Luxury Barbados Holidays

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.

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.

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.

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.👏😉

Rachel Morley

We have visited this hotel 3 times now each time for our anniversary as we married here in 1998, the first time we were greeted with a complimentary bottle of fizz in our room and a bottle of rum punch, the second time we visited we again were greeted with a bottle of just rum punch, but on our latest which was for our 25th wedding anniversary when we arrived our room wasn’t ready so had wait half hour, this doesn’t seem long but when check in is 3 and you arrive at 5 you expect your room to be ready, when we did get our room we had a complementary bottle of nothing !!! Since Marriot has taken over we found the hotel standards had dropped immensely, the rooms look tired and the tap dripped all the time and when they cleaned the room they failed to sweep our balcony for a 5 days and it only got done on request, the bath never looked clean and the maids turn up every evening for turn down at 6pm when your getting ready for you evening, on previous visits it was later when you were out. On our silver anniversary day there’s was no recognition of this but another couple who were celebrating their silver wedding anniversary the same week were given a complementary meal and a room upgrade….. The drink prices are extortionate compared to when we came 2 years ago, charging $22 for a specialty coffee ( latte) when these have been free at breakfast on previous visits …. Having said that the location is absolutely amazing and 70% of the staff are great (30% not so) the beach is one of the best in Barbados and we’ve stayed all over the island. The water sports are free (not jet ski). We’ve been informed that they will close for a few months in 2024 for a well needed face lift, hopefully with no more price hikes as they have literally doubled since our last visit, we didn’t eat in the evening here because of the price but ate at the top restaurants that were a similar price and better quality….. we will return due to location and just pray they’ve improved

Jordan Brandel

We had the most amazing honeymoon in Barbados! Sandals made everything so easy and stress-free from the moment we arrived. Our butlers Shenice, Denise, and Nicola were incredible—so kind, attentive, and always checking in to see if we needed anything. Every member of the staff was friendly and helpful, creating such a welcoming atmosphere. The resort was also beautiful. We are so sad to leave. Our driver to the airport, Roger, was especially entertaining and made the ride so enjoyable. Overall, it was truly the best time, and we absolutely cannot wait to go back!

David Geddings

Wow what an experience! We had a butler room for a week and the experience was amazing. Being paired with the Royal Barbados resort, you have the best of both worlds with double the pools, restaurants, and activities. Our butlers Jeremy, Tremayne, Shameka, Tony, & Nadia were amazing. Highly recommend!

Ricky Duncan

My wife and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary at Sandals Barbados. I booked the candle light dinner on the beach. The only negative part was my wife’s prime rib was not cooked to her satisfaction. The butler had 3 tables he had to take care of that night, so it wasn’t his fault. He did offer to send it back, but we had already waited a while and didn’t want to wait any longer. Overall, we had an amazing time and we enjoyed it immensely!

McKay Family

Sandals does it again—another relaxing vacation. This time we visited Sandals Barbados, and it did not disappoint. The airport is conveniently close to the resort, and the accommodations were luxurious as expected. We enjoyed a great mix of traditional Sandals restaurants like Butch’s and Soy, along with newer, healthier options like Heart and Sol and Greenhouse. One of the highlights of the trip was an excursion to snorkel above shipwrecks where we swam with sea turtles and stingrays—an unforgettable experience. The resort offers plenty of pool and bar options, from lively party pools and swim-up bars to a relaxing rooftop infinity pool with a great view of the resort. We celebrated our 19th anniversary here and left already thinking about our return in a few years.🌴🐢🐠🍹⛱️🏏🥂Thank you Sandals!!!

Brice Tomlinson

Fantastic experience, 2nd sandals I've been to but best yet. Staff here are all friendly, helpful, clean rooms, good events, great food, and great drinks. I couldn't say enough about this particular resort. Lots to eat as both resorts are side by side, I believe the only one like this in their whole system. I have dairy allergy, and they've been super accommodating. But really what makes this 5 star are the staff, literally every single human here working smiles, says hello, asks if you need anything, is willing to drop what they're doing to just simply direct you somewhere if needed.

Adriane Murdock

We had an amazing stay at Sandals Royal Barbados! The room was clean and spacious, housekeeping was excellent, and the staff were incredibly friendly everywhere we went. We loved the variety of bars and cocktails, and the entertainment in the evenings was a fun way to wind down. The spa was top-notch, the restaurants were fantastic, and the gift shops had great selections. Booking a tour through the resort was easy and seamless. Every part of our experience was smooth, relaxing, and memorable. Can’t wait to come back!

Daine Patton

My wife and I just had an amazing time on our Anniversary trip to this resort. The views and accomodations were excellent. The staff were all friendly and helpful. They were so polite and the spa was amazing. The pools were clean and relaxing and all the activities they offered were so fun. We are definitely looking forward to visiting other Sandals resorts.

Dee *

We stayed at Sandals Royal Barbados in the South Seas Club Level Crystal Lagoon Double Suite with balcony to celebrate a birthday and had a truly wonderful experience. The staff were exceptional—especially Samara at Spices, who was incredibly friendly and always ready to help. At the bars, Dale, Larkan, and George stood out with their amazing drinks and fun banter; they really went out of their way to make us feel at home. Every team member we encountered was warm and welcoming. The dining options were excellent, with a great variety of delicious vegetarian dishes. With the vast number of restaurants on-site at both Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados, we could enjoy a different cuisine every day, which made each meal feel like a new experience. The spa services were outstanding as well—Lean gave an incredible massage, being both attentive and professional. The rooms were spacious and modern, featuring a large balcony complete with a tub, sunbeds, and a charming seating area. Housekeeping did an excellent job, taking care of all our needs throughout the stay. Both the daytime and evening entertainment were fantastic and added so much to our stay. Overall, it was a memorable and relaxing getaway.

Taylor

My husband and I just got back from our first sandals royal barbados trip and here is our honest review! We’ve never been to a sandals before so did not really know what to expect, but had seen a lot of great reviews online. The room was great, we had a club level room with the soaking tub on the patio. The housekeeping staff were amazing, they cleaned our room twice a day, always stocked the fridge, and we had an issue with the shower that they fixed immediately. The food was an 8/10. Most places were really quick, the food was much better than expected. The sushi at soy was my husband’s favorite and we went there almost every night. The service at Bombay, butches seafood and steak and kimonos was amazing. The service overall was pretty good, just a few rude bartenders. That can happen anywhere though. The food and smoothies at heart and sol were great, service was hit or miss, some of the rudest experiences with staff were there- but we loved the food and kept going back for lunch. Lunch is kind of hard, there’s a period before dinner where there aren’t many options if you need a little snack. Room service was great for that and they were so kind. The pools were nice. At the infinity pool there were people playing their own music on top of the djs music which isn’t great to hear, and there were people smoking at the pool. I’m pregnant and there are specific smoking places for a reason but no one stopped them so we just didn’t go back to that pool. The other pools were nice. The entertainment and communication were honestly not great at all. The beach had mixed messaging, a yellow flag meaning caution, a red flag meaning don’t swim and a sign that flat out said no swimming. The water was rough and there was a bunch on black, nasty seaweed. There was no swimming and as such no kayaks or paddle boards which gets rid of a lot of the entertainment. There were no alternatives or increased activities as a result of a lack of beach. There also are drug dealers that sit on the beach at night and if you’re sitting in a beach chair they will come up to you. Of note, if you decline, they are very kind and leave you alone. I don’t know that this is necessarily a thing sandals can fix though and they do have security. Just something to keep in mind! We tried to book snorkeling the day we got in and every trip was booked until our last day. Clearly people wanted excursions and there was no attempt to add more. The schedule of events was minimal at baseline, plus they gave us the wrong schedule so there were days it said there would be concerts and then they just weren’t happening. One of the days there was a concert and it ended up starting 40 minutes late so there was just a crowd of people waiting and yelling for them to start. There was a nature walk scheduled on Monday. The communication had been so poor so we went directly to the concierge and asked if it was still going on and where we were meeting. They told us it was on and at the Barbados lobby. We showed up, no walk. We asked about it again and the manager told us it was cancelled. We left and turns out it wasn’t cancelled it was just at the other lobby. They told us there would be another one the next day so we went to the front desk at the royal side the next day. They confirmed it was in fact happening. We showed up at the time and waited 15 minutes and no one showed up and it was actually cancelled. Honestly, we wouldn’t go back just for the lack of anything to do. We talked with multiple couples who have been to multiple sandals and they said this was by far the worst for entertainment. The positives were the bowling alley- you get 35 minutes, and the sip and paint. The gyms are nice and empty midday so we got a few workouts in per day! I think overall if you want a vacation where you sit by the pool, drink and scroll on your phone while sitting next to your partner you will be in good company- there is plenty of that to see. If you want a vacation where you get to do excursions and have experiences with one another I would recommend a different location.

Hannah Wilkins

Our phone didn’t work for room service; we asked multiple times for it to be fixed. Never happened. The staff is RUDE. We literally do cruises on carnival and get better service and pay way less. The places never open on time and the staff always says “running behind”. Our room was not cleaned. I feel offended for spending this much on this place.

Marlon Jones

The best down time I have experienced in many years of travel. Exquisite views, peaceful and a lovely "genteel" atmosphere. Outstanding, unobtrusive service and a special mention of General Manager Joanna, a rare combination of friendly and highly efficient.

Mindy Han

Loved this place. Our room felt like home the minute we checked in. Everything from the bar to the pool to the restaurant were great. BBQ night was delicious (note there is a dress code). Walking distance to Speightstown and some nice restaurants

Sarah Bailey

I really love this place. Not only is it a beautiful stretch of beach, a lovely garden, great food and nice service, I just adore the details and styling of Cobblers Cove. From the bar menu illustrations to the pastel pink pencils in the rooms to the custom china. It gives Wes Anderson meets the Caribbean vibes in a great way.

Dylana

Update: Today I was reminded that generosity still lives in Barbados. Matthew, Tony, and the team from the security guard to the barman I believe his name is Matthew to Tony and EVERYONE i interacted with, didn’t just serve —they welcomed my mother, showed us the beauty of the place, and treated us like equals. In a moment when I needed kindness, you gave it freely, and I’ll carry that with me. Thank you for showing me a Barbados that was gracious, beautiful, and good. I went to Cobblers Cove for The Bar and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT. The location is beautiful, and the staff were courteous and kind. I enjoyed the layout from Security to the barman Shaquan, it was phenominal service. They treated my mom with kindness as well and I was grateful to be there -Dylana.

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.

Pascal Gaudreault

Overall we had a great family vacation at your wonderful resort. Fantastic view from our room easy place to relax and forget about the stress of life. Thank you for the good memories. We will come back.

Aaron Brander

Stayed for a week with family. For the most part the hotel was great. The highlight here is definitely the service. Reniko (bartender turned training for butler staff) was one of the best employees I've ever encountered traveling. Serious gem there. The negative is the maintenance issues we encountered. One day when we came back to our room the floor was basically flooded from the AC dripping. We were told it was due to us raising the temperature too high on the AC and even after the maintenance worker came to check it out and lowered it we still had a dripping issue. We had to keep a towel underneath the AC at all times to prevent water build up on the floor. The other HUGE issue was the water. For multiple days we had no hot water. We received a letter under the door on the third day saying they were working on it. That night when we went to shower we had no water at all. Turns out they decided to turn off the water completely in order to try to fix the issue and did not give anyone a heads up there would be no water. There was no compensation for the inconvenience whatsoever. For a 5-star resort where we had booked 3 rooms for a week I found this a bit unacceptable. Even if they just gave us a bottle of cheap champagne or something just for the gesture it would have gone a long way.

Dawn Fabean

Hotel is located on the west side of the island which favors calm waters with the hotel having direct beach access which was really great. Rooms are very spacious but could use a little upgrading, except for the bed which was the best nights sleep I've had. The property could use some maintenance and upgrading as well. I was disappointed that one of the restaurants closed for dinner without prior notification to the guests which limited menu availability and one restaurant available to eat on property. Luckily there are several excellent restaurants within walking and driving distance. The pool is small but accommodates the hotel nicely. Security around the hotel is also noticeable which was nice to see. Taxis and drivers are available at the hotel whenever you need which is convenient. Staff is very pleasant and helpful with excursions and dinner reservations as needed.

Marissa Vega

We just got back from our stay at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion and let me just say we never wanted to leave!! The food, the beach, the atmosphere, everything was top notch. Ryan down at the beach club was phenomenal, we are going to miss his smiling face! And Tia went above and beyond for us, she was amazing! We are telling everyone they need to go, you will not be disappointed!!!

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.

Alun Wall

This is a comfortable hotel. It’s a reasonable 4 star standard. Service is excellent and the staff are its best asset. Oro restaurant is excellent, but the others are average to good. Overall it’s a good hotel but it is a bit rough around the edges and could be improved dramatically by a thorough clean of the pool areas, buffet restaurants and rooms.

Judy Ledbetter

We spent a week at O2 Beach Club in early June, 2025. Really nice hotel on the beach and very clean. Our room was cleaned daily which was really nice. The food was delicious especially the jerk chicken they bring to you on the beach. The drinks were really good too. I would definitely return. Only concern were the seed weeds at the time we were there.

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! 💜💜💜

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.

Syniixz1x

What an amazing time we had staying at "The House" in Barbados. The hotel was always so clean... and gorgeous The food was superb and I do mean superb.. there's nothing they wouldn't do for you, even if you are a picky eater... The rooms were always spotless and up dated The staff we're absolutely awesome, great fun and they did everything for us and more.... Wade, Sheena, Andrew, Kwasi, Shane, Dennis, Terry, Agnes to name a few and a special thanks to Jason, the manager... Wade even took our son to play football with his local team, which was a highlight for my son, who really enjoyed it.. Our stay was truly magical and we're already looking to go back next year.. I would seriously recommend this hotel in a heart beat to anyone looking for a 5 star holiday on the West Coast of Barbados..

Tiffany Bradley

I can’t say enough great things about The House. It Our trip to Bardados would not be the same if we didn’t stay here. The staff was EXCELLENT! The rooms were gorgeous and the food was top notch. We were greeted immediately and made to feel so welcome. We were treated to a complimentary 30 minute massage which we scheduled for day 2. The hotel can arrange everything from jet skiis to transportation to the tourist sites on the island. They had complimentary snorkel gear, paddle boards and a small wind sail. It’s been only 2 days since our trip ended and we truly miss the staff, the meals we enjoyed on the patio, and the pure feeling of “vacation”. My family and I will be returning the The House soon!!

alex pattee

This is a special find if you are looking for luxury, amazing food, and the best staff I have every encountered. The entire island is filled with caring kind people, but the staff here goes above and beyond. We were here for 5 days, and every meal, drink, question, or encounter was positive. Andrew is the funny and keeps you smiling! Wade and Devere are amazing bartenders and will make you the best drinks in the world. They are serious about their drinks and I promise they can make a drink for any occasion. Nice job gentlemen. Pat can make you the most amazing omelet and they are even better when she is singing (she has a beautiful voice). Kwise is has mastered the art of taking care of people! Sophia, Mark, Rico and Anthony were amazing servers (there were plenty of servers, but we were served by these amazing people). We broke a glass one night and Antwan was like a ninja cleaning up quickly with a smile on his face!

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!

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.