Hotels Near Senegambia Beach in Serrekunda

We have stayed at The Kairaba Beach Hotel for many years. We have seen it at it's best and now seen it at it's worst. Covid has a lot to answer for. It is so sad to see this Grand hotel so empty this year. Our first thought was to move hotels, but we have made many friends here at the hotel and feel at home here when we arrive. We decided to stay and even though the hotel is practically empty and working on a skeleton staff we felt obliged to stay and support. As usual the staff can't do enough for us. The management decided to allow local people to use the pool at a fee, and this has been taken up by them especially on the weekend. It gets very busy with lots of families n children most of whom can't swim. Which in turn is hard for the one pool attendent to manage as there can be up to 30 to 40 people in the pool. I understand that the management needs to bring in revenue but an extra pool attendent should be employed at the weekend. We need Whalley back at the pool❤️❤️ Breakfast is poor n not what we are used to, but on saying that we haven't gone hungry, it is once again so sad to see so few people in the hotel thus not a great selection and no buzz from it at breakfast from not being busy with guests. On the up side if we request something it is there the next day. On the whole yes it is quiet, we are under the impression that they no longer have a contract with Tui at the moment n can only be found on Gambia Experience which is expensive for the quality of the hotel at the moment. Personally I think that the hotel wasn't ready to accept guest in time for the winter holidays and with this, and what seems poor management from an higher level this once booming grand hotel has slipped into a sorry state. Hopefully with the support of regular guests that still belive in her and a higher better management plan the Grand old lady will get back to how she use to be once again in this fantastic location. We will always support as long as we are able thank you to all the stay you are doing an amazing job under the circumstances ❤️❤️

Stayed at the Senegambia Hotel early March 2020 for two weeks (booked through Tui). Arrived at the hotel late in the evening (after a horrible flight in a Tui sardine can!), and was quickly and efficiently showed to our room which was a Superior double room. There was nothing 'superior' about it (although having seen some of the standard rooms, I suppose it was). It was tatty and felt dirty, the fridge was rusting and the front door didn't even close properly. This room was situated opposite the 'quiet pool' (room 105) and had a small terrace. We immediately went back to reception who then showed us a different room on the first floor of a more modern block which was so much better! Please note: The Tui brochure described the rooms as all having either a terrace or balcony. As we were on the first floor we had a balcony - but this is not a private balcony but a communal corridor! Other guests are constantly walking by, therefore there is no privacy meaning the curtains need to be closed all the time, so not able to enjoy the beautiful view. Also we had chain smokers next door which meant that we could not sit outside as there was not a totally separating wall. We would not have booked this hotel had we known this. Breakfast was minimal, enough to keep you happy I suppose, but was very little choice, especially for vegetarians. Fruit consisted of melons or papaya (sometimes bananas). Fruit juices (x2), cereals, egg station, minimal cooked selection (mostly meat products), and cold section (mainly meat products). The hotel itself was tired looking and run down (partly due to being closed through the Covid period), but survives on it's location. The grounds were superb, full of wildlife (birds, monkeys, reptiles) and were kept in good condition. There was vulture feeding every day and you could arrange a bird guide tour of the grounds in the evening (for a fee). The beach was clean and stretched for miles in each direction, but swimming was often 'red flagged' because of the conditions. I had cause to use the Mens toilets in the Reception area (I always think these should be the best in a hotel as they are 'front of house' and set a good impression). They were horrible! Dirty, rusting doors and on one occasion were so disgusting I couldn't go in there! So, would I recommend this hotel? For the location - definitely. Otherwise, not so sure. On the whole, a good holiday, but probably would not visit Gambia again as their environmental issues need to be addressed, such as their tendency to dump all their rubbish and plastic in the countryside, or take it to a massive landsite and just openly burn it (giving off huge plumes of toxic waste - and this within a couple of miles of the hotel!).

The staff were great very helpful and nothing was too much bother. There was a mix up about the room when we got there, we booked a twin bed but got a double bed. It was sorted by the next day which was really nice. The Wi-Fi definitely needs to be improved. When we first got there it was ok but when we moved to the top floor we couldn’t get any wi-fi in the room. The rooms are basic, the beds are HARD and no tv but to be honest I didn’t miss the tv. Would I stay again?? Yes-because the price was good/location. No-it would be nice to try others hotels on Paradise Beach and the bed was so hard.

My stay at the balafon was amazing ! The pools , the beach , the bar , the staff everything together was such a great experience ! Specially lamin m. F camara and his team took amazing care off us. He made shure everything was perfect during my stay , he also made shure i could have a late checkout and shower before leaving because i had an evening flight. The balafon holds a special place in my heart. Greetings monthi

Just had a wonderful 11 nights here rooms comfortable and spacious fantastic shower had a room at the back overlooking the trees was a little disappoointed with the veiw at first but not for long the most magnificent birds I've ever seen and the monkeys twice a day

This was my first visit to The Gambia on an organised wildlife-watching trip based at the African Princess hotel. Sadly on the first morning I was unwell and confined to the hotel for the duration of the holiday, I should point out it was a heart problem and absolutely nothing connected to the hotel or being in The Gambia. The managers, Abraham and Roy, were absolutely brilliant making sure I was OK as were all the staff including reception, bar staff and housekeeping (Isa) providing a wheelchair to keep me mobile. The room was of a high standard, very clean etc. the restaurant very good serving lovely food, there was nothing that I would comment adversely on. At the time of writing I am still awaiting further treatment hence why I have not written this before. If/when I return to see the wildlife I missed I will undoubtedly base my trip at the African Princess hotel.

I had a wonderful time at the resort. Everyone was so helpful. Especially Fatoumatta at the reception who helped us make all the arrangements to visit the necessary sites in town. The rooms and the pool are cleaned regularly, the barbecue is great, and walking on the beach in mornings is just the best. You can't take a bad photo even if you tried. Great vibe all around.

We stayed as a family of 5 in 2 rooms next to each other on an all inclusive basis. The hotel has a fabulous beach front location, the beach is expansive and not eroded like other parts of the coast in The Gambia. We arrived at the same time as a coach but check-in was quick and efficient and we were greeted warmly with cold towels and drinks. The rooms are basic but have everything you need including a hairdryer. They are clean and well designed with lots of storage. As is typical in The Gambia, power cuts and dips in water pressure happen regularly. The service was fantastic, staff here go out of their way to improve your stay and nothing is too much trouble. They learn your name and always greet you warmly. Victor, the manager, would check in that we were happy with everything more than once a day. The food in the buffet is some of the best food we've seen in buffets at hotels we've stayed in all over the world. The daily selection is not huge but lots of effort has gone into ensuring there are different things available everyday so it does not become samey or monotonous. Everything we ate was delicious and of good quality, sauces and gravy were extremely well cooked. However if you couldn't find anything you liked or had a craving for something specific, I am certain the kitchen would have cooked it for you. We did eat in the a'la carte which was also great and with the discount it was very reasonably priced. We had intended to eat out but the food was so good we didn't. We were travelling with teenagers and a child and they were very happy with the pools and water slides, they enjoyed playing table tennis and football on the beach, we were slightly out of season so the hotel was nowhere near capacity but the entertainment staff came and spoke to us about what they wanted to do. There was live music most evenings and a wonderful performance of African drumming and dancing one night. I highly recommend staying at Kombo beach.