Bakotu Hotel

Staff Service: Staff are consistently described as friendly, helpful, and attentive, with many guests highlighting their willingness to assist with travel arrangements, local recommendations, and personalized care, including support for guests with mobility needs.

We absolutely loved our stay here. We booked it specifically because of the surrounding nature and we weren’t disappointed. Our room was directly opposite the viewing platform so we spent lots of time there just listening and watching the wonderful birdlife. Monkeys run around the grounds and surrounding trees. The hotel was spotlessly clean and the staff very friendly. Yes, it’s basic and if you are going on holiday to spend the week looking for an English breakfast then this place isn’t for you. But if you want a nature filled adventure with a comfortable clean hotel to come back to at the end of excitement filled days out, then you won’t regret booking this place. Tip- Find a taxi driver and stick with him all week. Then you won’t get as much hassle from the others. Ask the hotel for BB’s number, we used him and he was fantastic. He is usually outside the hotel and is incredibly reliable and honest. Solomon’s just along the beach to the left for half a mile is great for seafood and live music. Paradise beach club, turn right on the beach and walk 5 minutes, is lovely for cocktails at sunset. The Tandoor Indian restaurant in the square opposite the hotel was lovely too. Enjoy! We loved it and can’t wait to come back.

Super basic hotel; spent ten days here and unfortunately, wouldn’t book with them again. Unlike most hotels, even those who claim to be energy saving and offer reduced room servicing, we were here for 5 days before we left for 2 nights to go to Senegal. On our arrival our used towels hadn’t been removed. Beds not changed. We requested clean towels and were told the room staff would supply them. We then had to ask two different members of staff for them over the next hour. Our bedding wasn’t changed and we’ve had to buy lice treatment at the airport; obviously I’ve no proof we got them from this hotel but having our sheets changed would have made me more inclined to defend it. Reviews concerning food are accurate; not much variety and extremely basic. I’ve given this 2/5 because there were members of staff who were lovely & the location is great. On arrival, before we were not offered any information concerning our stay, we were asked if we required a fridge, a fan and/or a safe box as all three required an additional fee. This came across as an unnecessary upsell (I consider fans and fridges to be basic furniture included in the price of accommodation). There is a small shop attached to the hotel; you do pay a premium for the convenience but it’s great knowing it’s there. This was my third trip to Gambia; I won’t recommend this hotel and will not be returning.