What a fantastic holiday! A perfect combination of relaxation in gorgeous sunshine with exploring on the side!! Perfect break in a cold and snowy January!!

Admittedly the holiday got off to a slightly bad start - delayed flight departure (nearly didn't fly at all!), and an unscheduled fuel stop, so we arrived five hours later than hoped, so the first day was pretty much written off...

Although reports comment on the hassle at the airport, as long as you are firm - with the locals and the grip on your bag, you'll be fine. Change for tipping is useful though . . . Arrived to a warm welcome at The Sunbeach and even though it was dark, very pleased with our choice. Woke up the next day to idyllic blue skies and the sound of the ocean crashing against the rocks, just yards from our door . . . . lovely!! We found the breakfasts to be very good, and ideal to fill you up without a need for lunch. More time for sunbathing and volleyball. The hotel was a high standard, good facilities, and always clean. Daily cleaning of rooms impeccable also.

The beach was superb, and as well as using the serviced area, we wandered along on several occasions, and the peace of having expanses of beach to yourselves.

Aside from sunbathing, we got out and about quite a bit, and recommend using the guides, and it is best to find one you get to know and trust. And bless them, they will happily supply you with weed if that's your thing! Bumsters a definite pain the first few days . . . We went into the village on several occasions, quite an experience at first! Also went to the Croc Pool(yes, got persuaded!), Banjul market, the school (take some pencils crayons etc!), Bakau and some other towns. Even went and saw the homes of some of the locals, a great insight.

We made good use of the taxis, particularly in the evenings. Hilarious, how the cars stay in one piece I will never know!! Infact one didn't - it ran out of petrol and our cheery driver ran off with his can to top us up (torches come in handy at times like this)!!! Dined at some very good restaurants including Clay Oven and Ngala Lodge. We were recommended the Italian, about a 15 min walk from the hotel, but slightly concerned after spending some time talking to the owner . . . . maybe would not return here!!!

We found prices reasonably cheap but they varied hugely depending on where you were, and what you ate and drank. Wine is generally imported and cost at least £7 a bottle with dinner.

Quick smooth transfers but the flight on the way back was even worse than on the way out - got dumped in Birmingham, had a lengthy wait before a coach back to Manchester (and then another two hour drive for us)!! Not best happy (35 to minus 5 in 7hours!) but the holiday was so good, we still managed to stay smiling.

We would thoroughly recommend the Sunbeach and the Gambia, and would definitely consider going back!!

This was our third trip to The Gambia (see our original review still on this site from Dec 2004)We fell in love with this resort and this hotel then and have returned each year since.

We are well travelled but I will say that this is our favourite destination and we look forward to our visits each year.This time we had our 14 yr old son and the animation team kept him happy throughout the two weeks. Last year we had two sons (15+ 13yrs then)with us and also had a great holiday.

Once again we had a wonderful, wonderful holiday. The Gambian people are truly marvellous. Unfortunately we live in a suspicious society and find it hard to believe that there are people in this world who are truly nice and genuine, as they are. Therefore we are hesitant to believe or make friends with the Gambians. Get over this belief and you will have a great time.

Since this was our third holiday we were familiar with many of the staff and the locals. Most of them are just nice people and just want to talk and be friendly. The report from another holiday maker that I have read is misleading. The tour guides outside the hotel (in the purple shirts) are NOT BUMSTERS. They are there to assist and help tourists. They are very knowledgeable and, although they recieve no wage, are employed by the hotel to assist tourists and prevent hassle (they are provided with official I.D. cards by the hotel management). I recommend that you don't be afraid to use them.

Eating out is a pleasure and is cheap. We recommend the Chinese restaurant, Chapmans, the Calypso or the Ocean Clipper(this one is more expensive but the food is good and well presented). You should also try Ali Baba's or the Scala in Serrakunda. You can get a taxi there for ten pounds and the driver will wait until you have finished your meal and then return you to your hotel.

The Gambia and its people get ";under your skin"; and you cannot help but fall in love with the place once you learn to rid yourselves of the English reserve and suspicious nature. Many on this site complain about the porters at the airport. True, they do tend to grab your luggage but you have to keep in mind that this is a poor country and all they ask in return is a small 5-10 dalasi tip (10-20p). Remember tips in European resorts are much more and is it not worth 10p for someone to lug your heavy luggage around for you!
We will definitely be returning this winter.

The hotel is spot on. The staff were friendly and efficient as usual, the food excellent, as is the standard of the rooms. Any problems are promptly dealt with AND WHERE ELSE CAN YOU HOLIDAY AND BE THE ONLY PERSON SWIMMING IN THE POOL AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS GETTING A SUN LOUNGER OR PAROSOL. (free of charge to boot) We also tried the laundry service this time, the clothes came back the same day spotlessly clean and ironed and one of the staff came by to ask us if we were satisfied with the service. Its's also very cheap.
If you want a relaxing holiday amongst really nice people in a hotel with staff that will spoil you rotten and with guests that return every year (we met several families that we have met on previous stays) then choose the Sunbeach, as we certainly will be.

had 2 weeks at the sunbeach in november the hotel was far better than i was expecting very clean rooms had a few chipped tiles but my room was directly looking over the beach and the sun rises were fantastic.all the staff were friendly and polite on going for breakfast at least 6 people called out good morning to me and remembered my name,

breakfast was excellent and service good,i was half board but would recommend b and b as the hotel charge less for evening meal than the tour operators,the evening meals were also excellent lots of choices the only thing i would say was the choice of vegetables were limited,the tarts for dessert were out of this world and different flavour every night..pool fantastic and apart from 1st day always a bed to be had.went to the calypso for lunch a few times it is along the beach past the other hotels and further along is the shack it looks just like that, walk along past the mangroves or along the road good food very cheap prices.did some trips with the tour operators but those done with the locals were better and much better value.the monkey park was brilliant,i had my birthday while out there and the hotel made a real fuss of me and made the day special.i will be going back again next year in november the weather was really hot and not a mossie in sight but i did spray every night as some people were bitten.as a single traveller i would recommend this hotel to other single travellers and families alike.

met some really nice people out there hi to ray and clare and elaine and sylvia if you read this.

Just arrived back from a one week stay at the sunbeach hotel,our first holiday in Gambia

After hearing mixed reports about the airport,we found it not to bad as we were prepared with our £1 coins.
Everything about the hotel was just as it said in the brocher and better.The staff were friendly and helpful.The food in the restaurant was the best we have had,hot,plentifull and always a good choice.

We spent most of our days on the beach,the sun beds always ready prepared by the friendly pool attendants.
The weather was the best you could get for a winters break,sunshine,clear blue skys and temp in the 90s.

We certainly would have no worries about going back to Gambia,or the Sunbeach Hotel.

Just returned from a brilliant week in the Gambia.

Hotel: Very very nice, the locals that we talked to say it is one of the best in the Gambia. Lovely pool, bars, rooms are spacious and clean. Staff are very friendly! Food in the hotel is nice, the breakfast and buffet dinner are super. Great choice. Drinks are expensive compared to other bars in the resort - do not be scared to visit these. All day food menu has a nice choice but food is not a brilliant quality.

Beach: Although you may find that as soon as you get on the beach you get accompanied by a juice vender etc it is a nice beach and the hotel does provide parasols and beds. The people just want to talk to you and tell you about their life and you tell them about yours. We made some very good friends, it really is the smiling coast.

Although there were bumsters present I never came into contact with them. Just keep on walking. We came out of a restaurant one night and were surrounded by people, this may sound daunting but its not....they really just want to hear about England.

Cape point is fairly quiet and teens may get bored but the weather is fantastic and we were just very contened by the pool in the day and a nice meal and an early night.

People at the hotel (waiters etc)would love you to go and see their compund-where they live etc. Two ladys went who we befriended and they said it was a very good experience. However just be wary make sure you know the person your going with and know where your going.

We ate at the hotel most of the time, but if you turn left when you come out of the hotel and then go up you will come to Mr Bass - which is nice and if at Mr Bass you go right you will come to a chinese and chapmans (i loved chapmans very big menu)
I would definatly want to go back to the Gambia people are ace and weather is fab.

Have a good hol if you decide to go!!