Unbelievable Tripod Hotel in Owerri: Nigeria's Best Kept Secret?

Unbelievable Tripod Hotel in Owerri: Nigeria's Best Kept Secret?
Unbelievable Tripod Hotel, Owerri: Nigeria's Best Kept Secret? (And My Slightly Overenthusiastic Review)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (and probably some lukewarm, instant coffee) on Unbelievable Tripod Hotel in Owerri. Is it truly Nigeria's best-kept secret? Honestly? Maybe. But it's definitely got some secrets worth whispering about, and maybe some that need a little ahem tweaking. This isn't your perfectly polished travel blog; this is the unfiltered, slightly-too-excited rantings of someone who just spent a week there.
First Impressions and That Whole Accessibility Thing:
Getting to Tripod was, well, an adventure. The airport transfer situation? Decent. They offered it, which is already a win in Nigeria. Finding the hotel itself? Not too hard, but Google Maps tried to send me down a few goat paths first (true story!). Now, about Accessibility. I'm not in a wheelchair, so I can't speak to that aspect directly. The elevator was definitely a plus, and I saw ramps, but really, I’d need a more informed perspective to give a definitive answer. It's something they should highlight more. Facilities for disabled guests, they claim to have them, which is a good sign, but verification is key. They do have a doorman and 24-hour front desk, which always helps.
Cleanliness and Safety – Feeling Safe (Mostly):
This is a big one for me. Cleanliness was… acceptable. Okay, let’s be real: I found a single rogue hair in the bathroom that wasn't mine. (Shudders.) But overall, the rooms were pretty tidy. They definitely take their anti-viral cleaning products seriously, which is incredibly reassuring. They also have daily disinfection in common areas. The rooms are sanitized between stays, which is excellent. Hand sanitizer was readily available everywhere, and everyone on staff seemed to be following the safety protocol they were trained in. First aid kit? Check. It's the little things, right? CCTV in common areas and outside property, security [24-hour], and smoke alarms all contributed to a feeling of safety. So, yeah, they take this stuff seriously. The doctor/nurse on call is another big plus. Though I didn't need them, it's comforting to know they're there.
The Room: My Personal Fortress of Solitude (Minus the Loud Air Conditioner):
My room? Solid. Let's start with the positives. Air conditioning? Glorious, especially in the Owerri heat. Air conditioning in all rooms? Absolutely! Free Wi-Fi? Tick! And it actually worked! Gasp! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Huge bonus! Internet access – wireless? You bet. Internet access – LAN? Actually had it. Score! Desk? Yes. Coffee/tea maker? Yes. Refrigerator? Yes. Free bottled water? Yes. Bathrobes and slippers? Yes! That’s a win.
Now, the not-so-perfect. The air conditioner was a bit of a noisy monster, like a perpetually grumpy vacuum cleaner. And the blackout curtains… well, they didn't completely block out the light, but they tried. I’m easily pleased though! The bed? Comfortable enough. It could've been extra long, but hey, I survived. I was especially pleased to see non-smoking rooms too!
The bathroom was functional. The shower had hot water, eventually. The additional toilet in my room was a luxury. I love a good seating area for when I ate my room service! Wake-up service? They offered, and it worked. Mirror was fine. Alarm clock? Classic!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Feast for the Senses (And Sometimes a Quest for a Decent Salad):
Okay, the food scene here? A mixed bag. They boast restaurants, a coffee shop, a snack bar, and even a poolside bar. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was surprisingly good! I loved the Happy hour! The breakfast buffet was decent. I'm a sucker for a good breakfast [buffet]. The buffet in restaurant was definitely worth it. They had Western breakfast and Asian breakfast! I was so pleased! They had desserts in restaurant and salad in restaurant! The soup in restaurant was amazing. I even had a la carte in restaurant options! They also had room service [24-hour]. That was awesome.
On the plus side, there were some truly delicious meals. They had a decent vegetarian restaurant too. They have a bottle of water! They had breakfast takeaway service. And you can get coffee/tea in restaurant! The international cuisine in restaurant was top-notch!
The bad? Finding a really good salad felt like a quest. And the consistency of the food quality varied. But hey, you’re in Nigeria! Things are rarely perfect, and it’s part of the charm.
Relaxation and the Pursuit of Zen (or at Least a Decent Massage):
Here's where Tripod almost knocks it out of the park. Pool with view? Yes, and it was gorgeous, especially at sunset. Swimming pool [outdoor]? Yes! They have a spa/sauna! A Sauna! They also have a steamroom! I didn’t get around to the body scrub or body wrap, though, which is a shame. Massage was available, and I indulged. It was… decent. Definitely needed a little more oomph, but hey, you can’t win them all. They also have a gym/fitness, which I didn't use, but it looked well-equipped. Foot bath? I loved this!
Services and Conveniences: They Got Your Back (Mostly):
This is where Tripod really shines. The Concierge was helpful, if a little forgetful at times. The currency exchange was convenient. Laundry service? Great. Dry cleaning? Perfect. The daily housekeeping was a godsend! The elevator was, of course, helpful. The luggage storage was essential. Cash withdrawal? Available. Car park [free of charge]? Huge win! Taxi service? Fine. Food delivery? Yes! Ironing service? Available! The ironing facilities in my room? Great! The gift/souvenir shop was there. They don’t have pets allowed.
They also offer business facilities, and meetings. They have a meeting/banquet facilities and audio-visual equipment for special events. I didn't attend any, but they're there. They offer invoice provided!
For the Kids: The Little Rascals' Paradise (Probably):
I don’t have kids, but from what I saw, Tripod seemed pretty family/child friendly. They had babysitting service! They also had kids meal!
Getting Around: Navigating Owerri (and Maybe a Few Potholes):
Airport transfer was available, as mentioned. Car park [on-site]? Yep! Car park [free of charge]? Absolutely!
Internet: Blessed Connectivity (Mostly):
The free Wi-Fi was a lifesaver. Internet access – wireless? Yes! Internet access – LAN? You got it!
The Unforgettable Experience: The Poolside Sunset and the Suddenly-Appearing Cockroach
Look, no hotel is perfect. And Tripod, bless its heart, has quirks. But the vibe? That’s what makes it special. One evening, I was by the pool with view. The sun was setting, painting the sky in a million shades of orange and purple. The music was playing, and I was sipping a cocktail. It was bliss. Then… a cockroach. A small one. Scuttled across the paving. My initial reaction? A primal scream (OK, maybe not that loud). Followed by a laugh. Because, hey, Nigeria. Pest control is a work in progress. But the moment? The sunset? The overall feeling of peace and calm? That's what I'll remember.
The Verdict: Is Unbelievable Tripod Hotel Nigeria's Best Kept Secret?
It’s close. It's not perfect, but it's got the potential to be amazing. It’s got heart. It’s got a great location. It's got genuine people. And it's definitely a memorable experience. If you're looking for an authentic Nigerian stay with a touch of luxury and a healthy dose of adventure, Unbelievable Tripod Hotel is worth checking out. Just pack your sense of humor, your bug spray (just in case!), and
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This is gonna be less "perfectly planned holiday" and more "me stumbling through Tripod Hotel in Owerri, Nigeria, fueled by questionable pastries and existential dread (mostly the latter, to be honest)." Here’s the glorious, chaotic mess I’m planning… or, well, attempting to plan:
Tripod Hotel, Owerri: The Unofficial, Probably Ill-Advised Itinerary (AKA My Descent into Holiday Madness)
Day 1: Arrival – Or, How I Learned That Lagos Time Apparently Doesn't Apply to My Patience.
- Morning (maybe): Arrive at Sam Mbakwe Airport. Okay, so the brochure said "seamless transfers." Reality? About an hour of haggling with a taxi driver whose driving style suggested a career in demolition derby. I swear, my internal organs are still rearranging themselves. Emotional Reaction: Holy mother of mercies, I'm going to need several bottles of water and maybe a priest. And a new spine.
- Midday: Check into Tripod. The lobby décor is… eclectic. Think "modern Nigerian motel meets your eccentric aunt's living room." Lots of brass, some questionable artwork, and the distinct scent of air freshener trying to obliterate a smell that’s probably been there for decades. The receptionist, bless her heart, is radiating the kind of tired I intimately understand. Quirky Observation: Is that a leopard-print chaise lounge? In a hotel lobby? This trip is going to get interesting, real fast.
- Afternoon: Lunch. Attempt. The Tripod restaurant. “Continental and local cuisine.” Sounds great, right? Ordered the Jollof rice. It came with chicken that looked like it had experienced a near-death experience (and barely survived). The Jollof? Good. So, so good. The chicken? A tragedy. Emotional Reaction: I’m already feeling homesick for a takeaway shop in Lagos! But that Jollof rice, it’s holding on to me, like a hook, or a promise.
- Late Afternoon (or evening, still not sure, time is a construct): Swapped the chicken for a new plate of Jollof rice; and the chicken was just the same. Watched the sunset from my room's balcony (thankfully has an amazing view – at least something is going right). The sky was fiery orange, and surprisingly not filled with the dust of my existential despair.
- Evening (or is it late afternoon? I've lost track): Tried to go to the hotel gym. Found it locked, and a note taped to the door: "Keybearer on break. Back in about 2 hours." Messier Structure: Now I am wandering the hallways in a sort of haze. Thinking about the people here. What are their stories? Are they as confused by everything as I am? Thinking about my life back home. Thinking… about chicken.
Day 2: Diving Deep into Owerri - And, You Know, Possibly Avoiding Further Chicken-Related Trauma.
- Morning: Planned to wake up early and hit the gym if the keybearer miraculously returned. Instead, I woke up at noon, feeling like I’d been hit by a bus. But the view from the balcony is still pretty amazing, so that's a win.
- Midday (ish): Finally venturing out into Owerri. The hotel staff recommended the Mbari cultural centre. I’m picturing serene art and spiritual enlightenment. Reality: Traffic. Dust. The sheer vibrant chaos of a Nigerian city. Oh, and the Mbari is amazing! This open-air space, filled with vibrant, life-sized mud sculptures. The stories behind them, the sheer effort that went into creating them… It's overwhelming, and beautiful. I felt a rush of awe. Doubling down on an experience: I wandered round in a daze for hours. The faces, the colours, the sheer energy of the place… I spent a good hour staring at some weird, beautiful statue and wondering what the heck it meant.
- Afternoon: Exploring the city with a local guide (thank goodness for the hotel’s recommendation). We walk through the market, an assault on the senses in the best way possible. Spices, fabrics, laughing people, the clamour of commerce… I’m overwhelmed and enchanted.
- Evening: Another attempt at dinner in the hotel restaurant. This time, I opted for… something vegetarian. Emotional Reaction: I’m starting to feel like I'm actually here, really here!
Day 3: Rest, Reflection (Maybe), and Another Chicken Scare.
- Morning: Slept in. I'm starting to think "holiday" is just code for "catch-up on sleep".
- Midday: I'll try to read a book by the hotel pool (if the pool is actually open, that is). I'm pretty sure the pool is a beautiful thing.
- Afternoon: I'll go to the spa. Maybe some massage. I'm going to need it. Every muscle in my body is screaming in protest. I'm going to need all the massage in the world.
- Evening: One last meal at the Tripod. I'm considering a different hotel restaurant. But the Jollof rice… Opinionated Language: THAT rice is calling me. I’ll probably have it again, despite the chicken. Pray for me.
- Late-Night: Packing. Wondering how I'm going to get back to the airport. Contemplating the meaning of life. Possibly ordering room service. And definitely, definitely trying to avoid eye contact with any more poultry.
- Messy Thoughts: Did I really see what I wanted to see, or was it just the trip did to me? The colours, the sounds, the smells… and the chicken; the chicken - the chicken, which I didn't finish! What if I came back? What if I actually lived here?
Day 4: Departure – Farewell, Tripod, and Farewell, Sanity?
- Morning: Ugh. Airport transfer saga, round two. I am mentally preparing myself for a repeat performance of the taxi-driver-from-hell show.
- Midday: Waiting at the airport. Reflecting on my slightly-less-than-perfect stay.
- Afternoon: Departure. I'm leaving Owerri with a head full of memories, a stomach that's seen some things, and a deep appreciation for the power of a well-made plate of Jollof rice.
Post-Trip Ramblings:
This trip was a disaster and a triumph, all at once. The Tripod had its quirks, its flaws, its Jollof rice (and the damn chicken). But Owerri, that city, it got under my skin. It's chaotic, it's loud, it's beautiful, and I will be back for more. This wasn’t a "perfect" holiday, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Next time, though, I might pack a hazmat suit… and a whole lot of snacks.
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Unbelievable Tripod Hotel: Owerri’s… Well, Let’s Talk About It. FAQs, Honestly.
Okay, so, "Unbelievable Tripod." Is it like, *really* unbelievable? And what even IS it?
What are the rooms like? Because online photos are always… optimistic.
Is the food any good? The food is IMPORTANT.
What about the other facilities? The pool, the gym, all that jazzy stuff?
The Staff… what were they like? Because I'm easily swayed by service.
Is it safe? Because, well, Nigeria.
So, would you recommend it? The big question! Should I stay there?


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