,500 pieces of art includes many works that have been restored from the days of the old hotel. A portrait of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, dates back to 1956, while two large murals at either end of the ballroom are reproductions of those painted by Kofi Antubam, one of the founders of Ghana’s National School of Painting.
Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra also has commissioned work from contemporary artists. Each room has at least two original paintings by local artists in addition to pieces in the corridors on each floor.
All hotel rooms also feature practical amenities such as a large desk, free high-speed Internet and a 40-in (102-cm) LCD TV.
Food and beverage options include Sankofa, an all-day dining restaurant showcasing multi-ethnic cuisine and live cooking stations. African lounge music and live performances are offered at the hotel bar, one2one, while a poolside bar also incudes a barbecue. A flexible 8,073-sq-ft (750-sq-m) ballroom can be subdivided, while four meeting rooms are equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment. Leisure facilities include two floodlit tennis courts, a jogging track and a fitness center.
Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra is located downtown in the central business district, only 4.4 mi (7 km) from Kotoka International Airport.
“Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra is a shining example of expanding our portfolio internationally and regionally with upscale city center hotels in vibrant urban locations,” said Jean Gabriel Pérès, president and chief executive officer of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. “We have overwhelming confidence in the region both for business and for its fledgling tourist industry and are committed to developing more hotels in strategic locations on the African continent.”