Fajara, Ngala Lodge Reviews

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Good Points: With so many packages available (where you could be anywhere) our idea of the perfect holiday is to experience the country and immerse oneself in the culture. Clean comfortable accommodation, crisp white sheets, unlimited strong black coffee and exceptional service is a fantastic bonus!

Gambia won't be to every ones taste, it is a unique, but very poor country and the Ngala Lodge Hotel is an Oasis in the middle of a third world community. The staff are retained throughout the year, rather than 'let go' during the quiet summer months, which creates a wonderful loyalty where NOTHING is too much trouble. The accommodation is spacious with nice touches like little libraries in each room, a CD player and choice of music and food was just wonderful.

There is art and sculpture everywhere in the hotel and dotted throughout the grounds. The gardens are continually nurtured (the friendly gardeners left coconuts and fruit on our balcony); the swimming pool was well tended; Contrary to other reports, we found the Dutch manageress absolutely charming and indulged our every whim! Our overall impression of our stay at this hotel was of being thoroughly spoilt and pampered!

Being a keen photographer, the staff were photogenic and amazingly patient pointing out the vast bird population and insect life for me to capture. But my real passion is portraiture and when the staff arrived on the Friday dressed in their local colourful outfits, the chef arranged for me to do an impromptu photo session after breakfast. A brilliant end to a perfect holiday!

Bad Points: The exchange rate was poor, so it was better to pre-book and pay for as much as possible from the UK; credit cards are not very useful, travellers 'cheques are fine. The Banks and The Hotel offered the same rate, but if you are brave enough - local money lenders will give you a better rate.

The tour reps may push the organised trips a bit too much, but that's just our opinion and we like to sort things out ourselves.

Broadband connections can be sketchy and is very slow (third world country -remember!)

Whilst bottled water is not strictly necessary it was expensive to buy in the hotel when compared to supermarket prices (but a hassle bringing it back to the room), but as an avid water consumer (and a very basic commodity) it would be nice to see this priced more competitively in the hotel!

General comments: We stayed in the Manor Suite at Ngala Lodge, but when we go back (and we will) we like the idea of staying in one of the upper suites in the original Colonial Building.

With so many repeat guests, it is interesting this hotel gets such a varied rating.

There is talk that the hotel is going to set up photographic workshops in The Gambia - can't wait for that!
See good points for more details.

karlwilkinson's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
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The suites are individual and you do have to remember that you are in West Africa and some are not quite to the standard that you might expect in Europe. That said the Atlantic Suites and the Manor Suites are fantastic and very contempory in design and as good as you would expect in Europe.
Staff are so friendly and helpful, nothing is too much trouble and after visiting this hotel for the last six years it is just like going home and I can not wait until March when I am there again. This is a f ...

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Having stayed at the Coconut Residence several times we thought we would have a change. What a disappointment. The only good thing about this hotel is the view. Most definitely not going back.

sindy's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
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We called a manager at the Ngala Lodge in the Gambia who seemed very uninterested on the phone, and was not trying to get clients at all. The senior manageress promised to give us an XL suite for four nights, but after the third night she said that other customers were arriving to this room and we had to leave. So, she totally ruined our vacation!!

lyndawcee's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
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We had a lovely time at N'gala lodge, the staff were very friendly and always helpful. We were able to get about quite easily as there are a lot of taxis passing the gate.

wilczynski sue's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
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I had a wonderful week at Ngala Lodge in the Gambia. It is a small friendly hotel with big spacious suites, and wonderful food and service. I had a great view of the ocean. The sea was warm, and so was the pool. A very quiet relaxing holiday. I would strongly recommend it.

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Fajara, Ngala Lodge - Booked room with a view - it didn't have. Paid £276 to move to the Manor where problems really begin.
a.First two nights guard turned our electricity off by mistake.
b.third and fourth night woken by next doors generator going off in the night it is positioned within a few feet of bedrooms. The beds shake and rooms filled with diesel fumes.
c.jacuzzi filled with cold water i mean freezing - unable to use.
d.of two hot tubs only one worked and that also filled with ...