We arrived home from Barbados this morning after spending 11 nights at Sugar Bay — our first time staying here — and overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our holiday. I always try to provide honest and detailed reviews, as I rely heavily on them when choosing destinations myself.
Positives
• Smooth and Efficient Check-In
Check-in was quick and easy, and our room was ready immediately, which was very much appreciated after a long journey.
• Excellent Food Across All Restaurants
The food was consistently very good throughout our stay. There was always plenty of choice, and we never struggled to find something delicious at any meal.
• Wonderful, Friendly Staff
Every member of staff we interacted with was friendly, helpful, and welcoming. Their warmth really added to our experience.
Areas That Could Be Improved
• Room Cleaning
Although the room was cleaned daily, the standard wasn’t quite what I’ve experienced in similar hotels. Coffee was only replaced on 4 out of 11 days, and water was never replaced (although it was always available from reception).
• Limited Communal Toilets
There is only one toilet area serving the pool, beach, and bar. While the facilities were always clean, there were only three toilets for ladies. Also, only tissues were provided for hand drying — I really think a hand dryer would be more hygienic and cost-effective in the long run.
• Lack of Hand Hygiene Stations
I would strongly recommend adding hand-sanitising stations at the entrances to all restaurants. While I always wash my hands before eating, not all guests do, and this would help reduce hygiene risks.
• Gym Equipment
I used the gym on 8 of the 11 days and found it clean and tidy. However, it would be great to have some smaller dumbbells available, as many hotel gyms do. Overall, though, it was better than most hotel gyms I’ve used.
• Beach/Pool Area Management
This was the biggest issue. As other reviewers have noted, you need to get up very early to secure a sunbed. Umbrellas were extremely limited, and we weren’t always able to get one — a real concern given the strong sun and high temperatures. Towels were also a challenge; I believe providing towels in the room with a strict swap system could help prevent people taking more than one each.
• Palm Tree Maintenance
This is a safety concern. On two occasions, members of our party were hit by falling palm leaves while on the beach. The leaves are large, and thankfully no one was seriously hurt. Many trees had dead fronds that clearly needed removing — regular maintenance by a professional would prevent accidents.
• Sea Floats Hygiene
The floats in the sea were increasingly covered in algae, becoming completely green and slimy by the end of our stay. Regular cleaning would make them far more pleasant to use.
Overall
Despite the areas that need attention, the food, staff, and general ambience of the hotel were fantastic, and we had a truly enjoyable stay. Would we return? Yes, definitely. I just hope management takes steps to improve these few issues. (I have also provided this feedback directly to the hotel.)