The Sands Barbados

Have just returned from 2 weeks at thus hotel as a party of 5 adults, one of them elderly and a vegan due to medical issues. We had booked 3 rooms and on arrival we had rooms in each of the blocks which was not ideal. Check-in just stated that nothing else was available and were fairly dismissive, although they did say to go back the following day to see what rooms were available. The rooms were nice, clean, and large but only had AC in the bedroom, which meant it was hard to be anywhere but the bedroom due to the heat and humidity. My room never got cleaned before 3 pm, and one day, they turned up at 7 pm to clean. One day, I was left without toilet paper and had to ask for the room to be swept after they had been in because they didn't seem to do it. The floors seemed to be missed on most days, and if there was a cup that was not in the sink, it was left where it was, and no new clean cup provided. I had to request that sheets were changed after the 1st week. They did provide tea and coffee and biscuits for the room, along with a fridge with a small freezer, hob, and kettle. However, there was no cutlery or crockery apart from 2 cups and 2 glasses. The pool was nice but needed cleaning more often than it was, but it was still usable. Unless you got up early each day, by 6.30 am, there was a limited chance of getting a sun bed by the pool as people came and put their towels down and disappeared for some hours. There are plenty of umbrellas, and staff will move them if required. There are plenty of sun beds on the beach and a very nice bay to swim in but can get a little rough at high tide. Also, there was seaweed on several days, which was eventually removed by the government agency. The food was nice and there was some variety for most of our party, however the vegan person in our party often ate out for dinner due to the lack of options at the hotel. We had several conversations regarding this, but no progress was made. The snack bar menu is available from 10 am until 4 pm each day, which was a problem when returning from a trip and dinner was not available until 7 pm. The food presentation was very good and some portions were a little small. The service was also slow with a 3 course meal taking up to 2.5 hours to get through. There were several drinks unavailable in the first week due to the bar not having the relevant stock, which was disappointing. Bar staff worked hard and did their best with what they had. Some of the managers here are very unprofessional and speak to staff in a derogatory and disrespectful manner, and I was absolutely horrified to learn that is the norm here. One of the managers stated that she was 'over us and no longer cared' when we changed the number of seats required for breakfast. They seemed to forget that we were paying guests, not just someone they had met outside. I'm not surprised that staff struggle to enjoy their jobs when they are treated so badly. Evening entertainment was mediocre at best with one of the singers complaining about how little money he made and how desperate he was for a girlfriend, I felt uncomfortable even listening to him. Most of the singers were poor, and it was on par with a senior citizens' night out in Blackpool. The location is good and has a bus stop right outside. Roughly 15 minutes from airport with free parking for rental cars. There is also a chemist next door and lots of bars and places to eat close by. St Lawrence gap is also a 15 minute walk away. Read less

Amazing place for our honeymoon. We had the most wonderful 9 days at The Sands. Only 15 minute transfer from the airport, which was a very efficient airport (which is often the case with smaller airports) From the moment we arrived the staff were so friendly and helpful. We had a wonderful room overlooking the pool - it was an apartment, not just a room so great to have the space. We had a lovely balcony, and a clothes airer was a bonus (we always take pegs!). There was efficient air conditioning but only in the bedroom (which meant the sitting area was warm). The bedroom was spacious and the ensuite was sufficient, with fresh towels when needed. We got tokens for beach towels which was great, and these could be changed daily if required. The pool area was great both during the day and at night - when it was beautifully lit. The sun loungers were soooooooo comfortable - best ever sat on (I normally get a bad back but not with these!) There weren't lots of loungers around the pool but there were lots on the beach, along with parasols and the beach was just at the end of the pool so easy to go there. It says can't reserve sun loungers BUT everyone did!! The pool area was open from 6am but the pool was ready by around 6.30am. We swam every day and that was great. The food was amazing; breakfast was an endless supply of everything you could want. It was a bit of a pain having to book lunch and dinner slots as didn't always know when you would want to eat but we went for 1pm and 7pm and that was fine. If you didn't want the food in the restaurant during the day - which was ordering from three choices of each three courses (the food was all freshly cooked, and portions sizes were small but enough) you could order from the pool bar menu _ hamburger, hot dog, wraps, chicken strips, pitta pizza, tuna wrap etc. and that was from 10.30 - 4pm so that was less restrictive, and again freshly cooked. The bar was open at 10am and there was a great selection of drinks all day. The bar staff and restaurant staff were all amazing - so friendly, funny and hard working. Dinner was great as well - again freshly cooked from three choices for each three courses. I am Vegan and they made a real effort to ensure I had food to eat. There was a buffet lunch twice a week, and a buffet dinner twice a week. You also get a complimentary meal in the Noir restaurant (1 visit for every 7 nights) which was fantastic. A bit posher and men need long trousers and shoes (not trainers). Great atmosphere and delicious food. Lots of locals go there on a Sunday for brunch and lunch, and it is great seeing them walk through in their beautiful bright colours, and shows it is a good restaurant for them to attend. There is live entertainment every evening, which was good. Plenty of places to sit and enjoy after dinner. There is equipment to go snorkelling and also long float tubes to use in the pool or sea if needed. We snorkelled off the beach and managed to swim with turtles which was amazing. We had a turtle come up onto the beach one evening as well. You can also walk along the next beach and walk out a long way when the tide is high and the water is shallow and so clear. We saw sting rays and beautiful fish swimming in that area, which was wonderful to experience. We walked along to St Lawrence Gap, and that was great. We booked a private tour of the island which was worth the money. There are supermarkets within close walking distance of the hotel, and also a duty free shop so easy to do shopping. The airport has lots of good shopping as well so that is good for while waiting around!! The taxis are quite expensive but the buses are cheap - but in our opinion dangerous as they are overcrowded and drive soooooo fast, but that is personal choice. We did walk along to Pebble Beach one morning - it was 2.5 miles but easy, direct route to see the racehorses in the sea. Good to get there for 6am as by 7am it is really busy. you can give the handlers cash to have a photo with the horses, or wash them / lead them to the sea. We also did a private tour of the island which was amazing, expensive but good to do what we wanted. Recommend Hunte's Gardens if you like flowers - really amazing. Would recommend this hotel and Barbados - definitely a piece of Paradise. Read less

Great hotel great food , the only downside I found was this guy Roger on the beach He claims to be a physiotherapist but is not listed on the Barbados register He claims to be the hotel physio and asks you to step onto the beach for a quick look, he then starts massaging and puts oil on your back and then demands cash of 250 dollars for that session and says he will return for three more He is aggressive and very in your face until you pay him, generally prays on older people Read less

We chose The Sands as it was offered as an exclusive property through Air Canada. We were looking to do as little as possible, and opted for an all-inclusive property. Like most travellers, research can be a blessing or a curse. We flew to this hotel with an average attitude with average expectations. Delighted we were impressed! HOTEL: a strong boutique vibe; 50+ crowd; VERY quiet; no daytime bar racket; very civilized. Check-in was seamless. No wrist bracelets!! WHOOT! We booked a one bedroom. It seems we actually booked someone's condo - LOLl! It was a one bedroom with a living area, kitchen with sink/cooktop/fridge/cupboards, dining table for 4, very generous balcony, and two locked interior doors which we can only best guess are a) another bedroom and b) another bathroom/utility/laundry room where owner belongings are stored. Best guess. Only the bedroom has aircon...the patio door and opposing frosted window and ceiling fan are helpful for the living area. The room was outfitted as a *hotel* room and was very barren and sterile without artwork or kitchen items. Perhaps a dish cloth would have been a nice edition, but we managed. All cupboards and drawers were 100% empty; no issue, just sharing info. Instant coffee/tea/biscuits and a kettle are in-room with 2 coffee ups and 2 drinking glasses. The pool wasn't over used; we didn't use this (we're ocean folks) but it was quiet and well attended with sun chaises for guests. Chairs were NEVER an issue at the beach. The "morning rush to toss towels" was more for the pool and not so much for the beach. Everything in our room and throughout was furnished in perfect working order; modern; seemingly brand new; clean. Everything. If I could buy the bedroom floor lamp and bring 'er home, I would. Lovely furnishings. Guest Services activities were available apparently, but we never heard any promotion of the same. BEACH: our luck, we arrived during seaweed season. A small inconvenience and property staff were early to rid the beach. The beach is small and framed with two rock outcroppings with RED flags. There is a SERIOUS current that will push you smack into the rocks if you are not careful. This location is the meeting of the Atlantic + Carribean resulting in a blender of water currents. Some days there were 4' swells a mere 8m from shore; another day, we could walk out to the reef beyond the moored boats. Mother Nature will always win - respect her and you'll be safe. Sea Turtles are immediately out front visible from shore as they pop up for air, and they will tolerate eager folks swimming alongside being nosey for a water photograph. This is not a beach for walking; it's lovely and powdery but only the width of the building - you need to walk up 'n around those outcroppings to carry onward, if only for a bit more distance. FOOD: I did no groceries, cooking, meal prep or dishes. I did not starve. The food is fiiiiiiiine. It's an all-inclusive. The food feeds a broad range of guests. There is the buffet; there is a la carte. Sure, the buffet can be somewhat repetitive, but it was healthy, hot, plentiful. Portions at dinner were on the small side, but we never left hungry...besides, being lazy all day burns fewer calories. Fish, salads, chicken, fruit, desserts plentiful. The **NOIR** restaurant was lovely. Only open Tues-Friday. It took us beat to get used to booking lunch and dinner reservations every day, during breakfast. Nothing hard and fast; perhaps a loose best-guess for the kitchen. "Sure! book for 6:30 and show up at 7:00 no problem!" Keep in mind, we were there in May; not primetime. All drinks were fine. Banks beer. No Deputy beer. Wine was decent. Several options to purchase alternate brands of wine and bubbly if you wish. FOR THE 5TH STAR: as this property continues to upgrade, window sheers may be of interest to allow in some ambient light. The draperies were great; and blacked out, but when open, were very revealing within this intimate hotel. Balcony seating may benefit with traditional seating for two. Most rooms had a single mattress with 4 toss cushions against the wall. Some had an adjustable lounger. For a 50+ crowd a good ole' typical chair and small table would be a welcome addition. We hauled furniture from inside to out, and tucked it out of the direct sunlight for fear of fading the upholstery, when we weren't in-room. Some colour from some wall art would alleviate the sterility. HIDDEN NON-ADVERTISED BONUS: To our delight, we learned The Sands is one of 3 sister hotels! The two other hotels are available to Sands patrons with full privileges. We booked for lunch at The Island Inn (charming 24 room 200 yr old boutique) near Pebbles Beach to have look-see and change of scenery. All inclusive extended here too. It was great (and owner smart) to have an opportunity to check out another property. The 3rd is in Mango Bay, which we did not have a chance; it was shy of an hour north and we just couldn't fit it in during our stay. STAFF + CITIZENS AT LARGE: generally friendly and kind; generally staff were begrudging the humid hot weather - can't blame them in their uniforms slugging housekeeping wagons, tools, drinks and more. It was 34C. Many were expressionless but not rude. If you engage and are kind, guess what - you get what you sow. The towel/chair guys work HARD and are really kind. Evening entertainment was an assortment of talented duos to sing for our listening and dancing pleasure. LOCATION: 2 minute walk to St. Lawrence Gap. 10 min bus ride ($2USD or $3.50Bajan per person) to Oistin's Fish Market. 15 min bus ride to Carlisle Bay to watch the race horses bathing - GORGEOUS beach there - 11/10. Read less