Crystal Cove by Elegant Hotels

Barbados, Caribbean

Virgin rating

The hotel

Crystal Cove is an all-inclusive hotel located right on the beachfront on the platinum west coast of Barbados. This beautiful resort features lush gardens and three impressive freshwater swimming pools, complete with a spectacular waterfall and swim-up cave bar. Flowers cascade over walls and balconies, and everything leads down to a glorious beach with a generous array of water sports, including water-skiing, sailing and more, all complimentary of course! There is a fabulous kids’ club to keep the little ones out of your hair, allowing you to relax and enjoy the full range of facilities and entertainment (of which there are plenty!).

Amenities

  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Snorkelling
  • Tennis
  • Water Skiing
  • Windsurfing
  • Babysitting service
  • Kids Club
  • Families
  • Honeymoon
  • Wedding
  • Bar

Where is it

In St James, on a delightful west coast beach. 15-minutes to Bridgetown. Transfer time from airport: 30 minutes.

Hotel information

88 rooms on 2 floors in various buildings with no lifts. All with a balcony or terrace, air-conditioning, satellite TV, mini fridge, complimentary WiFi access, safe, bathrobe, slippers, and hairdryer. 

Pool/Garden View Rooms with 1 king-size bed or twin beds, sleep maximum 2 adults and 1 infant (up to age 2 years).

Please note: the majority of the Pool Garden View Rooms have a garden view and the pool views are limited. All rooms are non-smoking.

All Inclusive of: all meals including afternoon tea and all-day dining. Local and premium-brand drinks and house wine (fine wine and Champagne at extra charge). All activities and entertainment unless otherwise stated. Water taxi to select west coast sister properties. Dine Around programme with other select Elegant Hotels properties (drink and meal supplements may apply).

Oceanview Rooms - with beautiful sea views and 1 king-size bed or twin beds, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Junior Suite Pool/Garden View - with a separate sitting area and sofa bed, lovely views of the pool or garden, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 people.

Junior Suite Oceanview - as Junior Suite Pool/Garden View but with beautiful sea views, sleeping maximum 3 people.

1-Bedroom Suite Pool/Garden View - bedroom with separate living room or loft suite with upstairs bedroom overlooking living room, living room includes sofa bed and second full bathroom, 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults, 2 children and 1 infant (up to 2 years of age).

1-Bedroom Suite Oceanview - bedroom with separate living room or loft suite with upstairs bedroom overlooking living room, living room includes sofa bed and second full bathroom. 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults, 2 children and 1 infant (up to 2 years of age).

Reflections (all day dining with buffet breakfast and a la carte dinner, as well as international buffet evening on Wednesdays). Drifters Restaurant and Bar (beachfront Caribbean restaurant, serving casual buffet lunch, afternoon tea, and a la carte dinner, as well as beach BBQ on Saturdays). Cave Bar (swim-up pool bar). Vista Coffee & Wine Bar (serving drinks and light bites). The Beach Bar. Taste of Elegance Dine Around Programme offers exchange dining with select sister hotels' restaurants* (meal and drinks supplements may apply).

Regular evening entertainment and weekly manager's cocktail party. Events hosted at Vista Coffee & Wine bar to include wine pairings and tapas nights.

3-tiered freshwater swimming pool. Spa services available*. Fitness centre. Wellness classes including yoga, pilates, and water aerobics. 2 floodlit tennis courts. Complimentary motorised and non-motorised water sports including snorkelling, stand up paddle boarding, banana boats, tubing, sailing, kayaking, and water-skiing. Beach Olympics. Freddie's Island & Adventure tour*. Apes Hill Golf Club*. Complimentary Flying Fish Kids' Club for ages 3-12 years with latest game consoles, pool table, electric race track and more. Swimming with the turtles snorkel tour*. Mixology demos.

Room service* (meal times only). Complimentary WiFi available in the rooms and throughout the resort. Laundry service*. Complimentary daytime water taxi (subject to availability and weather conditions) to select West Coast Elegant Hotels. Gift shop*. Babysitting available*. Green Globe certified. Beach Ambassador service. Concierge services to assist with island excursions.

A Tourism Fee will be charged per bedroom, per night and will be collected at check out. The rate is subject to change by the Government, and varies by hotel room. Fees currently range from 8.75 Barbadian dollar (approximately £3.90) to 35 Barbadian dollar (approximately £16.00) per bedroom, per night.  

1 night between 5 Jan—31 Jan, and 1 Mar—21 Dec.

5 nights between 1 Feb—28 Feb.

7 nights between 22 Dec—2 Jan.

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: child ages are up to and including 16 years.

Please note: Drifters restaurant and bar is open subject to occupancy numbers.

Dress code: dining is elegantly casual after 6:00pm.

Please note: the Dine Around programme is only available at select properties and may be subject to an additional cost dependant on the board basis booked. A complimentary water taxi to select west coast Elegant properties is available during daytime only and subject to availability and weather conditions.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1550)
  • Very good (646)
  • Average (212)
  • Poor (101)
  • Terrible (85)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Demise of a once great Barbados hotel…..

Mar 25, 2024 MGessex

I appreciate this is my opinion based on my latest experience of Crystal Cove Barbados but I’m giving my advice to other travellers thinking of coming to this once lovely hotel. Firstly it has been widely known the Elegant resort hotels were sold to Marriott Bonvoy recently (although I didn’t know this) I booked for a weeks stay in March after… Read more
I appreciate this is my opinion based on my latest experience of Crystal Cove Barbados but I’m giving my advice to other travellers thinking of coming to this once lovely hotel. Firstly it has been widely known the Elegant resort hotels were sold to Marriott Bonvoy recently (although I didn’t know this) I booked for a weeks stay in March after staying here in 2022 with my family. Back then things were tired in and around the hotel but my other family members rooms had been refurbished with walk-in showers etc, however our room 123 (deluxe ocean front) was very tired with a shower over a bath and an old rusty/mouldy shower screen and generally a very tired room. So when we arrived at reception after a long flight at 5.30pm it was the start of our poor experience and seeing the demise of this hotel. We were not offered the usual cold towel or offer of a welcome drink. We were just sat down and asked for our credit card and to sign forms. So after this not so friendly Caribbean welcome we headed in anticipation to see what room we had been given………oh wait, this room looks familiar….yep….it was the same room we had before! And yes it was still very tired (2 years older) and not a thing had been done to the place, still the climb over the bath tub to get to the shower head (definitely not suitable for any persons with a disability or of an old age) so to say we were disappointed was an understatement!……I’m afraid it gets worse. Upon my wife pulling back the sheets (something I think many people do at hotels when they first arrive) there was a stained ground sheet! Lovely after a not so welcome welcome, no drink, no cold towel, same old tired terrible room but this time with the added bonus of a stained sheet! Strange as when we are repeat guests at other hotels we usually get a complementary bottle of fizz or fruit or 50% off a spa session, oh no not here, you just get a stained sheet!! I forgot to mentioned the A/C wasn’t working and warm air was being pumped into our room, even with the remote control saying 16c. So after this terrible arrival experience we headed to our dinner (which incidentally they kindly booked for us at 6.30pm, we had only arrived at the resort at 5.30pm and hadn’t had time to unpack or take a shower so this was a ridiculous time to put us down for!) Dinner was served in the main restaurant (that also serves breakfast) May I add that there is no dress code anymore so my trousers and collared shirts I had packed were not needed as I sat next to a guy in his 40s in a superman teeshirt and sports shorts, I looked like his grandad sat on the next table!! The food in the restaurant on this particular evening was al a carte. I’m afraid the food was really not very good, limited choice, small portions and had been plated by a 5 year old! There was no care or pride in the serving of the food. Our mains were just as bad so our first night was a disaster! We are now into our 3rd day at Crystal cove and to suffice to say our experience has not improved albeit with clean sheets now, so we have booked to eat at local restaurants for the remaining duration of our stay because of how poor things are. My point of view is this…..I have since been told why the resort is like this is, it’s because it’s going to close for a refurbishment in the next year or so, so it looks like they are just running the place down, limited food and drink. Staff that look unhappy. The beach is unkept, no attempt to clean, rake or tidy. The entire hotel is in a very poor state and isn’t being maintained properly so A/C that do not work are being left until the refurbishment is carried out. My gripe is of course I’ve paid top dollar (no I’m not American) for this holiday and I’ve had a terrible experience. We waited for a holiday rep who was supposed to come the day after we arrived but didn’t turn up at the time stated so I couldn’t relay my dissatisfaction to them about our holiday experience. I said at the start of my review this is my opinion and people may not have had the same experience, upon talking to other guests (one couple had come to Crystal Cove 5 times before and said this was the worst experience so far) they all said how poor things were. if you are thinking of booking here, or you have booked here then I’m sorry if this upsets you as you’re probably excited about coming. But please reconsider changing your booking and go somewhere else, or insist you get a deduction from your holiday as this hotel is advertised as a 4 1/2 out of 5 virgin rated property……well it isn’t even a 3!!! Maybe 5/6 years ago it was but I question any Virgin representative from the U.K. has actually visited this hotel in recent years as it’s definitely misrepresented by the company. I hope that once the much needed refurbishment takes place it will transform this hotel back to the way it once was, I just wanted to add that during our stay we had to undertake a fire drill and meet in the local tennis court for a head count, we had a day of power cuts so no air con or Wi-Fi. We also had numerous fire alarms going off throughout our stay including one at 6am which woke everyone up. It’s was something out of a carry on film! Due to the whole experience at Crystal cove I’m afraid I will never book here again and I just wish I had been informed of the current state of affairs at this resort before I arrived so I could have booked elsewhere. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Not what it was!

Mar 22, 2024 Buzz K Cardiff, United Kingdom

Staff are outstanding but this resort is most definitely not what it was. It’s worth mentioning that I rarely post a review and I’ve been to Crystal Cove on five occasions. Let get the obvious out the way, the resort is tired and needs a serious upgrade, but I believe that is in hand and I did not come to the Caribbean to sit in a room. My main… Read more
Staff are outstanding but this resort is most definitely not what it was. It’s worth mentioning that I rarely post a review and I’ve been to Crystal Cove on five occasions. Let get the obvious out the way, the resort is tired and needs a serious upgrade, but I believe that is in hand and I did not come to the Caribbean to sit in a room. My main concern is the quality of the food being served. Choice is very limited and unlike before when both restaurants were open every evening (almost), they now rotate between the two, it’s rare both are open on the same evening if at all. Evening meals are a hit or miss, we had some good ones and a few more not so good! Lunch is a non event, the choice is burger, hot dog or grilled fish from the BBQ or either pork, chicken or lamb done in a “red wine BBQ sauce” from the hot plate and that is every day! I’ve seen a significant drop off in the quality of the food being served over the last 7 years, that is such a shame. I feel for the staff, I genuinely believe they are doing the best but this resort is not worth what it is now charging and I’m afraid I’ve seen enough now to deter me from coming back. There is better value elsewhere on the island, we’ve seen that for ourselves. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Don’t believe all the negatives as the positives far outweigh them!

Mar 14, 2024 SteveAD Cheltenham, United Kingdom

We were a bit concerned after making this booking to stay at Crystal Cove as quite a few of the reviews were negative. However, our concerns were unfounded as we are having a wonderful holiday and the hotel accommodation, the food and location are excellent. Yes the hotel is dated and the management are addressing this but it doesn’t spoil your… Read more
We were a bit concerned after making this booking to stay at Crystal Cove as quite a few of the reviews were negative. However, our concerns were unfounded as we are having a wonderful holiday and the hotel accommodation, the food and location are excellent. Yes the hotel is dated and the management are addressing this but it doesn’t spoil your holiday and our room has a comfortable king size bed, lashings of hot water, a powerful shower, great AC and a huge tv. The wifi signal is great anywhere in the hotel grounds, including the beach and the food has been exceptional. OK so at busy times you have to wait for a table to become available in the restaurant- big deal - it’s not an issue and the food choices and variety have been excellent.The vast majority of the staff are charming and friendly and whilst a few - very few - may come across as a bit miserable they are few and far between and no different to any other hotel we’ve stayed in. The good staff are truly excellent and can’t do enough to help you. Each evening we have had some wonderful singers entertain us as we have an after dinner drink - of which there is enough to sink a battleship. There’s always enough sun beds and the refreshing beach drink and ice creams service is always welcome. So, don’t take too much notice of the negative reviews as the positives outweigh them and we will be sad to depart on Saturday. Would we return - definitely! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Enjoyable experience though not perfect

Mar 13, 2024 K3742CHangelaw

We really enjoyed staying on this property! The beach was large and spread out that we didn’t have to worry about reserving chairs early, and had three nice pools. Although some items in the room were a bit weathered, like the dresser drawers, that wasn’t a big deal (you’re on the beach!). The food at both restaurants was good but buffet style… Read more
We really enjoyed staying on this property! The beach was large and spread out that we didn’t have to worry about reserving chairs early, and had three nice pools. Although some items in the room were a bit weathered, like the dresser drawers, that wasn’t a big deal (you’re on the beach!). The food at both restaurants was good but buffet style most of the time. It was nice having the Cave Bar open throughout the day. Their website indicated there was beach ambassador service but the only thing we saw was a nice gentleman coming around a couple times a day offering popsicles. We expected drink service so maybe it was just a misunderstanding on our end. The water taxi to sister properties was nice and while we only went to Waves, we found Crystal Cove’s facilities and beach much better! Overall we really enjoyed our stay and would go back. While the staff could have been friendlier (most of the time they seemed annoyed with us at dinner or the bar), Sasha and Tanya really stood out!! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Inconsistent customer service in a tired hotel!

Mar 13, 2024 Jenny P

Hotel situation is super in a beautiful cove. The hotel itself is quite quirky in a good way but very tired We were upgraded to a suite after a very difficult start to the holiday when our booked room was not available and we spent 1 night in a very poor room. The food was excellent throughout the holiday. Interestingly the staff were either… Read more
Hotel situation is super in a beautiful cove. The hotel itself is quite quirky in a good way but very tired We were upgraded to a suite after a very difficult start to the holiday when our booked room was not available and we spent 1 night in a very poor room. The food was excellent throughout the holiday. Interestingly the staff were either excellent or had a major attitude problem including some of the management team. Kathy and Sasha in the restaurant were fabulous consistently. Richard the customer liaison Manager was brillant and ensured our holiday went smoothly after a tricky start! Without him this review would be very different! Read less