Bijilo, Golden Beach Hotel

If you don't wish to spend a fortune on hotel rates, this hotel is the one you should stay in. Friendly and very helpful staff, spacious rooms, breakfast included, bath in bathroom, big garden, good meals, good housekeeping, etc. On the other hand, the pool is quite small, little water comes from the shower, breakfast is not luxurious to say the least and the housekeeper sometimes forgets to get you clean towels. I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone who's traveling on a budget and who's happy with a simple, but good hotel!

If you want to go into town or on a trip, please ask for tourist taxi driver Malmo, he's always in front of the hotel, waiting for business. He's the best!

was at the Bijilo, Golden Beach Hotel for 2 weeks in march...loved it...was clean and comfortable and the staff were the most friendly people. they really couldn't do enough for us.

beautiful clean beach and pool area.

am still in contact by email and look forward to a return visit next year.

Golden Beach Hotel Bijilo .I would recommend this hotel for a relaxing holiday .The beach is just a couple of yards from the garden area.The location is ideal if you want a quiet Hotel ,but within easy reach of the bustling Senagambia Strip with its bars and restaurants. The staff are friendly ,attentive and very very helpful,The food is well prepared and plentiful, The rooms are large and cleaned daily.The gardens are well cared for bearing in mind Water is precious.The Hotel is most suitable for adults but there is a childrens area to the swimming pool. I would definitely go back there.

We have been twice to Bilijo this year. The staff are wonderful, any faults in room were corrected immediately. Lamin is always welcoming at breakfast. Quiet, relaxing beautiful surroundings. Wonderful holiday. Cannot wait to return. The staff make you feel that you are returning to your family.

We were looking to go to Gambia again but for some real relaxation.

The Golden Beach Hotel is only a year old and is in Bijilo, an area 3kms from the main resorts. So it seemed like a good bet and likely to be free of the dreaded bumsters.

Bumsters is the Gambian term for young lads that hang around the hotels hassling for business or favours from the guests.

After enduring the flight, well it is a charter, we had a surprisingly short transfer to the hotel. We were welcomed very professionally with a cool drink.

The entire hotel was kept spotless at all times. It only has 26 rooms so they are really able to keep their eye on the ball.

The grounds are small but nicely laid out and fairly sheltered, which is nice in the evening if the wind picks up.

The hotel has quite a family run feel to it. Being small it isn't long before all the staff get to know you. This makes it just a little more special.

There is a medium sized pool there but really the relaxed mood of the hotel doesn't lend itself to exercise, so this is best used as somewhere to cool off or relax around.

The restaurant food and service is good if somewhat safe in it's choices. There was however some talk at the end of my stay to look at the menu again.

Food and drink prices are reasonable but you can get much cheaper if you venture out to the neighbouring hotel or restaurants, only a 5 minute walk away on the beach or highway.

The staff could not have been more helpful, polite or respectful.

The area is 3 kms away from the main tourist hub, so this is not an area to go to if you want to go to the clubs and bars, as you would be paying for taxis all the time.

It is quite safe to walk around both during the day or at night. You may attract an interested local, looking to chat as you walk, sometimes a taxi touting for a fare but we experienced none of the hassling, which can be so troublesome in Bakau and Senegambia areas.

If you want to relax away from the hustle and bustle, and have a base to see the real Gambia from, then I couldn't recommend this hotel more, especially in this price range.

They have a website. It's very true to life.

http://www.goldenbeachhotel.gm/