Akwa Ikpa is a colonial-style boat club set in the grounds of Le Meridien Hotel. The grounds meet the banks of the Cross River overlooking Palm trees and the immaculate golf course. The cafe serves pizzas, pastas and salads alongside a range of grilled meats and fish, cooked on an outdoor grill or in an open kitchen. It’s a beautiful setting: whitewashed walls, terracotta-tiled floors and wooden sunshades emanate style and understated luxury. Inside the club house there is a small indoor game room with table football, table tennis and pool tables. There is even a squash court for those looking to really work up an appetite. Beyond the outside dining area there are a couple of tennis courts that are floodlit at night, and beyond its borders the river meanders by. Upstairs there is a private veranda for small groups and intimate dining; the veranda is above the tree line, so during the day it offers wonderful views across the river to palm-strewn banks beyond. In the evening it’s worth taking a walk to the jetty to see the ranks of local fishermen’s dugout canoes lined up on the banks and hear to the cacophony of frogs. Back at the bar the soundtrack is modern African, and it’s impossible not to tap a foot as the speakers belt out catchy rhythms. Its a lovely spot to relax whilst eating locally caught croaker fish and drinking an ice cold beer.