Ocean Bay Hotel & Resort

I need to find better

Just back from 2 weeks at Ocean Bay, The Gambia. Booked with Gambia Experience and the arrangements they control were faultless. Local rep was good and transit through Banjul airport was greatly improved since last time. Food was plentiful and varied, much as expected. Anyone wanting eg camomile or green teas needs to take their own teabags as they seem not to exist locally. Staff were excellent although the hotel needs to look at staffing levels. At breakfast and dinner peaks waiters were run off their feet and unable to cope with demand. But unfailingly cheerful. Plenty of sunbeds and shades. The animation team worked hard to provide activities in and around the pool and there was entertainment on the stage each evening. De-luxe seaview rooms were clean and spacious, as it said on the tin. But… We had hot water after 5pm and before 10am on only a handful of our 14 days. 4 visits to reception achieved nothing – not even a communication. I find this totally unacceptable, even budget hotels – and this was not budget pricing – provide all-day hot water. Someone needs to get their act together – here are 2 couples unlikely to risk this hotel again.

Amazing staff. This isn’t my first time going to The Gambia, there is something very magical about the country that keeps pulling me back. The staff at this hotel are amazing, so friendly, kind, caring, smiling and can’t do enough for you. The desk staff, restaurant staff, bar staff and pool men. Food there is plenty of food available and cooked fresh. There are also so many other places available to eat and you should try the other restaurants and bars. Everyone everywhere is so friendly. The hotel is small and friendly people look out for each other and I find this fitting with the resort. I was fortunate to be there for new year. Wow amazing the transformation the effort hard work from all the staff was amazing. The dancing till 3 am fireworks at midnight, well done what a party. I hope that the hotel appreciates the hard working dedication from the A team. With out the staff and A team dancers this hotel would have little. The dancing skill and talent from the A team is amazing you wouldn’t get this from other hotels. They are with you from first thing till you go to bed to help and entertain. The performance on New Year’s Eve from the A team was fantastic, ( sorry but have to say a negative, shame the dance team had to dance on the floor due to the volume of people there unless you stood at the front you couldn’t see them). You never have to worry about a sun lounger they would always get one ready for you. I haven’t mentioned names as I want to remain positive . It’s a fantastic place to go on holiday everyone works so hard. I find it safe everywhere. And if 601 is reading this hope you are well, Polly.

We went to The Gambia, arrived Christmas Day for 1 week. On arrival we were handed a glass of the beautiful local drink called Wonjo. Our room was nice, bathroom was a little tired, but sufficient & everything worked well. Remember to bring cash, not much places in The Gambia accepts card payments. You will get the local currency from the hotel reception. Towels for pool side & beach are provided for by hotel. You can also get plug adapters for a small deposit which is returned when you hand back the adapters. All the staff, including cleaners were friendly & actioned anything requested. Breakfast was good, with a reasonable choice of hot & cold, including fruits.

We have travelled to The Gambia many times over the last ten years, and stayed at several different hotels, but always end up back at the Ocean Bay. It has consistantly upped its game over time, but as always in the Gambia things can happen slowly. The reception staff, under the superb guidance of Mrs Bass, do an admerable job, all staff connected with the preperation and serving of food and drinks are better than ever, and deserve praise for their hard and often forgotten work, especialy by some guests who can be downright rude and ungratefull, as we used all of our stay on the beach, we have to give special praise and thank s to all the staff at the beach, and the beach bar who went out of their way to make sure a couple of old fogies had the best stay possible, we could write a very long list of individual names but to be fair to all, our praise goes to everyone, a big thank you to all and we hope to see you all again in the future.

Just spend a week at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Gambia, it was a lovely holiday, all the staff were very friendly and accommodating. Food was good, beauty spa good and very reasonable prices. Room was fairly large and if you wanted a bit of nightlife there is Senna Gambia 20 minutes away. Nice nearby restaurant called Calypso.