Ocean Bay Hotel & Resort

Friendly hotel, lovely staff always smiling and helpful. Rooms are clean and comfortable with a fridge and hairdryer ok. Here now. Could do with the music being other way round, livelier in the mornings and chilled in the afternoons when you’ve had a couple of lunchtime drinks and want a little snooze. It’s 4 pm and just woken us up with music blaring out. Seen some pretty birds. Good variety of food though we’ve not got children with us and wouldn’t be enough variety for our grandkids, just pizza and chips. Wine and beer is good but some of the cocktails not great and have to pay for several.going outside in the day is a bit of a nightmare you get pestered by locals who want to be your guide for money and they are a pain. At night time they haven’t been about and walked out to local Indian and blue monkey restaurant where they had live music. Great if you want a chilled break in the sun but even if you’ve got all inclusive go out and eat as it’s so cheap to eat and drink out. Massage good only £12 so will have another before we leave and other treatments so cheap, facials, manicure pedicures etc

We had a loverly week at the hotel but please beware of the silver seller who sells his wear within the hotel near the beach. He lies and sells silver jewellery at silver prices ( not cheap) which in fact is copper . We have informed the hotel directly and through Tui but the hotel has not responded to either. I trusted this seller as he works from the hotel but sadly he is more like a street seller and I feel the hotel should take responsibility for this seller as he uses the hotels name so beware.

This was our 3rd visit to Ocean Bay and it did not disappoint. Making people’s holiday in Gambia as wonderful as possible is their business and all the staff do their utmost to ensure that this is the case.
From the welcoming cool drink and face/hand wipe through all the personal touches to the final farewell, guests’ comfort is a priority. For example, I found my bed a bit too firm so, within a day, I had an extra duvet to lie on. Despite taking our own plug-in insect repellent, mosquitos found their way into the room so, almost instantly, mosquito nets were installed. Also, there’s no sunbed reservation because the pool attendants set them up to guests’ preference every morning. They even put the parasols up for you as well; mattresses and towels are provided.
Food: We were all inclusive because it takes the strain out of meals and drinks. All meals are self service buffets with drinks served to your table. There was always a good variety of European/Western food as well as African dishes and curries. At dinner roast meats were carved to order and the local fish and seafood were plentiful. Plainer food like rice or pasta was always available plus pizza at lunch time and ‘seasonal vegetables’ cooked European style. Breakfasts offered freshly made omelettes, poached eggs, pancakes or waffles plus the ‘usual’ full English or cereals with nuts and dried fruit and pastries. New to us were the freshly made baguette/focaccia-type rolls filled with tuna or cheese and salad. Savoury cold cuts and cheese with sweet peppers or olives etc. added even more variety. Fresh fruit (ripe and delicious) appeared every meal time. The soups at lunch and dinner time were lovely. The selection of puddings was excellent and included various hot crumbles and custard.
Negatives: some dishes could be unexpectedly spicey hot.
Rooms: There was everything you need and they were kept clean and tidy by the housekeeping staff. The air conditioning was welcome. The wardrobe was a good size, the safe was easy to operate, and the en suite was roomy.
Negatives: some lighting was a bit dim and better light around the dressing table area would be an improvement.
Facilities: The swimming pool is pristine and rectangular which is good for swimming and water-based activities such as aquarobics. The beach is adjacent to the hotel and well provided with sun beds and a bar. The gym is well equipped and there are games such as table tennis or boules and a book exchange. The grounds are beautiful, nicely laid out and cared for. Watch out for the resident Hornbills, lizards and visiting monkeys and birds.
Negatives: I can’t think of any.
Spa: On offer are massages, beauty treatments, hair dressing and more. The staff are professional and friendly.
Negatives: None.
Staff: What can you say? Everyone greets you with a smile and people like waiters soon get to know you and your preferences. All are trying to make your holiday perfect and it’s hard to single out individuals. However, some names must be mentioned. The waiter Lamin is quiet and very efficient, always going the extra mile; his colleague Wandifa is a close second. Around the pool Amadou and Omar are outstanding. Finally, Amy, the masseuse, has wonderful hands.
Negatives: None.
Reception: Everyone is helpful and whatever the problem they do their best to resolve it straight away. There is a resident nurse/first aider whose services are free, just ask to see him. He is kind, helpful and also goes the extra mile.
Negatives: None.
On her own in cool, calm, can-do is Lobbeh, the Customer Relations person. Every holiday should have a Lobbeh and Ocean Beach is very blessed in having her.

TUI Representative Ocean Bay - Overnight Gambia Trip

Ok, so first I must start this by saying I fell on an organised TUI excursion, fractured a bone in my leg, the treatment from the staff at our hotel was excellent, saw a medic on site, who referred me to a DR.
He came picked us up, even dropped us at an ATM ! , x-rayed my leg, plastered it & organised crutches. Please read until the end!

This is not about my leg per say, it really was about the breefing we got about the trip & indeed as it was an overnight stay in mud huts, about what we would encounter, it was asked by another member of the party if we needed special footwear ie : trainers, the reply was no! At no point did Clair (our rep) direct us to an online information on guidance for our trip.

The footpaths in some areas were very uneven, we were following our guide through a very busy exit from coming off the ferry, at the beginning of our tour, going through back street markets to our mini bus pickup, trainers may of helped!

We walked through the exit from the ferry, I tripped and fall….. the guide was aware I had fallen, and was struggling to walk, I had very little first aid care, on a 2 day trip, cream was rubbed into my ankle!
No ice packs
No medication
No strapping

I went over 30 hours with a suspended fractured leg, unattended, there really should have been a basic first aid kit on the bus.
I just want someone to know, it maybe that we are in ‘Africa’ but as it was a TUI organised trip, TUI should have a duty to care, first aid kit is a basic requirement I would of expected, not go 30 hours without pain killers/attendance or ice pack, It really does need to be better.

I know TUI reps are on commission, so to sell tours is their job, but compassion is also a basic human right, Claire had little, even told me I’d have to pay for extra seating if required, 2 days later I secured my own seating with extra leg room, then & only then, Claire the rep, offered to refund if we had to pay, retracting what she told me 2 days previously.

I rang TUI chat & then a phone call, I believe was Kirsty, was extremely helpful & patient of which I do Thankyou for, she arranged assistance both ends.

The Gambia is a beautiful country, with very welcoming people, it would not stop me from coming back.

We chose Gambia for some winter sun and relaxation and found this hotel thru Tui. We were not disappointed. Gambia is not like the Caribbean but this small boutique hotel gave us everything we needed. It was very safe with few beach hawkers although every local we spoke to were so welcoming and friendly. Room was nice, clean and well maintained. The food was great with lots of local fish on offer. Great pool and beach and lovely beach bar to enjoy the sunsets from. Local markets outside if you enjoy that thing and some nice trips available in the lagoon where we had a great swim and did some fishing. All in all we had a lovely time here.

Çalışanlar ilgili idi.

Bel établissement en bord de mer

Good location with wonderful beach walks. Always greeted with genuine smiling faces by all members of staff. Very nicely appointed large bedrooms, soft furnishings, limited toiletries (take your own) everything changed and cleaned daily. Lovely pool with comfortable beds, mattresses and free pool towels. (downside was the entertainment team would insist playing rap music to an much older audience who would have preferred something more appropriate) Beds available on the beach (paid locally) for those who prefer to be on the sand.
Breakfasts were outstanding and special mention to the *egg* ladies who were delightful and so accommodating. Also worthy mentioning was the *fresh fruit * young lady. The whole of the catering, bar, table staff were very attentive and a credit to the hotel as was the reception team.
This remains our favourite hotel as it provides us with everything we need and would recommend it highly
Thanks to all the team at the Ocean Bay Hotel for making our holiday memorable. Room 120

Take some cash easy to exchange cards aren’t widely excepted & have 4% transaction charge. Drinks were hit & miss, flat soft drinks tap beer ok ish. On beach and outside you do get hassled a bit, be firm & polite and alls good. Main bar closes 11pm for AI so get your drinks in before then. When busy non AI guests get a better service because they are paying for their drinks coke in cans and bottled “local beer. Take mosquito repellents. I’ve never been a fan of AI and non AI in same hotel. Did have nice time, night flight wasn’t pleasant on a737 even with extra leg room, hopefully TUI will reschedule those flight times.

I selectively chose this hotel and brought 8 amazing ladies with me to celebrate my birthday trip. I was initially anxious about my hotel choice as I didn’t know enough about it beforehand, but from the moment we arrived, all my worries disappeared. The hotel was beautiful and exceeded my expectations.

The staff were absolutely amazing, and nothing was ever too much trouble. However, a few individuals truly stood out and deserve special recognition: Gassimu (Receptionist), Kebba (Housekeeper), and the wonderful omelette lady chef.

I have never experienced housekeeping service like this before. Kebba, our housekeeper, is an exceptionally intelligent, kind, and dedicated young man. He went far beyond his role, even assisting me with administrative issues related to my own work, demonstrating abilities well beyond housekeeping. His professionalism and problem-solving skills were outstanding.

In the middle of all the celebrations, the food was absolutely lovely. My personal favourite was the benachin a dish you must try if you go. Dining truly added to the joy of our stay.

The spa quickly became our happy place we honestly could not keep away! From the incredible massages to flowing straight from treatments to cocktails, everything felt seamless and indulgent. The entertainment was super, bringing such fun, energy, and life to our evenings.

We faced a few challenges on arrival, and Gassimu completely rescued the day. He single-handedly looked after all 9 of us, going above and beyond at every step. When I requested mosquito nets for all our rooms, he immediately went into action even when another colleague hesitated due to the number of rooms. Despite the distance from reception, he patiently showed us how everything worked, including the air conditioning, always smiling and resolving our issues in record time.

A very special mention goes to the omelette lady chef, who was absolutely amazing. She serenaded me with a birthday pancake, turning breakfast into a truly heart-warming and unforgettable moment.

Special thanks to Gassimu , thank you for making all my ladies’ stay absolutely amazing. I truly hope he receives the recognition he deserves. By the end of our stay, I was referring to him as “Mr G (Great)” a man who gets things done perfectly and in record time. We even joked that we should ask the pilot to stay grounded and return us to Ocean Bay immediately because of how well we were looked after!

This hotel gave me an amazing birthday experience, and I would happily return. It truly is the people that make a place unforgettable.

Staff was very professional

We stayed at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Gambia. The hotel is roughly, depending on traffic, meaning the congestion on the roads, about half an hour to an hour from the airport heading north. It is in Bakau, right at the very top of the peninsula. The surroundings are beautiful. The UN headquarters is actually next to the hotel. And when we arrive at the hotel, we are welcomed into a completely different world: a very nice reception, helpful people who speak good English. As we head towards the houses—because this is not a classic hotel with one big building and many rooms, but many small houses, each with a few rooms, around five to ten rooms per building—as we started rolling towards our room, at that moment, the beauty of the hotel revealed itself. For example, the pool, the restaurant, very nice palm trees, flowers, and everything else. When we booked we requested a double room. A double room means two separate beds. They said sure, everything’s fine. Also, we asked for a sea view room. They said everything’s fine. Well, we rolled up to our room, and the sea view, let’s say, didn’t really greet us, because when we step out the door of the room, since we were on the ground floor, there’s a small table with two chairs, so when we enter the room, the mini-balcony in front is where the sea view is. But actually, this sea view is also a bit of a thing, because basically we saw a fence, and through the fence, the beach, because the hotel is well protected, so obviously there is a fence. However, from the ground floor, the ocean view was somewhat less nice. The sea view would have been really good if we had gotten a room on the first floor, but we didn’t get one there, but since we weren’t there many days, we let it go. However, what I definitely have to mention is that at the reception they said double bed, or two beds, sorry, and separated—we even repeated the word with them. Despite that, it was one very large bed. And they said, well, they’ll bring an extra bed. But the extra bed was a single bed plus a really outstanding large double bed. And then they looked at us strangely, like, why are we asking for an extra bed? Well, because we were friends and not couples. So this was a bit of a weird thing. We looked at them strangely, they looked at us strangely. The room itself is a simple room, so no one should think this Ocean Bay Hotel is a five-star hotel. In African conditions, I would say the room itself, under European or US conditions, corresponds to a three- or four-star hotel. The beds were comfortable. The bathroom had everything we needed. They changed towels every day and whatever else we needed. The restaurant is excellent. You can choose all-inclusive or à la carte. Basically, there’s some program every evening: karaoke, music, dance.

The area around the hotel is very nice. Towards the beach, there is a beach bar. At the beach bar, when we go out, there is a guard who watches over the hotel, and the beach is roughly 100 meters from this beach bar. It’s a very nice beach; the trash is cleaned up, so there’s nothing to worry about. The breakfast is also excellent. There are a lot of places in the hotel, a lot of tables. You can decide if you want to be inside or outside. The breakfast is quite plentiful, and they really pay attention to making sure we have everything we want. So we had a great time overall at the hotel, but this is not a five-star hotel. Realistically, you should expect three to four stars. Of course, under African conditions, it counts as a five-star hotel, because naturally, the possibilities are a bit more modest than in Europe. So I recommend the hotel to everyone, but definitely confirm in advance, if you book this hotel through any service, whether you really get what you ask for. And naturally, if something is wrong after check-in, you should obviously speak up. The ocean view is, well, the sea view is actually an interesting thing. Obviously, we didn’t go there to sit on the terrace or at the entrance and stare at the sea, but to get to know Gambia. So we have to appreciate that we can see the coastline to some extent. There are guards at night, so someone can really enjoy themselves if they go to this hotel. The pool, by the way, in the middle of the hotel, is not a heated pool, so if we go at a time that is not the peak season, but a bit off-season, then the pool might be a bit colder. Well, it depends on what temperature you prefer. We guessed the pool was around 21, 22, or 23 degrees Celsius.

Everything is accessible

Breakfast was a great offering. Staff were attentive and accommodating. The grounds were clean and tidy with interesting features. The evening entertainment was good and the Gardeners often offered fresh flowers for my room.

Nothing

The property layout and view of ocean

Tout

Stayed in Ocean Bay over Xmas with friends including 2 18 year olds hotel is fantastic clean fantastic staff . Beach is great wildlife everywhere so good we have been all over world & have to say we all would come back to Gambia . Changed money over the road in Barry’s stayed B&B great food booked our trips outside from guides in orange t shirts we used Solomon what a great fella sorted us taxis every night to go out & eat taxi waited to bring us back. Solomelos music bar is a must the owner is a lovely English lady her husband sings & I have to say he is amazing food is good too. Solomon took us on a bird watching trip which was outstanding also sorted taxis . Paradise beach club was awesome we did not go to Senagambo strip did not fancy it . But we will be back thank you Gambia for making our Xmas.

This was our eleventh visit to Ocean Bay and we had a lovely relaxing two week b&b break. The loud poolside music, encountered on the previous two visits, has thankfully returned to the comfortable volume expected! It was so RELAXING 😎
Thank you once again to all the staff at Ocean Bay for your friendly smiles and willingness to please, so many please forgive us if we haven’t mentioned your name in this review. Guest relations, front of house, waiting staff and gardeners thank for doing such a good job, you are a credit to the Hotel.
Breakfast is great, there is something for everyone, so much choice, though less fresh fruit than perviously offered. Egg station as per usual is eggcellant, thanks to Merry and Co.
Pool and poolside is clean and well looked after, thanks to Amadou and Omar, who were always there to help with the umbrellas etc. We love the pool.
The accommodation was clean and nice, the en-suite is a bit tired, but worked well for our needs. House keeping very obliging and thorough, we were well looked after by Anna.
We made the most of the Spa, do not miss out on the massage, it is great value. We had seven massages from Bintou over the two weeks and came home feeling good, all those little aches and pains massaged away.
Entertainment team were hard working and keen, eager to please and did extremely well considering the short time they have come together.
Thank you for not playing the background music too loud.

Recommendations : -

Any problems encountered should be reported to the relevant dept or guest relations. Be it the bed, a pillow, tap, internet connection or door lock etc. give the staff a chance to rectify.

Take cash and exchange it at either the hotel or money man down the road. Do not rely on cards or ATM’s

Please use the local tour guides (orange t-shirts) and the taxis based outside. It’s a short season, the tour guides will stop you from being pestered and the taxis will wait for a couple of hours when you use them for eating out. The local market is very good value. Have fun haggling, but don’t be mean, there is nothing to stop you paying more than you have haggled down to, especially once you have done the conversion to £’s!

We had some good food at the Budda. Some of the dishes are very competitively priced, there is a 10% discount for guests and a complementary amuse-bouche.

It feels very safe with several places to eat locally.

WE WILL BE BACK.