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Reviews of Balafon Beach Resort 4 stars

Djeliba Plaza, Kololi, Gambia

#3 of 7 hotels in Kololi

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 153 hotel reviews

7.7

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.0

  • Comfort

    8.2

  • Location

    8.9

  • Facilities

    7.8

  • Staff

    8.6

  • Value for money

    7.8

  • Free WiFi

    6.7

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 6 May 2024

    7.0
    Good but things have to be more improved
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The bed was too soft. The airco didn't work so good. The wifi was not good at all. When you pay, the person at the réception asks your personal code of your creditcard. It is not normal. Finally she gave me the Keyboard to type it but I could not sée the screen.

    The seafood salade was delicious. There was a lot of choices for breakfast which was so good. The room is spacious. The staff was nice.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 7 April 2024

    8.0
    Nice view, great beaches but way too many trying to sell something that after a while you can ignore
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 5 nights

    Somebody used my room number and I was charged with some E16 food/drinks I did not consume. Clearance still under way

    Rich and delicious. Cafe needs improvement.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 4 March 2024

    8.0
    Relaxing and great weather
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Cockroach in bathroom !

    Room on beach and bed size. Good food in restaurant.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 24 January 2024

    8.0
    Lovely place
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Was a lovely room A lady that worked at bar fatoumata was lovely and very helpful

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 21 December 2023

    8.0
    Comfortable clean hotel
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Our private pool had not been cleaned when we arrived. Then had to ask the next day for it to be cleaned again so we could use it. Had 2 prong sockets next to the bed. But the Tv has uk plug if you need to use one.

    Beach front pool. Clean comfortable modern rooms. Lots of choice at buffet breakfast. Pleasant friendly staff.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 26 November 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The back of my room had some unkept buildings that detracted from the serene experience of the resort. The cleanliness of the room could be improved.

    The resort looks great.The setting of the pool area and restaurant is excellent. The close proximity to the beach enhanced the experience.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 31 October 2023

    9.0
    Amazing stay at The Balafon Beach Resort in Kololi-Gambia.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Our shower did not have enough pressure so it would take a little longer to shower but we reported it to the housekeeping Manager and he got that fixed.

    The resort is beautiful built with large clean rooms close to the beach and around the pools. The restaurant/bar is great and serves good food with entertainment in the evening. The staff is extremely professional and always happy to help. The location is great. You don’t need to go miles away for the beaches, restaurants, the shopping centre and other places of attraction. There is a water sports company called ‘Kinteh Water Sports’ close to the hotel private beach. The activities provided are jet skiing, the quad biking, canoeing, surfboarding, use the water paddlers. It is affordable and the owner is very helpful, patient, knowledgeable and friendly. You only have to walk along the beach on the left side to see it located outside a bar/restaurant called ‘Pocoloco’. ‘Pocoloco’ is also a great place for drinks and entertainment. You can also ride horses along the beach with the locals. The monkey park is also located 5 minutes away which is worth the visit! The locals are extremely friendly and always happy to help. Most of them are hustlers and will approach you to support their businesses.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 24 September 2023

    9.0
    A short weekend stay that was enjoyable
    • Business trip
    • People with friends
    • Standard Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The reception area and drive way are dated and could do with some sprucing up. Same with the bathrooms.

    The greenery, lazy pool, beach, breakfast. All staff were friendly and helpful.

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 23 September 2023

    9.0
    Amazing stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The food could be improved

    Fantastic staff, great beach, peaceful, would recommend for a romantic getaway.

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 9 September 2023

    7.0
    If you like adventures you can go there, but if you are looking for a 4 or 5 star hotel do not do it.
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • King Room with Pool View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Some of the staff where not giving the service expected but what I liked is that the representative of customer service listened to our complaints and made sure we had enjoyed our stay, knowing that we traveled from another country to be there. Some staff members were super nice, others were not. They can maximize on cleanliness as well in regards to the room and all. The bathroom could be nicer.

    It looked beautiful, just like the pictures. The rooms were nice, I liked how the space was used in the hotel.

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 15 August 2023

    9.0
    Fabulous option - get bang for your buck here!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    There is no door on the bathroom! This needs to be flagged as those not familiar around each other will struggle! We managed by announcing toilet time lol and the other went out but even that can be embarrassing when new around someone! So that is flag. WiFi is intermittent. Not unusual but be warned. We had WiFi daily with a couple of hrs out then nothing for the last 48 hrs. Didn't bother us but might affect some.

    Value for money. The king Suite is outstanding with the pool and literally on the beach. Great breakfast - love omelette lady! Fabulous staff Really safe and secure. Location - walk up and down the beach and meet the locals who are so chatty and friendly. We had a fabulous time and especially with Modou Tours as our guide around this beautiful country. So reasonably priced and will tailor drives and trips to what you like! +2207228955 Massive bed with nets and aircon. Seating area is amazing to sit and watch the beach and sea when raining. Otherwise we spent most of our time on our outside space taking in the beach, sea, trees and breeze!

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 4 August 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Needs some updating

    Great location Pools were fantastic Staff were great Food was tasty Good value

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 24 July 2023

    7.0
    I will definitely bring my family to stay but I hope the road is fixed.
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The road to the hotel need to be fixed, when it rain a lake is form in the front of the hotel.

    Location was great can see the ocean from my room

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: 13 June 2023

    7.0
    felt welcomed
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • King Room with Pool View
    • Stayed 10 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    paid all inclusive but wasn’t actually all inclusive. limited to 3 meals a day and had to pay for drinks. very disappointing because this should’ve been explained in the advertisement through booking.

    staff were very friendly and welcoming.

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: 11 June 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The front office staff was colluding with the cab driver to rip us off on the fare to the airport. Instead of $25 for the cab, they tried to charge $25 for each of the 4 of us riding in the cab. That spoilt an otherwise decent experience. Also, upon check-in, the room I was given was under repair, and it took quite a while for the replacement.

    The food was quite good, especially the Lady Fish. I liked my room B3. Very functional and overlooking the beach.

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: 23 May 2023

    8.0
    awesome place to stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • King Room with Pool View
    • Stayed 1 night

    the lighteing in the room could have been much better especially at night

    Stayed in May 2023

  • Reviewed: 12 May 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Business trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Dinner was not bufet..

    Yes the room is ok But one lady for reception take me money in plus for 2 night ..I stay only one night I hope to see back my money then no I will make reclamation by booking

    Stayed in May 2023

  • Reviewed: 12 May 2023

    8.0
    Easter in The Gambia
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Room needed some love, our pool was cold, same menu every night. Would have been good to have a couple of themed nights a week. If you are on three meals a day, it gets boring choosing from the same menu. Could have a buffet at lunch and the menu in the evening

    The staff happy, friendly, entertainment every night. Food presented well.

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 29 April 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    No bathroom door or screen.

    Nice and comfortable layout. Breakfast was nice.

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 7 April 2023

    7.0
    Good
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Rooms should have phones installed, to make service faster.

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 27 March 2023

    7.0
    ok not but great, would think twice before returning mainly because of the disgraceful staff.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 7 nights

    the staff… their were so many of them however they were rude, looked bored and were borderline hostile. the front desk set up is odd, it is the reception for another hotel, the staff there are also unhelpful, un approachable, slow and unprofessional. The pool was freezing I think it had a leak as they were filling it constantly with fresh water making it unbearably cold, so much so that we didnt use it. there were no toiletries at all not even a bar of soap to wash hands. the only leave one toilet roll at a time and you have to ask for more. seems like a waste of time, I mean its not like loo roll goes off, they should leave a few more to save having to ask each time. no foot wash taps/points so there was sand in the room all the time as its right on the beach. the hotel is not glossy like the photos, its an African take on the photos, the bed was comfy but the bedding didnt fit and came off revealing a filthy mattress underneath… the electrics were questionable, many of the items had clearly been salvaged from another hotel and had different brand names on them, it dint matter as such, just lowers the tone. everything is cash and do not expect to sign drinks etc to you room like normal. they are really tight with towels, just for the 2 people for a week, we asked for more, got 2 more then the staff took them away the next day. I think plentiful towels should be a given at a hotel like this. there are many locals outside the hotel selling everything from water to days out, while they mean no harm, the hassle is daunting and they swarm you as you walk out the gates. Many of the day trips are fantastic but be careful the price they quote is, for example, for one way, then the same got bring you back (ie double) or thats the transport fare but not the guides fee… its Is not inclusive, so be savvy and ask about what isn't included as they trick you.

    the beach front location was great however there is only 2 restaurants and 1 bar close by, there rest of the resort is a short taxi ride away, taxis are easy to get and cheap but still its not just a wander away. the roof are large and spacious (but not glossy like the photos the standard is low and basic).

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 21 March 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The location was a little disappointing. We thought it would be closer to the sister hotel Tamala.

    The staff were very professional and nothing was too much trouble

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 11 March 2023

    7.0
    Relatively good experience .
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Room was not cleaned everyday

    Proximity to the beach. Customer service. The receptionist Fatou was awesome

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 12 February 2023

    9.0
    Great Stay Apart From Very Unfriendly Staff at Reception
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Room with Pool View
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The rooms are massive but quite damp. Nothing particularly special about the rooms but they are huge! Staff at reception are very unfriendly and unwilling to help with anything including excursions.

    Private pool was beautiful. We were worried about staying here because of the medium reviews, but the food was the best we had in The Gambia. -Brilliant entertainment -Very very good location (walking distance from main bars, restaurants and monkey park) -Very clean rooms and pool although the rooms are quite dated, musty and mouldy.

    Stayed in February 2023

Showing 1 – 25

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