Bamboo Village Resort

We just returned from our recent two weeks holidays in The Gambia (The beautiful West Africa). We stayed at BAMBOO VILLAGE RESORT, a four star holiday resort. We had the best holidays, the breakfast a daily Buffet, offering varieties and of high standard. Friendly staff and always go extra miles to help if required. The staff work very hard and they need to be look after by the management. The pool is very clean and always busy with daily activities by the hotel entertainment manager. We highly recommended this hotel and will always make a reservation when next in The Gambia.

We had a group booking for 18 rooms, which had been given away to a travel agency's booking when we arrived. So, after a 3 week drive from the UK we had no rooms to collapse in at the finish line. Not happy, but faced with the situation, nothing to be done here. Ended up at Bakajadi Hotel round the corner, where we were welcomed by the excellent staff.

Sadly one of the worst hotels I have stayed in. Food was inconsistent in quality and availability. Breakfast either ran out or was luke warm. Dinner only worked if you got the right chef. No towels or toilet rolls on three occasions. Trip hazards not identified. Needs a bit of tlc and staff training to get all up to standard. That said the general staff were lovely and welcoming. The hotel management just didn't care. Not worth the money.

This was my first trip to The Gambia and it was literally a first trip whereby I tripped over, broke and cracked my two front teeth after falling flat on my face! After exiting the restroom located within the foyer. I tripped over a metal frame positioned at ground level. Not to the same degree as me, I know that other guests have had near experiences when leaving this restroom (see picture. I shudder to imagine what would have happened if this had been an elderly person or a parent with a baby. It is for several reasons that I would never recommend this hotel: A) No matter the nation, health and safety should always come first and be the priority in any hotel establishment. I cannot even begin to count the number of times I have heard someone say, "Well, this is Africa." No justification! After my experience, no precautions were made to ensure that other guests wouldn't have the same experience. In fact, the hotel manager wrote: ‘It is important to note that the hotel never have any reported incident from any guest, neither staff since the establishment of this resort in 2020’. The fact that I experienced it and reported it does not imply that no one else has ever tripped or had near miss experiences, even though you may not have had any reports. B) The general manager has some serious communication problems (once you manage to find him), such as a lack of empathy and an inability to listen to others. I am unable to be name him owing to legal concerns, but his middle name should be "Avoidance." C) Periods of no power occur frequently. This happened almost every night during our stay since their generator shuts down due to an overload of power and overheating. One evening, as my mother and I were getting ready for an event, we had to use our cell phone lights as a guide. Moreover, when this happens, there isn't any water available for a shower. Also, no functioning primary shower head, had to utilise the hose, whenever there was water available. D) One could not have a private moment since the bathroom door would not stay closed. Thank goodness my mum was with me. E) Someone managed to use their hotel room key to get into our room one night (mistakenly), the lock had to be changed. Yes, that did in fact occur! F) Though I wasn't expecting the Ritz, I would have expected it too at least be kept up, despite the attractive photographs on the website. This review is from a sincere individual. Though I don't usually post reviews, I felt compelled to write this review because I don't want anyone to experience what I did or am currently experiencing. I also regret that I was unable to shorten my stay. I am utterly disappointed because this was also my first trip to West Africa!

The staff are the best and will go above and beyond to assist customers. The breakfast was fine. The location is excellent and within walking distance of most things you would want and need on holiday. The peacocks and other birds that live on the grounds made it a wonderful, unique place to stay. The beds are really not comfortable, unfortunately. Oh, and there seemed to be a shortage of napkins and toilet paper for some strange reason: we did however, find plenty in the shop, some 50 metres from the hotel.

We extended our stay across the street from Balafon for 1 more week. Bamboo has the biggest and nicest reception area ,however the receptionist’s seemed untrained and very shy. You can barely hear them when you talk to them. There are constant electricity interruptions because they are not connected to the main electricity supplier Nawec. Their Generator cannot handle the power load & when it over heats it shuts down. No power no hot water no shower nothing. Except for Sarjo & Muhammed ( we spoke to the Manager Omar ) the restaurant staff is the worsts we have ever encountered in our regular travel experiences. Unfriendly staff from top to bottom,it made it easy to not tip them.

If you are looking to get some sleep, go elsewhere. There is a big open area on the hotel ground next to the accommodation that is used for gala dinners, concerts, weddings, ... We had a gala dinner on our first night, concerts till 4 in the morning on the following 2 nights. When I say concerts I do not mean a local band somewhere in the background, I am talking about tomorrowland next to your cabin. When you complain staff shrugs and manager is nowhere to be found. Breakfast is average, not ready before 8. Rooms are spacious and nicely decorated. Cleaning could be better. Located next to restaurants and close to the beach. Pitty events are more important than paying guests.

Nice swimming pool and room. Breakfast was poor

As much as the hotels photos looks good.. the actual hotel and how it is run is despicable! They are overbooking the hotels and leaving people stranded when they show up to check in. What's worst is the staff are EXTREMELY unhelpful and did not offer any alternatives when this happened. Its a shame because it does look nice but not worth it to be stranded in another country. Avoid avoid avoid ! ! ! If I could rate it 0 stars I definitely would.