Gambia - any experiences?

[JontyR]

Ok my last two bits on kenya in this thread flight I seen for 450 from London in November with one of the Arab carriers. Diani beach is more for beach holiday and the nialy one more nightlife and girls I had the feeling when been there.

Just start a Kenya thread already.

[southcoastpunter]

November and a new season in Gambia is fast approaching - i have been pondering over Gambia for a couple of years but opted for Thailand instead but this year, i am going to try Gambia.

so i am thinking of a Tui flight in their second week of the season (ie about 12th November) for a week. So as a first timer to Gambia, can anyone recommend a good hotel please - close to the action and beach with good facilities and comfort - and of course guest friendly. I would rather pay a bit more for a good place rather than a budget place.
Thanks for any personal recommendations.

[JayNW]

Lot`s of good reccomendation`s on the thread,spend a little time researching the comment`s,lot`s of good advice.

[stampjones]

I stayed at Palma Rima last year (only trip so far). I booked a double room so was ok to bring girls back. Paid extra for aircon & safe. Not cheap but not stupidly expensive. Palma rima strip is a 10 minute taxi ride from senegambia (main action) so easy to get to/from. The beach at the bottom of the palma rima strip is my favourite and imo best for picking up at. I liked it because it was close enough to join in the fun but far enough away to be a bit quieter. Facilities were good. Great pool which was always empty.

[insignia]

No hotel is guest friendly. Try easytime lodge or seabreaze apts

[toon972]

Forest View apts is right on the strip and 5 minute walk to beach. Only problem is it could be noisy for sleep. Regal apts is another decent place to stay 5 minute taxi to strip, 5 minute walk to Palm Rima road and 10 minute walk to beach. Yes Easytime Lodge is another decent place to stay, 10 minute walk to strip and 20 minute walk to beach. You need email address to book there though. I have heard good things about Avalon Garden Lodge but never stayed there. 

[Houngan]

Forest view, mica apartments, kololi sands, aquaview apartments... There the nicer apartments. location is good for all of them.

No issues with guests for me at bamboo village but I did always give the security drinks and stuff..... Not sure if it helped. They did ask for ID a couple of times..... But just passed it back rather than held onto it (age check I'm guessing).

I have stayed at the other bamboo too a couple nights, palma rima a couple nights too and not had issues just walking past with a girl. I did book double occupancy though always.

Also... Metzy and balafon are definitely not guest friendly. IDs will be checked and nobody is allowed to your room unless they are staying there permanently at balafon.... Which is a shame as it's a nice hotel to hang around at. Metzy the reception even stopped the girl I was with on the 3rd day even though she had been there multiple times.

My advice is to get an apartment if budget allows.... The hotels don't offer much apart from a free breakfast and I'd rather just have a wander to GTS...

As usual the standard advice from the rest of the thread. Do your research regarding your location and the walking routes. You don't want to look lost as you will get too much attention and also whilst I've never felt unsafe at night there I have multiple times heard of people getting there phone grabbed out of there hands ect.... If you want the easiest possible experience forest view is the one to go for.... It's location just makes everything easy.... Kololi sands is amazing too but can be pricey.

[southcoastpunter]

Thank you guys - info and recommendations gratefully received!

[paulo069]

Can anyone who has stayed at Forest View Apartments just down from the strip give me the number of a particular apartment they have stayed at and weather they would recommend that particular apartment or not ? 

[webpunter]

Can anyone who has stayed at Forest View Apartments just down from the strip give me the number of a particular apartment they have stayed at and weather they would recommend that particular apartment or not ?

Are you having a giraffe ? 
Edit:  and putting specific apartment details on the forum IMO isnt the done thing

[Iloveoral]

Can anyone who has stayed at Forest View Apartments just down from the strip give me the number of a particular apartment they have stayed at and weather they would recommend that particular apartment or not ?

3 years without any reviews matey?
Appreciated you only post in one thread.
Are you punting in the UK?
I’m sure you are aware of the contribution rules.
Thanks

[JayNW]

Well bit the bullet and booked to go....again

[Houngan]

Can anyone who has stayed at Forest View Apartments just down from the strip give me the number of a particular apartment they have stayed at and weather they would recommend that particular apartment or not ?

Obviously I don't really care about if you know where I've stopped at there.... However if you go onto the forest view apartments own website you can see the interiors of every apartment almost. To be honest as long as it looks nice you won't have any issues there. I find the staff there was amazing and most the bookings I've made in Gambia the hosts are very helpful.... If it helps however I've stayed in 2 apartments there and both was good. One was a studio type apartment with the bed and living room in the same space and the other had 1 separate bedroom. Both was cleaned every 2 days by the on site cleaners and the security ect had zero issues with visitors.

[odinslosteye]

Booked a week off work in Nov, just tryign to make flights work

[paulo069]

3 years without any reviews matey?
Appreciated you only post in one thread.
Are you punting in the UK?
I’m sure you are aware of the contribution rules.
Thanks

Please do not assume and be nice. I dare not risk punting at all in the UK, I have too much to lose and there really is no value here compared with Africa and the FE. If I do not partake then I cannot review.  Appreciate there may be rules but nothing to report right now.

[webpunter]

Please do not assume and be nice. I dare not risk punting at all in the UK, I have too much to lose and there really is no value here compared with Africa and the FE. If I do not partake then I cannot review.  Appreciate there may be rules but nothing to report right now.

I'm intrigued with your exploits in Africa & the FE so perhaps you can share
There is 'Punting Abroad' [PA] to do reviews
Including adding intel to threads posted by other UKPers
Which you've picked up on your [i presume extensive & not forgetting good value] travels
You did reference please, which is nice
There is of course no time limit [c.f 6 months on reviews since said event occurred {you're probably ok on 7-8 months 'mums the word'  }] to reply on existing threads on PA
Posting whatever value added you can, good luck 

[Iloveoral]

Please do not assume and be nice. I dare not risk punting at all in the UK, I have too much to lose and there really is no value here compared with Africa and the FE. If I do not partake then I cannot review.  Appreciate there may be rules but nothing to report right now.

It’s my job to assume and question members, I’m a moderator here.

Two points, you don’t seem to have reviewed anyone you’ve met in Africa, only asked questions. This is a UK punting forum, maybe this isn’t the site for you, the off topics are a bonus to members.

[BobTheJob]

Well bit the bullet and booked to go....again

The smiling hotties with big knockers coast has got my man JAYNW well and truly hooked

[JayNW]

Need you out there !!!!