Sand Beach Hotel

Location: Point Zone, Kotu, Serrekunda, Serrekunda, GM

Star Rating: 3 Stars

Property Type: Hotels

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Check-out: 12:00 PM

Instructions: Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.

Amenities & Facilities

• Free breakfast
• Fitness facilities
• Free WiFi
• 24-hour front desk
• Terrace
• Garden
• Luggage storage
• Continental breakfast
• Designated smoking area
• Wheelchair accessible
• Fitness facilities
• Free breakfast
• Safe-deposit box at front desk
• Tours/ticket assistance
• Snack bar/deli
• Free continental breakfast

Rooms Available

• Family Room

  1 Double Bed and 2 Twin Beds

  474-sq-foot room with garden and pool views

  
  

  Layout - 2 bedrooms

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator and room service (limited hours)

  Sleep - Blackout drapes/curtains

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, towels, and a shower

  Practical - Safe and desk; rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (free) available on request

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Need to Know - Bed sheets not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Room service (limited hours)
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Free WiFi
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Bed sheets not available

• Standard Double Room

  1 Double Bed

  215-sq-foot room with garden and pool views

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator and room service (limited hours)

  Sleep - Blackout drapes/curtains

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, towels, and a shower

  Practical - Safe and desk; rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (free) available on request

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Need to Know - Bed sheets not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Room service (limited hours)
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Free WiFi
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Bed sheets not available

• Villa

  1 Double Bed

  366-sq-foot room with ocean and pool views

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator and room service (limited hours)

  Sleep - Blackout drapes/curtains

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, towels, and a shower

  Practical - Safe and desk; rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (free) available on request

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Need to Know - Bed sheets not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Room service (limited hours)
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Free WiFi
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Bed sheets not available

Guest Reviews

• maxmanneh (10/5): CEO - The place is a good spot to be next to beach, Staff are extremely good people. And the food is good. Everywhere is clean my is having white bed sheets and the bath rooms are clean I can eat there because is clean
• janem643 (10/5): THANK YOU ! - To Susan and all the staff:Thank you all so much for looking after us during our short stay.Although we were not there for long this time,you made sure that everything possible was ready for us on arrival and,as always,nothing was too much trouble. A wonderful place!We want to say a HUGE thank you .....and please take great care and stay safe.
• ATraveller61 (10/5): A great welcome - We stayed here as a large group of university students on a study tour in January 2020. Although we had a very late check in all went smoothly and we were checked in quickly and efficiently. The rooms are comfortable and well maintained, the staff are very friendly, helpful and welcoming, and the location near to the beach is excellent.
• Maja (8/5): - We celebrated a birthday and were treated to a very special breakfeast. The people working at Sand Beach are extremely nice, helpful and friendly.
• Bernd (4/5): - Die sogenannten Villen sind in einem frustrierenden Zustand, Bettlampen funktionieren nicht und werden auch nicht repariert, die Küchen sind nicht eingerichtet, kein Geschirr, keine Kochstelle, keine Toepfe, nichts - eine reine Farce! Beschwerden beim Personsal werden mit Schulterzucken entgegengenommen, man würde es weiterleiten, aber es würde sich nichts ändern. Der Besitzer oder Leasingnehmer würde Nichts investieren. Tatsächlich wirkt alles an dem Hotel vernachlässigt und leicht verrottet, selbst der Strandbereich sieht aus wie ein Niemandsland mit kaputten Schirmen und Liegen. Das Personal ist ok und bemüht! Wer ein Hostel sucht oder eine Basisabsteige, der ist mit dem Sand Beach gut bedient, dann muss aber auch das Preis-/Leistungsverhältnis stimmen. Mehr als 20 Euro pro Nacht sind hier nicht angebracht. Wenn Expedia solche Hotels mit 60-80 Euro pro Nacht verkauft, so sehe ich das als eine Unverschämtheit und Kunden-Abzockerei an! Ich reise seit 30 Jahren nach Gambia, so viele frustrierte Kunden, die schnell wieder auschecken habe ich noch nie gesehen!
• S1729CEjohna (8/5): Quiet and relaxing - Sand Beach Hotel is quiet, spacious, and very relaxing – the photos do not really do it justice. There’s a genuine African feeling, it’s not just an American style hotel. The large pool is kept clean and has plenty of space and loungers around it. It was never even slightly crowded – and lovely for swimming. Our villa was spacious with bedroom, bathroom, and a lounge area with settee bed and alcove with sink. Furniture and fittings are more safari camp than luxury. Some villas have a pleasant view over the pool area, but none has a sea view. No toiletries were provided , except a bar of soap. In general, you have to ask for what you want, because things are not provided as standard, and staff seem not to notice if things are missing or broken. The staff were generally friendly ( a little too friendly at times), helpful and willing, but you have to ask. Breakfast was poor quality, with little choice, often missing essential items from the self-service tables. We had to ask for serviettes (napkins) every day. Nicely cooked eggs, sausage etc, but no menu to muse over. Not good value for money (breakfast was included in the room rate, which is relatively high for the area). The restaurant is very laid back, excellent tasting food, some surprises, and it was usually very good. Reasonably priced, good value compared with local restaurants. The spa treatments were excellent. The practitioner seemed to have been trained to a very good standard.
• John (8/5): Calm, quiet and relaxing - Sand Beach Hotel is quiet, spacious, and very relaxing – the photos do not really do it justice. There’s a genuine African feeling, it’s not just an American style hotel. The large pool is kept clean and has plenty of space and loungers around it. It was never even slightly crowded – and lovely for swimming. Our villa was spacious with bedroom, bathroom, and a lounge area with settee bed and alcove with sink. Furniture and fittings are more safari camp than luxury. Some villas have a pleasant view over the pool area, but none has a sea view. No toiletries were provided , except a bar of soap. In general, you have to ask for what you want, because things are not provided as standard, and staff seem not to notice if things are missing or broken. The staff were generally friendly ( a little too friendly at times), helpful and willing, but you have to ask. Breakfast was poor quality, with little choice, often missing essential items from the self-service tables. We had to ask for serviettes (napkins) every day. Nicely cooked eggs, sausage etc, but no menu to muse over. Not good value for money (breakfast was included in the room rate, which is relatively high for the area). The restaurant is very laid back, excellent tasting food, some surprises, and it was usually very good. Reasonably priced, good value compared with local restaurants. The spa treatments were excellent. The practitioner seemed to have been trained to a very good standard.
• bluecaz (8/5): Second visit - My second visit to Sand Beach and its like coming home !! Staff very friendly and helpful. The rooms do need a bit of TLC but its clean and comfortable - who wants to be in their room when the beach is a few steps away !!! Relax at the pool where its peaceful or take a short walk along the beach or a short taxi ride to the Senegambia strip for more entertainment. Live music and lots of resturants serving local and european dishes. The new Baniaba resturant is lovely with a good menu for eating in.
• Chandramouli (10/5): - Amazing. Excellent Service.
• 95gavinm (4/5): Tired buildings - We had to stay here one night as our hotel had made a mistake. The staff were lovely and most helpful, but the hotel is tired and in need of a complete overhaul. Our apartment was falling apart and one night was definitely enough. If I’d booked here for the week I would have had to look for something else. No fridge, no glasses, no plates or anything in the kitchen. Breakfast in the morning was disappointing to say the least. The bed was noisy and so uncomfortable. I gave a two stars because of the staff, otherwise it would have been a one.
• lo-vel69 (6/5): For guests who don't have to be entertained - This is partly also a business hotel, so if you are looking for just a holiday hotel with music at the pool and entertainment in the evening this is not the right place for you. If you like a place not too busy and situated at a great beach than go for it. This is Africa, so don't look at details. If there is anything you need or change just tell the friendly staff and they will sort it out for you. Breakfast is simple but enough.This year there is an Italian chef who cooks well. The reataurant in the evening is moved to the Banta bar which is a great improvement. I stayed in a hotel room . These are big enough with a big bathroom and a good airco,. also fridge and safe are avaiable. It is depending on your travel agent is you have to pay extra for this. Beware of the fact that in winter months it can be cool in the evening, night and morning
• Verified traveler (8/5): - Nice clean place. Direct access to the beach and the staff are all nice. Susan is very helpful. Very happy to have discovered it.
• cdbingley (8/5): A great and inexpensive place to stay - Just a short taxi ride from the Senegambia strip (10 mins and 200 Dalasi i.e. £3.50) a quiet location with access to the beach. I stayed in a one of the Crocodile Lodges which had a separate lounge room with a sofa and TV. The breakfast and restaurant food was adequate but nothing special .... I think all places have cut costs on their offering .... but the rooms were clean, fresh and well maintained so was the pool and all other areas.
• bluecaz (8/5): Peace and quiet with wonderful staff - This hotel is located off the main road and is reached by a bumpy dusty road. Access to the beach where you can enjoy the sun on a bed provided or just walk either way for numerous bars and restaurants. The hotel is clean and comfortable, its a bit basic but this is The Gambia !! A fridge, safe and air con is available. Water was always hot for showers. Any problems with the rooms are sorted out immediately without any hassle. The staff are friendly and helpful. Breakfast may seem a little sparse, they do run low of things some mornings but the chef will cook eggs and omlettes which were always lovely. Evening meals from the menu were always very nicely presented and delicious. The pool area has plenty of sun beds with shade and the gardens are well kept, loved it when the horse was giving the grass a cut !!! The hotel is Gambian Children friendly, as I visited with a charity and we invited children to the pool, some of whom had never been to a swimming pool or the beach before, it was a lovely experience for them. Thank you Sun Beach for making them welcome. This was my first visit to Sand Beach and will not be my last....a really nice hotel.
• thijs048 (8/5): A nice place to stay - Sandbeach is nice located close to the beach.The rooms are simple but big enough and clean.The breakfast is also simple but more than enough.It is a quiet place and there is a nice swimmingpool and it is easy to walk to the shops and also to do birdwatching. The staff is very, very friendly and there is the possibility to have dinner.We liked the food very much. The only thing we can say: we enjoyed our stay in Sandbeach very much.
• SannaK699 (8/5): Awesome breakfast! - Hotel area is hidden and peaceful. Pool is nice and especially the breakfast was awesome! Staff was friendly and polite. Good place to be, especially for those who are travelling alone. Minor thing is the beach area, they should plant e.g. palms to make it more nice.
• CarolT486 (4/5): Recent stay - We stayed here after our hotel that we had originally booked into had overbooked. A long story... What would be helpful if anyone can tell me what the rate was to stay as the originally hotel is claiming that they were charged and invoiced 70 euros a night which I do not believe is the case and have added this to our bill. If any one can help me I would be extremely grateful. I am unable to find the rates on any websites. I am struggling to rate this accommodation as it wasn't what we had originally paid for. I think if you were on a budget and using it as a base its fine, but we had booked a one bedroom apartment so we were expecting more that we go.
• lo-vel69 (6/5): For those who like a quiet place - The hotel is situated in a quiet street and at a nice spacy beach. I have been here before and there are improvements made. You don´t pay extra anymore at breakfast if you want some things from the kitchen . The restaurant is looking nicer in the evening. Better light and table setting. Pitty so few guests are making use of this restaurant. The food is good and not expensive. All over the staff is helpful and if you have any problems they are willing to solve this a.s.a.p. As a repeating guest I have been treated very well. Pool is spacy and there are enough beds available. Pitty that the beach area is not better than before. The beds are old and not easy to handle. The place is not looking very appealing despite the fact that it is a great spot. I had a standard room with garden view. The room is big enough for one person and has a spacy bathroom. Overall this is a nice 3 star hotel and you get a bit more than normal in africa. Beware of the fact that in the evening and morning it can cool off when there is a lot of wind.
• O1462KIwendyc (6/5): Acceptable but disappointing - Room in main hotel was good in size with very comfortable bed. Furniture could be modernized. Bathroom needs upgrading but always hot water and clean towels. Pool Sometimes no towels as they were not dry from washing but only a handful of people staying!! Restaurant - event on New Years Eve and restaurant floor and surrounding area not washed up until us leaving 9 days later. Staff very polite and friendly. Gardens lovely. Beach not easy to reach due to huge Sandhills. No evening entertainment. Website very misleading.
• brianguyett (8/5): A small, charming and very friendly hotel in a great location, with pool and great beach. - The Sand Beach is a small hotel and wasn't very busy when we were there over New Year 2018, so we have some great personal service. It does need some 'TLC' but they are working to improve standards. One disappointment is that they tried to impose a commission charge on car payments (despite specifically being excluded in the terms) and the card payment machine was frequently "not working". But this forced us to look at other options and this resulted in our paying part of the bill with some spare cash which worked out at a better rate with no commission than our original plan to pay be card! The hotel has a great sea front location, set between two local centres ("strips") with some great bars and restaurants. We highly recommend Captains Table (to the North) and Patta Patta (to the South). We also used Kawsu Tours (near the Combo Hotel) - a small, local company who really gave a great service. To make the best of the hotel, visitors really do need to be fit enough to walk to beach front bars and the "strips"), although taxis are cheap and plentiful.
• RogerVMK (8/5): Best location and lots of potential. A great 2nd Gambia holiday - We stayed 2 weeks over New Year and thoroughly enjoyed our 2nd Gambia holiday. We would definitely consider staying here again. The hotel has great potential and the local owners have ambitious plans - we hope they maintain the hotel's charm. LOCATION: the biggest plus is, to our mind, the best location in Gambia - equidistant between Senegambia (where the beach is poor) and Kotu centre (where the beach gets crowded) - we could walk to either in 20 minutes on the beach and a taxi was about 200 Delasi. Choice of local bars, restaurants & beach bars is also the best. THE HOTEL: small & very friendly; clean, comfortable rooms are well furnished & equipped; the grounds are large and well tended. The pool is large (at over 20 yards long) for a hotel this size and direct access to a quiet private beach is a real bonus (beach towels are provided). Breakfast was simple but perfectly adequate and all cooked food was freshly prepared and good. We had one dinner in the hotel which was very good indeed. We had a number of minor issues during our stay but every one of these was resolved quickly. THE AREA: Lots of bars & restaurants within 10 minutes walk and wider choice a little further away. We especially enjoyed Patta Patta for evening meals where the fish & shellfish were beautiful and music nights were great fun; Kunta Kinteh is perhaps the best run beach bar in the whole area - both are 10 minutes walk. Try Captains Table at Kotu for a special meal - a favourite also from our previous visit. KAWSU TOURS (in Kotu Market, next to the mosque) - we again used them for our local trips and again they gave us brilliant service at great prices (try 5 in 1 Tour). CASH IS KING in Gambia with excellent exchange rates available on the street whilst cards potentially attract high local charges and wifi and card readers often don't work. We even experienced some diificulty paying our hotel bill but eventually this was resolved although we saved a significant sum by paying a large portion in cash.
• Belle56 (8/5): Very Pleasant stay - I enjoyed my stay at Sand Beach Hotel It was very comfortable and the staff very hospitable. Wifi works well. Breakfast was basic but filling, best to preorder your dinner in order to reduce your wait time. You do not have a good view of the ocean from the rooms but can hear the waves at night. You have to walk over a large sandy beach before reaching the ocean. The pool was large, refreshing and well cared for. There are plenty of low seating loungers and umbrellas. Bar needs to stock bottle openers and corkscrews, also ice should be purchased if the ice machine does not work. I would recommend Sand Beach for a relaxing vacation.
• lo-vel69 (6/5): Second time here - For the second time in this hotel. Compared to last year there are a few changes. Restaurant is looking a bit better. Thr menu is not big but every day the chef changes this. He likes sauce! You will have to pay now for eggs at breakfast, airco 6 euro, fridge 4 euro, and safe 3 euro. If you are there for a longer period be aware of these extra costs! Staff is nice friendly and helpful. The hotel is quiet and at a beautiful beach. The sunbeds really needs to be renieuwed, they are old and not comfortable.
• Queenie789 (6/5): Good location but hotel in need of modernisation - We largely endorse the comments of 'tjniloc'. This hotel has potential but needs significant investment to improve its outdated aspects and appearance. It is quiet, except that the television in the Receptiion area is sometimes intrusive - especially if you have a room in the main building. The rooms are clean but dowdy. Towels were worn and we did have to press to have them changed. We were even left with one towel for the two of us as the promised towels never arrived. That apart, staff are generally attentive and keen to respond to guests' requests, with the other exception of the lady running the shop in Reception who is rude and aggressive. Bring your own toiletries as the toiletries provided by the hotel consisted in a small soap for the all duration of the stay. We did have concerns about security as some external windows and doors showed signs of forced entry. A room safe will be provided if you request it, but it is not secured to any structure, so is of limited value. Breakfast is rather meagre.
• tjniloc (6/5): Nice little hotel, right on beach, needs attention in many areas - This is actually a great little place, at least it could be if the owners spent money on it and had an experience management team in place. The location is perfect, right on the beach and in a quiet area so if you prefer the hustle and bustle of Senegambia this place is not for you. Rooms are in the main building on one level off reception and the more expensive chalets are in the grounds surrounding the pool. The hotel is clean, rooms large enough and comfortable. Bathrooms are also large with a walk in shower. Rooms come with a TV (English speaking channels) and a fridge. The pool is large with a children’s small pool attached, it is encompassed by the breakfast room/restaurant and the bar. Towels are available free of charge. Towards the beach is the (waste of space) Ocean View restaurant. It is underused with a couple of tables downstairs and on the upper terrace. It could be a great venue but is wasted. The hotel has some great staff with many trainees who were very attentive and worked hard to ensure we were happy. Mention goes to Amie and Buba who worked the bar, restaurant and breakfast area. I started by saying the hotel needed money spending on it. It was very frustrating for not only us the guests but also the staff when, for example, there wasn’t a bottle opener available and had to run to another bar to get one, then there would be no change so again staff had to run to other areas to get change. The pool area needs attention regarding health and safety. There is a lifesaving ring but if not easy to find. The pool needs to cover the drainage channels and No Diving signs need to be in place. The depth markings are not too clear either. These are basic rules for all hotels that work with British Tour Operators (which could be why there aren’t any in the hotel). The bars surrounding the Children’s pool need to be vertical rather than horizontal so that they are not used to climb on. These issues could be sorted quickly and without a huge expense. The hotel provides meal and the food is generally good. Breakfast is available but again the breakfast room needs re-thinking as it is laid out badly with both the water boiler and toaster too near each other causing unnecessary queues and bottle necks. Cups are tiny so I suggest you take your own. The main bar would benefit from a couple of bar stools. I would also suggest a welcome sort of letter issued to guests on check in to explain the facilities of the hotel, such as change office etc. I asked the reception (as I was unaware of facilities) to change Sterling, the reception changed it although took a “commission” of 10% as the receptionist sent someone to the village to get it for me. We were also told at the end of our stay that we could have had anything from the breakfast menu yet we thought that they were additional and to be charged for, the waitress told us that Booking.com guest have it all included, seemingly this is the same with the safe boxes. Remember that this is a developing country and is not European so expect drain smells and regular power cuts - take a torch - and be prepared for slow service. Whilst there is free Wifi it is not the best. To summarise, this is not an epic moan, quite the opposite, I’m just suggesting some positive changes to assist the hotel. I WOULD return and hope to do so soon as it’s a charming place, quiet and with great staff.

Photos