Ogere Resort is all scenic views and healthy calm
Sometime in May 2021, domestic tour operators were hosted to a work-cation by the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) and I was privileged to be one of the participants. The chosen location to have fun while working was TCC Resort in Ogere (Ogun State).
“Let’s have fun at work.”-Tyra Banks
While passing through the Lagos/Ibadan expressway on my way to University of Ibadan I always wondered what was behind the black gate with green flower logo on it. A surprise awaited me at the gate this time, because the logo had been changed: the green flower logo was gone and in its place was a purple (my favourite colour) and white logo.
As our bus drove into the facility, it had the unmistakable aura of relaxation. The trees whispered calm down. Things are gonna be fine. Things are gonna be great. Just relax. Getting off the bus, the environment reminded me a little bit of ASCON and the now defunct VIP chalets (both in Badagry).
Sunshine beamed on the well manicured lawn from the top of the well kept trees. The buildings all looked old but well maintained. The staff that was on standby to receive us was courteous. The conference hall we were ushered into would sit at least 200 people comfortably.
I went straight to one of the windows in the conference room and a scenic view said hello. Right in front of me through the windows were blocks of flats; behind was a structure was a chapel — I made a mental note to visit before we would leave next day.
“Enjoy the sound of silence” – Timothy Salter
Ogere Resort is located in Ogere Remo in Ogun state. It is 65km from Lagos, 60km from Ibadan, 42km from Abeokuta, and 36km from Ijebu-Ode. It was launched in 1985 and it chiefly served as a training centre for selected corporate organizations, government parastatals and the likes. It was never opened to the general public.
Despite the resort’s close proximity to the places mentioned above, it is relatively quiet – except for the occasional faint horn of vehicles passing through the Lagos/Ibadan expressway. One will find it hard to believe Lagos, the hustlers’ haven, is just close by.
Now that it’s finally opened to all and sundry, here is a bit of what this tranquil resort holds for you if you decide to visit:
The resort has 200 rooms, all beautiful, and in three categories: single rooms (can accommodate one person); superior rooms (can accommodate two persons); suites (can accommodate two or more persons and has a sitting room).
Wake up to scenic courtyards
The rooms all come with a mini-fridge (it is going to take some James Bond skills on your part to find where it is placed in the room), flat screen TV with 7 Satellite channels, tea/coffee making facilities (this will definitely excite some people I know), and free Wi-Fi (sadly, I did not know a Wi-Fi code came with my keycard pouch until the morning of our departure).
The best part is waking up in the morning, opening your room door and your view is blessed with a beautiful garden in the courtyard. The view is energizing and refreshing. The lodgings are arranged in a huddle and each huddle of rooms is given a unique name; I was allocated a single room in Ahern block.
Corporate meeting/seminars
Equipped with meeting and conference rooms that can sit 10-200 guests comfortably, the resort is a great place for corporate organizations to train their staff or hold annual general meetings. There are classrooms that make it possible for more than one organization to use the conferencing facilities at the same time. And the conference halls and classrooms are all equipped with conferencing facilities (projectors, sound system and more).
The resort is ideal for a family getaway, family/school/friends reunion; the chapel also makes it ideal for a destination wedding, a beautiful location for photo shoot sessions, honeymoon, wedding anniversary celebrations, etc.
All you can eat
For Ogere resort, dining is not just about placing a plate of whatever you ordered in front of you. For them it is a celebration of the senses; that much is evident in the quality of their meal. From traditional to continental, the food speaks class and sends a message that the guests’ overall wellbeing is important to the management.
The chapman that accompanied our dinner was exotic and refreshing. An open air barbecue is also available on request. Guests are entitled to a full buffet breakfast. Lunch and dinner can be served indoor and outdoor, while dinner by the pool side is not a totally bad idea.
There is also a bar that caters to your thirst.
Ease the stress with sports
There are recreational facilities at the resort to make your stay pleasurable. Some of these facilities are perfect for team bonding, indoor and outdoor activities.
Swimming pool: it is quarter-size Olympic swimming pool that is perfect for guests to reel, spin, turn and whirl in at your convenience.
Gaming room: a virtual reality gaming room is opened to gamers
Outdoor chess board: a medium sized outdoor chess set is available for grandmasters and aspiring grandmasters of the game.
There is a basketball court, a volleyball court, table tennis and lawn ten courts, obstacle course, a gymnasium, football pitch, cycling ring, mini cinema and children playground.
The best part is: all facilities are complimentary. You don’t have to pay extra to use any one of them. There is also more than enough space for you to invent your own recreational activities. It is an all inclusive resort.
Oh, the paintings in the rooms are breathtakingly beautiful; it will be a pleasure to meet the artist responsible for such explosive work of arts. The paintings will light up your mood as soon as you step into the rooms.
The room rates are affordable (Yes, you read that right). A single room is just 35,000 NGN, superior room 40,000 NGN, and the suite 60,000 NGN per night respectively. You will definitely get value for your money. The staffs are courteous, ready to help with smiles on their faces and friendly too.
Though construction works are still ongoing. A fresh coat of paint on the buildings won’t be a bad idea and the security should be beefed up a little bit more. More needs to be done in terms of publicity for the resort. With a good social media contents on the resort’s website, they stand a good chance of becoming a popular getaway location in Nigeria.
Have you had an Ogere resort experience?, share it with us in comments