Reviews of Sunset Beach Hotel, Kotu

I got a week stay at this hotel and like the other reviews say, it’s not the best of hotels but I did actually enjoy my stay there. The rooms were basic but they were clean and the maids came regularly.



The staff at the bar and dining area are always polite and the food was different but very tasty. I never had a problem finding something I liked.



I went on a boat trip and it was reasonably priced, you got dinner and as much drink as you liked and the boat stops off so that you can swim finished off with a beach stop which was nice.



A holiday is what you make it and I made this holiday enjoyable so please don’t be put off by the bad reviews.

We went to the Sunset Beach hotel as a party of 4, myself and wife and sister in law and husband.



We landed at Banjul airport about 3 in the afternoon, after being on an air conditioned plane for six hours going into the Gambian sun was fantastic, like standing in front of the biggest hairdryer on earth.



On the way to the hotel I thought the guide was a bit sarcastic to the locals, but I suppose he had a job and thought he was better than the rest.



Everybody in reception was very nice and sorted our room out very quickly. That was bad, as we found out when we got into our room; it was cramped dirty and over the restaurant.



The next day we saw my sister in laws bungalow and immediately my wife went to reception and demanded a change of room which they organised within 2 hours (strangely my sister in law was jealous because we had a sea view and a balcony , which is what we booked).



We then stayed 2 doors away from relations and were next to the juice boys on the beach, which meant fresh drinks every day ( ok they charge £1 a go but they try to make a living, and can you get fresh (I mean fresh) juice anywhere in England for £1.



If you go to the Gambia and complain about being hassled then remember, if you saw somebody paying a month’s wages for a meal would you feel disgruntled?



As for the prices, well we went into Senegambia most nights and 8 of us would eat drink and enjoy the street life for 4 hours and the biggest bill came to 3500 dalasi, about £70 ( we can drink) cheapest night was about 1800 dalasi £36, and we didn't stay sober.



Banjul market is a nightmare so if you don’t like enclosed spaces stay away.



Were going back in November. Well sun sea and everything in the winter is fantastic.



To sum the holiday up I would say, if you want 5 star hotel and privacy don’t go to Gambia. But if you want the best fun on earth then go and enjoy yourself.

I was quite excited about coming to Gambia, I had travelled to many different countries and Thomas Cook said we would just love this place.



I knew it was a poor country before I left England but I had been given great assurance that the hotels were amazing.



Well what can I say except some of the hotels we stopped at to let passengers off where absolutely unbelievable and I was absolutely dreading getting to Sunset Beach as we were the last stop on the journey.



I was actually quite relieved when we arrived as it was not as bad as I had been dreading; however once we got to our room the smile was wiped off my face. The room really were bad.



There is basic and then there is dirty. It was awful and the neighbours next door were also out complaining.



It had been a long journey and I needed the bathroom that was also an experience. The toilet would not flush as the pull chain did not work and so the bell boy or whatever you call them (them that want your money for nothing) showed us that we had to climb on the seat put our hand in a cistern and flick a lever. Absolutely crazy!



It was an awful week and you could hear the neighbours every movement, lots of things were stolen, however I did get a safe upon arrival so I had no problem.



The hotel pool was a nightmare, it was not at all big and it seems that all the local kids use it so guests were very annoyed, including me.



They also say that you are on the beach and yes there is a beach leading down from the hotel grounds. Then you have to wade through a filthy lagoon thing to reach another beach and the sea. It was so hard work and I’m glad my children were not with us.



The staff were pleasant enough until you wanted something from them and they then played thick and pretended that they did not know what you meant. Yeh right, they were not thick when it came to money.



Be careful if you leave the Hotel as the down and outs appear and well, just tell them to do one because they are so hard work. An older couple hired 2 as guides; they agreed a fee, had a lovely day, bought the lads lunch and left them at the hotel door.



All seemed fine however for the next 5 days they were demanding money off them and in the end it got very hairy so be warned these people are often pretty volatile.



Another con is the cheap fags, these guys appear on the day of departure, 4.00 for 200, and sounds great doesn’t it. Hmmm well many are tempted, me included and it’s the same in the airport.



They get you buying loads then they get your suitcase open it up and demand whatever money they can see. Then if you do pay and keep them, get back home and customs have already been informed and are ready for you! So don’t be tempted because it ends up costing you dearly.



I would have give this hotel a 2 rating however I found a nice Christian church and the people there were fantastic and that made my holiday.

Okay so you want to go to Gambia? It’s West Africa, its 34c in February, what more could you ask?



Arriving at the Gambia, you are immediately hassled by people wanting to load and carry your luggage, they will expect money! You don’t need a visa, or have to pay any entrance fee.



After a 6 hour flight, it’s off to the hotels. We stayed at the Sunset Beach, never been before, hadn’t a clue what to expect. We stopped on the way to the Badala hotel, oh my god it was a state, the look on people’s faces!



The next hotel was the Palm Beach; it was like a prison from the out side, bars at the windows.



I said to my partner if ours is the same or worse, l want another hotel!



Finally we arrived only 4 of left on the coach, looked okay, accept for the swamp at the side of the hotel, and the so called security in grey overalls, they were about 18 yrs old!



Once inside, and feeling weary, we were shown our rooms. We were asked if air conditioning was to be paid for, about 15 pounds for the week, you don’t need it. Its quiet cool at night.



l will say get a safe straight away, again about 15 pounds for the week, we had 200 dalasi stolen and 40 cigarettes because we didn’t lock them away!



Now the rooms, on the left of the hotel, rooms are partitioned meaning you have a door between yourself and next door. We asked to be moved you can hear everything and l mean everything, as the walls are made only from wood.



The bungalows are better, but you can still hear next door talking, and the TV, you've been warned.



The hotel as the smallest pool l have ever seen, l’d call it a bath, usually full of kids, not on holiday there.



The staff are very welcoming, and pleasant, and will do anything for you.



However be careful, they are sly and will want your details to write to you etc. it’s up to you.



Going outside the hotel is a chore. You're met by scroungers and people offering you their services, be tough, tell them to go away, they will worm their way into the hotel and tell you they know everybody.



They don’t, they hang around you all day once you allow them to con you. .l saw silly people inviting them into the hotel, feeding them, buying them drinks, and even saw them at breakfast.



Okay, they have nothing, its Africa, but ha ' your on holiday, you save all year round for it, do you really want the hassle?



I saw bumsters as they call them, with cars better than mine, latest mobile phones, l expect all the proceeds they got from the tourists.



The beach around our hotel, was plagued by the sea eroding the beach, but was also mixed with sewage; they did clear it with jcb diggers to remove it. It’s a temporary measure, as you won’t defy nature.



When we first read the reviews about eating out, we were told that you could get a meal for two for 750 dalasi, not true, the Gambia is expensive, a lot for a country that as nothing.



You will need about between 300, 350 pounds, if your bed and breakfast.



Breakfast is good, and plentiful, drinks are expensive.



Your rooms are cleaned daily, but remember basic, no kettle, no thrills, bed, shower, toilet, wardrobe, but will add, if you ask for a double bed it’s enormous!!



Unless your going all out, on trips, jungle, moving around a lot, you really don’t need jabs - save your money, we had upset tummies a couple of times, but relatively fine.



If its grey and overcast, please do cream up, l'm dark and l burnt, although the sun wasn’t out for two days.



I told you what’s what, it’s for you to decide.



Summing up, great weather, friendly staff, clean room, would l go back, when Thomas Cook, and the hotels get their act together, maybe.

Flew from Manchester, 6 and half hours, got through very modern airport in 10mins!



Coach to hotel less than 30 mins so far very good! Hotel a straight three star.



We had one bed apt with a/c, beautifully made-up beds, working shower with hot water and a u/s little kitchen with a great kettle!



Grounds beautiful, 20 yds from beach with a little lagoon adjacent.



Food very good for breakfast, swimming pool and bar fine - not as cheap as you think, beer about £1.50 a pint. Meals between 6 and 12 pounds in the resort.



Every member of staff friendly and smiling, all want to take you on some trip or other to supplement wages of £20/month.



Took trip to crocodiles, monkeys, school and village for £24 all in one day, much better than tour options. Local people in street try their luck but not too persistent as long as you say no firmly and often and keep smiling at them.



Local taxis about £10 return for European hotel area.



Malaria area so you need the tablets otherwise not very many insects, birds very varied.



Left with many happy memories. Airport bar beyond customs open air, good cheap food and great beer right up to when you get on the plane, not a moment of sun wasted.



Don’t fall for the executive closed in option, for just another £15 pounds each, sir!



Would return.