Last Updated on 20 January 2026 by Vanessa
How do we choose the best places to stay in The Gambia?
Beachfront bungalows, riverside rentals, exquisite eco-resorts, and serene safari lodges… Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of the hotels and other accommodation options I explored during my press trip to The Gambia. I categorized these places to stay by type and price range, each accompanied by a description and a list of their advantages and drawbacks.
And since we’re all about cats here, we’re also rating these accommodations on our special Cat-o-Meter to show how cat-friendly they are!
Best places to stay in The Gambia
Albreda Lodge, Juffureh
Type: Historical guesthouse
Price category: Budget
Description: Juffureh holds a significant historical resonance within The Gambia. The village is renowned for its connection to the transatlantic slave trade, as depicted in Alex Haley’s novel Roots and the TV mini-series based on that book. The lodge itself is nestled in the heart of this historical village. You can also explore the Albreda-Juffureh slavery museum nearby, which provides insights into the profound impact of the slave trade on the region. The lodge’s close proximity to these historical landmarks offers you an immersive experience, enabling you to reflect on the past while enjoying the tranquil ambiance of the surroundings.
Pros: Historical significance, cultural immersion, authentic atmosphere
Cons: Basic facilities, limited modern conveniences
Cat-o-Meter: Subtle Cat Charms.
Bamboo Garden Hotel, Kololi
Type: Tropical haven
Price category: Mid-range
Compare rates: Booking.com | Agoda | Klook
Description: This was the first hotel I stayed in during my press trip to The Gambia. Bamboo Garden Hotel is a more traditional lodging that offers all the necessary amenities, including a swimming pool. Its location near the lively Senegambia Strip is convenient for dining and entertainment. Book this one if your budget is limited. Otherwise, you have better options.
Pros: Tropical ambiance, convenient location, pool facilities
Cons: Standard hotel experience, potential noise from nearby attractions
Cat-o-Meter: Subtle Cat Charms.
Kokoli Beach Club Hotel, Kokoli
Type: Beachfront boutique hotel
Price category: Mid-range
Compare rates: Booking.com | Agoda | Klook
Description: Kokoli Beach Club Hotel offers a charming and intimate retreat set along the stunning coastline of Kololi. As a beachfront boutique hotel, it exudes a unique blend of relaxation and vibrancy. The hotel prides itself on creating a personalized and comfortable atmosphere, allowing you to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the beach while being within easy reach of local attractions and entertainment.
This accommodation is close to the famous Monkey Park, home to green velvet and red colobus monkeys. In the morning, all the monkeys venture beyond the confines of the forest and into the Kokoli Beach Club Hotel gardens, where they hope to snatch some breakfast.
Pros: Prime beachfront location, intimate atmosphere, accessible price option
Cons: Fewer amenities and facilities compared to larger resorts, and its proximity to the beach can lead to busy periods
Cat-o-Meter: Purrr-Less Paradise.
Laico Atlantic (now Prime Atlantic Hotel), Banjul
Type: Beachfront luxury hotel
Price category: High-end
Compare rates: Klook
Description: Laico Atlantic is a beachfront hotel with a penchant for the 1980s. It reminded me of the hotels in Spain and Tenerife where my grandparents and I used to stay 20 to 30 years ago. This opulent hotel embodies sophistication and relaxation. With its elegant architecture and upscale amenities, the hotel offers a blend of comfort and style for discerning travelers seeking an exceptional stay in The Gambia.
Pros: Direct access to the sun-soaked shores of The Gambia’s coastline, high-end status and commitment to luxury, impeccable service
Cons: Premium price point, a busier atmosphere during peak periods
Cat-o-Meter: Purrr-Less Paradise.
Mandina Lodges, Makasutu Culture Forest
Type: Close-to-nature retreat
Price category: Mid-range
Description: Mandina Lodges offers a serene escape within the Makasutu Culture Forest. The lodges are built on stilts or floating on water, offering breathtaking views of the mangroves and the Mandina Bolong. They are definitely a must-see. The lodges interior and exterior are amongst the most superb and chic you’ll find in The Gambia.
If you’re lucky, you’ll also spot a few baboons here and there.
The Mandina Lodges were mentioned in the book 1001 Escapes To Make Before You Die, a guide for those searching for the world’s most unusual and beautiful places.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to spend the night at the Mandina Lodges. Nonetheless, I had the privilege of embarking on a guided tour of the lodges, accompanied by a lunch that provided a glimpse into this luxury accommodation’s inviting ambiance and offerings.
Pros: Close to nature, eco-friendly practices, luxury experience
Cons: Limited dining options within walking distance
Cat-o-Meter: Purrr-Less Paradise.
Ngala Lodge, Fajara
Type: Eco-friendly resort
Price category: High-end
Description: Ngala Lodge offers a luxurious eco-retreat in Fajara with breathtaking ocean vistas and a commitment to sustainability. Here, you can indulge in spa treatments, gourmet dining, and artistic decor while contributing to the lodge’s conservation efforts. Children are not allowed here because this stunning resort is all about romance and tranquility. Its food is the best in the entire country. No wonder Ngala Lodge has been awarded the TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Award as Africa’s fourth most romantic hotel.
Just like The Coconut Residence, Ngala Lodge has a resident cat, Rasta, that ensures that all guests are entertained.
Pros: Luxurious amenities, ocean views, eco-friendly practices
Cons: Higher price point, limited accessibility to nearby attractions
Cat-o-Meter: Subtle Cat Charms.
Ocean Bay Hotel & Resort, Cape Point-Bakau
Type: Five-star luxury hotel
Price category: High-end
Compare rates: Booking.com | Agoda | Klook
Description: In the heart of Cape Point-Bakau, Ocean Bay Hotel & Resort stands as a beacon of luxury and relaxation on the Gambian coastline. This lavish five-star luxury hotel offers an extraordinary experience, combining elegance, comfort, and a stunning setting. The hotel boasts an exceptional array of facilities, from stylish accommodations to world-class dining, all designed to create an unparalleled retreat for discerning travelers seeking the epitome of luxury.
Pros: The photographic view of the Atlantic Ocean and the River Gambia, excellent dining facilities, and the many recreational activities and services.
Cons: Premium price point, bustling periods of popularity impacting the level of tranquility that some seek in a resort.
Cat-o-Meter: Purrr-Less Paradise.
Sandele Eco Retreat, Kartong
Type: Eco-chic getaway
Price category: High-end
Compare rates: Booking.com | Agoda | Klook
Description: Sandele Eco Retreat in Kartong is on the fringes of an expansive and seemingly untouched beachfront. This community-based resort is locally made and uses its profit to support the inhabitants of the nearby village of Kartong. For every tourist staying in the retreat, 25 percent of the generated income goes to the village. If additional revenue is needed, the 4000 people who live in Kartong rely on farming and fishing. For now, the retreat is leasing the lodges from their British owners. However, in ten years, the Sandele Eco Retreat will entirely belong to the village of Kartong.
The project has won several awards, including The Guardian’s Ethical Travel Award and Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence.
Pros: Eco-conscious luxury, stunning coastal views, sustainable practices
Cons: Premium price, secluded location
Tip: Try the accommodation’s refreshing baobab juice, also known as African milkshake. Some of my colleagues thought of it as too sweet, but the touch of vanilla and sugar was just the right dose to bring the unique taste of the baobab to life.
Cat-o-Meter: Purrr-Less Paradise.
Senegambia Beach Hotel, Kololi
Type: City center hotel
Price category: Mid-range
Compare rates: Booking.com | Agoda | Klook
Description: The Senegambia Beach Hotel offers a convenient stay with easy access to one of the busiest entertainment districts of The Gambia, full of beach bars, restaurants, and nightlife. You can relax by the pool, indulge in international cuisine, explore the lively surroundings, and visit the Senegambia Craft Market. It’s an excellent and comfortable hotel with lots of cats to keep you company. These cats don’t mind the tourists at all. They snooze away the hot midday hours, napping in the shade or looking at the hotel’s tourist shops.
Pros: Central location, proximity to attractions, vibrant atmosphere, overall good quality
Cons: Can be crowded, standard hotel experience
Cat-o-Meter: Feline Frenzy.
Sheraton Hotel Resort & Spa, Serrekunda (permanently closed)
Type: Upscale city hotel
Price category: High-end
Description: The Sheraton Hotel in The Gambia stands as a distinguished icon of upscale hospitality. Renowned for its reputation of comfort and sophistication, this hotel offers a blend of contemporary elegance and convenience, making it an appealing choice if you’re seeking a refined urban retreat. I didn’t have the opportunity to actually spend the night there. However, I enjoyed my dinner at their outdoor buffet (one of my favorites during the entire trip) and visited several of their rooms. Would I book a room there? Definitely.
Pros: Easy access to several attractions, excellent outdoor buffet, enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere, exceptional service
Cons: Premium price point
Cat-o-Meter: Feline Frenzy.
The Coconut Residence, Kerr Sering
Type: Tranquil residence
Price category: Mid-range
Compare rates: Booking.com | Agoda | Klook
Description: The Coconut Residence in Kerr Sering was my favorite hotel in The Gambia. The well-appointed rooms and lush gardens offered a perfect retreat away from the hustle and bustle. Relaxing by the pool, savoring traditional Gambian dishes, and cuddling the local cats made for a memorable experience.
Pros: Peaceful ambiance, well-maintained gardens, local cuisine, lot of cats
Cons: Limited nightlife, distance from major attractions
Cat-o-Meter: Feline Frenzy.
Tumani Tenda Eco Village, Tumani Tenda
Type: Village homestay
Price category: Budget
Compare rates: Booking.com | Agoda | Klook
Description: Do you want to experience the authentic African way of life? If so, Tumani Tenda Camp, named after the peanut picker Tumani and the Tenda riverbank, is the place to be. The lodges are entirely made with local materials. They are small with no decoration whatsoever, only a handmade bed and cupboard to fulfill the most basic of all needs. Both shower and toilet are communal. Comfort is a far cry in the Tumani Tenda Camp, but you’ll have a good idea of what it’s like living rural Gambian style. Luckily, various activities are on offer, including fishing lessons, bird watching, boat trips, oyster collection, a history talk, beekeeping, tree planting, and more.
One of the greatest thing about Tumani Tenda Camp is that the profit from staying in these lodges will return to the community (the Jolla village with approximately 300 inhabitants). The idea is to be responsible and self-sustainable, to escape the extreme poverty that reigns over The Gambia. Villagers that don’t work in the lodges provide food through farming and fishing.
I count Tumani Tenda Eco Village among the most recommended in The Gambia. However, such a low-keystay might not be up your alley.
Pros: Cultural immersion, authentic interactions, unique experience
Cons: Basic accommodations, limited privacy
Cat-o-Meter: Purrr-Less Paradise.
My trip to The Gambia was sponsored by The Gambia Tourism Board and SN Brussels Airlines.
Text and photos by Vanessa Morgan.
