The Kairaba considers itself a cut above the rest and claims a 5 Star rating with some justification, it attracts a similar clientelle.

Its grounds are spaciously self-contained in 15 acres of lawns between the Senegambia and Holiday Beach hotels.

Inside the arched and guarded entrance is a carpark and a variety of smaller concerns including the Gambia Experience's base and the Casa Fernando fish-restaurant, the drive is lined by the 26 cheaper, shower-only rooms and the administartive blocks.

The drive drops between the main buildings with the large reception lounge to the right and always very cool with what must be super air conditioning.

There are a number of restaurants to choose from, this is a plush place where holiday makers hobnob with the VIPs attending the hotel's conference centre.

Two storeyed Portuguese styled blocks contain the presidential Mansa Suite, 2 executive suites also with kitchenettes, and 121 double/single premium, standard and studio rooms all with bath and shower, mini-bar, safe, TV, direct international dialling, fast room service and tasteful decor.

The lawns slope down past the croquet pitch, to the figure of eight pool, which has a central bridge marking the 'deep end' from the toddlers pool.

Alongside, the Malimbe Restaurant is a bit more casual than the other restaurants and the round thatched Bolong Bar is backed by gardens and hedged lawns that border the hotel's 300 metres of highly sandbagged beach.

Room only 1180 - 4600 dalasis for a double and 950-2930D for a single