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Balafon Beach Resort

3.5 star property
your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Balafon Beach Resort

Aerial view
Aerial view
Aerial view
Exterior
Couples treatment room(s), body treatments, massages on the beach

Reviews

7.2 out of 10

Good

Popular amenities

  • On private beach
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Bar
    Bar
  • Spa
    Spa
  • Room service
    Room service
  • 24/7 front desk
    24/7 front desk

Explore the area

Map
Kololi Beach, Serrekunda
  • Kololi Beach
    8 min walk
  • Senegambia Beach
    9 min walk
  • Tropic Shopping Centre
    10 min walk
  • Banjul (BJL-Banjul Intl.)
    38 min drive

Room options

View all photos for Premium Room, Garden View

Premium Room, Garden View

Premium Room, Garden View

  • 30 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Premium Room, Private Pool, Ocean View

Premium Room, Private Pool, Ocean View

Premium Room, Private Pool, Ocean View

  • 30 sq m
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, Garden View

Standard Room, Garden View

Standard Room, Garden View

  • 25 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Premium Room, Ocean View

Premium Room, Ocean View | View from room

Premium Room, Ocean View

  • 30 sq m
  • Partial sea view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard House, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed

Garden view

Standard House, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed

  • 40 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

View all photos for Premium Room, Private Pool, Garden View

Premium Room, Private Pool, Garden View | View from room

Premium Room, Private Pool, Garden View

  • 30 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard House, 2 Bedrooms

Garden view

Standard House, 2 Bedrooms

  • 60 sq m
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

Similar properties

Pool
Kololi Beach Resort
On private beach
Pool
Parking included
Free WiFi
4.0 out of 5, Very good, (60)
The price is NZ$139
for 1 night
includes taxes & fees
5 Dec - 6 Dec
Kololi Beach Resort

About the area

Serrekunda

Located in Serrekunda, Balafon Beach Resort is by the ocean, within a 5-minute drive of Bijilo Forest Park and Senegambia Craft Market. .This beach hotel is 10 mi (16.1 km) from River Gambia National Park and 10.7 mi (17.2 km) from Gambia National Museum.

What's nearby

  • Kololi Beach - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Bijilo Forest Park - 2 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center - 3 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Senegambia Craft Market - 5 min drive - 3.5 km
  • Bijilo Beach - 21 min drive - 2.1 km

Getting around

  • Banjul (BJL-Banjul Intl.) - 38 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Gusto - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪El Sol - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪kadie kadie restaurant - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪African Queen - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪The Vineyard, Gambia - ‬8 min walk

About this property

Balafon Beach Resort

Hotel with private beach, full-service spa
Balafon Beach Resort offers 88 air-conditioned accommodations with safes and coffee/tea makers. Rooms open to balconies or patios. These individually decorated and furnished accommodations have separate sitting areas. Beds feature premium bedding. Premium satellite television is provided.

Bathrooms include showers and complimentary toiletries. This Serrekunda hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and ceiling fans. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include a private beach, a lazy river, and an outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

The onsite spa has couples treatment room(s). Services include facials, body wraps, body scrubs, and body treatments.
Make yourself at home in one of the 88 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have showers and complimentary toiletries.
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers body treatments and facials. You can soak up the sun at the private beach or enjoy other recreational amenities including an outdoor pool and a lazy river. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and a picnic area.
Enjoy a meal at the restaurant, or stay in and take advantage of the hotel's room service (during limited hours). Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge, the beach bar, or the poolside bar.
Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours), and free self parking is available onsite.
Balafon Beach Resort has a restaurant on site.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and public transport

  • Free self-parking on site
  • 24-hour return airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Airport shuttle on request

Food and drink

  • 1 restaurant
  • 1 beach bar, 1 swim-up bar, 1 poolside bar and 1 bar
  • Room service available

Things to do

  • Beach volleyball
  • Beach yoga
  • Full-service spa
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • ATM/banking services
  • Front-desk safe

Guest services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Concierge services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Dry-cleaning service
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Tour/ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach umbrellas
  • Free beach cabanas
  • Free pool cabanas
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area
  • Pool sunloungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Private beachfront location
  • Terrace

Spa

  • Body scrubs
  • Body treatments
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment room(s)
  • Facials
  • Manicures and pedicures
  • Massage - on the beach

Accessibility

  • If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • This property does not have any lifts
  • Assistive listening devices available

More

  • Beach towels
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning
  • Bed sheets
  • Ceiling fan
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Shower
  • Towels

Entertainment

  • Premium channels
  • Satellite channels
  • TV

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Fridge

More

  • Individually decorated
  • Individually furnished
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Safe
  • Separate sitting area

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:30 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children 13 and younger are not allowed at this property; All guests older than 13 are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle fee: GMD 2800 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 3)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Children 13 years old and younger are not permitted at this property

Property is also known as

Balafon Hotel Serrekunda
Balafon Serrekunda
Balafon Hotel
Balafon Beach Resort Hotel
Balafon Beach Resort Serrekunda
Balafon Beach Resort Hotel Serrekunda

Balafon Beach Resort Reviews

Reviews

7.2

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 16 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 72 reviews" "

7.4/10

Cleanliness

7.8/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

6.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Shannon

Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Shannon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Nice Beach view
The rooms was nice over all but i had to tell them about the AC many times it was very hotand the room leak when it had a hard rain also the water would be off everyday as well as the power
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Stacey, Brooklyn

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Waiters and waitresses not very professional.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Fatimah

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Lovely resort with amazing staff. Fatu and the rest of the restaurant staff were fantastic, really great customer service. The swim up pool was great. Love the tucked away feel of the place. A nice stay
Stayed 10 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

pau

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beachside hotel, lovely location with excellent service
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

Takunda

Business traveller
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

2/10 Terrible

Kim

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
All that a really good african experience should be. Lovely ambience from stunning beach views with palm lined sands and plenty of grass covered canapied umbrellas. The pool was crystal clean everyday and the food in the beach restaurant was amazing quality at really good prices. The breakfast was of high standard with plenty of choice everyday. There was different entertainment every night from african dancers and authentic drum players,to bands playing regiee music. The staff warmth and customer service was the best I have encountered in the 15 years I have been visiting the Gambia. Altogether a fantastic holiday experience
Stayed 10 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mahamadu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Was great
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Mustapha

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Elhadji

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

4/10 Poor

Ernst

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

Valeria

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My room was directly across from the kitchen and dining area. The noise often woke me in the morning. My room was not well maintained and upon arrival, the mirror had toothpaste spots which made me unsure of the cleanliness of my entire room. I saw a rat on the sidewalk one evening. The property was also not maintained well with broken fences and other repairs needed and a full paint refresh is necessary. The courtyard was not clean and the reception area was not welcoming.
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2023

2/10 Terrible

Dabington

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Don’t stay here !!
Terrible! Total scam . Filthy and unfinished. Please do not include on the hotels.com website. Complete scam !!!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

tykeen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I liked that it was exclusive to the beach and the warmth of the environment and staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

6/10 Okay

Sheila

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
The size of the room was spacious/layout was good. But i only stayed in my room 4 nights out of 14, due to it smelling like a public toilet! I brought this to the house keepers attention & she would use detol to disinfect the floor but this would only camouflage the smell before it returned. I did share this information with the night manager on duty on the 08/10 before vacating the hotel.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2023

2/10 Terrible

Takunda

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Bad internet, bad service, rooms not very clean. The tropical theme is good but Hotel maintenance is way below standard
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Richard

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Mussa

Travelled with partner
Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Customer service is poor in here, house keepers opens up your door without knocking, there’s no sign for “do not disturb”, and staff at the entrance does not welcome you at the check in or even at the checkout you do not get a simple “have a good day” from them.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

MOHAMED

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Drumming the Balafon Beat.
From our arrival we were warmly greeted by Mam Fatu and Oumar. During our weekly stay, we enjoyed an exceptional service by the entire staff mamaged by Cyndi. The pool was cleaned daily and our room was serviced daily with fresh linen and towels. Cyndi even provided my wife with brand new bucket she needed. Addou Mackhé the night shift attendant helped us get food late night after the restaurant was closed past midnight. Our daily complementary Breakfast was phenomenal. Fatou Bintu made some fabulous omelettes and pancakes. The private beach was very clean and the warn water ocean was perfect. The entire hotel was safe with daily and nightly security staff making there rounds. What i like the most was the atmosphere and the variety of the patrons. Kids are welcome, families and old couples stayed there during our stay. We've encountered European tourists, Americans, Jamaicans and locals as well as neighboorhing citizens from Liberia and Senegal. Overall the Balafon Beach Hotel Resort is a wonderful place to stay long term vacationning.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Alexandria

Travelled with family
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness
Ok but won’t book again
The set up of the room makes watching the TV an uncomfortable watch. Cleaners were not consistent which often led to an invasion of ants. The WiFi was decent most of the time and the private beach is amazing. Most staff are friendly and welcoming especially the restaurant team. Hotel could benefit from having some hand wash and daily fresh towels. I’ve stayed apartments where cleaning is done daily therefore would expect the same from a 3 1/2 star hotel. I’m honestly not sure if I would stay here again but thought my stay was average and ok.
Stayed 14 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Moses

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

4/10 Poor

Alexandra

Business traveller
Disliked: Amenities
Poor Reception at Front Desk. No doors in the shower. Bad internet service. Tv doesn’t work. No telephones in the rooms, can’t call in case of emergency or room service. No door handles on back door. No clocks to set alarm .Restaurant food & servers are excellent but Never expect a Smile from Restaurant receptionist. The Gambian cooks will go above & beyond eg. Famara Sanneh, Sarjo Jarjou, Kawsu Joof, Yankuba Dampha. Professional Grounds keepers/Pool attendants & our Room cleaners Sainey ,Salif & the sweet lady who joins them.
Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2023