My Five Star Paradise: Living It Up at the Coco Ocean Resort and Spa, The Gambia

“Happiness lies in your own hands.” – Madonna.

At some point, this lunatic journey around the planet will reach a peak. From which zenith, it will continue back down the same hill I climbed up and I know I’ll look back with pride and tell you all how much fun it has been travelling around the world. If that peak ends up being my two nights in the five star paradise at the Coco Ocean Resort, here on the Atlantic Ocean Coast of The Gambia, then I’m happy with that. Check this place out.

As a long term backpacker and now a professional travel blogger for almost 4 years, this was a high. When I checked into the Coco Ocean Resort and Spa after a long and tiring border journey, I had reached paradise. A moment of elation and pure bliss. I was lonely, thinking of someone else but I was content. This place was absolutely stunning. If these photos and my words don’t do it justice, nothing ever will. Welcome to the Coco Ocean Resort and Spa! Mr. Blair, you are in the Royal Penthouse Suite, room 52:

Here are just ten of my highlights about this place, the Coco Ocean Resort and Spa in Serrekunda, the Gambia.

1.Excellent Staff – 5 Star Service
Having worked in hospitality in loads of places down the years including hotels in Bournemouth, heritage centres in Bangor, ferries in Guernsey and bars in the land down under, I always stand by the fact that a hospitality business is all about the staff.

Good staff make for a good business and here, nothing could be further from the truth. “Good morning Sir”s a plenty. From the manager Terry right down to the bar staff, laundry staff and spa staff. Always with a smile and promoting happiness in the workplace, rubbing up with minimal effort on clients and residents. To put this to the test, I met almost every member of staff and got photos with them! Everyone was happy!

2.By the Beach
I am in the Royal Suite, room 52, out my window I can view a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean. I walk the short 3 minutes down the hill and I’m here, on the beach. By the Atlantic Ocean. I swim in the sea, I sip beer watching sunset and it’s pure bliss.

3.Down the Pub – Sugar Cane Bar
My regular local pub for two nights was the Sugar Cane bar. I tried my first ever Gambian beer in here – JulBrew, a decent drop.

4.In the Spa
I was knackered from my border crossing journey from Senegal so I headed to the spa to recover my body. The guys and girls here do all sorts of massages, treatments and manicures to keep you happy and healthy. I had a one hour body massage and my body felt great.

5.Private Pool
I was in the Royal Suite, room 52 so I had my own private pool. So private I could have gone skinny dipping and nobody would have noticed. Over the years I have never been shy about getting nude on the move, from naked parks in Germany to snow diving in Finland to shrinking willies in Antarctica. Closed curtains this time 😉

6.Five Star Breakfast
Breakfast at Coco Ocean was ridiculously awesome. One day I had the continental option, the other day I had the salmon eggs benedict. All breakfasts came with a choice of fresh juices, coffee and tea, salad, fruit and bread. It was an all you can eat option too.

7.Wi-Fi All Over the Complex
Despite the fact we are in Gambia and by the Atlantic Ocean, there is Wi-Fi all over the complex with lots of different networks. As I was out here on a Lost Luggage challenge with no laptop and no luggage, I loved the fact they had a laptop I could use.

This was the only time in 12 days that I could type up a blog article and upload blog posts.

8.Sunset at the Atlantic Ocean
You know life is good when you grab an ice cold beer or fruit juice and watch the hot ball lower itself from your Gambian sky.

9.Luxury Bathrooms
My suite had not just one but two bathrooms! But I was travelling alone. I did feel that I wish I had been with a girl to enjoy this experience with her. Alas, I gave one bathroom a miss and just used the one nearest the bedroom, but this was pure luxury and I felt fresh and clean every day.

10.Fruit Platter on Arrival
When I arrive in my exquisite suite, I am surprised to find a full healthy and juicy fruit platter sitting waiting for me! The room also has tea and coffee, a full kitchen and a mini bar!

On top of all this, I got to try some tasty treats from the chefs, relax in the lounge of my suite and generally just chill out here.

When I was in the Gambia, I also toured the sights of Banjul, crossed the ferries and land borders into Senegal, stroked crocodiles at Kachikally and enjoyed two nights at Banana Lodge. It was a brilliant time in The Gambia and this stay at Coco Ocean Resort and Spa will be remembered for a long time. My thanks to Terry and Emma for their wonderful hospitality and it has been a dream to add the Coco Ocean Resort to the long long list of places I have slept down the years.

Here are the details for booking the Coco Ocean Resort:

Website: http://www.cocoocean.com/pages/accueil_coco2pag.html
Email: [email protected]
Address: One Bamboo Drive, Kombo Coastal Road, Serrekunda, Gambia
Phone:+220 446 6500

Here are some videos I made from the Coco Ocean Resort, please check them out they are amazing!!