The Kairaba Beach Hotel

The beach entrance badly needs repairs, as do the toilets by the beach and the outdoor shower. Bumsters and sellers of all kinds are highly irritating, and security only steps in now and then. The hotel is open to non-guests as well. The rooms are okay for a three-star hotel, but room service is average and things get done at different times instead of all together. You do get a small bottle of water each day. Once, someone removed my freshly opened soap and I went two days without another. Breakfast has a limited choice: pancakes, eggs, cheese, cereal, sweet rolls and juice. Tea takes ages to arrive, and the staff can be so slow that it may not come before you finish eating.

The grounds are lush and well kept, the bedding is comfortable, and it’s quiet. The pool staff are friendly and smiling. But some local youths bought a day pass and disturbed hotel guests at the pool without respecting the peace. The rooms, especially the bathroom, are old and run down. The doors are old too; everything feels outdated, and the beautiful landscaping hides the building’s condition. The beds are good, but the air conditioning feels like it’s from another era. Breakfast is really poor, with very little choice, and best avoided. The Senegambian next door is much better quality in every way despite having only three stars. Kairaba’s five stars seem to belong to the 1970s. I’d rate this hotel at three stars if the green lawns and well-kept garden count.

The hotel is calm, has excellent service, and made for a very pleasant stay. Alhagie Jarju, the night receptionist and duty manager, was exceptionally cooperative. Aisha at reception was kind and professional, and Sally, the restaurant trainee, was attentive and pleasant. My thanks to all three for making the visit more enjoyable.

The hotel’s setting is its strongest point: lovely, peaceful grounds, direct beach access, and plenty of restaurants, shops and currency exchange nearby. I stayed six nights at Kairaba Beach Hotel on an official trip. My standard room felt cramped with its twin beds, and both the room and shower were small. The hotel needs renovation. Towels weren’t changed regularly, and the broken room safe meant I had to carry my valuables. Breakfast was included but offered very little, and you have to pay the difference if you go over the set limit. The pool is often crowded with children, and card payments with Visa or MasterCard carry a 3-5% fee. It’s an okay option on a tight budget, but don’t expect luxury.