Laico Atlantic Hotel, a four-star hotel situated in Banjul recently received a Certificate of Excellence 2012 award and a 'thumbs up' as one of the best among the hotels operating in the Gambia by Trip Advisor, a popular online media specialising on reviews and advice on hotels, resorts, flights and vacation rentals among other services in the tourism industry.

The announcement of the award was made Tuesday at a press conference held at the hotel in Banjul. Speaking during the briefing, Pascal Demarchi, the general manager of Laico Atlantic, said the hotel promotes destination Gambia and serves the local community, government, public and private sector from other parts of the country, and tourists.

Explaining the Trip Advisor's method of assessment, he said it was based on travelers' comments, opinion and judgments of their personal experiences of hotels and its services. "Though we are not perfect, we are caring and value our customers. As a business, mindset quality, standard and good service delivery is our strength as we always want our guests to come back," he added.

Demarchi, who resumed as general manager of the hotel a few months to the beginning of the last tourist season said the hotel management and staff are honoured and proud of their achievement especially in terms of standard and quality service him and his team provides. "In Laico we have excellent and hardworking team," he stated. He promised that the hotel management will not relent in their efforts to provide training for their staff because it is the secret to their achievement.

The hotel sales and marketing manager, Modou Tala Jobe said that Laico Atlantic is unique among the hotels in The Gambia as there are no hassles, and also most of the managers in other hotels have one way or the other passed through the hotel in their career.

The award winner of Certificate of Excellence 2012 has 130 staff on its payroll and 280 during peak season. The hotel facilities include 204 rooms including four suites, five bars and three fine restaurants, health and fitness centre with gymnasium and massage, water sports including a private beach, outdoor pool, nightclub, conference and banqueting facilities, and syndicate rooms among other facilities.