Ocean Bay Hotel & Resort

Positive - Hotel was amazing, I called it an Oasis. The grounds are beautifully manicured and the wildlife within it is breathtaking. The room was spotless and the cleaning staff came every day and thoroughly cleaned everything. The pool bar staff and entertainments staff were great and couldn't do enough for you. The food was good and with lots of choice for every palet. Don't expect processed english food like chicken nuggets though. All food is prepped using fresh ingredients. if your looking for a relaxing winter/spring break this is perfect.
Negative - Restaurant waiting staff.....DO NOT tell them you are alone, one in particular would not leave me alone, he hounded me to be a guide to sightsee he was a pain and got to the stage were I would leave as soon as I'd eaten. He ruined the experience, even when I told him I didn't want to go out. As soon as you get off the plane you will be hounded for money. $20 to get in per person, $20 to get out. You can give them £s or Euros as well. Even the bus driver wanted money to put the bag on the bus. Hotel staff do take bags off you when you arrive. don't be nervous, they don't demand money. Payment cards are virtually useless, although there is a cash machine within the hotel grounds. Do not go outside the hotel grounds unless you are ready to be bombarded by people trying to sell you everything, even on the beach. If it hadn't been for that 1 restaurent waiting staff member I would consider going again for a break. It was a beautiful hotel with 99.9% amazing staff.

Can not speak highly enough of all the lovely staff at this hotel, they really made our holiday amazing, especially Omar the pool assistant , who went out his way each day to look after all the guests.
The food was great, rooms comfortable and clean . We can not fault the hotel at all, we will be returning .

So one minute your looking forward to chasing the Northen Lights.

And then because of a medical situation onboard our ship, we pivoted. And some.

10 days of time free. What do you do 3 days before you were due to depart?

The answer is of course very simple. Do something which you’ve always wanted to do and that is look for the “best last minute deal” and just go anywhere. That “anywhere” was Gambia, courtesy of really cheap Tui package out of Manchester.

On paper it ticked all the boxes. Nowhere near the Gulf States. Good weather (late 20s C). A 6/7 hour flight in the same time zone so no Jet lag. And the most important thing for a Yorkshireman CHEAP. I mean a week for just £575 including flights, transfers and bed and breakfast in a “4 T” hotel, what could possibly go wrong – especially as the very same holiday a week later was unbelievably way north of a grand for exactly the same product.

Enough dear readers of the background, you want to know about the OB I guess?

Well, we arrived at night. And despite travelling hundreds of times to hundreds of places I still hate arriving in the dark. I need light to work out where and what I am doing despite only a 30 min transfer from Banjul international.

The OB next morning looked and felt like a time warp Caribbean property. All you needed was Wham blaring from the speakers, neon coloured Spandex leggings and women wandering around the pool with shoulder pads. I loved the 80s so I was immediately at home. Think simple bedrooms, bulging buffets and lobster coloured Brit bellies in severe need of camomile lotion.

It was exactly as expected in my head. This NO shiny Egyptian Resort place. No this an old lady hotel in an area which used to be much busier, but now takes second place in some people’s eyes to the predominance of new “Strip” hotels, that IMO, having seen them, lack soul and charm.

We were staying on a Bed and Breakfast basis a really good shout as it turned out. The hotel offers AI – that’s All Inclusive, not Artificial Intelligence – but frankly don’t do it for a couple of good reasons. The first is, local restaurants are dying and they need YOUR custom. Nearby are some real crackers, namely The Calypso Bar, The Blue Monkey and Zaika (Indian). Very good food and cheap – this the second reason to stay Bed and Breakfast, not AI.

Breakfast was good. Plentiful if not lacking a little in imagination. But the omelettes, cooked to order were excellent and the cold meats and cheeses very passable. If you like coffee, don’t drink it here as it was something akin to the oil the Gulf states used to produce. Thick, tarry sludge that costs a fortune. Moan over.

The rooms are set in blocks. The bed areas recently refurbished the bathroom tired and dated, BUT clean and tidy and frankly that’s all that matters. As war raged in the Middle East, the reassuring tones of Clive Myrie on BBC News brought comfort and solace in what is a crazy world right now.

The main communal pool was popular. Along with the Brits securing their loungers most mornings with towels, there were a few Belgians, Dutch, German and Poles. Tui Charters and Gambia Experience the main provider of business. Entertainment at night was good if not a little cheesy. Highlight of course was yours truly on the Karaoke murdering Summer Nights with a delightful lady from East Sussex who was severely let down by my inability to hit Top C at the end. Sorry.

Out front, the beach facing the Atlantic at the end of the peninsula – next stop west, Venezuela giving you an idea of latitude. The beach ain’t no Maldives, but it is passable with a half mile strip walkable amongst the scavenging vultures tucking into fish heads. The odd hawker will ask you to go the fruit bar or buy a Barry Manilow Album, but a polite, but firm “no thanks” normally does the trick.

What else to say?
1. Use the Orange T Shirt Boys across the road for any trip you do, be it a ride out to the Monkey/Croc Park, a ride down to the fishing villages in the south or a day trip to Senegal. Find King SULAYMAN - +220 727 27 87 - he’ll see you right. Interesting top tip. Don’t worry if you do not have Yellow fever jab certificate (we had from years ago) as you can, for a few $s buy you all the Vax docs you will need on the Senegalese border – trust me!

2. Biggest moan?? The MUSIC. PROBABLY the worst thing about OB is the loud music played at all times from the main stage. Wrong genre, played on old speakers with the bass still ringing in my ears 2 days after returning to the UK. MANAGEMENT look at your demographics. No Imagine Dragons and Maneskin please. Most of your punters are 70 so change the tunes, dial it down as this would be the reason I won’t come back. Unless you provide noise cancelling earphones as part of your package.

3. Go to the Buddha Restaurant. This is the “upmarket” onsite fine dining option open 3 times a week. We rocked up on a Saturday night expecting the 75 cover restaurant to be heaving. It wasn’t sadly. 4 tables and 4 bemused UK couples wondering what they were in for, In fact, they were in for a real treat of Asian cuisine, reasonably priced and very tasty. Just a shame about the zero atmosphere and the occasional spat between the Head Waiter and young excellent waiter – they just didn’t get on.

In summary: We gambled on Gambia and won a week of sunshine, omelettes, vultures, vintage 80s vibes and karaoke trauma. The Ocean Beach is a charming old-timer with a big heart, a bigger breakfast and speakers loud enough to wake up the dead. Great value, great people, great weather. BUT for the love of all things holy, someone please confiscate the bass settings before my eardrums apply for asylum. Would I return? Only if they swap Imagine Dragons for something more age appropriate… like the Shipping Forecast. iykyk.

The entertainment team have made our holiday extra special what a lovely place to be very relaxing xx

I am disappointed with my stay at this hotel. Despite it being a quiet season, the management showed zero flexibility when I requested to move my check-in date by just one day.

When I finally arrived, exhausted after a long journey, things only got worse. I paid extra for a "Sea View" room, only to find that the view is mostly blocked by another building. To top it off, the air conditioning is faulty—it shuts down every 10 minutes, making it impossible to rest in the heat.

When I asked to switch rooms, I was told there was no one to help and that I would have to wait until the morning to "maybe" speak with a manager. For the price paid and the "extra" charges for the view, this is unacceptable. Poor service and even poorer maintenance. Avoid.

We loved the Ocean Bay Hotel, my wife and I stayed for a week on the Bed & Breakfast option.

The first thing to mention is the cleanliness and beauty of the hotel grounds. They are immaculate, beautiful trees and flowers, filled with birds. Green monkeys turned up one morning and ran through the hotel, stealing bananas, so cute!

It's also a great location, right on the beach with its powder-like sand. You have restaurants nearby - Calypso is the best with the crocodile pool, we also like Gibbis on the Beach, Zaika Indian Restaurant and New One of the Road - I can't recommend enough eating out, the value for money is amazing (meal for 2 with drinks would be less than £30) and you're helping locals.

Our room (Deluxe) was spacious, a little dated perhaps but very functional and well furnished. Our balcony was large. It would have benefited from an airer or something to dry our clothes outside, but we had a nice side view of the beach and sea.

A TIP for the hotel room if coming from the UK, you need the two-pin European adaptors. We brought an extension cable and plugged our devices into that.

The pool was an excellent size, it was unheated which was refreshing in the heat of the day but meant you didn't stay in for very long.

Staff throughout the hotel were outstanding, attentive, friendly and very helpful for anything you needed.

Noise levels were fine as any entertainment stopped shortly after 10pm and there were no noisy guests!

Food at breakfast was good, some lovely bread in particular, we tended to go for the fresh fruit and cereals. We often had lunch at the hotel and this was great value for money with decent choice.

A quick word on the surrounding area, there are lovely craft shops and money exchange places. You will be approached by people as you step out of the hotel - you have to accept it that this is normal. It's all friendly but you need to be firm if you don't want their help, remember that Gambia is not a wealthy country, so a small tip of 100-200 dalasi (£1-2) is often welcomed. There are the tour guides in orange T shirts opposite the hotel, they are official, we went with JJ who took us on a couple of memorable private trips (Monkey Forest and Kuntah Kinteh island) and he was great, felt safe and it was amazing to mix with locals, visit their markets and even a house where we had lunch. You also have taxi drivers outside the hotel and then you have some others who want to help and will walk with you, chatting. They can be insistent but a quick donation or spending a couple of quid in a shop will go a long way.

There's an ATM just outside the hotel - cash is king, card machines are unreliable generally, so take as much cash out as you're comfortable with.

It was the first time in Gambia and it won't be the last, what a wonderful experience!

Quite,calm,near beach

Beware, despite searching the internet will tell you that the plug sockets are 3 pin like the UK, this resort uses 2 pin plug sockets. Adapters are available at reception for a £5 deposit, wh8vh is returnedat check out. Problem sorted!

Tout

Hotel rooms are clean with towels changed every day and bedding every 2 days.
If B & B as we were, worth noting only 2 bottles of water at start of holiday were free but only cost approx £3 to buy 6 large bottles from adjacent shop.
We sun bathed on beach where Ebrima & his crew would provide loungers with cushions, table and towels to where ever you wanted them (many thanks to all their efforts) - don't forget to tip them as not only are they low paid but you will get even better service.
Drinks are inexpensive with waiter service on beach.
Local ladies on the beach sell plates of fresh mixed fruit which are very good - cost approx £3 for a medium plate which was enough for 2 to share.
Buddha restaurant was very good but only open open 3 days a week so used Calypso Bar & Restaurant on the beach - only a short walk away.

Location, kind staff, great balconies on rooms and great internet for working. Great beach facilities.

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.

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