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Balafon Beach Resort

3.5 star property
3.5-star beachfront hotel near Bijilo Forest Park

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Balafon Beach Resort

Aerial view
Premium Room, Garden View | Terrace/patio
Front of property - evening/night
Garden view
Premium Room, Private Pool, Ocean View | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Room service
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

Map
Kololi Beach, Serrekunda
  • Kololi Beach
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Bijilo Forest Park
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Senegambia Craft Market
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Banjul (BJL-Banjul Intl.)
    ‪21 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Premium Room, Garden View

Premium Room, Garden View | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Premium Room, Garden View

  • 323 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

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

Premium Room, Private Pool, Ocean View | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Premium Room, Private Pool, Ocean View

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 323 sq ft
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, Garden View

Standard Room, Garden View | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Standard Room, Garden View

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 269 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Premium Room, Ocean View

Premium Room, Ocean View | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Premium Room, Ocean View

  • 323 sq ft
  • 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

  • 431 sq ft
  • 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 | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Premium Room, Private Pool, Garden View

7.0 out of 10
Good
(2 reviews)
  • 323 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard House, 2 Bedrooms

Garden view

Standard House, 2 Bedrooms

  • 646 sq ft
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

About the neighborhood

Serrekunda

On the beach.You'll find Bijilo Forest Park and Senegambia Craft Market within 3 miles (5 km) of this hotel. River Gambia National Park and Gambia National Museum are within 12 miles (20 km).

What's nearby

  • Kololi Beach - 8 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center - 19 min walk - 1.0 mile
  • Bijilo Beach - 2 min drive - 1.1 miles
  • Bijilo Forest Park - 3 min drive - 1.5 miles
  • Senegambia Craft Market - 7 min drive - 2.6 miles

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

3.5-star beachfront hotel near Bijilo Forest Park
Step outside to unwind on the sand beach. Hit the beach and work on your tan in the sun loungers (chaise longues) or relax in the shade with complimentary cabanas and umbrellas. Pamper yourself with a treatment at the full-service spa and enjoy amenities at Balafon Beach Resort like a lazy river and an outdoor pool.

There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at one of the bars, which include a beach bar, a poolside bar, and a bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. This beach hotel also offers a garden and a terrace. Self parking is free.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 3.5-star Serrekunda hotel.

  • 88 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • Built in 2016
  • Cabanas on the beach (free)
  • Beach lounge chairs
  • Towels for the beach
  • Umbrellas for the beach
  • Cabanas by the pool (free)
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Umbrellas for the pool
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • ATM
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • Bar or lounge
  • Bar on the beach
  • Bar by the pool
  • Dining venue
  • Swim-up bar
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.

Guests have access to shared bathrooms. 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.

The onsite spa has couples treatment room(s). Services include facials, body wraps, body scrubs, and body treatments.

Languages

English

Similar properties

Private beach, free beach cabanas, sun loungers, beach umbrellas

Tamala Beach Resort

  • On private beach
  • Pool
  • All inclusive
  • Spa
4.0 out of 5, Very Good, 171 reviews
$97 nightly
The price is $113
Aug 2 - Aug 3
Total includes taxes and fees
Tamala Beach Resort

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • A beach bar
  • A poolside bar
  • A restaurant
  • A swim-up bar

Things to do

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

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Assistive listening devices
  • No elevator

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • TV with premium satellite channels

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Shared bathroom (in-room sink)
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Limited room service
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • 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 at the property
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets 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.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

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

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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 carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, debit cards, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • Children 13 years old and younger aren't allowed 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

Frequently asked questions

How close is Balafon Beach Resort to the airport?

Balafon Beach Resort is 12.2 mi (38-min drive) away from the Banjul (BJL-Banjul Intl.) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Balafon Beach Resort have an airport shuttle?

Balafon Beach Resort offers an airport shuttle 24 hours a day, on request, for a charge of GMD 2800 per vehicle, one-way.

How close is Balafon Beach Resort to the beach?

This hotel is on a private beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Balafon Beach Resort offer free breakfast?

Balafon Beach Resort does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Balafon Beach Resort?

No, there is no casino at this hotel.

What time is check-in at Balafon Beach Resort?

Check-in start time: 3:30 PM; Check-in end time: midnight.

Is there free parking at Balafon Beach Resort?

This hotel offers free self parking.

Does Balafon Beach Resort have a pool?

Balafon Beach Resort features an outdoor pool.

Does Balafon Beach Resort have a restaurant?

Yes, there is a restaurant on site.

Does Balafon Beach Resort have a spa?

This hotel has a spa, which features facials, mani/pedis, and body scrubs.

How close is Balafon Beach Resort to downtown Serrekunda?

Balafon Beach Resort is 0.3 mi away from Kololi.

Balafon Beach Resort Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 31 out of 95 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 28 out of 95 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 21 out of 95 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 8 out of 95 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 95 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

6.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jason

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

M

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great stay

Everything was ok apart from been a room with limited entertainment i.e the atv was not functioning properly.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

DeAndrea

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort

Preparing for our wedding

Checking in was pretty easy. Got to the room, and it was clean. The couch cushions could use some fluffing. That's no big deal. My husband wanted to watch football, and the TV would NOT come on at all. As we were heading out we we stopped by the front desk, and we are informing the young lady, and her response was I tried to tell you, but you wouldn't be quiet. Not a very nice response, and besides we didn't turn the TV on before she left the room. We were told NONE of the TVs worked because they were all in Chinese. Well the TV in the sports bar worked. Supposedly the tech was working on them. 2 nights and 3 days and the TV didn't even come on. Views from our room were great. The cleaning and restaurant staff were very kind and welcoming.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Colin

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2025

4/10 Poor

Robert

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
We had one of the pool rooms for a month and the key card would never open the door on a number of times and we were all ways having to get someone to come and open the safe and when they did it would take up to 40 minutes to come be aware there is no Television in rooms the rooms badly need a refurbishment fridge door hanging off our room was one of the most expensive ones breakfast was ment to start at seven but there was never anything out and had to wait for the lady to come to cook the eggs I know this is Gambia but these our basic things . Also found the beach boys spent most of the day chatting to the young single girls,and finally people were just coming off the beach and the boys were letting them when there was signs saying guests only
Stayed 28 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kamau

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Flawless

Great time, from check-in, to kitchen staff, to cleaners, to entertainment, great value and lovely staff. Really enjoyed our time. Recommend the premier room pool view!! Closeness to beach is so ideal too, great for relaxation or a stroll to enjoy the sunset. Nice walk 15 min walk to Tropics Mall and shout out Vibrations cafe for a healthy vegan option outside of the great food provided at Balafon. Would definitely come again.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Frank

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 9 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Martin

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Sean

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

4/10 Poor

diane

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Not to clean grddn mkjlded walls kutside..black mould all over shower floor; wLls stzined from air ck dionef more care needs putting into this hotdl has lkvely location
Stayed 14 nights in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Doris

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Hotel in die Jahre gekommen was leider von der Geschäftsleitung ignoriert wird . Trotz allem war es ein schöner Urlaub
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Kim

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Tonya

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Bad run down hotel

I was not impressed. The pictures online indicate leisure and comfort, which is not what we had. The air in room was not cold. Very old air condition units. We were put in a room, where it didn't get cool, and switched to another room that had us up half the night, due to cool air not working. The TV never worked. The kitchen manager was rude, after staff worker explaining to me the process of taking breakfast to sick husband. The outside and parking not kept up, potholes with mud puddles in parking lot. I was ready to checkout the 1st day, but hotel would not refund money. Safe to say We will not be staying here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Tysheena

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet, inviting, immediately accessible to the beach. Extremely friendly staff.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Monna

Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lucas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely place

The internet service was not good, but the staff, food, service and facilities were great
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

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

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

8/10 Good

Fatimah

Traveled 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 traveler
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