5 Star Barbados Holidays

Chip McGee

I have been a Hilton customer for over 25 years. Although Hilton has many fantastic facilities, this one really misses the mark. This location is very dated and is need of a makeover. The rooms were okay but nothing to write home about. And our bed was very hard and uncomfortable. It would be great if the doors were soft close as well. People in general have no consideration for others when it comes to just letting the doors slam shut. Soft close doors would go a long way to keeping the noise level down. Our complimentary breakfast was okay but the staff were not friendly at all. It was like they were pissed off about life in general. And no sense of urgency in getting us seated or getting us our receipt when we were finished. Just not a great experience. The other staff we encountered were great. Very friendly and welcoming. This could be a fantastic facility if Hilton would invest some money into it. It’s in a great location and being right on the beach is really nice. I think we’ll try the other Hilton property when we return in the future.

Michael Brinkofski

We were visiting for a long weekend of scuba diving and decided to stay at the Hilton due to how close it is to dive shops. For a tropical location Hilton, this one is immaculately maintained, the rooms were in great condition. The bed was comfortable and we were upgraded to the corner room which was huge with a balcony. I also spend a lot of time around the resort lounging near the pools, getting drinks brought over to me. The staff from the time you pull up to security to cleaners were super helpful and friendly. This is a must stay location for Barbados.

Melissa Cappy Sanfilippo

Stayed here for 4 nights. I did not have super high expectations when we booked. The best part about this hotel is the location and how beautiful the beach and water are. Water view from the room is beautiful. Other than that this hotel is completely lacking. The pools were green, slimy and murky during our entire stay, so gross looking to the point I did not even want to go into the pools. They were working on fixing the pools the entire time to no avail. The tv in the room did not work. On our last night we were informed the at they air conditioning was not working in part of the hotel which included our room. The room got hot, humid and uncomfortable and was hard to sleep in. If this was not our last night we would have checked out. The ice and water machines on each of the floors were not working or had white murky water coming out of the machines. The hotel is not very clean or well kept generally. The room next to us had ordered room service dinner and the food sat on the floor of the hallway for over 36 hours, we eventually called to have the food trays removed and it was done but hours later. Breakfast at the hotel is relatively expensive and food is mediocre at best, best part is the egg/omelette station. Besides the beauty of Needham’s Point and Carlisle Bay I would not recommend this hotel.

Tia Ekern

My husband and I stayed 5 nights here. May 17-22nd. It was right at the end of the Tourist season, and just before the rainy season. The room was great, with fantastic view of the ocean. Our room stayed cool the entire time. Every staff member we met was very friendly and helpful when needed. Service was a bit slow at meal times, but I think that is how everyone just runs here. It's "Island time", and we were in no hurry! Prices were high, but we expected that. It's a small island that has a LOT of their items imported. The hot tub was out of order the entire time we were there, which was disappointing. The building itself is from the 60s. That said, it seems they have been able to update it fairly well. I would stay here again if we get the chance to visit the island again.

Joseph Sanfilippo

Would not recommend staying here, while the location, views and beach are top notch. Overall, the hotel struggles with cleanliness and staff friendliness. Room service dishes from other rooms were left in the hallways for nearly 48 hours and only taken away after calling front desk multiple times. (Not even our food). Lobby tables and areas around the hotel seemed dirty and usually topped with garbage, cups or beer bottles. While guests should throw away things after themselves, coming down stairs at 8am to find beer bottles from the night before should be unacceptable from staff. Pool was murky, water/ice machines produced cloudy and unclear water and the AC broke down our last night. While not all staff, a good portion of staff seemed bothered when asked a question or simply by saying good morning. Again, not all staff but was sub-par for staying at any resort in the Caribbean. Best part was the beach, the cove is perfect and really beautiful, this was the savior and only reason to stay here. However, the staff does not regularly pick up towels or set chairs to know what is available. Again, if a person leaves the beach they should bring their towel with them, but staff could be more attentive to ensure people looking for chairs know what is available and what is not.

Tani B

Lots of goods and lots of bads —- We spent a week at the Colony Club Hotel in April 2024. It was a lovely week and we had a good time. There were lots of negatives and lots of positives! One disaster is how unfriendly the staff are. With a handful of exceptions of nice staff, the majority of the rest were somewhere between ignorant and almost harshly unfriendly. Even when you approached the staff with a bright smile and "good morning", there was usually no warm or friendly response. We have never felt so unwelcome anywhere. And it wasn't just us who were treated so rudely, but all the guests. I found two small birds kept in a barren cage next to the restaurant very unkind. This is good for nothing and terrible to look at! The hotel is getting on in years, but is expected to be renovated from the end of April 2024. The fantastic beach deserves a special mention! Unbeatably beautiful! The free water sports facilities are also great! The quality of the live music in the evenings (which changed daily) was excellent and provided a wonderful atmosphere during the very good food. The lush green gardens are just as beautiful. So the possibilities are there!!! Probably being renovated now too... now if they could just find nice and friendly staff it could be great.

Brian Newell

My wife and I have just spent 12 nights at the Colony Club hotel. It is probably the best experience in an hotel we have had. With great thanks to all the staff from the kitchen, waitresses,waiters and reception. We cannot mention them all by name but special notes for Brian , John and Monica who catered for our every need. This is the only way to thank you all for our amazing holiday. Brian and Elizabeth Newell.👏😉

Christina Ring

Our experience here was not a good one. First the good points: we got into our room earlier than check in - some of the employees were very friendly - the views were very pretty - we had an amazing taxi driver who we were able to call upon a few times - our maid was wonderful and very thoughtful!! The very wrong issues: 1. This building is not being kept up to a standard that matches the price you are charged. The outside of the buildings have rotted wood and black moldy stains. 2. The main pool was under construction ( they offer you some hotel credits for food etc.) once they finished the construction part of the pool they then started filling up this huge deep pool which meant we had little water pressure. It was not fun having to shower with such little water pressure. 3. The bathtub is very aged. The bathtub faucet was not working correctly - it was very difficult to change the water from bath to shower. 4. Room service would take too long to get ur order and then deliver it to ur room. 5. The television would not work at times. We had a remote that didn’t even have a back to it. The batteries were taped to keep them in. 6 The food was below average yet priced high. So maybe it was timing but I will not be going back nor would I recommend it to anyone.

D

Awful service throughout from the front desk to restaurants to cleaning staff. SPA massages not only expensive but not worth a quarter the price…don’t seem trained at all. Cleaning staff left room open and unlocked during stay. Room not cleaned properly, and not ready for check in. No communication skills. Overall, understaffed and under-trained, and with very poor attitude.

Gerry Kaspers

Very friendly staff and good service. The beach is lovely with an excellent swimming area with good snorkelling right off the beach in a safety buoyed area. The beach is tree lined as well which is good for shade as well the usual beds and sunshades. Don’t worry if you don’t get a sea view room. All the rooms look into very lovely luxuriant tropical garden. Breakfast buffet was good though not so much choice if you are vegetarian (lots of eggs!). Drinks are on the higher end for Barbados.

Chenay Kelly

I recently spent 5 days at this resort in Barbados, and while the overall experience was truly amazing — with a clean environment, beautiful surroundings, and a staff that felt like family — there was one unfortunate incident that I cannot overlook. The resort itself exceeded expectations in many ways. The grounds were well maintained, the amenities top-notch, and the workers went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed and at home. They truly became like family, and for that, I am incredibly grateful. I fully intend to return and make this my new go-to getaway spot. However, I do need to share a serious concern. On our very first day, $300 was stolen from my guest’s belongings inside our room. We reported it immediately, but the response was disappointing. It took over three days for management to begin investigating, and during that time, one of the managers even laughed at the situation — which was incredibly disrespectful. The police weren’t contacted until much later, and although we were told the resort would handle the report, we were never given any follow-up or resolution. We spent $4,400 on this trip and work hard for our money. To be violated in a place meant for relaxation is unacceptable. I strongly urge the resort to implement better employee vetting and background checks to ensure future guests don’t go through the same. Despite this issue, we still enjoyed our stay and left with beautiful memories. But I hope serious improvements are made, because a resort that provides such a great experience otherwise should also ensure guests feel safe and protected.

Itsuitz

Stayed here Christmas 2024. Had a great Christmas and New Year but when all the guests had left I really wasn't that impressed. The rooms we stayed in were lovely and beautiful views. Watching the sunrise every morning :). I found most of the staff rude and unwelcoming and the manager was meant to meet me regarding our room as it was rarely cleaned but she didn't even turn up to the meeting. Putting all that aside...the weather was lovely every day and we spent most of our time off the all inclusive resort and laughed with the locals. Sam Lords/Wyndham hotel is in the middle of nowhere so expect to travel 25 minutes to Bridgetown and surrounding areas where it is much better and great beaches.

warren robinson

This was my first time staying here. Decided to bring the wife for her birthday and baby moon and for us just to relax. We had a great time! The resort staff was very friendly and made sure we were good. The entertainment worked their asses off and made sure we had a good experience. The food was great! Ive seen a few reviews about the food being unsatisfactory.....i dont know what they're talking about. Check in and out was smooth. Ill be back

N DeSouza

Nice hotel overall. Service is not 5 star, but there are many staff willing to assist you and ensure you are satisfied and a limited few that may not offer the best service. Evening entertainment was limited, but a good vibe. It doesn't feel like an all-inclusive hotel but they don't have enough restaurant options. The Castleview restaurant is better than you'd expect. Negatives: There is a nasty smell coming off the beach as you walk near to it and you can't walk on the beach in the water due to the amount of seaweed that is washed up. Bars lack premium alcohol (except the Burnt Cask Rum bar which only has rum). Any room service is $25 per order! Also, house keeping crew are not consistent and despite having a nice suite booked, we never once saw the butler service offered during the 6 days we were there. It's hidden away without anything to do off the resort without driving a minimum of 20-25 mins. Good value for Barbados, but not a repeat for us.

Jason Pauxtis

I had a really enjoyable stay here. Beautiful, modern and clean property, but some of the grounds need upkeep, which is unfortunate for such a new hotel. The service overall was good, and our server at Castle View for dinner was top notch. Genuinely friendly and enthusiastic. Appreciate all the vegan options at the resort. Rooms are bright, modern and spacious. Gym is moderately equipped, enough to get a decent work out in. The pool area has plenty of seating and offers private nooks. The lantern pool bar leaves A LOT to be desired. Underwhelming in every way, like it’s an afterthought. The beach is beautiful, but covered in seaweed. The hotel does not remove it so it just continuously piles up. $25 room service delivery fee is outrageous and unacceptable. Overall, a relaxing place to get away for a bit, but it’s not without its quirks.

Nicole HEBRON

My friend and I are in our 30's visiting from NYC. We discovered this very charming hotel online and where captivated by the images and offering this property is marketing. We love that this was by an area where the sea turtles frequently can be swimming and the water is crystal clear blue. A Charming Boutique Stay with Room for Improvement: The Property & Ambiance: This is a picturesque, boutique-style hotel with lush landscaping, thoughtful decor, and a charming, tropical atmosphere. It reminded us a bit of The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, but more relaxed and laid-back. The grounds are well maintained, and the beach area offers stunning views and clear blue water—some of the bluest we saw in Barbados. One thing to note: the beach loungers are not directly on the sand, but there is a stairway nearby to access the water for swimming. Bird droppings occasionally appeared on some cushions, a reality of the natural setting, though the staff did make an effort to clean and replace them regularly. Spa Experience: This is one area that really needs improvement. The property does not offer a full-service spa. There is only one massage therapist on-site, and appointments were fully booked by the time we arrived—even though we had tried to arrange treatments in advance via email and were encouraged to book upon arrival. This was disappointing. We ultimately booked a mobile service (“Massage on Wheels”) with the hotel’s permission. That experience was excellent—professional and relaxing. We highly recommend Cobblers Cove consider expanding their wellness offerings to include a proper spa facility. Service & Staff: Service was a bit inconsistent and often slow—definitely “island time.” There wasn’t much proactive hospitality. For example, no one ever came around to offer drinks or food poolside—we had to get up and search for someone or go to the bar ourselves each time. Staff attitudes varied. Some were warm and friendly—Dameon was particularly cheerful and helpful. However, others, particularly some older staff, came across as disengaged or even dismissive. One moment at the bar stood out: after placing an order, I overheard staff laughing and was told it was an “inside joke,”... One time an older staff member said something after I asked for something at the bar. And then they said something quickly and then bar tenders where laughing & I said what's so funny...and they said oh nothing "its an inside joke" ..but the locals at the bar sitting there where laughing too..so it couldn't have been just an inside joke.I am all for joking, laughing, and having an enjoyable time. But, If your not laughing with guests & they have to ask and you say it's an "inside joke" then they feel your laughing at them or complaining about them this is a really unprofessional behavior esp. as a more senior employee. It left me feeling not so great. Portal: The booking/reservation portal never worked for us, which made planning ahead frustrating. If functional, this would significantly improve guest experience and organization.

lianne stubbs

We had the best time here, the decore, the rooms, the food, the staff, literally everything was so gorgeous. We love boutique hotels, and this has been one of our favourites so far. The entertainment on the evening is subtle and very classy. Again, we like nice background noise, rather than in your face. The staff make it overall, they are all local staff and thier chilled energy and way off life is definitely helps you unwind. The view for breakfast is breathtaking, and the food is so fresh. I highly recommned this hotel.

Astra Kurme

Very uninterested staff, almost arrogant waiters. Most kind and nice were guys at the bar. Clean and comfortable rooms. No guest relations at all. Breakfast poor and greedy - buffet - bread and simple carbs. No fruit. Limited to 2 eggs per person. Looks more like nursery house. Practicality no swimming pool- a little more like a bath was near of the dining area. Souvenir shop mostly closed.

Des P

Having stayed at various hotels around Barbados, we were advised to try Cobblers Cove—and thank goodness we did! From the moment we arrived, the experience was exceptional. Although our initial room wasn’t to our taste, the staff promptly relocated us to a beautiful and more suitable room, setting the tone for an incredible week of bliss. Cobblers Cove quickly felt like home, and the staff truly became friends. Special thanks to the housekeeping team for keeping our room immaculate throughout our stay, even as I returned from diving, paddleboarding, fishing, and other excursions. Your attention to detail was truly appreciated! Bradley at the water sports outlet was a standout. Not only is he an amazing person, but his tips on snorkeling, finding turtles, and the best fishing spots made our adventures unforgettable. And Virgil at the bar—what an absolute gem and a true statesman. His warmth and professionalism elevated every moment. The hotel’s design and attention to detail are second to none, perfectly blending with the stunning environment. The flora and gardens are breathtaking, and kudos to the grounds team for maintaining such an incredible space. Cobblers Cove is cared for with genuine passion by a team that excels at what they do. Thank you all for putting up with us and for creating memories we will cherish forever. We can’t wait to return and see you all again soon!

Jim Lynchehaun

Cobbler’s Cove deposit repayment I paid a substantial deposit in March 2024 for a stay at Cobbler’s Cove, Barbados from January into February 2025. Unfortunately due to my wife’s failing health I found it necessary to cancel our holiday. Following a phone call to the hotel from myself, I was assured I had cancelled within the time limit to receive a full refund of the deposit, late November 2024, as I recall. This can be proven to be correct by the email string I have on the subject from the hotel front desk manager. I paid the deposit of £7,856.19 on an HSBC debit card, which shortly after I paid was lost in an ATM machine. The hotel told me payment could only be made to the card which was used to make the original payment. Rather difficult as the card doesn’t exist anymore. Despite me suggesting alternative methods of repayment the hotel has been intransigent in insisting payment can only be made to that card. I asked a pal who was on the island in January 2025 to give a letter I wrote for the attention of the general manager, to the front desk manager. In the letter I suggested payment could be made to my solicitors on the island and they could pay me. Not even a response to the letter!! Early February 2025, I am still nearly £8K out of pocket and no sign of repayment being made. I will now be consulting my solicitors on the island but not before giving a one star review to a hotel I never actually got to stay in. 12/2/25 Update: As well as not replying to the letter that was hand delivered to the general manager via the front desk, the hotel general manager now denies receiving an email from my solicitor. Maybe their IT system is as dodgy as their customer relations!! They now say they will accept certified passport and bank documents from my solicitor if couriered to them. I'm not holding my breath but hopefully this will do the trick. 14/2/25 Update: The general manager having received the documentation I refer to above - certified copies of passport and bank statement - has now referred my repayment to the accounts department; they want more documentation from my solicitors. Not unreasonable on the face of it, you might say, but it has taken over two and a half months to arrive at this point. Refunds policy, not fit for purpose, springs to mind. I will have my solicitor present the further documents they want and wait to see what further hoops they wish me to jump through. 21/2/25 Update: Received full refund of deposit. Yipee!! You have been warned, it's easier to pay Cobbler's Cove than it is to get your money back from them, and what you would do if you didn't have a solicitor on the island, God only knows. Partly my mistake for using a debit card instead of a credit card, so I have changed my one star rating to a two. James (Jim) Lynchehaun

Courtney Lowery

I can't even begin to describe my experience at Sandals Royal and Sandals Barbados. The entire crew at both resorts are absolutely incredible! I have never experienced such amazing service. Every single person we ran into was so accommodating and helpful. No one ever let you stand around wondering where you were going, someone was always there to lead the way and accommodate you every step of the way. The bartenders, waitstaff, concierge staff, photo staff always went out of their way to help and put a smile on your face. Also, every single person was so incredibly friendly! The Piano Bar bartenders and piano player were hands down my favorite people ever! AMAZING SERVICE!! The hotel manager even reached out directly in the Gina app! Love love love this place and will be back! Well done to every single person who works at these resorts!! Also, do a Captain Larry tour! Chris, Aka Mr. Nice Guy was an amazing tour guide and he 💯 lives up to his name!

Eric Stitt

Once we arrive, the concierge was pleasant and helpful. When we made our dinner reservations (Camille) was very helpful. When they took us to our room, the room was an oceanfront room, but the trees blocked the view of the ocean. Our room was clean but it needs to be refreshed. Now, the not so good parts of our experience. Our experience eating at several restaurants was not good. The food (main entree) took an hour to get to our table and the food was just warm. This happened during breakfast and dinner. Then on Thurday night, the water was off - No water until later that evening without warnings. When you pay for a Sandals Resort experience, you expect the best service. I felt like you paid for a Great Experience, but you only got a mediocre results. Many people here are saying the same about the experience here. The only reason I came back to experience Sandals because of the Great Experience we had in St. Lucia (Halcyon Beach). The staff, food and service was amazing.

Michelle Kirk

The service was excellent! Everyone was very friendly and helpful.The grounds were beautiful and well cared for. The beach was nice but the ocean was rough. So no water sports. All the bartenders went out of their way to make sure I had my drink, absolute vanilla vodka with tonic water. We had couples massage outside and it was amazing! The only negative for us was getting reservations to the restaurants that required it. Also, kimonos was a big disappointment. Our food was awful. Not sure if it was the chef or what but it’s not what we expected as we have been to Kimonos at other Sandals. All the other restaurants were very good. Loved lunch at Neptune’s. All in all, it was a great vacation!

Logan Farley

My wife and I celebrated our honeymoon in Sandals Royals Barbados. We had great service, and enjoyed our walk our pool and the staff was amazing. Christopher a chef at Kimonos was great, cooked very good food and was interactive the whole time. Super happy and enjoyed the night. Oshin was our server at a candlelight dinner server. She was on top of everything, getting our food and stinks quick and efficient. Dwayne and another photographer went over and beyond getting us great photos of our trip. Definitely can’t wait for our next visit.

S Chadee

Warm and friendly staff The food and drinks were top notch except for butches. They were a bit of a disappointment. Everything was super salty and inedible. Resort activities were plentiful, fun and exciting. The bowling was fantastic with a hype crew staff to make it even more memorable. As always the silent disco was a hit. There were multiple pools and there were ample loungers both at the pools and on the beach. The firepits were romantic and the nighttime entertainment was wonderful.

Steph Smith

This was our second visit to Coral Reef Club and it didn’t disappoint. The room was a beautiful sea view / garden room and was immaculately clean with fresh towels and iced water daily. The food is outstanding, from breakfast to lunch, late morning sorbet and beach drinks to evening dinner and cocktails. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff and the beach waiters are super hardworking and friendly. There is a well equipped gym and tennis coaching which we enjoyed, together with evening musicians/singers which were lovely on the evenings we dined in the hotel. The grounds are beautiful and every member of staff had a smile and hello for you throughout our stay. We cannot wait to return to one of favourite places to visit. Thank you everyone at the hotel for making our stay so special.

Maddy

We had a great stay overall – the room was super comfortable, always spotless, and cleaned really well with fresh towels and water refilled twice a day, which we really appreciated. Food quality was excellent. However, the service around the bar area during the day - lunch time- left a bitter taste. My husband and I noticed we were often treated differently compared to other guests. We constantly had to flag down staff just to get a menu, and a few times the waitresses seemed to ignore us completely. On one occasion, I sat for 30 minutes without anyone coming over, while others who arrived later were attended to straight away. I ended up going to the bar myself just to place an order – not a big deal in itself, but it felt unfair given the clear difference in how others were treated. It’s a shame, because aside from that, the rest of the staff were kind and helpful.

Maricris Reantaso

Resort is lovely overall. Most comfortable room with a quiet balcony albeit a bit dated. Nice quiet location but a bit of a walk to Holetown. Staff extremely friendly and helpful. Housekeeping service for my room was impeccable. Although at times at the bar it took awhile to get any attention and at one point even forgot my order. Both times happened around the 5pm hour so maybe it’s during staff turnover or prep for dinner service. Rules say you cannot reserve the beach chairs but people do it anyway. By 8am there are books on almost all the chairs. Rules also say items will be removed from chairs reserved but not occupied for 2 hours. Some beach butlers will do it but some won’t. I personally witnessed a pair of chairs unoccupied and not even used at all for most of the day until about 3pm. When the couple arrived, they were attended to a lot. At another day, a butler gave a pair of chairs to an elderly couple only for it to be taken away by a different butler telling them it was already reserved. Seems obvious the beach butlers play favourites. Clientele geared more towards the elderly so if you want a slightly less older scene with more establishments around the resort then suggest going elsewhere.

Eleanor Elliott

I have recently spent 12 days at the Coral Reef Club and I just had to let you know how utterly wonderful everything was. All the staff – without exception – were fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble. The food was first class and all in all my stay was just what I needed! My room, Banyan, could perhaps do with a slight re-fresh, but that is the only (slight) negative that I experienced. So I will definitely be back! Thank you everyone for making my solo stay so wonderful!

Debra Streich

e had a delightful and lovely stay at the Coral Reef Club, from the time that we arrived until the time that we left. the caliber of service was amazing! Everyone is so friendly and attentive. We were so surprised when we checked in. Our flight was later in the day, and it was about 11:15pm when we arrived. We were greeted with, "We thought you might be hungry and left refreshments in your room." We were and were so appreciative of the delicious sandwiches! When we left, one of the breakfast servers said, "I know this is your favorite table and reserved it for you!" How extraordinary thoughtful! Our stay included breakfast, which was wonderful every morning. In addition to the buffet with eggs, sausage, bacon, croissants, fresh fruit, yogurt, etc., it includes a made-to-order station of fresh omelets, waffles, and French toast. The morning standard coffee is French-press Lavazza! Unlike other resorts that we have stayed at, there was plenty of seating and we could choose where we sat. Because the resort is located on the west coast, the sunsets from the lounge were stunning and it was a great place to relax at the end of the day. The resort does not have many ocean view rooms; however, the entire property is a stunning tropical garden. Our room had a huge balcony with a beautiful view of the grounds. The room was comfortable. The hotel has an excellent location. After touring the island, we found that Holetown is one of the best places to stay with excellent restaurants and shopping. The hotel is located two properties away along the coast from Folkstone Marine Park which has one of the best reefs on the island. Guests at the resort are very friendly and delightful. Given that Barbados is part of the British Commonwealth, most of the guests are British. Many have stayed at the resort previously multiple times and even together year-after-year. But of course, why would one consider staying elsewhere when you can stay here? We would love to stay here again on a return trip to Barbados.

Danny Smyth

I have been coming to Barbados on the West Coast for 20 years and quite honestly, this hotel is in a different class; friendly and professional. The elegance flows from the moment you arrive. From the General Manager (Ken Lockhart) extending to to all of the staff, they have you feeling a true Bajan experience throughout. From the food to Harold’s bar cocktails and juices totally exceptional…. In my 20 years of holidaying in Barbados and on staying here for the last three of them, .. I truly think there’s only two types of hotel on this island… The Sandpiper and others!!

Chris

Love this place! Only complaint would be they don’t enforce the beach lounge chair no saving policy. Even though there’s a sign against it. It’s five minutes to 10am and all lounge chairs in the front row facing the beach/ocean have books and magazines on them. NOBODY has shown up. Rude and inconsiderate people.

Clive Williams

I attended a friend's wedding here. Although I personally didn't stay at the hotel, they loved the room that they were in. We however did dine here and the food and service were excellent. There was little hiccup with my "Bajan Breakfast" but we're in the Carribbean and "deese tings tek time" 😉

Stefany Ildefonso

Everything was exceptional! The beach, the room, the service, the food, the cleanliness, the location! As soon as we arrived, we were kindly welcomed by the manager who showed us around the hotel. All the staff are very welcoming, friendly and respectful. My father forgot his passport at the hotel after checking out and only realized it at the airport. The hotel was extremely helpful, they arranged safe transport to the airport very quickly. I'm truly grateful for their help so that my dad could take his flight 😊 Highly recommend and I will certainly return. Thank you so much!

Judy Sweitzer

My husband and myself AND our daughter and son- in-law recently spent a week at The Sandpiper and had the most wonderful time. From the moment we entered the lovely surroundings until the last goodbyes we loved every minute of our stay. The owner, manager and all the staff, from gardener, housekeeping, to upper management could have not been any more kind and engaging. Our Garden Rooms were beautifully decorated with fresh flowers, and lovely linens. The nightly turn down service was exceptional and the rooms were spotless. The beach and gardens are stunning and the breakfasts were over the top delicious and served by wonderful staff. We felt so special during the entire stay. We ate at Harold’s Bar a few times and also had delicious drinks while on the beach. The included water sports were an added treat. We can’t thank the Sandpiper enough for the wonderful vacation spent with them in Barbados. If we could give a rating of 10 out of 5, we would!! We were sad to leave but hope to return.

Matt R

We found the resort to be very gay-friendly, so would encourage any members of the LGBTQ+ community to visit. We had such a wonderful stay and have to give a huge thank you to our Butlers - Latoya, Nadia and Shameka - for making our stay extra special. They sorted all our dinner reservations for us, walked us to the restaurants at night, reserved our favourite spot by the pool, brought us over surprise drinks throughout the day and delivered lunch to our sun loungers. They would often leave little surprises for us to go back to the room to - such as a cheese plate and a drawn bath with champagne on ice. The resort is huge and the number of food options is incredible - every meal we had was delicious, but I would particular shout out to Bombay (the Indian restaurant) and Chi (the pan-Asian restaurant). The spa was lovely too and we had very relaxing massages and facials. The rooms were spotless and the layout was great because the bathroom felt private (unlike other hotels we’ve stayed at that can feel too exposed). Our room had a tranquility soak tub on the balcony too, which was the epitome of luxury! Next time we will pay extra for private transfers because we didn’t like the mini-buses that shuttled people to and from the airport. The only part I wouldn’t recommend is doing the Rum Historical Tour through “Island Routes” - it was boring and far too much time was spent in the car. We felt like it was a waste of money. We have already booked to come again next year at their on-site Travel and Loyalty section where you can bag yourself a really good deal!

Terrence Callender

The staff was professional and courteous with everyone. Food was delicious as I expected it to be. Nightly entertainment was creative. Daily pool side activities like volleyball and aerobics in the pool. Room refrigerator was replenished everyday at 10 am. Red lane spa gave the best facial and massage.

Crystal Fallon

very beautiful resort. Our room was oceanfront and was nice and spacious. The food was amazing at all the restaurants Service was a bit slow though. we had a few problems with our stay such as a telephone not working in a toilet not working at first. We spoke to Dexter the manager and he was very helpful taking care of the issue promptly. I highly recommend this resort if you'd like all inclusive stays as the food was phenomenal and the staff are also very kind.

Jon

As with all my reviews I compare them against my expectations as set by the price and what the place promises before I arrive. In this case for Sandals they pitch as an ultra all inclusive and pricing is considerably more than an average all inclusive so I expected just that. This review is pretty lengthy so here's a summary for those that don't have the time. If you have already booked this resort you are still going to have a good time. There are a few niggles and if you have been to other Sandals resorts, i'm not sure this one is quite up to the same quality of the others, but all in all the staff are friendly, the food was mostly great and we still enjoyed it. Many of the niggles I had will not apply to Butler Level guests. For those with more time here are some of the facts from our experience: Arrival As Club Level guests (not Butler), we received a warm group welcome in the lounge. Our room wasn’t ready as we arrived early, but the concierge kindly took us to lunch at the Jerk Shack. We were disappointed by the lack of Sandals Loyalty recognition—no welcome pack, no invitation to the loyalty dinner, and we only learned on the last day that member discounts applied to photos and shop purchases. Be sure to mention your membership upfront when spending ANY money on resort. Room Our room in building 11 was spacious, clean, and nicely decorated with a good-sized bathroom. Housekeeping was mostly fine, but sheets weren’t changed for the first 4–5 days until we asked, and replenishment of coffee, towels, etc., was inconsistent. Cleaning seemed to happen late each day. Turndown service was offered just four times in our 12-night stay. Minor issues included a phone mislinked to another room and a bathroom door that wouldn’t stay shut—nothing major but not expected for luxury all inclusive. Food / Restaurants Food was generally good. Butch’s, Dino’s Pizza, and Kimono’s were highlights. Portion sizes have shrunk to reduce waste, but you only realise this when meals arrive—sometimes mains were smaller than starters, though staff were happy to offer extras. Restaurant bookings were frustrating; the earliest we could book was nearly a week in, which would be tough on shorter stays. Service at the British pub was great under one staff member, but it declined once he left, with long waits and missed orders. Staff were friendly throughout, though interactions felt scripted. We waited daily at non-bookable restaurants—often up to an hour—despite empty tables not being cleared in time. It felt like the resort was over capacity for its facilities. On the bright side, Azisa at the doughnut and coffee shop was fantastic—friendly and remembered our orders. Pools The pools were clean and well-kept, with attentive staff and decent drinks. Loungers were padded and comfy—but hard to find. On three mornings we couldn’t get a shaded spot, even by 8:10 a.m. Sandals really needs more loungers and umbrellas to match guest numbers. Pool floats were almost nonexistent—just three total—mostly monopolised by swim-up guests. Poolside drink service was poor until our final days, when a standout staff member, Shermano, provided excellent service at the quiet pool. He was friendly and made a great Bob Marley cocktail—others could take note. Entertainment Entertainment was enjoyable with fun daytime activities at the main pool. However, it was repetitive—expect the same shows and games in week two as in week one. Beach The beach had soft white sand and plenty of available loungers. Unfortunately, the sea was red-flagged most days. The breakwaters made things worse by trapping seaweed and creating choppy conditions. Swimming wasn’t pleasant, and the water wasn't clear. For a better beach, Carlisle Bay was beautiful and worth a visit. Overall I felt there were not enough staff / facilities to meet the number of guests at the resort. I don't think this is a bad resort I just don't think it had the Luxury level that i expected and have had at other Sandals resorts. Frustratingly a lot of this is fixable if Sandals invest just a small amount!

Clinton Bradley

Our room on the 6th floor has an amazing view. I can not say enough about how good and fresh ALL the food was!! I do mean EVERYTHING, from the smoothies to the steaks! The staff and crew are extremely polite and very helpful with everything!

Rosanna Coppola

The Fairmont Barbados is on a beautiful beach and location is great for a tranquil vacation. The hotel is pretty with pink walls and pretty fountains and landscape. The landscaping needs cleaning and some plants were dry but overall it was nice. At night it’s pretty with all the lighting. The nightly sunset views from the bar restaurant are gorgeous and they have live music. The food at the hotel is not the best. It’s ok tasting. For the prices charged (specially the $175 lunch buffet) the food is not that good. The service is also OK. Some staff are great and we looked around for the special staff that we knew would assist best. The rest of the staff definitely need some “Fairmont corporate training”. Overall the rooms were very pretty. We had the bottom floor upgrade room with a little balcony. I am not sure how the upstairs rooms look. Our balcony bottom floor was nice and very clean and nicely decorated and updated bathroom. The fridge did not work. They gave us free waters all the time and I really appreciated that. The balcony does not open to the beach. Would be great if you could just walk out your balcony to the beach. You have to go around the resort to the back in order to access the beach. The breakfast food was pretty good. A lot of fruits and hot plates. The drinks were pretty good overall. Some staff bring them out to the beach but you have to hunt them down for that to happen. Overall, if I came back to Barbados, I would stay at the Fairmont again but with adjusted expectations.

Dawn Heidlebaugh

We had a wonderful experience, the room although older was well appointed and comfortable the only thing I would have changed was new softer sheets! The sheets were not comfortable they felt more like muslim not a high thread count. We loved the people who worked there, Tia was our first contact and she was fabulous. Nicole with our beach drinks, Dawn our butler, Tony the driver, everyone we came accross was delightful!!!!!!

mario smuglovsky

The hotel was very dated and does not justify a 5 star rating nor the associated pricing. My suggestion is spend a few extra dollars and stay in Sandy Lane. We went to that property and you can see the difference immediately. Unfortunately, the Fairmont needs a lot of updating and the staff has to be begged to provide service. It seems like they don’t want to be there or perhaps underpaid and lack training in hospitality. Lastly, the food quality is poor and the prices are not commensurate to the quality.

tony trice

This hotel has lost its shine and is being run on a shoestring budget – the feeling was it was getting ready to be sold or closed. This is our experience in April 2025 and made us very sad as we had been travelling there for Many years. Their lovely atmosphere has now been lost

Peyton Mcginnis

Definitely on island time here. It's like you're at the edge of the earth, and you could dissappear here if you ever needed to. Beautiful place, great people, great food and the facilities are quality. About a 40m ride from the airport but worth it, close to shops, dining, golf, and shopping. Great trip and good for kids.

Megan Lane

Just came back from a lovely week at O2. We stayed in the Sunrise building where we had a gorgeous ocean view and a beautiful large balcony with comfy furniture. The staff at the hotel are incredible, so accommodating and so friendly. The food is good. We loved dining at Oro and went there twice. We also were happy with the options at Elements. The one meal we didn’t love was at Brisa, but it’s all inclusive, so you can go have another dinner! I really enjoyed the Oasis bar where I got iced coffees and banana milkshakes. The swim up bars were fun too. The beach was beautiful but the water is a bit rocky, so I wish I had brought water shoes. The resort is a short walk from nightlife in St Lawrence Gap. We had a great time and hope to return.

Nexa M

Our stay at O2 Beach Resort and Spa was nothing short of incredible. From the delicious food to the beautiful facilities, everything was absolutely top-tier—but what truly made our trip unforgettable were the amazing people. We met Thandeka on our second-last night, and even in that short time, her warmth and kindness left a lasting impression. Holando, our poolside bartender, was one of the highlights of our trip—friendly, genuine, and always ready for a great conversation. Chef Simone at Brisa is a true talent—her food was extraordinary, easily some of the best we’ve ever had. Shakera was always smiling and made us feel instantly at home, while Lael, our concierge, was incredibly helpful and attentive, handling every detail with care and professionalism. And Damisha…. simply an angel. We met her early in our stay and felt an instant connection. Every time we crossed paths, she greeted us with the warmest smile and kindest energy—it truly meant a lot. Everyone we encountered, even those we haven’t named, played a part in making this the best experience we’ve ever had. The team at O2 is something truly special. Thank you all for the incredible memories—we can’t wait to come back! 💜💜💜

Kayley Lake (Travelfit by Kayley)

My family had a wonderful time here. I was worried it wouldn’t be family friendly but it was absolutely perfect! (They have an adult only side and a kid friendly side) Loads of activities for families too! Food was great. Rooms are stellar. Views are amazing. Beach a bit rocky but still gorgeous.

Dorine Preis

Not the luxury resort we were expecting. From the onset the reception staff was not accommodating. They ranged from pleasant but not helpful to a bit surly. The service staff on the other hand was very pleasant. Two of the pools were attractive but because of their odd shapes were not meant for swimming, just dipping. The third was on a rooftop and small, but cozy. While the food was included, it was only available during certain hours. If you missed the breakfast or lunch hour the only option was a grab and go cellophane wrapped sandwich or granola. Rooms and internal hallways were stark and on the industrial side but the bed was comfortable and the shower large and accommodating. Apparently they have a shortage of towels and we could never get the additional wash cloths we requested. Because of its location the waters here are choppy, not the calm Caribbean Sea we looked forward to. Also, the resort is located in a very crowded somewhat run down part of Barbados. In the past we stayed in the area north of Bridgetown and that is where we would go in the future.

Priya G

A small boutique hotel with a touch of luxury. We had a very relaxing time at the O2 and glad we chose this for our first time in Barbados. It’s a 15 mins taxi ride (53BBD on way to hotel, 80BBD on way back) from the airport. From the outside it does not look like a 5 star hotel and is on a road with lots of local restaurants and bars. Inside the experience is of beauty and luxury. It’s a small resort and had everything we needed. Very clean. Typical crowd: middle aged some with children (10 years +). Very few young children during our stay in the Easter school holidays. Not much to do for younger kids. Music in the evenings was mellow. Ended by 10pm. Few activities and some are not inclusive. Plenty of bars and restaurants for a small resort. No problem booking restaurants for dinner. 3 pools which are good to cool down in but not for serious swimmers. Great pool bars. Amazing cocktails. The ocean area is small so you can’t really have long beach walks and the sea is too rough to swim in. Great if you want to take in the sun, ocean sounds with a cocktail or two! Friendly bar staff and some pool/beach side service. The rooms are good sized with large bathrooms. We had a room in the adults only section overlooking the pool and ocean. Beds were great. Amenities not restocked which was a let down and housekeeping hit and miss. Soundproofing not great. AC worked well which was a nice relief from the humidity. The best thing about this resort is Oro restaurant. A truly luxurious experience. The other restaurants were fine and the food was generally good. They accommodated dietary requirements better in some restaurants such as blufin (thanks chef Paul) and Oro. You can pre-order food if you know what you want to eat. Being on holiday, I prefer a break from thinking about what to cook so personally would prefer some options I could choose from. Food in buffet did not show allergens which made it trickier to find safe food to eat without someone to guide us. Quite often the servers did not know the ingredients so they had to find a chef. Overall it was a great experience. For another trip to Barbados I’d definitely explore other parts of the island but no problem recommending O2 as a good hotel if you don’t want to be too far from the airport.

John Horton

Phenomenal place with extraordinary staff! We have been MANY places, and generally have "been there done that, what's next?"....but The House and Barbados may be on our..."we really ought to do that again" list!

Benjamin Föckersperger

One of the best hotels on the island! For an all inclusive hotel it is really a great place. Not the typical tourist trap... Will book it again next time I come ;) all rooms are right at the beach, turtles came by at night to nest. The food was delicious and they have two more properties next door, where you can eat as well. Rooms always cleaned up and fresh towels. Just perfect. Also no kids! So good to be in silence and enjoy the atmosphere

Heather Pafchek

The House was a wonderful situated boutique hotel on the most beautiful beach. The staff was very attentive and very sweet. A shout out to Andrew and Kobie (spelling on Kobie). They were great at their jobs and were so personable. The food was great and the bar was always hoping. From oysters and champagne on the beach to the rum punch being served beach side, we had a fabulous time.

KIMBERLY LANDERS

My husband and I stayed at this resort for our Anniversary. We were very disappointed in the customer service. They gave us a room that did not lock. Only the first door locked not the second door that’s used to enter the room. We had to push furniture up against the door to feel safe the first night because no one could help us. The next day we communicated with them about our door not locking so they assured us it would be fixed. My husband and I went back to our room after being provided a different key. The door was already unlocked so we assumed the key was working. We left back out for awhile and upon entering our room the second door did not lock. We made CS aware and they again told us they had it fixed. Well my husband seen the staff climb over the balcony and went in thru the patio door to unlock the door so we could enter our room. Once again no one was available to fix the lock. Again we had to push furniture up to the door to feel safe. Next issue the room had a smell. It reminded me of a sewer smell. We asked staff if we could change rooms and they told us the resort was sold out. So we was forced to stay in that room with sewer smell. Lastly, we scheduled a massage a week before arrival. When we went down to the spa no one was there. We waited there almost an hour an no one showed. They finally told us the lady who works in the spa called in. I asked why weren’t notified instead of wasting an hour of our day sitting here. No one had an answer for us. Our Anniversary trip was ruined. Not to mention the amount of money spent to get to Barbados

Dhwani Rajvaidya

I am incredibly disappointed with the management of the Elegant chain . We had a confirmed booking at Waves Barbados, but they changed our hotel last minute, offering us their sister property, The Coral then The House etc. This was extremely inconvenient and caused a lot of stress as we had planned everything around staying at Waves. To make matters worse, communication was dreadful. They took ages to reply to our emails, leaving us in the dark and anxious about our accommodation. This level of service is unacceptable, especially given the reputation and cost of staying at such an establishment. I sincerely hope our stay improves, but this has left a very bad taste in our mouths. Avoid if you want a hassle-free vacation.