3 Best Hotels in Gambia

Magical is the word that comes to mind upon seeing this unusual (and sustainable) resort set on a mangrove-lined tributary of the River Gambia. Some lodges float on the water; others with thatch roofs rest on stilts. A few stand on the edge of the protected, 1,000-plus-acre Makasutu Forest. No matter the placement, interiors, although rustically earth-friendly, feel luxurious. Composting toilets, open-air showers and no air conditioning somehow seem like the royal treatment. Wide canopy beds and tea delivered to your room add to the atmosphere. Within hours, your definition of amenities changes.

Relax poolside, seaside, in the rose garden, or in the bird sanctuary, or be as active as you like—this all-inclusive complex just outside Banjul provides lots of options. It's a quiet outpost after a day of adventuring, and a salon and massage rooms get travelers back in top shape, but you can also play croquet or tennis while the kids enjoy the playground. For entertainment, there's a nightclub, three restaurants, and two bars, and local bands, folk singers, and dance groups perform some evenings. Rooms aren’t especially fancy, but they’re clean and colorful, and some have balconies overlooking the pool and sea. The resort offers fishing trips, history tours, shopping excursions, and other off-site activities.

Eco-minded travelers will feel at home at this quiet guest house close to the beach, with recycling bins and a gentle call for guest to be conscious of water use. Banana, papaya, orange, mango, pomegranate, guava, passionfruit, and noni grow in the organic garden. Just a 15-minute walk to town, the guesthouse is a pleasant departure from busy beach resorts. Rooms are clean, if a bit plain, and breakfast is available if pre-arranged.