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Summary of reviewsBalafon Beach Resort captivates guests with its idyllic seaside location along the beautiful Gambian coastline, offering direct access to the beach and proximity to the vibrant Senegambia Strip. Visitors are charmed by the peaceful retreat, enhanced by stunning sea views and private pools. Though the infrastructure may not be the most modern, the serene atmosphere coupled with friendly and helpful staff makes it a delightful choice for relaxation. The resort stands out for its clean and well-maintained environment, with consistently cleaned pools and daily room servicing ensuring fresh linens and towels, promoting a tranquil backdrop for unwinding.
The breakfast experience at Balafon Beach Resort receives commendation for its delicious quality and abundance of choices, particularly the expertly prepared omelettes. Guests enjoy starting their day in the open-air restaurant with magnificent sea views, although there are suggestions for diversity in vegan and vegetarian offerings. Dinner presents a mixed culinary experience; while local dishes and BBQ nights are praised, there are concerns about pricing and the occasional need for improvement in non-buffet options. Despite these culinary critiques, the restaurant staff's service remains exceptional, contributing to a welcoming dining ambiance.
Room amenities, including spacious layouts, comfortable beds, and sea views, enhance the resort's appeal. While there are occasional comments on maintenance in bathrooms and the need for improved lighting, overall cleanliness is appreciated. The welcoming staff are a notable highlight, with guests frequently praising their attentiveness and friendly disposition, creating a familial atmosphere throughout the resort. Although there are minor challenges with internet connectivity and occasional service delays, these are generally overshadowed by the dedication of the staff to ensure a pleasant stay.
The multiple pools, including private options, are frequently described as fantastic, adding luxury to the beachfront experience. Despite the occasional feedback on pool size and temperature, the consistently maintained facilities contribute positively to the resort’s relaxing vibe. Balafon Beach Resort may show hints of wear, but the combination of beautiful surroundings, appealing amenities, and a warm staff creates a compelling getaway option. Its location and serene environment leave a lasting impression, with many guests eager to return and recommend the resort for its charm and comfort. Show more
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Categories
Hotel near Golf Courses
The resort's address at Djeliba Plaza in Banjul places it within the Senegambia area, providing good access to the golf courses in Kololi and Fajara.
Hotel with Spa
Located in Kololi, this resort offers a spa and has received positive reviews. It provides a pleasant beachfront experience and is appreciated for its overall ambiance.
Romantic Hotel
Situated in Kololi, this resort provides a relaxing atmosphere with easy access to the beach. The well-maintained facilities and friendly service enhance the romantic experience.
Hotel with Swimming Pool
This resort offers a pleasant beachfront experience with well-maintained facilities. It provides a range of activities and amenities for a comfortable stay.
Outdoor Pool
Business Hotel
Located in the Djeliba Plaza, this resort combines comfort with essential business amenities, making it ideal for business travelers. It is praised for its excellent service and proximity to key areas.
Hotel with Parking
This hotel is included in the provided list of accommodations in Western, Gambia that are tagged as having parking facilities.
Accessible Hotel
Balafon Beach Resort offers facilities for disabled guests. It is a beachfront hotel with multiple swimming pools, including a lazy river and plunge pool with Jacuzzi.
Hotel for Adults Only
This adults-only resort delivers a unique African holiday experience with traditionally styled rooms and modern European elegance. Some lower-level rooms have private swim-up pool entries.
Small Hotel
With its beachfront location and intimate setting, Balafon Beach Resort offers a cozy and charming atmosphere. The personalized service and smaller scale contribute to a relaxing experience.
4-Star Hotel
This resort offers a blend of relaxation and activity with its fitness center, restaurant, bar, and proximity to Senegambia Beach. It provides a comfortable stay with free private parking and a range of amenities.
Hotel with Outdoor Pool
This resort provides an outdoor pool for guests to use. It is located near the beach and offers additional amenities like a fitness center and restaurant.
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Hotel for Honeymoon
Hotel for Yoga
Room Types
King Room with Sea ViewThe pool with a view and fireplace are the special features of this double room. The spacious double room features air conditioning, a private entrance, a terrace with sea views as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. The unit has 1 bed.
King Room with Pool ViewThe pool with a view and fireplace are the standout features of this double room. The spacious double room provides air conditioning, a private entrance, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Double Room with Sea ViewThis double room's special feature is the fireplace. The spacious double room provides air conditioning, a private entrance, a terrace with sea views as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Double Room with Garden ViewThis double room features a fireplace. The spacious double room features air conditioning, a private entrance, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. The unit has 1 bed.
Standard Room with Garden ViewThe fireplace is a top feature of this double room. The spacious double room features air conditioning, a private entrance, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. The unit has 1 bed.
One-Bedroom HouseThe unit has 2 beds.
Two-Bedroom HouseThe unit offers 3 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.7
Good
Location
Nestled along the stunning Gambian coastline, Balafon Beach Resort offers an idyllic beachfront escape that consistently impresses visitors with its prime location. Guests are enchanted by direct access to the beach, paired with proximity to the bustling Senegambia Strip, home to a variety of dining and entertainment options. Rooms often come with lovely sea views and private pools, enhancing the resort's appeal as a peaceful retreat. The surrounding greenery, palm trees, and well-maintained grounds contribute to a serene atmosphere, perfect for relaxation and beachside strolls. Balafon Beach Resort provides a welcoming environment, harmoniously integrated with natural surroundings, and the friendly, helpful staff add to the overall positive experience. While some note the infrastructure is not the most modern, this does little to detract from the stunning seaside locale, making it an excellent choice for those seeking both tranquility and convenience during their Gambian holiday.
Breakfast
Balafon Beach Resort offers a breakfast experience that largely resonates with positive guest feedback. Many travelers appreciate the delicious, high-quality breakfast available in the open-air restaurant, which offers a magnificent view of the sea. Guests frequently highlight the abundance and variety of choices in the buffet, underscoring satisfaction with both hot and cold options. Notable are the expertly made omelettes by the chef, identified by visitors as a standout feature. While breakfast generally receives praise for its ample variety, there are noted suggestions for increased variation day-to-day, particularly aimed at vegan and vegetarian offerings. Despite some calls for more diverse selections, the overall consensus points to a satisfying breakfast experience complemented by a friendly and courteous staff, adding a welcoming touch to the start of each day at Balafon Beach Resort.
Dinner
Balafon Beach Resort presents a mixed culinary experience for its guests, showcasing both remarkable and less appealing aspects. Many visitors have praised the restaurant for its wonderful and diverse offerings, highlighting the taste and quality of dishes such as the Lady Fish, with some guests reporting the evening meals to be tasty, great, and quite good. The local food especially receives commendations, with mention of a delightful BBQ night adding a special touch to the dining experience.
However, a notable concern among guests is the pricing of the restaurant, described by several as expensive and quite overpriced, with some finding the food, even if cheap, to be mediocre. While some diners were satisfied with the quality enough to return nightly, others expressed that the dinner, removed from a buffet style, could be improved.
Overall, diners have experienced a blend of satisfaction and disappointment, with some finding exceptional value in the beach restaurant's offerings, while others remain critical of the cost and quality. Nevertheless, the staff, service, and facilities consistently receive high marks, contributing positively to the overall dining atmosphere.
Rooms
Balafon Beach Resort offers a range of rooms that stand out for their spaciousness and comfort, often providing guests with beautiful views of the seaside. Many rooms come equipped with amenities like air conditioning, fans, refrigerators, and TVs, although the latter has experienced occasional malfunctions. The decor is generally appealing, with some rooms featuring lovely terraces or private pools, further enhancing the beachfront experience.
Despite the inviting layout, guests occasionally encounter issues with maintenance, reporting that bathrooms can be outdated and worn out. Additionally, rooms sometimes require more lighting and furniture to enhance their functionality. While the water pressure can be low at times, guests appreciate the availability of hot water.
Room cleanliness is praised, and daily cleaning services add to the comfort level, although there have been moments when cleaning frequency was inconsistent. The resort provides convenient sea views from many rooms, and the furnishings are typically described as cozy and pleasant.
While there are areas for improvement, such as internet connectivity and overall room upkeep, the spacious and well-equipped rooms, combined with the resort’s stunning seaside location, create a compelling option for travelers looking to enjoy the charm of Balafon Beach Resort.
Beds
When it comes to bed comfort at Balafon Beach Resort, guests generally find the experience positive. Many reviewers highlight the beds as comfortable, with terms like very nice and excellent mattress being common. Rooms are described as large and well-equipped with comfy beds, contributing to an overall restful ambiance. While the size of the beds garners praise, opinions on firmness vary, with a few finding the mattresses either too soft or a bit too hard. However, these minor differences in personal preference seem overshadowed by the general satisfaction with the bedding quality. Despite these praises, the resort could work on some areas as one guest mentioned a creaky bed and another found the bedding lacking in certain aspects.
Cleanliness
Nestled next to a picturesque beach, Balafon Beach Resort offers a serene escape with its generally clean and well-maintained environment. Guests appreciate the daily room servicing, ensuring fresh linen and towels enhance their stay. Many speak positively about the resort's inviting pools, which are consistently kept clean. The resort's friendly and attentive staff further contribute to the overall positive experience, with numerous mentions of their warm hospitality and efficient customer service. Additionally, the resort exterior is mostly well-kept, providing a tranquil backdrop for relaxation.
However, there are areas where cleanliness could see some improvement. Certain rooms had issues with stains and occasional musty odors, and some guests reported that the bathrooms could use updating for a fresher feel. The supply of bath towels upon request and infrequent linen changes were noted by some visitors. Despite these occasional hiccups, the overall atmosphere remains appealing, like a comforting oasis with the ocean as a backdrop. Balafon Beach Resort creates a generally pleasant and peaceful ambiance, leaving many guests with an experience akin to the resort's stunning online photos.
Staff
Balafon Beach Resort is celebrated for its warm and welcoming staff who consistently aim to create a pleasant experience for guests. A noticeable highlight is the amiable and helpful disposition that guests encounter from the moment they arrive until their departure. Many reviewers commend the staff for their attentiveness and willingness to assist with a smile, reflecting a genuine desire to make guests feel like part of a big family.
The hospitality extends throughout the resort, from the reception to the beach and restaurant areas, where the staff often go above and beyond to ensure guests' needs are met. The kitchen and restaurant teams receive particular praise, with mentions of exceptional customer service and a chef who skillfully delivers delicious meals. Guests appreciate the approachable nature of the managers and the remarkable commitment of the lifeguards ensuring safety at the beach.
Nonetheless, there are occasional mentions of slower service and challenges in receiving timely assistance, suggesting that while the majority of staff members exceed expectations, there remain areas for improvement. Despite these minor setbacks, the overall consensus is that Balafon Beach Resort boasts a team that is both friendly and professional, dedicated to providing a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all visitors.
Wi-Fi
Balafon Beach Resort offers an inviting escape with beautiful surroundings and spacious rooms. While there is free wifi available, guests have varied experiences with internet connectivity during their stay. Some visitors have enjoyed excellent reception in their rooms, even during power outages, while others have encountered issues with intermittent service and spotty connectivity. Despite these challenges, the helpful staff strive to address any wifi concerns, contributing positively to the overall experience. It’s advisable for travelers to be aware of potential fluctuations in wifi performance while enjoying the serene environment and stunning beaches of the resort.
Pool
Guests of Balafon Beach Resort have shared their thoughts on the resort’s pool facilities, which seem to offer a blend of enjoyment and relaxation. Visitors found the pool areas to be consistently nice and well-kept, with specific mentions of their cleanliness and daily maintenance, enhancing the overall experience. The resort boasts multiple pools, including private pools in front of some rooms that guests described as fantastic and a touch of luxury. The main pool and swim-up pool at the resort are highlighted as exceptional and beautiful, complementing the picturesque garden surroundings. Despite the occasional remark on some pools being a bit small or cold, the overall experience remains positive. The blend of stunning beach views and the availability of private pools contributes to a calm and relaxing atmosphere. The resort's beachfront and on-site access to swimming pools make it an inviting option for those looking to unwind by the water.
4 Star
Balafon Beach Resort offers an inviting seaside escape with its prime location right next to the beach and impressive pools that are perfect for relaxation. Despite being relatively new, some of its amenities show signs of aging and could benefit from modernization to meet the expectations of a true four-star establishment. However, the overall cleanliness of the hotel area leaves a positive impression, and many guests express a willingness to return and recommend the resort. While opinions vary on its star rating, some guests rate their experience highly, suggesting that the charm of the location and amenities contribute to an enjoyable stay.
Yes, Balafon Beach Resort has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
Yes, a spa is available at Balafon Beach Resort.
No, Balafon Beach Resort doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Balafon Beach Resort.