Customer reviews of Banjul

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Customer reviews of Banjul

January 2010 - staying at OCEAN BAY

really good holiday at Ocean Bay, reception 1st class, we paid for standard room but given a delux one without asking for an upgrade, this was brill. Our room was cleaned everyday, with fresh towels. All the staff were exceptionally helpful, friendly and always smiling. It was our 1st visit to The Gambia and it will not be the last. The breakfast in the hotel was fantisic, good choice and the best porridge we have ever had, evening meal good too. The beach was beautiful, no worries about security, we were well looked after. pool great and the gardens were beautiful, so much to say, just loved it xx

January 2010 - staying at MANSEA BEACH

Main impression was of broken and dangerous electric wall sockets, broken furnishings, very poor bathroom facilities - we asked to move room but although we did find a slightly less dark room in F block rather than C block the other issues were all the same - the balcony door had obviously been broken into several times, the window screens were all broken. We were then charged for hire of a free-standing floor fan for the week, even though I had checked on booking that the room had a fan - at the point of booking there was no mention of having to pay extra for this. The two-pin plug of the fan was then hammered into the 3-pin wall socket by the hotel fan man - one of the pins unsurprisingly broke and it took us 2 days to get this replaced. The 2-star rating is barely acceptable. Whilst all the staff were polite and friendly, we would never stay here again, and I don't think the information given by you was accurate. I would ask you to consider giving us a token amount in refund. We weren't expecting luxury - we are doing charity work in schools - and will be going to Gambia again in May - not to the Mansea Beach! We do know what Gambia is like, but this hotel wasn't OK, sorry.

January 2010 - staying at SARGES

This hotel is very noisy - always request a room at the rear. Thankfully we were moved but even then had to wear earpieces each night to ensure we could at least snatch a few hours sleep.

The breakfast was of poor quality and we had to request for items to be replaced. The milk was warm and tasted as if it had turned. As a direct result, we only ate breakfast at the hotel once. A room only basis would be a better option at this hotel.

The staff were friendly and even allowed us a late check out. The rooms were clean but I would recommend changing the towels more often as we were taking two showers a day due to the heat.

It is a shame that the area is becoming a bit like the Spanish mainland and so losing a little of the adventure of coming to Africa. That said, we had a great holiday.

December 2009 - staying at PALM BEACH

Palm Beach Hotel is a mid-range hotel with a bit of a family feels to it. It has its own swimming pool and is also right on the beach so you can walk up and down the coast to other resorts/bars/restaurants if you wish. There are green tourist taxis that wait outside the gate, or you can walk a bit further up the road and try and barter a better price with a yellow taxi, so getting around isn't too difficult. Also they have security guards on each entry and exit to the hotel, and during my stay saw no bumsters on the premises, which was good. I think the hotel changed ownership about 12 months ago sometime in 2008, and it sounds like it has improved a lot since then, so any reviews slating the place for hygeine probably relate to that era. I had no complaints. On the whole, don't be fooled by the hotel star ratings in Africa as its '3 star' rating will not compare to European standards. However my 'single' room was a good size and was actually a twin bed with ensuite bathroom and it had air-con. There always seemed to be a team of people out cleaning, and the sheets and towels were changed daily - the linen looked a bit tired, but again it was clean. I don't know if they were short of towels, but they often took them away at 10am and didn't return any clean ones til mid-afternoon, so take one out with you! Similarly the bathroom looked due for a decorate (think UK Youth Hostel spec), but it was clean, always had water and shower was usually hot. (had no bath). Notably, the toilet brush had no handle!

Food in Gambia in general was of a good standard, and I had no trouble at this hotel. The Gambian specials are pretty tasty. Breakfast was bread, jam, cheese, cereal, frankfurter, eggs etc. Not a wide choice, but adequate. If your stomach is holding up then I recommend trying breakfast at the shack made of corrugated iron and scrap wood, located just outside the gate by the taxis, where the locals eat. The omlette in ciabatta-type bread was good as was the sandwich with mixed-beans inside. And get a Nescafe, super-sweet rocket fuel! Feed your whole family for a pound.

Security didn't seem a problem anywhere, but you can rent a safe - about 20 pounds for the week, which I thought was a bit steep. Doors to rooms seemed rather flimsy and didnt close brilliantly, so a safe may be worth it for peace of mind.

Overall, a clean, pleasant hotel with a decent location and reasonable food, at a reasonable price. I would stay again.

December 2009 - staying at PALM BEACH

The hotel is quiet and friendly, with evening entertainment which was fantastic. would definately go back again

December 2009 - staying at BAKOTU BEACH

The hotel and rooms were good and the staff were friendly (then again everyone in The Gambia is your friend). We spent one night down the Strip in Kololi and everyone was "in your face". Glad we stayed where we were as the bumsters recognised you after the first day and left you alone after that. Would recommend to anyone and will go back next year for the right price.

December 2009 - staying at SENEGAMBIA BEACH HOTEL

excellent hotel set on beautiful grounds which was also shared with monkeys, vulchers and exotic birds. Hotel is very well located within walking distance of shops, attractions and transport links. staff very welcoming and food served in buffet style was of excellant quality. Hotel is suitable families, couples, young and old. We had a wonderful time and will definitely go again.

October 2009 - staying at Sunset Beach

Great location and right on the beach, transfers and travel effortless, if not a little overcautious for time. Hotel pleasant and staff ready to please in most cases. Restaurant fairly uninspiring, but this should make everyone explore the outside delights more!
By halfway through the stay, out skin had hardened enough to the Bumsters so that they didn't spoil each day so much. Especially round the coastal resorts expect a higher price for everything, maybe more than you'd expect for a "Developing Africa" Overall the holiday: Recommended 8/10!!!!

August 2009 - staying at NGALA LODGE

As good as it gets in Africa; this is a well run and friendly resort. There are only 19 rooms and no children. It tends to attract a lot of honeymooners and generally not the costa del brigade. Ngala Lodge is situated in the up-market Fajara district, a short taxi ride (or longish walk) away from the main tourist area of Senegambia.
If you love sun-bathing and being looked after this place is ideal. The sun lounges are discreetly spaced in private gardens so there is little walk-through tourist trade. The other diners in the restaurant are likely to be staff from the neighbouring embassies or researchers from the nearby UK Medical Research Council.
Don't expect European 5-Star standards though (you don’t get that in Africa) and if you intend to leave the resort, be prepared to fend off the Bumsters (half beggar half con artist). The tourist protection legislation in the Gambia has done little to discourage the Bumsters, mainly because the Tourist Security Force doesn't seem to do anything beyond occupying its compound. The Gambia looses a good deal of repeat custom because of the hustle the Bumsters create.
That said, you are unlikely to face any real danger. Bumsters generally lose interest if they can be persuaded that there is no possibility of them getting your money. Alternatively, allowing one to follow you around, whilst irritating, will mean that the others leave you alone. There are no Bumsters away from the tourist strip. Proper travellers will not spend long in Kotou.
There is no safari, scuba, or water sport in the Gambia. There is some of all of these in Senegal but not on the scale, or at the quality of East Africa.
Finally, don’t be put off by warnings of the wet season. Most of the rain is at night and the storms are more spectacular than inconvenient. It's also a lot quieter.

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