Kololi, Palma Rima Hotel

michele price's review of Kololi, Palma Rima Hotel

★★★★★

WRITE A REVIEW

“Staying at the Palma Rima Hotel all in all a lovely...”

Written on: 18/03/2004 by michele price (2 reviews written)

Good Points
a lovely holiday from start to finish, I didn't want to come home, weather was scorching in February when we went, the bungalow we had was spacious, & had terrace with outdoor seating, the pool was huge, entertainment fair, but had a disco, for younger lot although we did venture in a few nights as temps at night can get cool, so pack a cardi or jacket.
we went all inclusive, drinks a bit limited but if you had to pay for them still cheap.
expect a few lizards running about, also some rats!! but by no means the place was dirty they had just made their home in the undergrowth & didnt bother anyone, 1 even came to join us at the disco one night, along with the resident cat, didnt stay long must have been too loud!!
Food ok limited choice, in all incl bit but they have 3 restuarants, plus pizzaeria which we didn't find till the last day typical!!!
snacks are great served from 12pm till 7pm, good choice.
staff very helpful & friendly we made some good friends there
grounds are beautiful, well kept, & pool area always being cleaned.
I am definatly going back next jan but for 2 weeks next year a week isn't long enough.

Bad Points
Take some Mosquito repellant I got eaten alive, also high factor sun cream the sun is very hot even in February.
Airport & resort a nightmare with locals trying to take luggage just say a polite no or give them 50 dalasis (a quid) its a very poor counrty so expect to be hassled wherever you go, they have a living to make, but be firm, & dont get ripped off, as we did on our first visit,
we will know next time!!
The kids are the most heartbreaking they all rush at you calling you mamma & pappa & try to sell their wares i paid a £1 for an orange so be aware.
Also haggle its their way of life, they prefer English currency but be warned dont reveal how much you have to spend I ended up paying 500 Dalasi & £20 quid for a a few wooden masks, a fruit bowl & stand & 2 key rings!!, they are very persistant
Apart from that have a great holiday we certainly did
they call it the Gambian experience - it certainly is

General Comments
Staying at the Palma Rima Hotel all in all a lovely relaxing holiday, the water is safe to drink but would advise bottled water & pack some pepti bismol just incase of tummy upsets, I did have the misfortune of having it but didn't spoil my holiday

Value For Money

452325_Kevdeb's Response to michele price's Review

Written on: 05/04/2009

just got back from staying at the palma rima hotel 3 april 2009 . this is the 3rd time at this hotel and it will be the last !! the first time was in 2003 the hotel then was ok and in a good location and the food was eatable . the second and third time there the hotel had no alterations done where it was badly needed and the food each time we went back was terrible but it was chaep and liked staying in the bunglows which were surrounded with wildlife and the food outside the hotel in the restaurants are lovley and never yet have come across a bad one , but after coming back this time i can truly say that i wont be coming back the hotel is falling a part and well the food is worse than ever even though we were b/b we ate there twice as it was not worth waking up for ! the choices were slices of bread roll , jam, marmalade, black slices of bannana and hard mango slices and a fried cold egg and dry hard bit of toast what was brought out from the kitchen and shoved in front of you. the food and drink are in parr with britian price wise although food is good!! and the gambiams expect a lot when it comes to tips i was given them £100 dalas which is about £3.44 which is more than i would give in england and majority of them were asking for more.

Reply to this comment