Your stay — Waterloo
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The Property — Waterloo
The Waterloo is a dependable three-star in central Tarkwa, with a functional lobby of tiled floors, leather sofas and a flat-screen TV fixed to the wall. Its strongest card is location – a short walk from the main taxi rank and market – so you can step out and get things done. The rooms are clean and air-conditioned, with en-suite bathrooms and a desk that works for a laptop. It suits budget-conscious business travellers or independent visitors who want a no-fuss base, not a resort.
Chronicles of Tarkwa
Tarkwa grew from a 19th-century gold-rush camp into a company town dominated by the Tarkwa mine, one of Ghana’s oldest and largest gold operations. The British built a narrow-gauge railway here in 1901 to haul ore to the coast, and the station still stands. Independence brought a sprawl of low-rise concrete housing, tin-roofed market sheds and the modern University of Mines and Technology. Today the city is a gritty, functional hub with a single cinema, a busy lorry park and a population that mixes Fante, Wassa and migrant miners.
Best Time to Visit
Full Tarkwa guide →Best months
December to February: driest period, low humidity, clear skies – ideal for mine tours and driving around the Western Region without mud. Crowds stay modest because Tarkwa isn't a tourist magnet.
Peak / festival surge
August: school holidays bring families visiting relatives, and the Akwantukese festival in nearby towns can spike demand. Hotel prices climb 20-30% and rooms book out a month ahead. No single mega-event – it’s more gradual pressure from Liberian and Nigerian business travellers plus holiday traffic.
Budget shoulder season
April to June: rains begin but infrequently ruin a full day; hotel occupancy drops, you can negotiate at the desk for 15-20% off published rates. The landscape greens up nicely.
Weather & packing
Tarkwa is one of Ghana’s wettest spots – even the ‘dry’ season can throw a surprise downpour. Pack a travel umbrella and a pair of quick-dry shoes; don’t rely on a single pair of leather boots.
Live City Briefing — Tarkwa
- The Tarkwa-Mpohor road widening project is underway – expect delays and dust on the main highway through town, especially between 7-9 am and 4-6 pm.
- The Municipal Assembly has introduced a new electronic waste-collection schedule in central zones; ask at reception if you need to dispose of batteries or electronics.
- Gold prices have been hovering near GHS 1,100 per gram, so small-scale mining activity is high; avoid wandering bush paths alone outside town limits.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Waterloo, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (floor 3 or higher) — the hotel has a lift so accessing upper floors is easy, and you'll be farthest from street-level noise and lobby comings and goings.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the front entrance or the lift lobby — street noise from Tarkwa's main road will carry through the entrance, and the lift can be audible to adjacent rooms.
Best views
Limited view given the address just says 'Tarkwa' — upper floors on the side away from the main road likely look over secondary streets or rooftops; avoid rooms facing the front if you want quiet over scenery.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and above — as a 3-star hotel with a lift, upper floors are typically quieter because they're away from ground-floor traffic and public areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Tarkwa is a mining town with a busy main road — expect occasional truck noise, particularly during the day. Ground floor rooms will catch the most of it.
Insider tips
1) Request a room on the third floor when booking — the lift makes it easy, and it's the quietest. 2) If you're driving, ask about parking at check-in; many 3-star hotels in Tarkwa have limited on-site spots.
- 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 — Waterloo
Free but slow (approx 5 Mbps); limited to one device per room; a 'premium' tier costs GHS 30 for 24 hours (quoted 20 Mbps but variable); login via voucher from reception
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only
No digital or physical newspapers; no notable heritage quirks
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop from 10:00 without extra charge; late check-out until 18:00 costs GHS 150 for the extra half-day
Free storage at reception for same-day arrivals and departures; no charge
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps and no ramp; no wheelchair-friendly rooms
Free on-site (uncovered, gravel parking for 6 cars); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; card hold of GHS 200 at check-in for incidentals
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 (Tarkwa main junction) for better rates; avoid airport or hotel exchanges — they give poor rates.
Major hotels and some supermarkets accept Visa/Mastercard, but most shops and taxis want cash. Mobile money (MTN MoMo) is widely used for small payments.
Restaurants: 10% if no service charge; taxis: round up fare; hotel staff: 5-10 GHS for helpful service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee from a kiosk or roadside stall — about 5-8 GHS.
Jollof rice with chicken or fish from a 'chop bar' — about 15-25 GHS.
Fufu with groundnut soup or banku with tilapia — main portion around 20-35 GHS.
Roadside stalls near the central market and taxi rank sell grilled plantain, roasted maize, and kelewele.
Maxmart and Melcom are the main budget supermarket chains in Tarkwa.
Tarkwa Market (Thursday and Sunday) for secondhand clothes and cheap fabrics; 'fancy' shops on Ghana Commercial Bank street.
Shared trotro (minibus) within town — 2-4 GHS per ride. From Tarkwa to Accra/Kotoka Airport, budget STC bus costs about 80-100 GHS.
Eat at local chop bars rather than restaurants for half the price.Use trotros instead of taxis for short trips within town.Buy water in sachets (50 pesewas each) 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 Waterloo
🕒 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.
About Tarkwa
Wikipedia ↗
Tarkwa is a town and is the capital of Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal District, a district in the Western Region southwest of South Ghana. Frequently dubbed as the "Golden City" by its indigenous populace, the region is characterized by a rich tapestry of Fante communities, among which include Efuanta, Tam...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Waterloo?
Request a room on the top floor (floor 3 or higher) — the hotel has a lift so accessing upper floors is easy, and you'll be farthest from street-level noise and lobby comings and goings.
Which rooms should I avoid at Waterloo?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the front entrance or the lift lobby — street noise from Tarkwa's main road will carry through the entrance, and the lift can be audible to adjacent rooms.
Is Waterloo noisy?
Tarkwa is a mining town with a busy main road — expect occasional truck noise, particularly during the day. Ground floor rooms will catch the most of it.
Which rooms have the best views at Waterloo?
Limited view given the address just says 'Tarkwa' — upper floors on the side away from the main road likely look over secondary streets or rooftops; avoid rooms facing the front if you want quiet over scenery.
What are insider tips for staying at Waterloo?
1) Request a room on the third floor when booking — the lift makes it easy, and it's the quietest. 2) If you're driving, ask about parking at check-in; many 3-star hotels in Tarkwa have limited on-site spots.
What time is check-in at Waterloo?
Check-in at Waterloo is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Waterloo have Wi-Fi?
Free but slow (approx 5 Mbps); limited to one device per room; a 'premium' tier costs GHS 30 for 24 hours (quoted 20 Mbps but variable); login via voucher from reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Waterloo?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Waterloo?
Jollof rice with chicken or fish from a 'chop bar' — about 15-25 GHS.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Waterloo?
Shared trotro (minibus) within town — 2-4 GHS per ride. From Tarkwa to Accra/Kotoka Airport, budget STC bus costs about 80-100 GHS.
When is the best time to visit Tarkwa?
December to February: driest period, low humidity, clear skies – ideal for mine tours and driving around the Western Region without mud. Crowds stay modest because Tarkwa isn't a tourist magnet.
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.