Overal
We had a very enjoyable stay at this clean, friendly and well-located beachfront hotel on the west coast of Barbados, but the slow lunch and dinner service was the one major disappointment.
Pros and Cons
• Pros: Excellent beachfront location, friendly and memorable staff, clean rooms and guest areas, well-maintained beach, strong facilities and good breakfast choice.
• Cons: Lunch and dinner service was very slow, birds were noticeable in the open-sided restaurant areas, and mosquitoes were present as it was the rainy season unfortunately.
What We Loved
The location is excellent: right on the beach, around 40 minutes from the airport, and close enough to Holetown to be able to walk along the beach. There are bus stops directly outside the hotel, and the local buses are cheap ($3.50 BBD per trip), frequent and a fun way to get around. (We liked the Reggae bus)
The staff were the standout part of the stay. Everyone we dealt with was friendly, helpful and welcoming, and several staff members remembered guests by name, which gave the hotel a warm and personal feel. Special thanks to Nigel, Neil, Brian, Shanice, Shamar, Thomas, Destiny, Danielle and Rhea, who all helped make our stay more enjoyable. They should all be Marriott brand ambassadors!
Our Ocean Front room on the third floor was clean, spacious and close enough to the beach to hear the waves which was very relaxing. Housekeeping came twice daily, bottled water was supplied each day, and the air conditioning and ceiling fan were essential in the heat and humidity.
Cleanliness and Beach
The hotel was very clean overall, including the restaurant, reception areas, guest toilets, pool and beach. The beach was beautifully maintained each morning and evening, with sunbeds set out early and the area kept tidy throughout the day.
The only cleanliness-related issue was birds in the open-sided restaurant areas, especially at breakfast and lunch. Mosquitoes were also present, so repellent is definitely worth bringing, although the hotel does spray/fog the grounds weekly and provides advance warning of doing so.
Food and Service
Breakfast was good, with plenty of choice and an omelette station, and because it was self-service there were no delays. The food at lunch and dinner was also good quality and served hot when it arrived.
The biggest issue was the speed of lunch and dinner service. On one occasion at lunch, six of us waited 65 minutes for starters, only for starters and mains to arrive all together, and we regularly waited around 45 to 50 minutes between courses even when the restaurant was not busy.
This was particularly difficult with two children under eight, and several guests seemed to eat out because of the long wait times. The problem appeared to be kitchen speed or capacity rather than the quality of the food.
Facilities and Getting Around
The hotel has a strong range of facilities, including watersports, several pools, a swim up bar, a gym, spa, nature garden, poolside bars, the Laguna restaurant and the Rum Vault with a tasting menu (at extra cost). The cushioned sunbeds around the beach and pool were also good quality.
We hired a seven-seater car for three days through Ballantyne Rentals Inc., which was competitively priced and worthwhile. It was delivered and picked up from the hotel. If you want to explore the island rather than stay by the pool or beach every day, hiring a car makes a big difference.
Would We Return?
Yes, we would consider returning because the staff, location, cleanliness and beach setting were all excellent. However, the hotel really needs to improve lunch and dinner service times, especially for families travelling with young children.
Tip: If you are on a half-board package, it is helpful that the hotel allows you to use it for lunch or dinner depending on your plans, but you may still want to eat out some evenings if service remains slow.
