Very clean, pleasant and welcoming staff. Spacious room size. Resort puts on games throughout the day e.g volley ball, bowling. Nice food and drink menu. Cannot fault. Only cocktail missing was Strawberry Daiquiri. Many restaurants and bars 10 min walk away. Will be my first choice of stay. Most of memories moments are in video not picture format.
The hotel is in a beautiful setting and the rooms are spacious, clean and the beds are so comfy. The staff are all friendly and attentive and nothing is too much trouble. Special shout out to Fatu in the restaurant, Pierre & Sirra in the bars and the young man who cleans the pool and looks after the sun beds (didn’t get his name). This is our 3rd time here and there are a few changes. All inclusive drinks menu is more limited (shame there are no mojitos when you can have a white rum and sprite and you just miss the lemon juice and mint) The Sagres is a good replacement for Julbrew. The food is good for a weeks stay but may become repetitive for longer stays. Breakfasts are excellent with eggs cooked anyway you like including pancakes. There is always a good choice at both lunch and evening meal. With some pre prepared dishes together with cook while you wait such as stir frys. Did miss the ice cream though! The beef and prawns are the best when they are on. On a Sunday they do a bbq style buffet at the beach restaurant and that was amazing with the best tiger prawns I have had. Also did lamb roast and burgers which were also great. The pool is lovely and it’s great how the beds are set up around them. It was very quiet this week so no issues with people reserving beds early. We love The Gambia and can definitely recommend the fantastic all inclusive beach hotel. We will be back again next year. Thanks for another lovely stay…
worst tui holiday we have ever had we booked premium ocean front swim up suite we couldn't swim in it as it took them 3 days to clean all the muddy water and rubbish out of it the brochure picture shows lovely bed on patio with canopy and mattress all we got was 2 grotty plastic loungers and no mattress .we put 2 pieces of rubbish on the floor in the room to see what cleaner was like had to pick it up ourselves as it was still there after 5 days which doesn't say much for the cleaner.the buffet was the same every day for the 2 weeks we were there chicken, beef, fish,rice for every single meal lunch time and night time . tried the Ala-cart twice as we were told they did good fish and chips guess what they had no fish ,so we tried the burgers which came to us cooked on the outside red raw and bloody on the inside complained and was told sorry have something else then .didn't really seem to care then was told by other people the next day they had the same problem . the only thing this place has going for it is the pool ans sun. babba the pool guy was great though .have complained to tui and they don't seem to be interested either.quite a few couples moved out after a day or 2 as they hated the place. this is just the experience we could have done without as we have have very good holidays in Gambia before will not go to this place again…
This is not a European holiday, do not forget that, it's a beautiful Gambian holiday. The hotel clean, the beds are sooo comfortable, best night's sleep. Yes it's a bit windy but the pool is kept clean, great jobs in the pool area from Musa and Baba! The food is wonderful, it's not Americanised like the Mexican hotel's. One of the best holidays we have been on. The staff could not be more helpful, love it
We still here but had to reply against some of the latest reviews, just what do people expect for the price! We have a beautiful swim up room facing the Atlantic Ocean , it’s breathtaking, yes doesn’t get as much sun but when u been by pool all day or on trips it’s perfect and to sit out with a cocktail staring at the ocean is amazing. We have not seen one child in two weeks so it’s adult only. Food was excellent , the beer is becks in bottles and the coke and sprite real brand in tins for all inclusive. The barbecue they did on Sunday with a live band was stunning , we are travelled but I not seen prawns that size! Pool cold just as u would want it and staff we found like anywhere, bung them a fiver start of week and u won’t be getting up for many drinks. The room we had big four poster bed, walk in shower, we just paid 500 for a night in a hotel in Brighton and it wasn’t the standard of this! Downside the exchange rate at hotel a rip off , just outside complex is a place which gave us 6.8 hotel is6.2. The people here are poor and they have been deprived of tourists so they need the business, we went to monkey park and a great curry house, memories are not made sitting round a pool! Loved the place…
Late arrivals into Gambia isn’t the best start. We arrived at the Tamala Beach Resort at around 10.30pm, the last coach drop off. The two evening reception girls were excellent and we were in our room within 10 minutes. It all goes pretty much down hill from there. At first glance, the room looks great and spacious. However after looking around, we had no mosquito nets fitted, no water in the fridge and no literature or booklets to give a clue about the resort or how it works. We booked a swim up sea view room which is what we got but the whole area was permanently in the shade from the huge palm trees so the water remains extremely cold and we only used it once. We booked all inclusive but this is the only resort I’ve been to where all inclusive in not actually all inclusive at all. There were separate all inclusive menus containing one beer choice, red, white and rose house wines, soft drinks and alcohol free cocktails, but even that wasn’t what it seemed. It clearly stated ‘Sprite’ on the all inclusive list but the bar staff refused to give it as it was ‘required for the paying guests’ to put in their mojitos. Similarly, Pineapple juice was on the menu but it’s reserved for the payers. Onto the bar staff, probably the most disinterested bunch I’ve ever encountered. We sat down and waited at least 5 minutes and absolutely nobody came near us, but 4 waiters were happily having a good chat at the bar. I eventually went to the bar to order myself and again completely ignored by the waiting staff there, it took the barman a further few minutes to acknowledge me even though I was the only one there! Now, heres the rub, after observing for a while, it becomes abundantly clear that if you’re a paying guest, the staff fall over themselves for you as they know you’ll carry cash for tips whereas the all inclusive band wearers are less likely to be carrying any. We did actually experiment this theory one afternoon by flashing the cash and let’s just say it was the only time during our entire stay that we had a lot of attention. The rooms were cleaned daily to a good standard, one occasion we had no towels left and on another I came back to find my room door unlocked as the cleaning staff had plugged their phones into my chargers and were wandering blissfully in and out. The hotel says it takes Visa payments but on every occasion I tried they had no connection so I ended up having to trek a half mile to the nearest ATM to get cash out. The pool staff, garden staff and security were all excellent and incredibly polite and helpful. The restaurant staff were a bit hit and miss. Again, on several occasions, we ordered drinks when we sat down but still hadn’t received them by the time we had finished eating so off to the bar I’d go… the food was pretty repetitive every day.. variations of fish or chicken. The girl on the breakfast frying station was outstanding though, she always went over and above and I just wish I knew her name to give her the credit she deserves. My advice, don’t bother going all inclusive, it’s a waste of time and money, just pay as you go and you’ll probably get the holiday you hope for. As the TUI rep put it….’it’s a little rough around the edges’.. and he’s wasn’t wrong.…
A very beatiful hotel, treat for some insta pictures. But when you look at the eeatils, things are broken and poor quality. Everything is cleaned and the gardens and poils well majntained. Overall, staff is friendly and helpfull. There eas no children at the time, even having a lot of external guests and even a weeding. I stay booking directly with hotel and all inclusive. The all inclusive are the 3 meals, some pizza and cake at tea time and drinks during the day. The food is of good quality but a little repetitive, there is always fish (yumi) chicken and beef. Dont expect any western foods, mainly stew or grilled . Dont miss the sunday brunch. The room with pool on seafront is nice but water is too cold and no sun. If you want to catch some sun I recomend the pool side room.
Stayed at Tamala for 10 nights and, on the whole, had a good time. Arrival was a little disappointing. We arrived quite late due to our plane being delayed to find our room was not ready, bed not made, no towels or water and whilst we waited for this to be sorted we were then told we couldn't have a drink at the bar because all inclusive ends at 11pm (although after an explanation a drink was allowed). A food box had been prepared for us which was a nice touch, roast chicken with gravy, but we were not given any cutlery to eat it with so the local birds enjoyed it instead. The resort, particularly at night, looks lovely. Clean and well kept. There are a few rough and ready corners but that along with the regular power cuts just adds to the Gambian charm. The hotel room is large, clean and nicely decorated with mosquito nets on the bed, although our wall hanging and basket were missing. We had a garden view room which was quiet and more private than the pool view rooms. The gardens are kept particularly tidy and the garden staff are all very friendly. There's a private beach area in front of the hotel with the main beach following on to the sea. The food for the all inclusive guests is nice but very limited and repetitive. The onsite payable restaurant is lovely offering pizzas, local dishes etc and this just makes the all inclusive option look really poor. When we arrived we were told that Gambians believe they are not dressed without a smile. Sadly, some of the staff here missed that memo! The cleaners, pool guys, gardeners and reception staff are polite and friendly but many of the bar and waiting staff are not particularly accommodating and appear to work to a minimum. Do not expect table service here, there's barely a desire to help you when you approach the bar. That said, there are a few exceptions to this - the lady (sorry missed the name Ricci? perhaps) at the all inclusive bar is absolutely lovely. Happy, smiley, helpful and just what you need on holiday. Perhaps she should be promoted to hospitality coordinator to train the less interested staff. Adult only resort and I didn’t see any children onsite whist we were there as previous reviews have reported Took a tour with Arch Tours during out stay to Fathala Wildlife Park which I would recommend. Contacted them via their website, booking and enquiries made via email was really easy. We upgraded for a premium to this hotel for the private beach and all inclusive option. I would recommend only booking B&B here as the all inclusive option is disappointing. All the best BOSS Lady…
i have a Gambian girlfriend we had a week from 11th March till 18 March, i payed at the hotel with my debit card but beware i was charged a extra 4% on top so its best to pay in dalasi, we had a sea view with our own swim up pool, we only used it a couple of times because you don't really get any sun that side, best to get a swim up pool side as sun is continuous everyday. when we got in our room we had a big bottle of water kettle tea coffee sugar. had a fridge the room we could not complain about was clean. the double bed was a four poster but it was two single beds pushed together with netting but instead of a double sheet was two single sheets which seemed a bit odd, we was all inclusive.every meal was buffet style. the breakfast was great but the lunch and evening meal became very boring same things as the week went on, they had a lot more choice at the other restaurant by the beach but thats not for all inclusive you got to pay only drinks there are all inclusive.overal the hotel is very picturess. great for photos,but certain things do need improving as you pay big money to stay here, for instance there is no ATM on site, no shop the nearest ATM and shops to buy little extras is a good 20 minutes walk away. you cannot get dalasi on your debit/visa card at hotel they only change cash, you get one bottle of water when you arrive and thats it they dont sell bottle water on site you can only get it by the glass at the bar, the tea coffee is never topped up, we just took tea bags from the restaurant at breakfast, they did sell us a carton of milk at the bar which was 400 dalasi which was like £5 to £6 pounds WOW extortion, they had live music 4 out the 7 nights but it was only two of the same thing, so to improve this hotel dramatically. you need a shop and ATM on site, a bottle of water should be topped up everyday as well as tea coffee in your room, paying all inclusive you should be able to choose off the menu by the restaurant by the beach as i said this hotel is not cheap, music or something going on in the evening should be a must vary it up a bit…
Me and my partner booked a sea view room with private pool , all inclusive for my birthday. On arrival we were not greeted with any drinks albeit the staff were brilliant. We were given 1 room key. When asked for another we were told that it is company policy and we can not have one. The shower tray was filthy and all what was given was two pieces of soap in the bathroom. I’m unsure how they get to 4 stars but this is nowhere near the service European citizens are used to. After travelling all day and night all we wanted as all inclusive guests was something to eat and drink. This was 5:30pm, and the bar was shut and there was no food until dinner time at 7pm. When asked if there was anything to eat, we were told we can buy it from there ala carte restaurant. I have never heard such nonsense in all my life. Common sense does not prevail with this hotel chain. I am so thankful that I didn’t have my twin boys with me. Then we decided to take a walk to the local shops. Don’t bother it’s a 3 mile walk along smelly sewers and a beautiful dirt track. People don’t waste your money. It’s more a 2*.…
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