Follow up to review of 06-02-07
We stayed here in January 07 and found the hotel a delight. The new manager and his family arrived only a few weeks before us. I too found him aloof and he made no effort whatsoever when walking through the complex to acknowledge staff or customers. It was a golden opportunity for him to ingratiate himself to clients, many of whom return to the hotel year after year. By appearing exceptionally distant, it did little to install a sense of camaraderie.

This said though, the rest of the staff were friendly, efficient and incredibly welcoming. It was my birthday whilst we stayed and to my utter joy and amazement, a vase of flowers were placed in our room by Augustus (can’t remember exactly what he did but it was maintenance and supervising some of the maintenance staff). This was such a sweet gesture and I was thrilled. This is only one of many special moments that we experienced whilst staying at the hotel.

I am astonished that someone earlier reported that the food was poor. During our stay the food was excellent. There was so much to choose from it was mind boggling. Breakfast was as one would expert; various cereals, cold meats, croissants, rolls, fruit, bacon sausages, eggs (you choose what you have and they cook it for you to order on a griddle), a selection of juices, breads, etc. For the evening meal, there was a different soup each day, a salad bar with numerous choices, then various Gambian selections – Lady Fish etc. Next, to placate the numerous Brits and despite of the hot weather there was a different roast each day. Also, there was usually pasta and curry etc. Finally, of course the sweet section; again a pudding for the Brits and fruit, cakes, tarts, etc. The restaurant has plenty of staff and a supervisor watching over them. So, the service is generally good.

As for drinks and prices being expensive – this is an hotel. I don’t know any hotel that sells cheap booze. We didn’t think the prices were extortionate. They introduced signing for everything just as we arrived and many returning guests were annoyed. We didn’t find it that much of a pain though; we kept track of what we had and paid off our tabs every 2-3 days and that worked out fine.

There is a troop of entertainment staff at the hotel who trawls around the pool area searching for victims to participate in various daily activities. These can be a laugh and worthwhile joining in as it breaks up the day. They also do a show in the evening twice a week and that too is entertaining. The hotel has a gym and a beauty salon; the treatments are good and prices reasonable. Although on a beach front, don’t risk swimming in the sea. Banjul has a sea port and so the sea water near the hotel is contaminated being only just up river.

The hotel is situated in what was the capital but it is now purely an administration centre. So, as others have said, there is very little to see or do outside the hotel complex in Banjul itself. Bumsters can be nuisances so do take advantage of the hotel guides. Not only do they have plenty of local knowledge, they ensure you are not bothered whilst out and about. You must visit the local markets as they are a real eye opener. Take a peg for your nose or avoid the meat/fish market.

Away from the hotel there are lots of fabulous places to visit. Make the most of your stay and do a few trips. If you are brave, the hotel guides will arrange to take you anywhere you want for the day. Or alternatively, you can book one of the numerous trips available at the hotel. Oh and a word of warning: don’t expect state of the art sanitary systems whilst you are out and about. Be armed with plenty of tissues and be prepared to balance above a hole or a bush. Once away from the main areas toilets are absolutely indescribably if you find one at all. If you go on a trip to visit a school, go armed with loads of lollies or crayons, books etc. The kids love them. You will get mobbed when they know you have something to give them. We found the trick of waiting until we got back on the truck then throwing the lollies out to be the best.

Oh… and make sure you have malaria tabs. It is prevalent in The Gambia and many Gambians die each year from Malaria. Banjul is particularly bad being near the river so there are always many, many mozzies around. You need plenty of spray with DEET and lots of antihistamine cream. There is a rather bossy nurse each day at the hotel if you need her services (for a price of course) and the locals will offer all sorts of remedies but you are better of bringing plenty of stuff from home. The hotel sprays the bedrooms each night. A word of advice: don’t whatever you do leave your balcony window open; that is asking for trouble. The rooms are all air-conditioned so there isn’t a need. When you get back to you room after dark, open the door, go in, close the door, and then turn on the lights. Otherwise the little blighters follow you in to the light. The mozzies at night can be a pain so wear long trousers and keep arms covered.

Don’t forget that this is West Africa and on the whole a poor country. The majority of Gambians have little and those with jobs earn a pittance. But they are a very happy nation. The staff at the hotel are incredibly grateful for anything you can spare to give them as they earn so very little. They also appreciate when you are checking out, if you leave your toiletries behind in the room and a few dalasi.

We are going back again in January and I can’t wait. I know that on the whole everything will be as it was and I couldn’t ask for more. We met many lovely people and are so looking forward to renewing our friendships.

This has been long winded but I hope of use.

Enjoy.

Got back from the Gambia about 10days ago and stayed at the Atlantic Hotel.
Our first room was horrible and dark but after we'd asked to see several others we found a light and airy room on the 3rd floor.
Rooms are spotlessly clean, food is very good. We stayed half board - Breakfast and Dinner. Lunch we paid for but found that it was expensive (£4.00 for fries!).
We hired a local guide - (Assan) and driver and went out of the complex for half a day. Visited the national reserve and the local market which was fun.
Overall this hotel is great if you want to relax and do absolutely nothing for a week.
As there's not alot to do outside of the hotel you don't feel gulity about not doing anything!

I would recommend this hotel.
My friend and I would not go back to the Gambia , purely because it's a big world out there! But if anyone else is thinking of going I would say go and relax!
Take lots of repellent - I came back with 56 mosquito bites!

I have stated in The Gambia before in December 2005 - Ocean Bay Hotel , which has lovely rooms and gardens - and had a lovely time with fellow hotel guests even though there isn't much to do in the evenings unlike in Europe, but this is Africa!
Our stay at the Corinthia was fine. Our room was clean but quite tired and old in style. We went for the rest and guaranteed sun so weren't disappointed by that element.
The weather was great and the food was good but the rush for sunbeds at 7am whilst on holiday was abit much! Due to the largely older clinetel staying there the best spots round the pool and especially on the beach were snapped up with towels and bags before the sun loungers had been put out!
It was very peaceful and the birds, butterflies and lizards on the beach made it feel lovely and relaxing.
Tip - make sure you have Deet spray with you at dusk as you'll need it! We took some herbal malaria tablets and had no problems with those - much cheaper than those prescribed.
There wasn't much to do in the evenings even though their was entertainment most nights which was good quality for Gambia I thought.
Every one warns you about the Bumsters and guys on the beach, but if you are polite and firm and appreciate that they are trying to earn a living you can strike up reasonable rapports with them, but be firm or you'll be stuck with them and they never forget a promise! Buy your water and juice from them as it much cheaper - but slower- than at the hotel.
Its a long transfer from the airport by coach but you do get free water which is great.
As long as you don't have Eurpoean standard expectations and read abit about The Gambia before going, you should have a lovely time here.

Okay, it's Africa and The Gambia is a developing third world country. The hotel was clean, relatively cheap and the facilities were quite good. All hotels are expensive in comparison but the bar and food prices are excessive here. The food in the restaurant was very poor and expensive so we ate out every night and drank somewhere else, what is the point of staying in the hotel anyway?The bumsters are the main problem; the sheer greed and ignorant persistance of these young men is what will ensure I never return to The Gambia, they are just a nuisance. Even at the airport the security staff were asking for tourists sunglasses and were going through wallets at the security check-ins. A friend of ours advised us to use a guide named Mustapha and he was an absolute gentle man, very reasonable and he dined with us most nights. The authorities need to grip the bumsters as they are getting out of hand, in the end you have to be rude which is uncharacteristically English and it totally spoils your holiday; thank God it was only a week!