married for nearly 15 years, two children nearly 26 and 22 and a grandson three. I am currentl...
married for nearly 15 years, two children nearly 26 and 22 and a grandson three. I am currently caring for an elderly gentleman who has dementia. This is very rewarding Ebay buying and selling, and love David Essex and Loose Women
Member since:30.06.2002
Reviews:40
Members who trust:5
I took my two children who were then aged 16 and 13 to this hotel in October 1998. We had a lovely holiday and wouldn't hesitate to go back.
We arrived after a real eye opening journey from the airport which I have mentioned in my op on The Gambia in general, at 4pm in the afternoon. I have to say on seeing our room for the first time I was disappointed. The ceiling fan was hanging of the ceiling and was limping round looking as if it was about to fall on to us at any minute. I decided that Proper air conditioning was going to be needed because the humidity was so high both day and night. So after a lot of fuss from me we were found a much nicer room with proper remote controlled air conditioning. Mind you I did have to pay an extra £70 for the privilige. It does mention this in the brochures though. My son was straight in the swimming pool and stayed there until about 7pm. The rooms on the whole were basic but very clean, and were always cleaned every day with clean towels too. An important part of my holiday. The gardens were lovely and there were birds of all varieties flying everywhere. Something that struck me - whatever time of day or night the birds would always be singing -. There were special clubs and look out points dotted round the grounds of the hotel for bird lovers to watch and record the different species. In fact this hotel actually had special interest holidays for bird lovers. Every morning at around 11 am breakfast was provided for the eagles and vultures. Well before that time they would appear circling high above the swimming pool, gradually getting lower, then they would land and we could watch them feeding and washing and grooming under the water sprayers. Our room was opposite a small pond and this is where we would find 2 monitor lizards relaxing everyday. They were tame enough for me to be able to touch their skins. We also saw monkeys swinging in the trees and ocassionally jumping in front of us chattering then running away fast.
The daytime enertainment was good. There was plenty going on around the swimming pool, and you have the chance to do tennis volley ball football and archery if you wish. Personally I just found it too hot to be that active. The nightime entertainment was a bit slapdash, but always enthusiastic.
The food was very good for a biggish hotel. Something for eveyones taste. We were able to purchase lunch such as pizza etc, from the hotel, or a beach hut on the beach. But we rarely ventured onto the beach as the hassle was too much for my daughter to cope with, being blonde and blue eyed, she attracted attention she didn't want then. We ate our main meals outside under the verandah. In the evenings it was always lit up, and the bats would be flying around everywhere. Not for the faint hearted, but we didn't mind at all.
All in all I loved this place and I do believe since we went it has been refurbished or parts of it have anyway. Its classed as a 3 star hotel in the brouchures which I think is a fair rating. The service was always good and the staff polite and friendly.
Their is a local market and some bars and restaurants just up the road from the hotel which are worth a visit. Also taxis, and people offering to take you here there and everywhere. Choose carefully.
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Advantages: The largest grounds of any hotel in the Gambia, excellent food, friendly helpfull staff. Disadvantages: None really, overallgood, Locals can be tiresome outside of hotel.
Advantages: The largest grounds of any hotel in the Gambia, excellent food, friendly helpfull staff. Disadvantages: None really, overallgood, Locals can be tiresome outside of hotel.
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