Ocean Bay Hotel & Resort

After a long, tiring journey, I found the room’s air conditioning kept cutting out every 10 minutes, so it was impossible to rest in the heat. I’d paid extra for a “Sea View,” but another building blocked most of the view. When I asked to change rooms, there was no one available to help, and I was told I’d have to wait until morning to “maybe” speak to a manager. Even though it was a quiet season, management wouldn’t let me move my check-in date by just one day. For the price, and the extra charge for that view, the poor service and maintenance were unacceptable. I’m extremely disappointed with my stay. Avoid.

The airport was chaotic, with too many people there who shouldn’t have been. The police were present but ignored it all. It’s also a shame they collect the visa charge both on entry and departure instead of just once. None of that has anything to do with the hotel. At the hotel, the staff, food, and beach were excellent, and it’s a lovely place. My only gripe there is the dogs on the beach. Visitors bringing food from the breakfast area to feed them doesn’t help, and the fights between the dogs that result aren’t good. I’ve got nothing against dogs, of course.

We had a really quiet, relaxed two weeks, with plenty of space and sun loungers around the pool. The beach was lovely and peaceful, and there was daytime activity and evening entertainment. The animation team put on a good show. Big thanks to magic glasses, who was brilliant and such a nice guy, and to the rest of the team. The staff were always polite, friendly, helpful, and made us feel welcome. The food was very good, with unlimited food and drinks on the all-inclusive plan, and the Buddha restaurant in the resort was also really good, with 5* service. The rooms were nice, the pool and spa were there, and the location was good with the beach on the doorstep. There’s plenty to do, whether you want to stay and relax all day or book excursions. If you want a relaxing holiday in a nice hotel, Ocean Beach is a good choice. For somewhere busier like Benidorm, you’re better off booking on the Senegambia strip.

The beach was my idea of paradise: soft sand, swaying palms, and the sound of the ocean. It was so beautiful I could have stared at the horizon for hours. Dinner at Buddha Restaurant was another highlight, with inventive flavors, lovely presentation, and attentive service. It felt like a real occasion. My room was spotless and peaceful, with a wonderfully comfortable bed and a breathtaking view. The style made it feel like a place I could happily live in. Check-in was quick and easy, and the genuine smiles made me feel welcome and relaxed right away. Everything about Ocean Bay Hotel felt perfect to me, from that first welcome to my last coffee. It’s the kind of stay I’ll remember for a long time. I’d give it a thousand out of five. Go there! I still think of Ocean Bay Hotel as the 13th wonder of The Gambia. I didn’t just have a holiday there, I felt like I’d been filled with pure happiness. The place was so wonderful I felt like the King of The Gambia.