Your stay — Simon Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Kete Krachi.
The Property — Simon Hotel
The Simon Hotel feels functional and no-nonsense, with clean concrete floors, air-conditioned rooms, and a small courtyard with plastic chairs where locals gather for cold Star beers and loud conversations. It’s a budget stopover for travellers passing through on the way to the Volta Region or the ferry crossing to Dambai. The staff are helpful but not hovering; rooms are basic but reliably clean. This suits independent travellers or overland drivers who want a safe, honest bed for the night, not charm or amenities.
Chronicles of Kete Krachi
Kete Krachi grew as a trading port on the Volta Lake after the creation of the lake and the Akosombo Dam in the 1960s submerged the old town of Krachi. The town was a key settlement of the Kracht people, and the Nchumuru area has a strong chieftaincy tradition. The ferry terminal connecting Kete Krachi to Dambai (and onward to the Northern Region) defines its daily rhythm. Modern Kete Krachi feels like a dusty, functional transit hub with a busy market, motorbikes everywhere, and little architectural distinction beyond the practical.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kete Krachi guide →Best months
December and January are the dry and cooler months after the harmattan haze sets in, with sunny days and less oppressive heat. February also works but is hotter. Crowds are minimal because Kete Krachi isn’t a tourist magnet.
Peak / festival surge
The ferry crossing spikes around Easter and the Christmas–New Year period when many Ghanaians travel north to visit family, making rooms at Simon Hotel and other budget places harder to find and up to 20% more expensive. The main local event is the annual Nchumuru Festival in November, which draws people to the town, but it’s a low-key affair compared to bigger Ghanaian festivals.
Budget shoulder season
April and May offer slightly cheaper rates and still dry enough for comfortable travel, though the early rains start in April. June to October is the rainy season with very few visitors, so you can often negotiate directly at reception.
Weather & packing
Kete Krachi sits on the edge of the Volta Lake, so the humidity is high year-round, and in July you’ll get heavy tropical downpours. Pack a quick-dry towel, a waterproof jacket, and shoes you don’t mind getting muddy — the town’s unpaved streets turn to red slush quickly.
Live City Briefing — Kete Krachi
- The ferry service between Kete Krachi and Dambai has been erratic since 2023 due to low water levels on the Volta Lake; confirm the schedule at the terminal the day before travel.
- Construction works on the Nkwanta–Dambai road are ongoing, making that route slower but passable; expect potholes and diversions for the next few months.
- The central market has new stalls for dried fish and yams, but the ATM at the nearby Ghana Commercial Bank has been out of order since mid-2025; bring enough cash for your stay.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Simon Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Ask for a room on the first floor (ground level) at the back of the building. This avoids the street-facing side and gives you quieter access to the ground-floor facilities.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor facing the street—likely noisy from passing traffic and pedestrians on Kete Krachi’s main road. Also skip any room near the staircase or lobby if you value quiet.
Best views
No special views at this 3-star hotel in a small town—likely looks out onto the street or a basic courtyard. Request a back-facing room for less visual clutter.
Quietest floors
First-floor rooms at the back are the best bet for peace. Upper floors (if any) may be quieter, but data only confirms ground and first floor access.
🔊 Noise notes
Kete Krachi is a lakeside town on the Volta River, so expect occasional motorbike noise, market activity during the day, and possible loud music from nearby bars or churches on weekends. The address gives no building depth, so street noise is the main factor.
Insider tips
1. Email the hotel directly to request a back-facing first-floor room—many 3-star hotels in small Ghanaian towns will accommodate this if you ask in advance. 2. Bring earplugs if you sleep lightly; the street can be unpredictable after dark with late arrivals or local gatherings.
- 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 — Simon Hotel
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms; typical speed 5-10 Mbps; no login password required.
No lift; all guest rooms on ground and first floors accessed via stairs only.
No complimentary newspapers; no digital newsstand; lobby TV shows local news.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed on request; late check-out until 12:00 incurs a half-night charge.
Free luggage storage on request; leave bags at reception.
No step-free access; two steps at main entrance and no ramps; narrow doorways may limit wheelchair use.
On-site, off-street parking available free of charge; no valet or EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; a GHS 200 refundable deposit for incidentals is collected on arrival.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ghanaian Cedi, GHS
Use forex bureaux in Kete Krachi town centre for the best rates; airport bureaux in Accra offer poor rates, so exchange a small amount there only for immediate needs.
Card acceptance is very limited in Kete Krachi; only a few larger hotels and shops take Visa/Mastercard, and contactless is rare. Carry sufficient cash.
Not expected but appreciated for good service: 5-10% in nicer restaurants if a service charge isn’t added; round up taxi fares; tip hotel staff 5-10 GHS for help with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of instant coffee at a local kiosk or tea shop costs about 5-8 GHS.
A plate of jollof rice with chicken or fish at a local chop bar costs around 12-18 GHS.
A main course like fufu with groundnut soup or grilled tilapia with kenkey costs about 18-25 GHS at a local eatery.
The main market area near the lorry station has stalls selling fried yam, kelewele, roasted plantain, and boiled eggs, especially in the evening.
Small family-run provision shops in the town centre are common; there are no large supermarket chains in Kete Krachi.
The central market in Kete Krachi sells second-hand clothing (often called 'fripe') and basic local prints at affordable prices.
Shared tro-tros or taxis within town cost 2-5 GHS per ride; from the nearest airport (Accra or Kumasi), take a shared bus or tro-tro to Kete Krachi for about 80-120 GHS.
Eat at local chop bars instead of hotels; buy bottled water in bulk from shop sachets rather than tourist areas; always negotiate prices for taxis and market goods.
Emergency Contacts
Kete KrachiNational numbers: 112 (general emergency), 191 (police), 192 (fire), 193 (ambulance). In Kete Krachi, coverage is patchy. For serious cases, prepare to arrange transport to Nkwanta (35 km) or Dambai (80 km). Save local hotel or market leader numbers in case you need a translator or vehicle.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kete Krachi, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Simon Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Accra (VIP Bus Terminal, near Kwame Nkrumah Circle) → Kete Krachi Junction (walk or take a moto-taxi to Simon Hotel, ~10 mins)
💡 Book a seat the day before — popular route fills fast. The VIP bus has AC and better legroom than tro-tros for the long haul.
Anywhere within Kete Krachi → Simon Hotel (located near the lakeside area)
💡 Confirm the fare before hopping on; settle on exact location — Simon Hotel is near the Volta Lake dock, drivers know it as 'Simon Guest House'.
Accra (Kaneshie or Neoplan Station) → Kete Krachi Main Station (walk to Simon Hotel, ~15 mins)
💡 Negotiate seat space for luggage; sit near a window for breeze. Tro-tros leave when full — go early (by 5 AM) for faster departure.
Kotoka International Airport (ACC), Accra → Simon Hotel, Kete Krachi
💡 Book through a reliable local driver contact or hotel ahead; road conditions on N1 and N10 vary — allow extra time in rainy season.
About Kete Krachi
Wikipedia ↗Kete Krachi (formerly Kete Kratje) is a town and the capital of the Krachi West District in the Oti Region of Ghana, adjacent to Lake Volta. Kete-Krachi is connected by a ferry to the town of Kwadjokrom, and by road to Bimbila and Dambai. The town has a population of 11,788 people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Simon Hotel?
Ask for a room on the first floor (ground level) at the back of the building. This avoids the street-facing side and gives you quieter access to the ground-floor facilities.
Which rooms should I avoid at Simon Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor facing the street—likely noisy from passing traffic and pedestrians on Kete Krachi’s main road. Also skip any room near the staircase or lobby if you value quiet.
Is Simon Hotel noisy?
Kete Krachi is a lakeside town on the Volta River, so expect occasional motorbike noise, market activity during the day, and possible loud music from nearby bars or churches on weekends. The address gives no building depth, so street noise is the main factor.
Which rooms have the best views at Simon Hotel?
No special views at this 3-star hotel in a small town—likely looks out onto the street or a basic courtyard. Request a back-facing room for less visual clutter.
What are insider tips for staying at Simon Hotel?
1. Email the hotel directly to request a back-facing first-floor room—many 3-star hotels in small Ghanaian towns will accommodate this if you ask in advance. 2. Bring earplugs if you sleep lightly; the street can be unpredictable after dark with late arrivals or local gatherings.
What time is check-in at Simon Hotel?
Check-in at Simon Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Simon Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms; typical speed 5-10 Mbps; no login password required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Simon Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Simon Hotel?
A plate of jollof rice with chicken or fish at a local chop bar costs around 12-18 GHS.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Simon Hotel?
Shared tro-tros or taxis within town cost 2-5 GHS per ride; from the nearest airport (Accra or Kumasi), take a shared bus or tro-tro to Kete Krachi for about 80-120 GHS.
When is the best time to visit Kete Krachi?
December and January are the dry and cooler months after the harmattan haze sets in, with sunny days and less oppressive heat. February also works but is hotter. Crowds are minimal because Kete Krachi isn’t a tourist magnet.
Top Attractions in Kete Krachi
💡 Bring a small folding stool; the best spot for people-watching is under the mango tree by the ticket booth.
💡 Ask at the gate for the linguist (okyeame) — he may give a brief history in English if you show respect with a small gift like kola nuts or soft drink.
💡 Best at sunset (5:30–6:30pm). Buy a sachet of water from the nearby kiosk — there's no vendor inside.
💡 Go early in the morning (around 7am) to see the fish auction; the action is done by 10am.
💡 Wear long trousers and sturdy shoes for the short bush path. A local guide (often a young person nearby) will expect a small tip of 5–10 GHS.