Bakotu Hotel, Gambia

Review: The Bakotu Hotel is one of the most exotically intimate package holiday-hotels, its popularity demonstrated by its numerous repeat guests who come back year after year. All this despite its general feeling of crampness or cosiness as some brochures might call it. It was built in 1976 by an entrepreneurial Swede. The rooms are individually decorated and vary in size and design to cater for different tastes. They come in either twin or double and family rooms have bunk beds. The best accommodation can be found on the upper levels, away from the road and with your own balcony. The main reception is nestled in between the generously stocked street side mini-market and the restaurant / night club. As you approach the Africa shaped pool you can see deckchairs and sunshades lined up neatly behind. Steps descend down towards the mangroves where you can stroll along a purpose built walkway for up to 100 metres above the water's surface. If you want to get down to the Kotu beach you will invariably make a 125m walk through the cluster of restaurants, souvenir stalls and un-official guides then turn left at the ocean entrance. Nightly entertainment can be found at the Captain's Table and impromptu outside performance most often to be enjoyed 10-11 pm.