Petesville Hotel Calabar

The receptionist was very honest, and the outdoor bar was a nice spot to unwind. You can swim, relax, and watch football there before heading back to your room. The surroundings are quiet, too.

The room was comfortable, but the bathroom made the stay disappointing. There were roaches around the toilet and sink, the drainage was poor, and the walk-in bath was too small for me, even as a medium-sized man. Bathing in that tight space was difficult. The WiFi was almost nonexistent, so bring enough mobile data. The restaurant wasn’t operating while I was there, and my colleagues and I had to eat at nearby places.

The food was good, and you can put together a dish from the available options. Rates can be negotiated. I found the staff friendly and helpful, with power around the clock and clean water. The hotel is central but set back from the busy main road, still close enough to walk. Rooms are roomy and the facilities are in fair shape, though mould showed in bathroom corners and the small bathroom may not suit a taller person. A simpler design would work better. The gym is tiny, and the small pool sits very close to the outdoor seating.

The vegetable soup was the best part of my stay, and the rooms felt modern and homely. The hotel is in a quiet part of town, not too far from the airport. Getting there was rough after my flight was delayed several times, and I also had a booking problem when I arrived late in Calabar, but the holiday turned out wonderfully. The bathroom drainage was the one issue, it left the toilet floor flooded the whole time I was there.