The Kairaba Beach Hotel ★★★★★

Location

At the moment of paying the hotel, the counter staff informed me that my credit card, beside an extra cost of 3% for using the card, couldn’t be charged on local currency, but dollars. To make the calculations, they used the hotel exchange rate, not the official exchange rate, increasing the bill in about 12% of additional cost.

Large hotel with beautiful green grounds

For the money it was not worth it. the WiFi didn’t work the entire time we stayed which is hard when you need to get things done. The area is very touristy and you are constantly harassed. We got sick off the food which was over priced and terrible. Some of the staff were relentless at the pool. Would not recommend

pool, friendliness of most staff, location

cleanliness, no attention to detail, needs renovation, poor internet, rip off on credit cards (3% surcharge + favorable exchange rate), not even complimentary water

The pool. The grounds...with the monkeys and birds. The calm!

Claims to be 5-star, but sadly so many little things (that cost nothing) make it hard to give great reviews: the breakfast (same every day), the bathrooms (in huge need of modernisation), quality of menu (description of food at pool bar inaccurate, font of menu sloppy and dishes unavailable), and, sadly, so many of the staff do not deliver 5-star service or portray ‘smiling face of Africa’. And then booking in Euros, having rate converted to Dalasi (at hotel rate), and then converted again (at hotel rate) to USD to actually pay AND be charged credit card handling fee makes whole cost much higher by the time you actually pay. I know it’s The Gambia...but you’re just left feeling that the whole experience could easily be improved. Would love to spend a week there doing consultancy work to help them actually be 5-star!

Location is amazing. Gardens are well tended and full of wildlife. Sea is amazing.

Room was shabby. Bars and restaurants were very average. A lot of noise until well into the night (e.g. 3am). 'Business Centre' was an old PC and printer. I asked to make some photcopies but that was beyond them.

bed ok. Location

Boring breakfast. Tried one week to pay since machines did not work. Had to try 7am last day. Very stressful. WEill not recomend anyone to stay there.

the people from the housekeeping are the most friendly people working in the hotel

old hotel for me not a 5 star service not friendly at the breakfast

Not very much.

The wifi was almost non-existent in the rooms. The hotel changed my room because of this and it wasn't much better. Check out was a nightmare and I will take some persuading that 'the card machine not working' was a con because they wanted cash. I had to go out of the hotel to another hotel to get cash from my debit card and was charged 5%+ commission. Another 5 star Coco Ocean Resort & Spa where I had dinner had the same 'problem'. Dinner 780 dalasi told to use the ATM outside the reception. Requested 800 dalasi and was charged 200 commission - 25%!

Good breakfast, very nice staff overall, good location.

Food at the restaurant was a bit expensive, hotel could use a renovation. Internet didn't always work properly in room. Forced to pay in USD dollars + commission, if paying with card. Mosquitoes in the rooms, should have bednets.

Friendly and helpful staff, Location and privacy . Love the privacy of the beach. Hard working , ready to help with a smile staff.

I was told the bill will be in Euros but ended up being in Dalasis. Confusing. Having to wait 2 hours to get into our room after we booked it in advance. Lack of communication between management and front desk staff. Bookings should be on the computer not held by management off duty. They had to call the manager at home to confirm our booking!