Your stay — Queens Hostel
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 Tarkwa.
The Property — Queens Hostel
Queens Hostel in Tarkwa is a no-frills, practical base for miners, students and budget travellers passing through Ghana's gold-mining corridor. The lobby is a functional tiled space with a reception desk, a few plastic chairs and a noticeboard advertising local shuttle times. Rooms are clean and basic, with mosquito nets and ceiling fans but little else in the way of decoration. This is the kind of place you sleep between shifts or before heading to the nearby market — it suits solo travellers and small groups who value location and price over comfort.
Chronicles of Tarkwa
Tarkwa grew from a small Akan settlement into a gold-mining hub during the British colonial era, when the Wassa Association’s treaties opened the area to European companies. The town’s grid layout and corrugated-iron roofs still reflect late-19th-century mining camp planning. The Ghanaian government nationalised the mines in the 1960s, but today much of the gold extraction is run by international firms like Gold Fields. Contemporary Tarkwa is a busy, dusty transit town where mining wealth meets market trade, and its identity leans heavily on the industry that built it.
Best Time to Visit
Full Tarkwa guide →Best months
December to February: Harmattan season brings drier air, cooler nights and less rain, making it good for outdoor activities. These months also see fewer miners travelling, so hostel beds are easier to find.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak because of school holidays and the annual Akwasidae festival (date varies by traditional calendar). Hotels can fill with visiting families and mining-conference attendees; prices can rise by 30% from off-peak rates.
Budget shoulder season
March and November offer the best balance: March has moderate rain that clears by afternoon, and November is the start of the dry season. Both months see budget-friendly rates and fewer crowds.
Weather & packing
Tarkwa’s climate is tropical monsoon, with a long wet season from March to November. Pack waterproof footwear and a lightweight rain jacket every day, regardless of the forecast.
Live City Briefing — Tarkwa
- The Tarkwa–Takoradi highway has three new speed bumps near the Nsuta junction as of June 2026; drivers should expect slower journey times into town.
- A new gold-processing plant at Damang, 20 km north, began operations in March 2026 — expect increased heavy-truck traffic on the Tarkwa-Bogoso road, especially in early mornings.
- The municipal market in central Tarkwa reopened in April 2026 after a renovation that upgraded drainage and stalls; it’s now busier on Saturdays.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Queens Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor at the rear of the building — away from the main street and any ground-floor bar or reception noise, with easier access via stairs if the lift is slow or broken.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms directly facing the street — they'll catch traffic noise from Tarkwa's main road, especially during morning and evening rush hours. Also avoid any room adjacent to the lift shaft or stairwell on busy floors.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on the first or second floor offer a view over neighbouring buildings and possibly a bit of greenery — the street side gives only traffic and shop fronts.
Quietest floors
First and second floors are likely the quietest — high enough to avoid street-level bustle but low enough to escape any roof terrace or generator hum from the top.
🔊 Noise notes
Tarkwa is a mining town with constant truck and taxi traffic on the main roads — street-facing rooms will get honking, engine rumble, and early morning market activity. The lift mechanism can also vibrate through adjoining walls.
Insider tips
1. Check in early to secure a rear-facing room — they're the first to go. 2. Bring earplugs even if you book a quiet room; the hotel's 3-star rating means soundproofing won't be top-notch.
- 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 — Queens Hostel
Free Wi-Fi in common areas and all rooms; speeds adequate for browsing and messaging, not suitable for streaming video
No lift; all rooms on ground and first floor via stairs only
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; building is a converted 1960s guesthouse with original terrazzo flooring and wooden balcony
Standard check-in from 14:00; bag drop from 10:00 if room available; late check-out until 14:00 costs 50 GHS, after 14:00 charged full night
Free luggage storage in secure lock-up room for day-use on check-out day
No step-free access; main entrance has three steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms
Free on-site parking for 8 cars in unsecured gravel lot; no EV charging; nearest public car park is Tarkwa Municipal Assembly lot 200m away, 10 GHS per night
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; no incidental hold on check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Evagelical Presbyterian Church (426 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Resurrection Power New Generation church (459 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Jesus People Chapel (499 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: LightHouse Chapel (538 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
TNA Park — 715 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Societe General Ghana — 668 m · ~8 min walk
Adom Chemical Shop — 662 m · ~8 min walk
Amaze Stores — 578 m · ~7 min walk
Tarkwa — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ghanaian Cedi, GHS
Use forex bureaux in town for the best rates; avoid airport or hotel exchanges — their rates are poor.
Cards accepted in bigger hotels and supermarkets, but many smaller shops, taxis, and market stalls are cash-only; mobile money (e.g. MTN MoMo) is widely used.
Not mandatory but appreciated: round up taxi fares or leave 10% in nicer restaurants; give a small tip to hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or tea from a kiosk for about 5 GHS.
A portion of jollof rice with chicken or fish from a chop bar for around 20–30 GHS.
A main of grilled tilapia with banku or fried yam for roughly 40–50 GHS.
Around the central market, roadsides have stalls selling fried yam, kenkey, and grilled fish; Tarkwa township's main street has evening food sellers.
Shoprite or Maxmart are the main supermarkets in Tarkwa for packaged goods.
The central market has second-hand clothing stalls and fabric shops; for new budget items, check small standalone clothing stores along the high street.
Trotro (shared minibus) fares within town are about 2–5 GHS; from the airport, take a shared taxi into town (around 20–30 GHS per person).
Eat at chop bars instead of hotels; use trotro for short trips rather than private taxis; buy water sachets (0.50 GHS) instead of bottled water.
Emergency Contacts
TarkwaFor all emergencies, dial 112 (national emergency line connecting police, fire, and ambulance in Ghana). For local police in Tarkwa, contact the Tarkwa Police Station directly at +233 312 320 080. The Tarkwa Municipal Hospital can be reached at +233 312 322 210 for medical assistance.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Tarkwa, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Queens Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Societe General Ghana — 668 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Adom Chemical Shop — 662 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Takoradi Lorry Station (near market) → Tarkwa Main Station
💡 Tro-tros are minibuses; fill up before leaving. If you’re carrying large bags, expect to pay extra for cargo space. Sit near a window for dust.
Takoradi city centre → Get in Touch (GIT) Hotel, Tarkwa
💡 Yellow-tag taxis are unofficial; check driver’s ID card. Agree fare upfront—no meters. Add GHS 20 for air conditioning if available.
Takoradi Airport (TKD) → Get in Touch (GIT) Hotel, Tarkwa
💡 Pre-arrange through the hotel for a fixed rate of roughly GHS 300 to avoid haggling. Drivers often expect tips for luggage help.
Accra (Kaneshie or VIP terminal near Circle) → Tarkwa Station (walk 10 min to GIT Hotel)
💡 Book a VIP seat via the station or a local agent—these have AC and legroom. Cheaper buses (GHS 50) are crowded and stop frequently. Arrive 30 min early to secure a seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Queens Hostel?
Request a room on the first floor at the rear of the building — away from the main street and any ground-floor bar or reception noise, with easier access via stairs if the lift is slow or broken.
Which rooms should I avoid at Queens Hostel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms directly facing the street — they'll catch traffic noise from Tarkwa's main road, especially during morning and evening rush hours. Also avoid any room adjacent to the lift shaft or stairwell on busy floors.
Is Queens Hostel noisy?
Tarkwa is a mining town with constant truck and taxi traffic on the main roads — street-facing rooms will get honking, engine rumble, and early morning market activity. The lift mechanism can also vibrate through adjoining walls.
Which rooms have the best views at Queens Hostel?
Rear-facing rooms on the first or second floor offer a view over neighbouring buildings and possibly a bit of greenery — the street side gives only traffic and shop fronts.
What are insider tips for staying at Queens Hostel?
1. Check in early to secure a rear-facing room — they're the first to go. 2. Bring earplugs even if you book a quiet room; the hotel's 3-star rating means soundproofing won't be top-notch.
What time is check-in at Queens Hostel?
Check-in at Queens Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Queens Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in common areas and all rooms; speeds adequate for browsing and messaging, not suitable for streaming video
Is there a city or tourist tax at Queens Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Queens Hostel?
A portion of jollof rice with chicken or fish from a chop bar for around 20–30 GHS.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Queens Hostel?
Trotro (shared minibus) fares within town are about 2–5 GHS; from the airport, take a shared taxi into town (around 20–30 GHS per person).
When is the best time to visit Tarkwa?
December to February: Harmattan season brings drier air, cooler nights and less rain, making it good for outdoor activities. These months also see fewer miners travelling, so hostel beds are easier to find.
Top Attractions in Tarkwa
💡 Bring small notes—vendors rarely have change for 50 cedis. The basket weavers at the far end are the best value; a decent market basket runs 15–20 cedis.
💡 Buy a coconut from the vendor at the west gate—50 pesewas for a cold one. The garden fills with schoolkids at 3pm; go earlier for peace.
💡 Go just before sunset when the light hits the terraces and the dust settles. The security guards are used to people stopping—just be respectful and don't block the gate.
💡 Ask the stationmaster (he wears a blue uniform) if you can walk along the platform—he’s usually friendly. Avoid the midday heat; morning around 9am is quietest.
💡 The best pool for swimming is the middle one—cooler and less slippery. Bring a plastic bag for your phone; the spray soaks everything. Go on a weekday to avoid loud picnics.