Anomabu Beach Resort

Anomabu Beach:

In Person Lodging Evaluation: 4.72 out of 5

Eco-tourism Rating: 3.88 out of 5

Anomabu is a small community located on the beach not very far before Cape Coast if you are driving from Accra. Anomabu Beach Resort is a beautiful resort located near the village with great adobe structured accommodations, there is probably not another place to stay in the area which is as nice and as responsible as Anomabu Beach Resort. And in comparison to Abanze Beach Resort just a few km away it is more affordable and a lot nicer in a number of regards.

As you drive up you will enter through the nice Gate made from drift wood into the parking lot. From there you enter the beautifully decorated and constructed front desk and reception area, from there you sink your feet into the sand entering the rest of the resort. Each building has a traditional roof thatching but is finished on the inside so there are no worries of anything or rain getting through the thatch. The construction consists of Adobe mud balls, and bamboo, I had not seen this type of construction other than in the Northern Region and northern Volta region. It makes for a really neat look and textured walls of red.

There are about 50 rooms most are their own building, some share two to building. Most of the rooms are situated in a palm grove right on the beach. The beach here is not as large as many in Ghana because of erosion issues, but beautiful none the less. On the beach there are many lounge chairs to relax on and an open air restaurant to enjoy food with a view.

The owner of Anomabu Beach Resort is from the community so he values the importance of giving back to the community and he also hires from the community. In addition to their community Relations and responsible building methods Anamabu Beach Resort works hard to conserve sea turtles which they often buy back from fisherman and release when they are caught in nets. They also provide education to the communities around about turtle conservation along with keeping the beach clean and their environment. As a prosperous part of the community they are firm believers in responsibility with helping with community development. To do this they have helped purchase and build public toilets, and have donated windows to the local secondary school.

Anomabu is very close to Cape Coast making it a great place to stay, keeping out of the busy city but close enough to make day trips to all the great tourist attractions in the area including, Cape Coast, Elmina, Kakum National park, most of the central coast of Ghana, Mosomagor Eco-village, and Domana Rock Shrine.

In the immediate area there are a number of great sights and things to do. The village of Anomabu has a number of great pusuban shrines, a Fort and some interesting architecture to explore. Abanze is also very close to Anomabo one side of Abanze has a beautiful lagoon that is being protected by a near by resort and the surrounding villages. There is word that a small group of monkeys are making a come back in the lagoon. You can also take a walk down the beach to Kormantse or Abanze to meet the fisherman on the beach and the children and people in the villages. The people of Abanze have expressed wanting to be more involved in tourism rather than just the Fort located on the hill above them. The right visitor might be able arrange a dancing and drumming demonstration.

If you would like to visit the castle first ask in the village for the care taker who has the key and will walk with you up the steps, unlock the door and give you an informal tour. The area was an important trading center long before the British colonized the area. The Fort dates back to these times originating in 1961, it is now called Fort Amsterdam or fort Cormantin (from the near by village of Kormantse). Some notable African Americans have traced their ancestors back to here including Louis Armstrong.

 

In person Evaluation

Positive Aspects of In person evaluation:

• First contact was friendly and the front desk staff were helpful in directing me to management.

• When touring the property other staff members were friendly and helpful.

• Very clean, comfortable and visually appealing lobby and check in area.

• The rooms were great with very clean floors, walls, and linens.

• The bathrooms were very clean, including sink, shower, and toilet.

• Things were very clean and attention to detail for the finishing work.

• The property was free of garbage and very clean.

• The beach was well maintained and free of debris.

• All rooms are secured and lockable.

• There is a night watchmen and security guards.

Aspects of in person evaluation that could use some improvement:

• Not all of the online impressions of customer services were positive.

• Some people online did not enjoy the food and said it did not agree with them.

 

Eco-tourism Evaluation

Aspects of Anomabo Beach Resort that brought up their Green Bug Ecotourism Index:

• The owner and management are from the community, making this place 100% locally owned.

• They hire locally owned businesses for services like transportation or boats or other services if needed.

• They try to buy the majority of their supplies from local vendors, but some have to be purchased in Accra and some stuff imported.

• Pay competitive wage above the minimum for the area.

• Bio-degradable and food wastes are composted.

• All waste and garbage are disposed of in the proper regulated manner.

• CFL bulbs are returned to suppliers for proper disposal.

• They encourage staff and guests to use the natural ventilation and ceiling fans rather than AC.

• Staff and guests are encouraged to turn off lights and other appliances when they are not in use.

• Energy friendly activities are provided in the evening like candle light dinners, bonfires, and puppet shoes.

• Guests and staff are encouraged to conserve water.

• Hot water showers are provided by small efficient water heaters that are kept at a conservative level.

• Environmentally friendly, and biodegradable cleaning products are used.

• Refillable soap, shampoo, and conditioner dispensers are provided in showers rather than one time use containers.

• Low energy washing machines are used along with refrigerators and freezers.

• Native plants are used in landscaping.

• Local materials are used in construction including, mud, bamboo and thatch.

 

Aspects of Anomabo Beach Resort operations that brought their Green Bug Adventures Index rating down:

• Employees are largely unable to answer guest’s questions about environmental policies and practices of Anomabo.

• There is relatively little customer education about the environment and waste disposal while on day trips.

• AC is used heavily in the majority of the rooms.

• Do not have a comprehensive recycling plan yet, bottles are sent back to distributer though.

• No grey water system, or water run off to planters.

• No solar panels, wind generation or alternative power method.

• Rainwater is not collected.

• Regardless of the guests preference towels and sheets are replaced daily.

• Employees are not provided training on the surrounding environment or the eco-friendly initiatives of Anomabo.

• Contributions to the community, natural landscape and conservation are not interpreted to the customers.