Although this is a hotel-resort, remember that you are visiting a different country with different standards when you come to this hotel. We found that while there were shortcomings in the facility, the helpful staff did their best to fix things and make things better.

For example, when we checked in, we asked for a non-smoking room, which is something that they said did not exist. One of the people working the front desk went to check out a particular room they had in mind for us to see if it were acceptable. When we got our key and went in, we realized they gave us one of the best views at the hotel, in a larger room with an enclosed balcony/kitchen.

Another example: when we did not find any soap or shampoo in our bathroom, the gentleman at the front desk found us an empty plastic bottle and filled it with shampoo/soap until they could install a soap dispenser in the bathroom, which they did the following day.

I did not experience the other problems people wrote about in the older reviews. No one was trying to sell us a tour (maybe because the tour office was unattended the whole time we were there.) The maid came every day, despite our hanging up a "do not disturb" sign. So, the room was kept clean. While we did not go to any of the buffet dinners, we noted that there was live entertainment with dinner for two nights out of the seven. The breakfast did indeed include the company of birds and cats, but we found them charming and threw them pieces of cheese and croissant.

We liked the internet service, although the A/C in that little room took a while to cool off the air. And the wireless internet was useful for my iPod in the lobby (it doesn't reach further than that.)

We stayed there for 4 nights over New Year Eve and were pleasantly surprised with the hotel . We had booked it thru HRS at a very competitive rate ( They seem to have take the hotel out of their selection now ) .
The place has been renovated recently and rooms are nicely furnished and spacey.
The kitchens and the bathrooms have not been replaced so they are used and a bit below the standard of the rest .
On arrival our reservation was not known and the first room we were offered was very noise just above the restaurant .
We asked for a room change in the evening but had to wait until the next day .
During our stay the hotel offered childcare and daily activities on the beach.
3 cayaks , snorkelling equipment, boule , ping pong , bath towels for the beach and a room safe were all offered free of charge.
We had booked just bed and breakfast , breakfast started at 6.00 which was nice as we used to get up very early .
The selection was good ,we enjoyed to have the breakfast on the veranda right on the beach .
There are 3 small restaurants in walking distance , near the Casino .
On our last day we had to vacate our room by noon but could get fresh towels and were offered another room to have a shower until we had to depart , nice service .
Except on arrival , staff was friendly and helpful.
During our stay the hotel was quite full , many French families with children . Still the atmosphere remained relaxed .
Although the beach was not overly large we never found it crowded.

Where do I begin! That place is absolutely decrepid. I can't believe that it is still operating. It is the dirtiest hotel I have ever been in. They desever 0 stars, because that is exactly what they are.

My family & are were in Gwada on vacation and decided to stay @ an hotel this time versus staying w/ friends. The boys went last year and stayed @ the Creole Beach (they loved it) ~ I visited while there & it is very nice indeed. Because they were booked, I chose the Canella Beach. Bad, huge, monstrous mistake! Why did I do that. It's unforturnate there was no where else to go. I will never stay there again. We are in Gwada quite ofter.

The hotel lobby, stairway, hallway are nasty dirty. Unbelievably dirty. The white tiles were gray during our entire stay. The rooms smell horrible. Mold & mildew. The A/C hardly worked. In our sons' room, it never worked. The hotel's water system was out. We had to leave and go take showers @ a friends house. The property is ugly. They need to tear the hotel down and renovate. It needs complete upgrading. The entrance to the hotel is extremely unattractive. Makes you want to turn away and run as far as you can. Thank God we only slept there. I was so afraid of bedbugs. I could not wait to get back & write about how awful that place is. Just the thought of being there makes me quiver.

The front desk staff was not helpful or understanding. The do not appreciate their tourists. I will say that the housekeeping staff did a decent job w/ the rooms. We did get daily turndown service. I only saw (1) pool. The restaurant was okay for breakfast. The free breakfast was not bad.

I will never stay there again. The area is nice for tourists, but that hotel is trashy.

This place is funny. Dont look at the photos on the expedia website. This place is nothing like the photos. I wish I had taken some photos. The rooms were not that great. The food was OK. The best thing was the TV. 4 english channels including an NBC station from New York. The beds were comforable. Thats about it. I dont think this is a good place for a vacation.