Hotels near Golf de Saly, Saly Portudal

We stayed at the hotel for 9 nights with our two young children and some friends who also had their kids with them. We found it a real mix - the setting was really beautiful - gorgeous beach, lovely pool and nice looking huts to stay in, but there were lots of annoying problems throughout the holiday. Firstly, the food looked pretty decent - but it tasted fairly average unfortunately. As the hotel is all inclusive, this left us feeling like we were a bit stuck for dinner (although we ended up going to another hotel to eat a couple of times for a bit of variation). The puddings in particular weren't great - they looked awesome, but often just didn't taste of very much. Secondly, dinner is from 8-10pm. Maybe this is fine for many guests from the Mediterranean, but it was really late for our kids (who are normally in bed by 8) and there was no flexibility offered and no way of ordering dinner early from the restaurant or something. That left us with ratty kids getting tired and staying up late, or going to bed hungry. Another annoyance was the very loud music being pumped out by the pool. The clientele when we were there were hardly 18-30 party animals - almost everyone either had kids or were in the older age bracket, so it didn't seem to fit and ruined the general feeling of peace on the beach and down by the sea. The loud music continued into the night with raucous drum performances every few nights and loud music and singing on others. That started at 10pm and went on for a couple of hours most nights, keeping us and the kids up even later. For families I would recommend asking to stay further away from the restaurant so this would be less of an issue. Also, although there weren't many mosquitoes visibly around, even in the evenings, we got bitten to death at night. There were no mosquito nets over the beds and I assume that they were getting in through the thatched roof as we weren't able to track them down and get rid of them. My little one got 50 bites over a couple of nights and I had a couple of dozen - even using DEET and trying to cover up at night. I could barely sleep with them buzzing in my ear and ended up wearing full length clothes all night to avoid getting savaged every night! Annoying not to have nets which would have immediately solved the problem and are standard in many other hotels we have traveled to around Africa. Some more positive things were the availability of taxis outside the hotel, who the hotel were able to call for you if you wanted. We went on a tour to the nearby Bandia Reserve which was pretty decent and the (quite grumpy) hotel events guy was able to arrange this easily. The staff were nice to the kids, although a bit rude and non-responsive to us which didn't make us feel particularly welcomed. Also for fellow Brits or other non-French speakers, the staff didn't speak much if any English (to be expected and we speak reasonable French so were able to get by). There was a bit of gentle harassment from sellers

Lovely spacious and very clean room, good bedding. The staff is attentive, very welcoming, smiling and warm. The breakfast and dinner buffets are varied and good, there is something for everyone! (especially the dessert buffet -:) We had a very pleasant week.

Excellent hotel with just a few minor drawbacks, none of which should put others off staying here. The rooms are dark (I suspect most of them, certainly ours) as they are very long and the glass doors (which serve as windows) are shadowed. The wardrobe is unusable without a ladder (not provided) as the hanging rail is 3 metres up! The shower and spa bath need maintenance, but everything else in the room was perfect. Breakfast is chaotic - no other word for it - which would be forgivable if it was included in the room rate. Coffee, when available (just one filter machine, have to ask them to fill it) comes either as ultra-strong bitter or dishwater, omelettes can take 30 minutes to arrive, availability of other things variable. Dinner quality is good, but takes forever to come - we waited 1h 40m for our main courses! But... the price is good and the rooms and pool areas are fine.

I was staying at this hotel through an organization who I was partnering with to build a school in the area. I knew almost nothing about the hotel and was pleasantly surprised when I arrived. It is a lush tropical paradise right on the water. The grounds were covered with flowers and palm trees. There were lizards, birds and butterflies everywhere and it is right in the center of town. The people at the front desk were very warm and friendly (though they mainly speak French). They also have a bar and serve a decent buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner daily at the hotel. On Saturday night they have live music. The rooms were a decent size, though the beds and pillows were a little hard. The bathroom hot water also can get boiling to the touch so you have to be very careful with that. Overall, it was an unexpectedly great experience, aside from the beds and the overly hot water. I would definitely recommend staying here if you are in the area. There is also a great little reserve with zebras, ostriches, rhinos and other animals less than an hour away.

The hotel is in a great location, located in the tourist area, close to the sea and you can walk to the beach on foot. The hotel is decorated with bougainvillea and has a pool bar for relaxation. The design of the room is a four-bedroom layout. When I go there, there are very few people. The whole hotel is very pleasant. The autonomous stewed lamb at night is superb.

The hotel is perfectly situated on the beach, there were plenty of loungers and umbrellas available. The hotel staff - with the exception of Reception - were inattentive (bordering on rude) at meal times and at the bar on the beach. This may have been a language barrier issue as the French guests were greeted, seated and served very quickly. Breakfast was self service with plenty of choice with freshly cooked eggs and a friendly chef. Evening meal arrangements changed between al a carte to buffet in certain days which was a little odd as the a la carte meals were obviously prepared earlier and sat waiting to be served as the food was never served hot. The room was clean if a little tired, tea & coffee was replenished daily. The terrace was large but seemed unfinished with metal poles sticking out of the wall. Senegal is not an affluent country and I wasn't expecting luxury but the staff attitude left a lot to be desired and ruined our experience.

This really is a lovely hotel most efficiently run by the Directrice - Stephanie - the gardens & pathways are between the buildings are immaculate & beautiful, the pool is superb & continuously skimmmed of leaves & insects. I had a suite on the top of a two storey building. White walls dark wood furniture, bedroom, bath room & sitting room - very spacious. Two televisions efficient air con & good shower. secure wall safe+excellent wifi. Breakfast is first class with omelettes made to order. Dinner was quite varied & sometimes the dishes were a little ambitious but always well presented & timely. Dinner was served at 8-00pm - not before - with an excellent cocktail bar that really served some very tasty fruity cocktails often prepared by the charming Abi. Every night there was entertainment -band , singer, local dancing & a mannequin parade showing off the outfits put together by the tailor in Neptune boutique. Every day various activities in the pool or ping pong etc. Most of the staff only speak french & almost all the guests were french. I loved my stay & am more than likely to return if in good physical shape.

Rooms are simple (but a/c is there). The boss likes to make jokes so be prepared. Staff is friendly. Wifi was working fast inside my room. The location is right on the beach, sun beds under palm trees. For me it was the best choice. Beaches in Saly are nice, clean (no sea grass) but very touristic. Dinner was nice but don't expect much for breakfast: There was baguette, coffee/tea, juice, margarine and jam (prepared on one table). No plates, you have to take knifes from the cupboard by yourself. Anyway, I was very happy with my choice: the price is good for direct beach front location and it's great having sun beds under plenty of palm trees.