Coco Ocean Resort And Spa The Gambia
Being pampered in a luxury elegant spa in tropical lush surroundings…no not Thailand or The Maldives. This is West Africa and the Coco Ocean Resort and Spa!
This reality has come to fruition thanks to the vision and creative ability of two very dedicated people Farid Bensouda and Walter Netlou.
They have created a stunning 60-room spa hotel, a dream they had some ten years ago. With five years of construction the charming tranquil oasis of the Coco Ocean Resort and Spa is one of the latest hotels in The Gambia.
Every detail, every design is their every soul. The energy that kept them going over so long just has to be admired. Standards have been kept high through total application to the job in hand. As they look forward to being able to host guests in top class style and comfort. With top class rooms and top class spa facilities and their caring staff to match.
Moorish Domes of Coco Ocean
The Moorish domes are Coco Ocean. From the beach and all over the complex it’s the domes the colour’s of them change from crisp white in the day. To pinkish hues at sunset, all planned, all placed as points of interest too. Many are part of the rooms and above the beds to form great internal room features.
Careful planning in the design meant that not only could the existing plants on the site be kept. Many have been incorporated into the gardens and indeed, the buildings! Massive palms have become part of some of the hotel creating natural pillars along side concrete ones.
The gardens are lush and wrap around the buildings giving relief to the bright white painted room exteriors. A calming green blanket of bananas, paw paws and coconut palms. Fruit is there just hanging on the plants as you walk in the grounds, as if it were in a living supermarket fruit aisle.
Designed to be deliberately expansive to allow guests to have space to breath. It would have been possibly to have twice the number of rooms on that site. However that was never in their minds, creating a tasteful and relaxing setting was so more important.
The Choice Of Presidents Ambassadors And Diplomats
Having a relaxing spa treatment and then re-entering the hubbub of a busy hotel would be spoiling what ambience they wanted to create for the guests. Space, time and comfort was the priority and there are a myriad of places to lay, be it in a lush garden setting, by a pool, beach or lawn its all there the choice is yours.
Massage on the beach at Coco Ocean The Gambia.
For over 12 years Farid and Walter had run their first hotel Coconut Residence in the country. More modest in its number of rooms, but it was still the first choice of Presidents, Ambassadors and diplomats when they visited The Gambia. The tourists also realised it was an excellent place to stay too. As the hotel literature says … ‘The place to be’.
Now that place has to be – Coco Ocean from the moment of arrival you will get the treatment!
Staff From Around the World
That is Coconut treatment! Attentive yet restrained, with staff wanting to please from the outset and for your holiday to come. Customer care and comfort is what Coconut is all about, the buildings and grounds are one part and the other is staff. Here they have gone to fantastic lengths to get the very best staff. Be that pulling in chefs from Thailand and Lebanon, the very best spa people from Morocco and again some from Thailand. They have also run extensive staff training for their Gambian contingent of which make up the highest number.
Top food with low food miles too
Pulling in materials as well as staff to furnish the hotel, containers of top quality marble were brought in from Italy, custom made furniture was imported from Indonesia and even state of the art catering machinery was brought in from the USA. This is not a chain hotel, this is the sort of trouble perhaps a large chain could easily go to, but here two very dedicated people took their ideas to the world and went looking for the very best, they found it and made it all happen here in West Africa.
20 Minutes From The Airport
Located on the beach near to Bijilo just off the main road from the airport, just 20 minutes away, the complex comes into view, the domes again and a most delightful garden approach. Plantations of palms and papayas followed by a driveway of huge clumps massive bamboo lines the road to the reception gate. Once inside there is that Italian marble as the reception, a cavernous room with more than a hint of the styling to come. Morocco meets the Gambia. Detailing around the high ceilings are pure Moroccan as are the lights of Arab design. You will be quick to see the lush planting as you are taken to your room.
Bantaba’s at Coco Ocean in The Gambia, West Africa
The geometric tile designs around the grounds are everywhere, as are sumptuous sofas and chairs placed all over the site at places just to sit and take in what your senses are experiencing and will doing during your stay.
The key to this development is undoubtedly the spa complex, it is this glamorous extension that will have the ability to help seduce guests from perhaps other locations they may prefer much further a field be it the Indian Ocean, Middle East or Far East. This spa is a just under 6 hours flying time from the UK and in the same time zone. Most flights both coming and going are at pretty convenient times too.
Year Round And Not Just Winter
The chance to enjoy a year round tropical sun with all the luxury, glamour and pleasure of being pampered to perfection so close to home is surely a winner for The Gambia and this resort hotel.
Before Covid-19 flights were twice a week during the busy winter period November to April. Making it possible to take a long week-end arriving Friday afternoon and leaving on Tuesday afternoon and back to work Wednesday morning not bad!
Achievable at a budget that will not break the bank. A value for money experience of tropical West Africa too.
Experience West Africa
The selection of chefs to compliment the health side of the hotel was another element well thought through. A fusion of Middle and Far Eastern, African and European there is plenty of chance to indulge in many of the healthy options. Many styles are on offer but it could be as simple as a steak. However, it will be a local steak.
The Gambia West Africa.
That meat would of come from an animal that was grazing as nature intended just miles from the hotel. No high food miles here. And, the same for the vegetables those will be from the neatly laid out hotel garden at the rear of the complex. Food miles traveled by them, and about 200 yards!
The domes at Coco Ocean The Gambia.
A Bantaba By The Beach
Fronting the hotel on the beach there is a refreshing layout for this part of Africa. A series of permanent tented double-bedded areas built in a local style. Here they call a Bantaba!
A raised area of shade usually built in the rural areas under a shady tree these little beds are again of Moroccan influence and provide sand less experience but with the benefit of a beach location. The Bantaba is referred to locally as a thinking place!
But it would be very easy to contemplate in such a delightful haven with the warm Atlantic sea breaking nearby. Even better now as the palm trees on the beach have got more established. And this beach will be another …place to be!
With a credit crunch and Covid-19 all that goes with it, this has to be good option to get that virus killing sunshine.
Luxury, refinement and tranquillity all at great value and yet not sacrificing style, elegance or service.
In The Same Time Zone As UK
It has a wonderful sunny tropical climate for most of the year. Plus, located in the same time zone as UK. A chance to experience Africa and this is African Africa! The Gambia is far enough away from Northern Africa. This is easy Africa, generally English speaking with a happy relaxed atmosphere.
A place that once tried and as many other travellers whom discover The Gambia do. Well they just seem to keep on coming back. At the first ‘Coconut’ the repeat guest rate was extremely high. There is no reason to suspect that it will not also be the case here at the ‘Coconut’.
With its own more or less private beach frontage, a stunning spa, food of great quality this superb property. It offers an oasis of luxury and tranquillity for a truly memorable holiday experience … the package is complete!
