Your stay — orientation house
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The Property — orientation house
The Orientation House feels like a functional, no-frills base for a business traveller or a stopover visitor. The lobby is tiled and air-conditioned, with a small reception desk and a seating area that sees steady footfall of Ghanaian workers and international transit passengers. Rooms are clean and simple, with the hotel’s main USP being its location on the main motorway into Tema’s industrial zone — no charm, but reliable for a one-night work stay.
Chronicles of Tema
Tema was purpose-built in the 1950s and 1960s as Ghana’s main industrial city and port, designed by the British and American planners under Nkrumah’s development push. Its centrepiece is the Tema Harbour, the largest artificial harbour in Africa, opened in 1962, which transformed a small fishing village into a sprawling grid of factories and housing estates. Architecturally, the city mixes colonial-era public buildings (like the Tema City Hall) with utilitarian 1960s apartment blocks and newer commercial plazas along the Accra-Tema motorway. Today, Tema is a gritty, working port city — not a tourist destination — with a strong sense of purpose as Ghana’s logistics hub.
Best Time to Visit
Full Tema guide →Best months
November to February: dry season with lower humidity and cooler Harmattan winds; coastal breeze makes the heat bearable. December is busy but still manageable if you avoid the Christmas week.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak for local travel, not tourism: the school holidays see families visiting relatives, and there are no major festivals in Tema itself. Hotel prices rise modestly (10–15%) as supply tightens. The city’s big event is the annual Tema Festival (late August), which draws crowds for parades and market stalls.
Budget shoulder season
March to May: the long rains arrive but flights and hotels are cheaper; you’ll get less pleasant weather but good deals. September to October are also quiet, with lower rates and fewer domestic travellers.
Weather & packing
Tema sits right on the Gulf of Guinea, so humidity stays high year-round even in the dry season; you will sweat within 10 minutes outdoors. Pack light cotton clothes, a rainproof jacket for the July showers, and a pair of sturdy sandals — not open-toed flip-flops — for the dusty pavements.
Live City Briefing — Tema
- The Accra-Tema motorway widening project is ongoing; expect delays of 20–30 minutes when driving between the two cities, especially at the Tema end (2026 update).
- Tema Harbour’s new container terminal (opened 2024) has increased truck traffic through the city centre; visitors driving should avoid the port road between 7–9am and 4–6pm.
- Ghana’s new visa-on-arrival policy for African Union nationals (effective 2025) has slightly increased passenger flows through Kotoka Airport, but Tema remains quiet for international visitors.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to orientation house, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor facing the inner courtyard (if available). This avoids potential street noise from Tema's main roads and gives you a quieter stay. The first floor is easily accessible without needing the lift, which can be unreliable in some budget hotels.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any rooms on the second floor or higher if you have mobility issues, as the lift may be slow or out of service. Also avoid rooms directly overlooking the main street, as Tema is a busy port city with heavy truck traffic, especially early morning.
Best views
The best view is likely a courtyard or side-street view, avoiding the main road. Tema is a grid-planned city; ask for a room on the side facing away from the main commercial arteries.
Quietest floors
First floor — the only floor with stairs as a reliable alternative to the lift. Upper floors may be quieter in terms of foot traffic, but the lack of a guaranteed working lift makes them less desirable.
🔊 Noise notes
Tema is a major industrial and port city — expect early-morning truck traffic, honking, and construction noise. The hotel's location on a main street will amplify these sounds. Also, local mosques may broadcast prayers early, which can carry in the dry air.
Insider tips
1. Park your vehicle in the hotel's monitored parking lot if available, as street parking in Tema is risky for theft. 2. Check in early (by 2pm) to secure a first-floor courtyard room, as these are likely the most popular and fill up quickly with business travellers.
- 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 — orientation house
Free basic wifi (up to 5 Mbps) for all guests. No login required; works in rooms and lobby. Premium tier (20 Mbps) available at GH¢50 per 24 hours.
Single lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
Digital copies of Daily Graphic and Joy News via QR code at reception. No physical papers or building heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop available after 10:00. Late check-out until 14:00 for half the room rate; after 14:00 charged full night.
Free for same-day arrival/departure. Overnight storage GH¢20 per item.
Step-free access at main entrance. Lift serves all floors. Wheelchair-accessible rooms available on ground floor only.
Free on-site parking for up to 20 cars; no valet. Nearest public car park is at Tema Central Market (GH¢15 per day). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking. Incidental hold of GH¢500 per night at check-in via card or cash deposit.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Great Power Church (720 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: The Beautiful House Ministries (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: Anointed Jewels Ministries International, Ghana (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: The Church Of Pentecost, Bethel Assembly (1.6 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Adenta Shopping Mall — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
lawn — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Stanbic — 666 m · ~8 min walk
3rd Gate Pharmacy — 668 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ghanaian Cedi, GHS
Exchange at banks or licensed forex bureaux in town; airport and hotel rates are poor.
Cards work in hotels and larger supermarkets; most markets, taxis, and small eateries expect cash.
Restaurants: 10% if service charge not added. Taxis: round up fare. Hotel staff: 5–10 GHS for porter, 2–5 GHS daily for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant Nescafe or tea at a local chop bar or street kiosk, about 5–8 GHS.
Jollof rice with chicken or fish from a chop bar, 15–25 GHS.
Grilled tilapia with banku at a local fish joint, 25–40 GHS for a main.
Tema Station area and the streets around Community 1 Market have stalls with kelewele, fried yam, and grilled meat.
Shoprite and Max Mart are common budget supermarkets in Tema.
Kantamanto Market in Accra or the Tema Station area for second-hand and new affordable clothing.
Trotro (shared minibus) for 2–5 GHS per trip; from Kotoka Airport, take a trotro to Tema Circle for about 5–10 GHS.
Eat at chop bars instead of restaurants; take trotros not taxis; buy water sachets (0.5 GHS) not bottled water.
Emergency Contacts
TemaFrom a landline in Tema, dial 191 for police, 193 for ambulance, 192 for fire. Mobile users can also try 112, which routes to the national emergency centre. For non-urgent police matters, call the Tema Regional Police Command on +233 303 202 444.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Tema, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at orientation house
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Stanbic — 666 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · 3rd Gate Pharmacy — 668 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Accra (STC terminal near Circle) → Tema Main Station
💡 Cheapest option, but the bus drops you at Tema Station—you'll then need a local taxi (about 15 GHS) to White Stone Lodge. Best for day trips.
Accra or Airport → White Stone Lodge, Tema
💡 Reliable for door-to-door service. Use Uber in Accra, but switch to Bolt once you cross into Tema—drivers there are cheaper. Make sure your driver knows the White Stone Lodge (near Community 2, off the motorway).
Kotoka International Airport (ACC) → White Stone Lodge, Tema
💡 Negotiate the fare before getting in; a typical drop to White Stone Lodge should be 120–150 GHS. Use a yellow-and-black cab from the official airport taxi rank for safety.
Accra (Circle or 37) → Tema (Community 2 stop)
💡 Tro-tros are cramped but authentic. Tell the mate you want 'Tema Community 2'—White Stone Lodge is a 10-minute walk from that stop. Avoid rush hours (7–9am, 4–6pm) when it's packed.
About Tema
Wikipedia ↗
Tema is a city on the Bight of Benin and Atlantic coast of Ghana. It is located 25 kilometres (16 mi) east of the capital city; Accra, in the region of Greater Accra, and is the capital of the Tema Metropolitan District. As of 2013, Tema is the eleventh most populous settlement in Ghana, with a popu...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at orientation house?
Request a room on the first floor facing the inner courtyard (if available). This avoids potential street noise from Tema's main roads and gives you a quieter stay. The first floor is easily accessible without needing the lift, which can be unreliable in some budget hotels.
Which rooms should I avoid at orientation house?
Avoid any rooms on the second floor or higher if you have mobility issues, as the lift may be slow or out of service. Also avoid rooms directly overlooking the main street, as Tema is a busy port city with heavy truck traffic, especially early morning.
Is orientation house noisy?
Tema is a major industrial and port city — expect early-morning truck traffic, honking, and construction noise. The hotel's location on a main street will amplify these sounds. Also, local mosques may broadcast prayers early, which can carry in the dry air.
Which rooms have the best views at orientation house?
The best view is likely a courtyard or side-street view, avoiding the main road. Tema is a grid-planned city; ask for a room on the side facing away from the main commercial arteries.
What are insider tips for staying at orientation house?
1. Park your vehicle in the hotel's monitored parking lot if available, as street parking in Tema is risky for theft. 2. Check in early (by 2pm) to secure a first-floor courtyard room, as these are likely the most popular and fill up quickly with business travellers.
What time is check-in at orientation house?
Check-in at orientation house is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does orientation house have Wi-Fi?
Free basic wifi (up to 5 Mbps) for all guests. No login required; works in rooms and lobby. Premium tier (20 Mbps) available at GH¢50 per 24 hours.
Is there a city or tourist tax at orientation house?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near orientation house?
Jollof rice with chicken or fish from a chop bar, 15–25 GHS.
What is the cheapest way to get around from orientation house?
Trotro (shared minibus) for 2–5 GHS per trip; from Kotoka Airport, take a trotro to Tema Circle for about 5–10 GHS.
When is the best time to visit Tema?
November to February: dry season with lower humidity and cooler Harmattan winds; coastal breeze makes the heat bearable. December is busy but still manageable if you avoid the Christmas week.
Top Attractions in Tema
💡 Best photographed in late afternoon for golden light on the concrete. Not a place to linger at night. Combine this with a walk along the nearby Community 1 market street.
💡 Go early in the morning (before 8am) for a cooler, quieter experience; the park gets busier after 4pm with joggers and kids.
💡 Best visited around 6–8am when the boats come in; bring a face mask if you're sensitive to the fishy smell. No photography restrictions but be respectful of fishermen.
💡 Go at sunrise for the best light and cooler temperature. Bring your own water and a bag to take out your rubbish. Swimming is at your own risk—currents can be strong.
💡 Call ahead (+233 303 203 111) to confirm tour times—usually weekdays only, 9am–3pm. The factory shop sells factory seconds at half price; perfect for souvenir fabric.