Manjai Lodge, Gambia

Review: Formerly owned and designed by the now deceased Saihou Ceesay Manjai Lodge was formerly opened in 2001. It continues to be a family run operation. The extended street side reception / bar and visitors lounge is high and airy which is a marked difference to the scorching heat on the Hermann Gmeiner Drive. After walking through this area you are confronted by a vast paved courtyard. The next thing you will notice is a stage for shows, a high, a triple stacked grass roofed restaurant, semi-arched and appealing with decorative murals carefully rendered. To either side of you is the outdoor seating made of dark wood with palm frond sunshades set in sturdy tables for the comfort of guests. In front of the central bar further into the property is a long, rectangular swimming pool which is ringed by padded deckchairs. All these amenities are overlooked by the 2-storey accommodation blocks on either side and to the back. The 53 rooms and apartments are carefully put together with fully tiled floors, varnished wood ceilings, local furniture and ceiling fans. If you want ample space to live in during your holiday then go for the apartments which are larger with double bedroom and living room. They also have self-catering facilities and fridge. The cheapest rates are for bed & breakfast while the full suite is almost double per person.