The Club, Barbados Resort and Spa

My first visit to Barbados. Our arrival was problematic with regards to our room. Difficult time dealing with reception staff who tried to bully us into signing a waiver over the change of room. We didn’t sign, spoke with our TUI rep and the matter is now in the hands of their complaints department. Warning, do not sign any waiver. Once in our room, it was fine, a little tired but most of the resort is like that. Despite having seen photos of a small beach, there isn’t one now. The sun beds are quite good and no real problem getting one each day. The restaurant meals served by waiters/waitresses are fine but nothing special. The self service which is every lunch and a few evenings a week is not good. Poor presentation and uninspiring selection. Meat and fish tend to be over cooked for my liking. Evening entertainment is actually quite good and people are up and dancing every night. There is also the Piano Bar which opens at 11pm and is good fun with again, lots of dancing. The older staff are very friendly and helpful but it’s a pity this attitude hasn’t been passed to some of the younger ones - no smiles, snide looks, ignoring guests. There is a tourist tax of approximately 25US dollars per night per room which is bloody expensive but as we were with TUI, they paid for part of it and ours came to £108 for fourteen nights. I believe if you travelled with Virgin, BA,, or booked direct you will be charged the full amount. Over the two weeks we were there, we enjoyed our stay but it was a lot of money for not very much. I won’t be returning.

We booked for 14 days on recommendation by friends who had been many times before. Good points: Great staff and excellent general manager Caroline who is very visible. Good food selection at all meals Good bar staff ad range of drinks Lovely grounds, pools and vista on to lovely sea. Easy walk to beautiful uncrowded beach. Easy accessibility to walk into Holestown Local buses outside. Not so good: Some rooms have outdated decor and fixings, particularly the bathroom. Saying that the important things like shower were excellent. Some of the guests could be very noisy but hey I guess that is the world over. The use of kayaks and hobicats is good but if experienced 30 minutes is not enough. Also why not launch from sandy beach than over the rocks. Limits their use. Other notes: Most of the evening entertainment was pretty good with a few exceptions. Buffet nights were a weak spot in food selection but rest of the a la carte table menu days make up for it. We saw hygiene and temperature checks been done regularly on the food which was very reassuring. Been all inclusive makes this an amazing resort.

We stayed at the Club in September 24 and enjoyed every minute and now in process of booking for this year. The hotel is managed by Caroline and team with an ethos for customer service,the hotel,rooms and pool area are very clean and the beach is a very short walk.The restaurants have a varied tasty choice daily,including buffet nights. Any problems that are highlighted are promptly dealt with. Holidays are what you make them and there has to be a level of acceptance when in different surroundings. Some of the previous reviews I consider to be unfair,it’s a great stay. Alistair

First time stay. Lovely place,generally lovely people. We will go back. However, it is frequented by a population of (British as are we) travellers of a certain age and seemingly a certain sense of entitlement. (See some other reviews.) Sadly beach time was taken up with having to listen to their whinging about; surly staff, slow service, general pettiness about scrambled eggs being too sloppy. They don't feel like they should have to lift a finger or walk a step. Oh and apparently it's too hot. Just stay at home then!

This is the place for you if you want a chilled holiday, probably not if you want to party non stop. I was impressed with everything really being all inclusive- no extras for branded drinks, a free rum tasting, daily guided walks around Holetown, Aquarobics (harder than it looks), watersports... The crowd is older, but some 30 somethings turned up so I wasn't the youngest here as I first feared. Our room was clean and tidy but the mattress didn't suit my husband. I slept well! Food was good all trip, though I do recommend getting out and about to experience the food too. Enids serves more carribean food, Sunset is more varied/ European. A few reviews mention a lack of beach...and it is true. A near miss with a hurricane swept it away! But Sandy Lane and Folkestone beaches are a short walk if you need to lie on the sand. You can swim straight from the hotel beachfront and you MUST borrow a snorkel. There is a stone breaker just off shore teeming with fish and for a weak swimmer you can stand up at low or medium tide. Staff are friendly and helpful unless you are an entitled a-hole! Sadly there were a few here. If you want 5* bells and whistles, this isn't it. It you want a relaxing holiday, it definitely is.