Your stay — Exelsior Guesthouse
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The Property — Exelsior Guesthouse
Exelsior Guesthouse sits on a quiet residential street a ten-minute walk from Cape Coast Castle. The lobby feels like a well-kept private home — polished terrazzo floors, a worn leather sofa, and a receptionist who knows the names of returning guests. Rooms are clean and compact, with mosquito nets over the beds and reliable air conditioning. This place suits independent travellers and couples who want a decent three-star base without paying resort rates; it’s not for anyone expecting a pool or beachfront.
Chronicles of Cape Coast
Cape Coast grew around a fishing lagoon and became the capital of the British Gold Coast colony in the 17th century, built on the profits of the transatlantic slave trade. Its architectural core is dominated by the whitewashed Cape Coast Castle and Fort William, both UNESCO World Heritage sites that line the coast alongside colonial-era merchant houses. Independence (1957) shifted political power to Accra, and Cape Coast settled into a quieter role as an academic centre, home to the University of Cape Coast. Today its narrow streets mix loud tro-tro stations, fish-smoking stalls, and a determined preservation effort for the old town’s Dutch and British buildings.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cape Coast guide →Best months
December–January: clear skies, low humidity, and moderate heat — perfect for walking the castle and town. August: the tail end of the main wet season, but crowds are thin and rain usually arrives in short afternoon bursts.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is July–August, especially the Fetu Afahye festival (first week of September some years). Hotels inflate rates by 30–50% then. The festival draws diaspora visitors with durbar processions, drumming, and regatta on the Fosu Lagoon.
Budget shoulder season
Best shoulder months are March–April: less rain than June, fewer tourists, and guesthouses drop rates by 15–20% after Christmas. Humidity is high but manageable with a good ceiling fan.
Weather & packing
Cape Coast sits at latitude 5°N and gets a double-peak rainy season (May–June and October–November) when afternoons can deliver solid downpours. Pack a light rain jacket and a dry-bag for electronics, because a sudden shower can flood low streets in minutes.
Live City Briefing — Cape Coast
- The new Cape Coast inner-city bypass, the Kotokuraba Market ring road, opened in late 2025 — it cuts through central traffic jams between the castle and the main taxi rank, so ask your driver to use it.
- Cape Coast Castle’s ticket office now accepts mobile money (Momo) and credit cards, but the donation box for the museum still only takes cedis — bring small notes.
- The beachfront wooden boardwalk at Coconut Grove Resort is temporarily closed for renovation until September 2026; expect noise from construction vehicles along the beach road.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Exelsior Guesthouse, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first or second floor at the rear side of the building — these are furthest from the street and have less foot traffic from the shared entrance.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room facing the street directly, especially on the ground floor, as Cape Coast's main roads can get noisy with tro-tros and hawkers from early morning.
Best views
Ask for a rear-facing room on the second floor — you'll likely look out over the courtyard or neighbouring rooftops, with some ocean glimpses if the building is elevated.
Quietest floors
Floors 1 and 2 (rear-facing) — the upper floors may have less street noise, but with no lift, you'll hear other guests on the stairs.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from taxis, music from nearby shops, and early-morning call to prayer from local mosques are common. The lack of a lift means stairwell noise travels through the building.
Insider tips
1. Check in after 2pm to avoid waiting — reception can be understaffed. 2. Request a fan-only room if you're on a budget; air-con units can be noisy here. 3. Parking is on-street and limited — arrive early or park at the nearby taxi rank.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Exelsior Guesthouse
Free WiFi throughout. Download speed roughly 10 Mbps; no login or time limit.
No lift. All rooms are on ground or first floor via stairs.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. The building is a modern two-storey guesthouse, no heritage quirks.
Standard check-in 14:00. Early bag-drop available from 10:00 if room is unready. Late check-out to 14:00 can be requested; fee of GHS 80 if approved.
Free storage at reception on check-in day before room is ready, and on checkout day until 18:00.
No step-free access. Main entrance has a single step; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for up to 8 cars, first-come first-served. Nearest public car park is at Kotokuraba Market (GHS 15 per day, 5-minute walk). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required to confirm booking; GHS 200 incidental hold on a card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Ebenezer Presbyterian Church (259 m · ~3 min walk)
- Mosque: Abura Mosque (329 m · ~4 min walk)
- Mosque: Abura Mosque Annex (353 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Royal House Chapel (493 m · ~6 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Ashgin Pharmacy — 396 m · ~5 min walk
SRC Hall Shuttle Terminal — 2.1 km · ~27 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ghanaian Cedi, GHS
Use forex bureaus in town for better rates; avoid airport and hotel exchanges.
Cards accepted at larger hotels and some supermarkets; contactless is rare; mobile money (MTN MoMo) is widespread.
Restaurants: 10% if service charge not included; taxis: round up fare; hotel staff: small tip (5-10 GHS) for help.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or local tea (Milo) at a kiosk, about 8-10 GHS.
Rice and stew or jollof with fish from a chop bar, around 20 GHS.
Grilled tilapia with banku at a local spot, main about 30-40 GHS.
Chap bar areas along main roads; look for roasted plantain and groundnuts or kelewele sellers.
Shoprite or Melcom for basics; smaller local markets for fresh produce.
Cape Coast Market for cheap second-hand (dead stock) or local fabric (kente samples available).
Trotro (shared minibus) is cheapest, around 5 GHS per trip; from airport, take a trotro to Tudu then to Cape Coast (total about 30 GHS).
Buy food from street vendors and chop bars rather than restaurants; negotiate price at markets; use local trotro instead of taxis.
Emergency Contacts
Cape CoastFor all emergencies, dial 112 from any mobile; it routes to police, fire, or ambulance. The National Ambulance Service also operates 193. Cape Coast police station: +233 3321 32459.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Cape Coast, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Exelsior Guesthouse
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · Ashgin Pharmacy — 396 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Anywhere in Cape Coast (e.g., castle, market) → C-Lotte Hotel
💡 Bolt is more reliable than Uber here. Drivers often cancel if the trip is short—flag one at a busy spot like the Cape Coast Castle forecourt. Always confirm meter fare before you get in; flat rates are common.
Accra Circle (VIP Station or Kaneshie) → Cape Coast Central Lorry Station
💡 Cheapest option but cramped and stop-start. Get a seat near the window if you can—the coastal views near Winneba are decent. From the lorry station, take a short taxi (GHS 10-15) to C-Lotte.
Kotoka International Airport (Accra) → C-Lotte Hotel, Cape Coast
💡 Book through the hotel or a reliable company like Uber (only works in Accra) for a fixed price. Avoid hailing taxis at the airport—they often overcharge. The drive is a straight shot on the N1 highway, but traffic around Kasoa can add 30 minutes.
Accra (VIP Bus Terminal, near Kwame Nkrumah Circle) → Cape Coast (VIP Station, near the main market)
💡 Book ahead on the VIP app or at the terminal—buses sell out on Sunday evenings. Air-con works well, and seats recline. The station is a 10-minute walk from C-Lotte; better to take a motorbike taxi (GHS 5) with your luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Exelsior Guesthouse?
Request a room on the first or second floor at the rear side of the building — these are furthest from the street and have less foot traffic from the shared entrance.
Which rooms should I avoid at Exelsior Guesthouse?
Avoid any room facing the street directly, especially on the ground floor, as Cape Coast's main roads can get noisy with tro-tros and hawkers from early morning.
Is Exelsior Guesthouse noisy?
Street noise from taxis, music from nearby shops, and early-morning call to prayer from local mosques are common. The lack of a lift means stairwell noise travels through the building.
Which rooms have the best views at Exelsior Guesthouse?
Ask for a rear-facing room on the second floor — you'll likely look out over the courtyard or neighbouring rooftops, with some ocean glimpses if the building is elevated.
What are insider tips for staying at Exelsior Guesthouse?
1. Check in after 2pm to avoid waiting — reception can be understaffed. 2. Request a fan-only room if you're on a budget; air-con units can be noisy here. 3. Parking is on-street and limited — arrive early or park at the nearby taxi rank.
What time is check-in at Exelsior Guesthouse?
Check-in at Exelsior Guesthouse is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Exelsior Guesthouse have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout. Download speed roughly 10 Mbps; no login or time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Exelsior Guesthouse?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Exelsior Guesthouse?
Rice and stew or jollof with fish from a chop bar, around 20 GHS.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Exelsior Guesthouse?
Trotro (shared minibus) is cheapest, around 5 GHS per trip; from airport, take a trotro to Tudu then to Cape Coast (total about 30 GHS).
When is the best time to visit Cape Coast?
December–January: clear skies, low humidity, and moderate heat — perfect for walking the castle and town. August: the tail end of the main wet season, but crowds are thin and rain usually arrives in short afternoon bursts.
Top Attractions in Cape Coast
💡 Bargain hard – vendors start at triple the local price. The gallery is free but often locked; ask at the tourist office next door to open it.
💡 Go between 7–10am for the freshest catch and least heat. Keep your bag zipped and phone out of sight. No photography without asking first.
💡 Not a swimming beach – strong currents and sewer outflow. Walk north past the harbour for cleaner sand. Go at sunset for local football games.
💡 Visit early morning to avoid crowds and heat. A local guide adds context the audio tour misses. Entry is 40 GHS for Ghanaian citizens, 100 GHS for foreign adults.
💡 The climb is steep – take water. Best light for photos is late afternoon. The lighthouse keeper sometimes lets you go up for a small tip.