Kotu, Badala Park Hotel Reviews
Latest Reviews
★★☆☆☆
“we stayed at badala park for two weeks from the 11th...”
Written on: 06/01/2011
we stayed at badala park for two weeks from the 11th dec till 25th dec 2010
weather was fantastic hotel very basic but everyone very friendly and helpful.... the hotel manager and reception staff were brilliant....breakfast was okay if you got any... beaches were lovely a bit rough if not a confident swimmer... bars, restaurant,and food out and about very good ... no street light so make sure you take tourches with you... please make sure you take the correct malaria tablets only 3 kinds are...
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★☆☆☆☆
“never stayed in a cesspitt as this place ,filthy no...”
Written on: 17/11/2010
never stayed in a cesspitt as this place ,filthy no water no elec no cold drinks as owner wouldnt fix fridges old man next to me was mugged in his room and young girls and boys walked freely around offering sex,a total shithole ,shame as most staff great and so is gambia,hotel a dump ...JOHNO nov 2010 (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“My pal and I stayed here in February and basic is what...”
Written on: 16/03/2010
My pal and I stayed here in February and basic is what the basic means. The staff were brilliant but the gardeners could be a pain(trying to sunbathe and a wheelbarrowor a hose being trundled past you). Food was ok. The chinese restuarant was value - never had a bad meal. Going out of the hotel was like running a gauntlet, some bumpsters didn't take no as an answer, but good eateries close by. The tailor is great guy as is Amie the waitress from upstairs. Entertainment was ok and... (read more)
★★★★☆
“As with others we read these reviews before we left so...”
Written on: 11/02/2010
As with others we read these reviews before we left so we had an idea of what we had got ourselves into.... although we really had a great time overall there were a few downs but mostly ups.
The hotel is a little ragged around the seems but improvements are being made, whilst we were there our room received new bins and toilet brushes and nice little handsoaps(admittedly small things but improvements nonetheless). Also the entertainment area gained a new TV projector although despite much...
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★★★★★
“i have read many reviews that have been placed on...”
Written on: 27/07/2009
i have read many reviews that have been placed on here and see a mixed feeling.
As i have stayed at Badala Park Hotel for 3 weeks at a time over a 6 year period, about 4 months in total i believe i know it well.
firstly you either went to badala park or are considering going there because you are on a budget and we all know you dont get the hilton hotel for a few quid a night, you book budget you get budget.
having said that you can pay much more in the gambia and get no better, i have...
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C Laws's Comment
Written on: 09/10/2009
Fantastic review................very helpful in all sorts of ways. Thank you.
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★★★★★
“On arriving at Banjul airport we read some reviews and...”
Written on: 31/03/2009 by BRINDLEY3246 (1 review written)
On arriving at Banjul airport we read some reviews and we were very worried about the so called bumpsters in the airport ( There are No Bumpsteres - They are the porters ) yes they want to help you with your case to the coach but you just say NO politely and they will leave you alone.
But all I can say we did not know what we were worried about because we had no hasstle at all.
We stopped at the Badala Park Hotel for 14 nights Friday 27th February to Friday 13th March.
This hotel is...
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★☆☆☆☆
“I think Badala Park Hotel, Kotu, is a shabby hotel,...”
Written on: 13/02/2009
I think Badala Park Hotel, Kotu, is a shabby hotel, poor sheets for bedding, beds basic (very), seedy, a hotel for budget clients, we checked out after 4 days of a 14 day holiday and went to the superior Senegambia Beach Hotel. Glad we checked out, didn't like the atmosphere here, too budget for us, and no excuses for the awful breakfasts. Only good point was the staff were polite. (read more)
★★★★☆
“Clean and basic - don't come here expecting luxury and...”
Written on: 19/12/2008 by Crystl Meth
Clean and basic - don't come here expecting luxury and you won't be disappointed! Staff mostly friendly and helpful, with a few exceptions. Breakfast basic but nice enough, other food and drinks a bit over-priced but ok. (read more)
★★★☆☆
“If your going to get a taxi they have green ones which...”
Written on: 18/11/2008
If your going to get a taxi they have green ones which are the tourist one which are more expensive and yellow ones that are proper cheap! BUT make sure you agree a price with them before you go anywhere! the market in Banjul is massive, I would suggest that you go with a local, (don't worry after the first couple of hours you would have made loads of mates), I would suggest making a mate with a Gambian that works in the hotel, because they cant afford to lose that job, and will make sure... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Loved the staff, go down the back and meet with the...”
Written on: 18/11/2008
Loved the staff, go down the back and meet with the ladies who do the washing and cleaning - real Gambian hospitality.
Don't feel frightened to go out and about, go explore. Find a friend - the terminology bumster is not nice. The friend we made is great and we keep in contact with him, even when we get home. He has never asked us for anything. These people have a hard existence and do need help but it is nice if it comes from the heart and not reluctantly. I would recommend a holiday to...
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See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 29 Reviews
★★★★★
“I would recommend Badala Park Hotel to anyone, it's a...”
Written on: 25/08/2008 by moniquesanyang (1 review written)
I would recommend Badala Park Hotel to anyone, it's a lively hotel, very welcoming and has a wonderful atmosphere. (read more)
★★★★☆
“Badala Park is cheap and cheerful. We would definitely...”
Written on: 06/05/2008 by doreen owen (2 reviews written)
Badala Park is cheap and cheerful. We would definitely stay there again. My suggestion to anyone wanting to go to The Gambia is do your homework and read up on it!!! Its brilliant!! Just got back from having read the brochure we new the hotel wasn't 5 star (it couldn't be at these prices!!) BUT even though our room was basic it was clean and we had plenty of hot water. Had we left our key with reception our room would have been cleaned daily - so that was our fault. We found all the staff... (read more)
★★★★★
“My friend and I have just got back from Badala Park,...”
Written on: 01/05/2008 by doreen owen (2 reviews written)
My friend and I have just got back from Badala Park, yes it was basic but the brochure said it would be. It was cleaned daily if you left your key at reception ( which we forgot to do ) so much hot water it was even coming out hot from the cold tap. Staff all very friendly and helpful we had no problem from bumsters, infact I think we might have scared them talking so much!! Unfortunately most of the trips we wanted to do were finished for the season - what a good excuse to go back. Couldn't... (read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“1. The food was awful. Breakfast cheap and nasty. Pool...”
Written on: 30/04/2008 by teacher1234 (2 reviews written)
1. The food was awful. Breakfast cheap and nasty. Pool snacks expensive for what they were. 2. Room - awful, Sheets didn't fit the beds. No mattress covers. 3. Lots of "off duty staff" hanging around hotel, who gathered om pathways in night talking. Would not leave us alone around pool.
Bathrooms - basic, and I mean basic. Our first had only cold water in the basin. Shower broken. Our second had plumbing problems.
This hotel is basic, and I mean basic. We did not feel very safe here....
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☆☆☆☆☆
“I had booked a 2 week stay at the Badala park but...”
Written on: 23/03/2008 by vanderhyden
I had booked a 2 week stay at the Badala park but realised after 2 days what a mistake I had made. The sheets and towels are changed every day. Gambia is very hot but you only get 1 small fan per room, the bumsters are a pain in the neck but can be dealt with just a firm no will do it. I had to cut my stay short and returned home after 1 week being very ill and having to call in a doctor who advised me to return home. The food at the hotel was Ok. As for the entertainment what a joke. I... (read more)
★★★★★
“I stayed for 1 week at the Badala Park hotel with my...”
Written on: 29/11/2007 by toniboyle
I stayed for 1 week at the Badala Park hotel with my Cousin. we had the best time. The hotel was lovely, the rooms are very basic, but they are cleaned everyday, the bedding is changed daily as are the towels. The pool is lovely and there is entertainment every night. The 'A' Team that work at the hotel are amazing guys, they totally made our holiday, they will do anything for you as will the rest of the staff, nothing is too much trouble. So take time out to speak to them, if they ask you... (read more)
★★★☆☆
“The Badala Park Hotel is a good base for your trips,...”
Written on: 04/07/2007 by helana (1 review written)
The Badala Park Hotel is a good base for your trips, which you can book outside the back gate and are cheaper than with the tour operator. Outside the front gate are enough Gambian locals who will rush to you to sell you things at the first chance so beware, however if you tell them a 'direct no' then you will be left alone but the minute you give them your attention you are stuck with them for the fortnight! (read more)
★★★★☆
“I went on a family holiday including my partner, we...”
Written on: 13/05/2007 by zoemoomin (1 review written)
I went on a family holiday including my partner, we all had an amazing time and would all go back. The hotel was quite poor and the food in the hotel was shocking but the hotel staff were so nice and friendly. They couldn't do enough for you, which in my eyes is what counts as I don't go all that way to sit in my hotel room. There are a lot of bumsters about and you'll find that once you give them attention, they won't leave you alone for the rest of your holiday but if you just tell them... (read more)
★★★☆☆
“Badala Park is a basic hotel but is OK for people who...”
Written on: 23/03/2007 by jrelancashire (1 review written)
Badala Park is a basic hotel but is OK for people who aren't too picky! Some of the staff, though friendly, only want work or money from you. However, if you stay there one person I recommend you to meet is Jimmy who does security, from Sierra Leone, as he is a genuine and friendly Christian guy who can give you some good advice on Gambia and Gambians. Enjoy your trip!
I found that one of the best ways to see the real and less commercial Gambia, was to rent a green tourist taxi. I was a...
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★☆☆☆☆
“I have just returned from a holiday at the hotel and...”
Written on: 27/12/2006 by nigelprest (1 review written)
I have just returned from a holiday at the hotel and found the service appalling, the waiters we received service from was poor, local people were coming and going all day long in and out of the complex. Two rooms were broken into over the two weeks I spent there. The area is a fantastic place but with the local con men pestering us every time we left the hotel I would not recommend to anyone. (read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 11 - 20 of 29 Reviews
★★★★★
“My family and I have been to Badala Park in the Gambia...”
Written on: 18/04/2006 by ymedumped
My family and I have been to Badala Park in the Gambia for the past 2 years, and we would certainly go again. Basic rooms, but very clean, and the food in all the eating places is of a good standard. (read more)
★★★★★
“We thought that our stay at Badala Park was very good,...”
Written on: 23/01/2006 by freduk
We thought that our stay at Badala Park was very good, we met some great people. (we were a group of 20 students).The food was great you have to try beef benachin and chicken yassa. You also have to try and beat the house team at water polo (mind you they do cheat) (read more)
★★★★☆
“We've been to the Badala Park Hotel in The Gambia...”
Written on: 30/09/2005 by rjburfoot
We've been to the Badala Park Hotel in The Gambia twice now, once in January 2004, and again in April 2005. Although there are more luxurious hotels to be found, we've found the Badala a welcome base for a Gambian holiday.
The staff are friendly and can't do enough to help you. The pool is clean, and the surrounding area has plenty of comfortable loungers and parasols for shade. The bar serves a wide range of drinks and food all day. There is local entertainment every night, and a superb...
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★★★★★
“Badala Park Hotel is simply the best place to stay in...”
Written on: 15/06/2005 by Benandjay (1 review written)
Badala Park Hotel is simply the best place to stay in Gambia! Yes the accomodation is basic, but this is Gambia, remebering that essentially it is still a third world country. If you want deluxe-Gambia isn't the place to be (Try Dubai!).
Badala Park has a wonderful location, close to the beach, mini-markets, craft markets and tourist hotspots such as Bakau, the nature reserve and monkey park, Serrenkunda and local villiages.
The best thing about the hotel for us (and we have been there...
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★★★★★
“I stayed at Badala Park Hotel with two of my friends...”
Written on: 17/04/2005 by jessuls (1 review written)
I stayed at Badala Park Hotel with two of my friends (we're all 19 year old girls) in April 2005 and had the most amazing time. We were initially worried having read bad reviews of the hotel, but as long as you don't go there expecting 5 star luxury you'll have a brilliant time. Our room although basic, was kept very clean, and there was no mosquito problem at all- I didn't get bitten once. We felt completely safe at all times, and we didn't want to leave because we'd made such good friends... (read more)
★★★★☆
“My partner and I stayed at Badala Park Hotel from the...”
Written on: 17/03/2005 by Catherine DelliBovi
My partner and I stayed at Badala Park Hotel from the 20/12/04 to 27/12/04. At first I felt the room we had was of low standard but as we got to see and experience the real Gambia, we came to understand and appreciate the differences between our countries and what to expect. Yes, there was little hot water, and the electricity went out often but Gambia doesn't have developed back up systems as the UK does. We took it all with a pinch of salt and the staff were very helpful, even bringing... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Arrived in Badala hotel with family on 17 /01/05. When...”
Written on: 29/01/2005 by mackay (1 review written)
Arrived in Badala hotel with family on 17 /01/05. When the coach arrived, we were shocked and disappointed to say the least.
The first rooms we were allocated were of a v poor standard so we asked for a room change. New rooms were better but barely touching the 2* mark.
We immediately acquired a few 'friends' who followed us every where. This was okay at first but after a while, it gets tedious as they are really after money! Don't worry though, these people are safe but can be pest...
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Andycooper999's Response to mackay's Review
Written on: 31/01/2005
The Gambia is one of poorest countries in the world and you simply cannot expect the same standards as you would expect at home. I lived and worked in the Gambia for 2 and a half years, during that time time never had a single hot shower (i'm not sure who'd want one - it's so hot!!). Local water is absoloutely fine to drink - i should know - i drank it for 2.5 years!. Unemployment in the Gambia is very high and the average Gambian that is employed will probably earn no more then £1 a day - with a large extended family to feed. It is therefore no wonder that Gambians try their luck as bumsters. Yes, it can be a bit of a hastle - but really they are not out to cause you any harm. I would suggest that you stick to holidays in developed countries from now on, where the standards are higher.
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Raypluck's Response to mackay's Review
Written on: 07/04/2005
It sounds to me that you thought you could book a holiday in a 3rd world country, poverty stricken,
<br>where many people still live in tin huts with no electric or running water and get treated like a king all for the price of a localy own 2 star complex booking. for many people on their first visit to the gambia its a wake up call but no you were still thinking of poor old you.
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Benandjay's Response to mackay's Review
Written on: 15/06/2005
I am so sorry that you and your family did not enjoy your holiday, but I must say I am so appalled and offended by your comments! Were you too busy worrying about your selfish and ignorant selves to notice what was going on around you! While to were unhappy with the decor and facilities of your room, you must have failed to notice the school children walking with no shoes on thier feet, a whole centre for babies and children unable to be supported by their families, inadequate housing and public facilities? I spent a day teaching children at a local school-classrooms with no roof, no flooring-and certainly no computers! In fact, the school had just been equiped with a brand new water pump to supply the surrounding villiage-imagine that! But, amazingly, these people were so happy with what they had-the real art of appriciation-something you seem to lack!
<br>
<br>I hope you do return to Gambia, look around properly, spend time talking to local people, see what they have-and compare it to your own life-and see just how lucky you are! But then, no, I hope you don't, I hope you stick to your cosy lifestyle, and enjoy many a holiday in the costas of Spain, thinking little about what really happens outside of the world beyond your own existance.
<br>
<br>Not only do I write this comment for myself, but for the staff at that 'horror of a hotel', and especially, the men, women and children of Gambia, and of Africa.
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Mehdi 1's Response to mackay's Review
Written on: 24/10/2006
I just wanted to say that I'm sorry that you had a bad holiday at Badala Park, which is unusual. I think I'm the right guy to explain about the water shortage in the hotel during that period because I was the maintenance manager in Badala at that time. There was a burst pipe on Kotou, and it affected four hotels in that area for almost three days, and I think there was no hotel in the Gambia who offered a mineral water to guests to have a shower.
<br/>
<br>For a third world country hotel, and for a two star hotel, Badala is doing really well. I've been working there for 5 good years now, and even though I'm in the Caribbean I still think that Badala can even compete with some hotels here!!
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★★★★★
“My wife and I spent 2 weeks at Badala Park Hotel in...”
Written on: 25/08/2004 by raypluck (1 review written)
My wife and I spent 2 weeks at Badala Park Hotel in November 2001, and had a wonderful time there, the staff we very friendly, the hotel was in my opinion value for money. with good entertainment each night. the rooms are basic as people say but this is the Gambia not the west end of London, it was a large room with 1 double bed 1 single bed a wardrobe 2 bedsides a dresser and 2 easy chairs, a ceiling fan and free standing fan, tiled floor, good size shower toilet and hand basin and electric... (read more)
Raypluck's Response to raypluck's Review
Written on: 07/04/2005
well we did return in November 2004 and we had a wonderful time no one wanted to come home. my son thought it was so much better than our holiday in Jamaica and I must agree with him.
<br>we have book again to spend Christmas 2005 at badala park so that will be our third visit, depending on what you want from your room should advise on booking with your tour operator
<br>as follows, rooms close to the pool, bars, restaurants, and entertainment is usualy smaller rooms with a slightly lower standard and some with see veiw. quieter area rooms that I have stayed in tend to be much bigger and a bit better standard.
<br>rooms are tended to each day by your cleaner, and a couple of old tee-shirts from home to give them will ensure the extra special touches to your room, we have come back to the room to find flowers on the pillows, fresh friut, ect.
<br>don’t be worried about going out so many do and there is no need if you know how to say no to the local bumsters who are mostly out side your hotel rather than be polite and stand there listening to there stories tell them you can follow all day but you wont get anything and they will back off and respect you more. walk out of the hotel and get a yellow taxi, these are mostly used by locals and are much less expensive than the green ones at the taxi rank who have set prices, a good start to exploring on your own is to grab a yellow cab out side and tell them you want to go to senigambia tell the cab driver you will only pay £1 so if there is 50 delasi to the pound you offer that take this trip in the evening around 730pm senegambia has many restaurant bars night clubs etc, I recommend you tell the driver you want to go to ali barbas garden restaurant where you can get good meals at around £4 per head they have a band every night playing while you eat unlike the uk you keep you table all night after your meal listening to the band and dancing, we walked around senigambia witch was bustling with people black and white with no problems at all.
<br>
<br>we have walked all round serekunda market for a couple of hours and took a stroll through the streets to get a hair cut and then went for refreshments and was only approached once so you see the main problem is just out side your hotel, get past this and the country is yours to explore.
<br>get into the villages, have dinner at the compounds of the locals it wont be ala-carte but you will have so much fun, all the small children from the village come to see us and armed with a bag of boiled sweets one by one they lined up with big smiles stroking my wife’s blonde hair with amazement, the children then decided they were going to sing and dance and teach us to dance like them, wow a memory for ever, although we were guests we insisted on contributing towards the simple meal that my wife help to cook over a fire on someone’s doorstep.
<br>I don’t recommend the Gambia for young children although they wont be hassled it dose seem to be aimed at adults with a lack of facilities for young ones apart from swimming for 2 weeks.
<br>so you see badala park is ideal for us as a base with very friendly staff, if you intend to stay inside your hotel for the whole of your holiday then treat yourself to a 4 or 5 star hotel, but then why bother going.
<br>I hope this will be of help to some of you, and wish you a happy holiday, not everyone likes the same and some have better experiences than others.
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Bev Dearnley's Response to raypluck's Review
Written on: 03/11/2005
I have stayed at badala and Palm beach. Both hotels are very friendly and welcoming. But as previous people have said, dont come to Gambia and stay in the hotel! Make friends and go to villages. When you pack from home be sure to bring some things for children for school. I have visited a village called Pirang many times. It is a very friendly village. Mention Lamin Dibba and he will make you welcome! All you need to take are a few pencils and exercise books, sweets and clothes......a few dalasis help too.
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<br>AT the beach there are bumsters....but employment is hard to find. You may make friends with these people if you take time to talk. They dont ask for much and you can learn alot from them.
<br>
<br>I email, write letters, and text my Gambian friends. It is the most friendly country I have visited. They teach us a useful lesson...you can be happy without alot of material goods.
<br>I respect the Gambian people and their culture. If you go with an open mind you will be welcome and it could become your second home too!!!
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★★★★★
“Kotu, Badala Park Hotel - We went in March 2004 with...”
Written on: 09/04/2004 by debbie002
Kotu, Badala Park Hotel - We went in March 2004 with our 3 children, aged 7,10 & 16. We found the hotel great, staff were very friendly from management to the maids and gardeners. They were always smiling. There is a good-sized pool which most of the entertainment is located around, it's fun and great when every day there are matches from the Gambian staff and the holiday makers. Drinks and snacks are served around the pool, and the prices are reasonable, and in the evening, table and chairs... (read more)
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Hurthel's Comment
Written on: 30/12/2010
I found this review very helpful because... It has given me a few tips on staying safe, where to go and a formention of some people who can be trusted. I will say 'Hello'to Ensa when I use his taxi in the next 2 sunny weeks.