Gambia Hotel Accommodation: Holiday Hotels in The Gambia
Holiday Hotels and Guest Houses in The Gambia
As a holiday destination the Gambia has always provided
guarnteed winter sunshine. It is well served by cheap chartered
flights from the UK, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Denmark,
Sweden and Norway all seeking relief from Northern winter
climes.
It is a four hour drive to Dakar International Airport,
in neighbouring Senegal which is the international air hub
for this region of West Africa. Direct flights from here
exist to Paris, New York, Torronto, Rio, Dubai, the Middle
East, South East Asia and major African destinations such
Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria. The Gambia is now considered
a world class tourist destination. Forty years ago there
were just two hotels in the Gambia. Now there are several
hundred offering a range from budget to 5 star luxury.
Ngala Lodge
A converted colonial mansion overlooking the Atlantic ocean
contains just six suites, each with its own private garden
area. A swimming pool is promised for 1998/99. Not the best
of beaches but a nice place to stay if you enjoy a degree
of privacy. Ceiling fans but no air conditioning.
Coconut Residence
Accommodation is comprised of suites. Two swimming pools
and nice gardens. High standard of room service is available
24 Hrs. Pampered luxury but, unfortunately, 1 Km from the
beach.
Kololi Beach Club
Accommodation is comprised of one and two bedroom villas
on two stories set in nice gardens. Ceiling fan, but air
conditioning can be arranged. Swimming pool, bars, restaurant,
etc and directly on to an excellent beach. Luxury at a reasonable
price.
The Kairaba Hotel
Situated next to the Kololi Beach Club with direct access
to the beach this hotel offers a high standard for a tourist
hotel. All the facilities you would expect in a tourist
hotel, swimming pool, restaurant, bars and well furnished,
quiet comfortable rooms
Sene Gambia Hotel
Situated next to The Kairaba Hotel with direct access to
the beach. All the usual tourist hotel facilities at a Reasonable
price. The hotel Sene Gambia, Kairaba hotel and Kololi Beach
Club are within easy reach of shops, restaurants, bars and
nightclubs.
Hotel Kombo Beach
Situated at Kotu the Hotel Kombo Beach is an excellent
hotel right on the beach. Swimming pool, restaurant, bars
and a nightclub. Close by are shops, supermarkets and craft
markets.
Palma Rima Hotel
Situated approximately 300 metres from the beach. Rooms
are in a three storey block by the pool or in bungalows
in quieter areas. Even in the cheapest budget hotel a stand
fan is provided but not in the Palma Rima. You have to hire
one on a daily basis.
Badala Park Hotel
Situated at Kotu close to the Hotel Kombo Beach, Badala
Park is approximately 200 metres from the beach. Although
there is a path down to the beach area, because of its condition,
it would not be advisable to allow children to walk along
it unaccompanied. The hotel itself is on a par with the
cheaper tourist hotels, swimming pool, bars, etc. Friendly
staff, reasonably priced. But that path, and for so many
years in the same condition.
Bungalow Beach Hotel
Known in The Gambia only as "BB" the hotel is
on the beach and is well liked by tourists who return year
after year. Excellent for families with children. Safe beach,
plenty of beach bars and restaurants, close to supermarkets
and shops and next to BB Craft Market. Comfortable rooms,
swimming pool etc. The hotel is close to the Hotel Kombo
Beach, in fact, beach-side, it is next door with just the
craft market in between. A friendly hotel and good value
for money.
Bakotu Hotel
Situated directly across the road from the Hotel Kombo
Beach and therefore does not have direct access to the beach.
The beach is reached by walking through BB Craft Market
(approximately one minute). Excellent staff, a very friendly
hotel, and very quiet and relaxing. The road outside ends
at the BB Hotel and is, therefore, very quiet. Supermarkets,
bars and restaurants are all close by. This family run hotel
is good value for money.
Fajara Hotel
Situated in Fajara and close to the golf course. The hotel
boasts all the usual tourist facilities and provides interesting
entertainment, with the band, Roots Manding, playing here
once a week. If the hotel has a down side it is because
it is on a hill and the walk back from the beach means negotiating
a lot of steps.
Fransisco's
Also at Fajara, this family run hotel is small but comfortable.
The beach is approximately a 10 minute walk, but does mean
negotiating steps that lead to the same stretch of beach
as the Fajara Hotel. Ideally situated for all the restaurants
and nightlife in the Fajara area, and just a short ride
from Bakau, or Serekunda.
African Village Hotel
Situated in Bakau this hotel boasts a unique swimming pool
with a central bar. The rooms are on the small side and
the beach is unsuitable for swimming. There is a man-made
sun bathing beach area but unless you are fit enough to
climb up and down all the steps that lead to it you won't
want to use it too much. Handy for reaching all the bars
and restaurants in the Bakau area and local transport is
close by, so no expensive taxis. As always in The Gambia,
the staff are very friendly and helpful.
Sun Beach Hotel
Situated at Cape Point the Sun Beachhas long been a favorite
of scandanavian visitors. All the usual facillities of a
tourist hotel and an excellent beach. Supermarket and nightclub
close by and only a twenty minute stroll into Bakau, with
plenty of places to stop off for a cold drink, or a beer,
on the way.
Cape Point Hotel
Situated at Cape Point between the Sunwing Hotel and the
supermarket, this family run hotel is small but very friendly.
Swimming pool, bar, restaurant and some good, local entertainment.
The local Gambian band, Roots Manding, plays there once
a week. Shares the same excellent beach as the Sunwing.
Atlantic Hotel
Situated in the capital, Banjul. The hotel is excellent
with nice rooms, friendly staff and good service. Swimming
pool, bars and restaurant. The beach is good, nice soft
white sand but the foreshore tends to be a little dark in
colour and has a certain odour. This could be due to it
being situated on the estuary of the River Gambia and not
far from the shipping lanes into the port at Banjul. Ideal
for exploring, Banjul can be reached from the Kombos for
as little as £0.30p or $0.45c.
Bakau Guest House
Opposite Bakau market, on Atlantic Road. Sadly, this excellent
guest house only boasts seven rooms and the owners use one
as an office. One room has four single beds whereas the
rest only have two. Each room has a toilet / shower a table,
two chairs, a wardrobe, a set of drawers, a refrigerator,
(no charge) and a stand fan. The owners are friendly and
very helpful. In January 1998 the cost was £10 or $15 per
night. No extra charge for being a single occupier. Hard
to find a clean, comfortable room like this at the same
price. TEL / FAX : 497460
Romana Hotel
Situated in Bakau, next door to Kumba's Bar, on Atlantic
Road, between Bakau market and the supermarket. The Romana
has recently re-opened under new ownership. I understand
that the new American owners have carried out extensive
refurbishment. The rooms are comfortable, set around a pleasant
garden area. I believe the bar / restaurant is now open,
but more information will be posted as soon as it is known.
Prior to closing for refurbishment, the price was £10.00
($15.00) per night B.B. Now, the new owners are asking £14.50
($25.00 per night. Recent advise is that there is no refrigerator
or air conditioning, and no generator. Not very good value
at the price. TEL: 495127. FAX: 496042.
Atlantic Guest House
Situated between the African Village Hotel and Fajara on
Atlantic Road the Atlantic Guest House is overlooking the
ocean. Clean comfortable rooms at a reasonable price. Transport
does pass by on the road outside but not so frequently.
Most journeys will be made by private taxis of which there
are many passing by until late in the night. To Bakau £0.30
($0.45) (Double this price late evening. Fajara will cost
the same prices. TEL: 496237
Fajara Guest House
Situated just off Kairaba Avenue (Pipeline Road) in Fajara
the guest house is small, quiet and reasonably priced. Handy
for bars, restaurants and transport to Serekunda, Bakau
and just about anywhere. Fares to Bakau and Serekunda £0.15
($0.25). Late evening private taxis are everywhere. Bakau
and Serekunda £0.70 ($1.00). Everything is negotiable. TEL:
496122
Malawi Guest House
Situated in Fajara not far from the Fajara Guest House
the Malawi is popular with clean rooms at a reasonable price.
Within easy reach of restaurants and bars, and as with the
Fajara Guest House, taxis and transport is readily available.
TEL: 393012
Green Line Motel
Situated in Serekunda close to the market the Green Line
Motel boasts rooms with air conditioning as standard but
the electricity supply was not very reliable when I last
stayed there in December 1997. The rooms are clean, reasonably
comfortable and at an affordable price. The motel has a
bar and there is an excellent cafe close by for breakfast.
If you plan to stay here please refer to the section on
safety, in particular - crime. TEL: 394225
Bantaba Hotel
Situated on the road between Fajara and SeneGambia the
Bantaba is clean and comfortable and the price is reasonable.
I am advised that the German owner is a friendly sort of
guy who makes all visitors feel welcome. Approximately 500
meters from the beach the hotel has a bar & restaurant.
It also has a beach bar, from which a path leads directly
to the hotel.
Kantora Hotel
In Banjul on Independence Drive the Kantora is clean and
comfortable and within easy reach of all the points where
the transport leaves for SereKunda and beyond. Bars and
restaurants not too far away and the lively, but raunchy,
Oasis nightclub is within walking distance. TEL: 228715
Apollo Hotel
In the heart of Banjul, not far from the port. The rooms
are decent and clean, but a bit pricey. I've also heard
of people (men actually) being disturbed during the night
by ladies of the same name, but, it's in that part of Banjul.
Private taxis to and from here, particularly at night, it's
safer. TEL: 228184
