Kombo Beach Hotel Review

Overall Rating

Grounds, Facilities

Poor entertainment, staff harassment (people asking for sponsorship to the UK), Beach 'bumsters' allowed on the beach in front of the hotel preventing peace and quiet.

Th holiday (Gambia Experience) was very well organised with transport ready from the airport. I had never been to Gambia before and was shocked by the amount of persistent begging that you are faced with as soon as you reach the baggage hall. Men will literally take your bagagge without permission, then demand payment. Not a good introduction to the country. All before you leave the airport.
The transport to the hotel was efficient, with drinks supplied by Gambia Experience for the trip. On arrival at the hotel, we were once again faced by a number of 'porters' who wanted to remove your baggage. Tipping is one thing, but we had three bags and found our selves being persistently pestered for tips by three separate porters. We paid. It was beginning to feel like extortion already, we had only been in Gambia for a few hours!
The hotel itself was well appointed, with good beach front and nice facilities. Unfortunately, the staff were variable in their attitude to us. Some were perfectly amenable and waited to be tipped (we always tipped), some actively asked for money with two members of staff approaching us for sponsorship to the UK. In addition, one member of hotel staff went to great lengths to tell my wife that she could not educate her children and could we supply£300 per year as she knew that 'such an amount would mean nothing' to us. She could be right, but I didn't go on holiday to be faced with begging and guilt trips without even leaving the hotel grounds. This was brought to the attention of the hotel management, but nothing changed in the fortnight we were there.
The potential beach front peace and quiet was ruined by many people approaching us to buy their wares. Fair enough I thought at first, after all everyone has to make a living. The problem is that these people do not take no for an answer and trade on annoying you long enough to buy something to make them go away. If you take this route, watch out. There is a never ending stream of such people. The hotel grounds is the only haven from this, within the comments above.
Leaving the hotel grounds can be wearing, we participated in some excursions, but chose to explore on our own for some of the time. Once again, there is nowhere that you will not be pestered by persistent beggars who will hold on to you physically and ask for money. For those of you who have been to Morocco, this is much worse.
Entertainment at the hotel, whilst punctuated by some excellent musicians, largely comprised (9 of the 14 nights we were there) of 'African Dancing'. This seems to be the local villagers. Of course, there is the obligatory 'hat' passed around at the end. By day 10, I was wondering what we had actually paid for in terms of service.
Kombo Beach Hotel provides good physical environment. The food varies in quality, with breakfast being the best meal of the day. Unfortunately, the staff and people surrounding the hotel, seem to be in such poor conditions, they value your peace and privacy very little. I would not return to Gambia under any circumstances for a holiday since I clearly do not possess the thick skin required.