The Sands Barbados

Cleanliness was an issue throughout the hotel, driven by the outside restaurant where there would be flies and birds. Plates were not cleared away quickly and consequently birds would swoop in on tables. Laundry was not always done and we had to request clean towels on multiple occasions. We were in a room over 2 floors, and it appeared that getting the cleaning equipment up the stairs was an issue. Downstairs there was no AC and this made the room rather warm although the view over the pool towards the beach was good. Service in the restaurant was slow and it was difficult to get the attention of some staff. The bar attached to the restaurant was closed due to maintenance, as a result it was an issue obtaining drinks when it rained as the replacement bar was outside near the beach. Great location though near St Lawrence Gap Read less

honest review , fantasic location .right on the beach st lawerance gap just a 5 min walk , hotel spotless ,rooms amazing we had sea and pool view, staff couldnt do enough for us ,very freindly and helpfull, my only critisum would be the bar area ,one one bar which is out side and we did have rain and thunder some days ,which didnt bother us ,but there was no where to sit and have a drink ,also the bar was a make shift canapy as the orginal bar was having work done ,but in a full week saw nobody working on it,on clear days the entertainment was good ,and i really liked this hotel , we got the local bus to the sister hotel which was about 40mins away and spent a full day there which was nice but staff not as freindly , we also went to see the horses on pebble beach at 6am where you can see the horses in the sea and for a donation you can ride them in the sea which was worth the early start , overall i would say lovely hotel more for couples and groups of friends ,family , i would return again ,probally when not nov , Read less

Great hotel in a great location , our room was brilliant with a large lounge area either kitchenette , upstairs bathroom and bedroom with a lovely view looking over the pool and sea. We had a balcony too. Upon arrival we had to check ourselves in which seems to be the norm now . The staff at this hotel could not do enough for us , they were friendly attentive and always cheerful. My only reason for giving this a 4/5 is that it lacks a bar and restaurant area under cover . Both were outside which was lovely however when it rained ( as it did most days) there was no where to sit and have a drink ! The restaurant area too got very wet and slippy. You are allowed to eat in the inside restaurant once during your stay and this was very pleasant and the food much better than the outside restaurant. The hotel is in a lovely position right on a beautiful beach and walking distance to St Lawrence gap. I would stay again but not during the rainy season !. Read less

, can’t help but love the fact we were in Barbados, however hotel was sadly a dissapointment! It doesn’t matter what you pay for a holiday you want to relax and not worry about anything ! There were some good points but sadly lots of negative points. I’d review this hotel as a 3* max, but with some good management / staff and a few tweaks this could be a 4* as advertised. I call this the hotel of asks !! If you ask you might get it or an at least an answer RECEPTION - check in was ok all done by 1 member on your own phone via QR code, was the most basic of all reception areas we’ve been in any AI hotel (we’ve been to many) DINING ROOM is outside overlooking the beach, under a semi permanent marquee kind of structure, which is quite nice overlooking the beach and the only place for all your meals (except Noir classed as fine dining which you can eat at 1/7 days, we stayed 10 days so 2 visits - book early ie on check in as only open Tue-Fri) Once you go to breakfast you’ll be asked your dining times for lunch and evening meal ! If you’re not early you can only get the times that are left ! So day 4 of holiday went to breakfast as 0815 asked for evening meal for 7 or 730 told no only 630 or 8 times left ! How do I know what time I want to eat I’m on holiday ! Snack menu is same all the time - which is burger, pizza, chicken or hotdog with chips , I ASKED if anything else and wahoo - there is an afternoon tea 4-5 pm popped in was just some little cakes, 2 little trays of tiny sandwiches and coffee nothing to shout about as was only tiny a coupe of tiny bits left but if you ASK they will make you more! Brekkie is buffet, other meals are 3 courses (choice of 4 starters, 4 mains and 4 puddings) don’t forget to ASK for more veg, potatoes etc as you’d don’t get a lot! I’ve never been AI and felt hungry the portions are small, except 2 days a week buffet is served for all meals - sadly not amazing or hot! Ice cream is available you’ll need to ASK for it ! There are no other facilities to eat once the evening meal has finished until breakfast at 7. It’s not the best if raining (Nov is rainy season) where they pull the sides down to shelter you. SISTER HOTELS - we visited Mango Bay You can visit 2 other sister hotels we were told about 1 originally and visited - swimming there was amazing with lots of sea life - you need to book 24hrs minimum in advance but recommend asap as only 6 people per day/ then changed to 3 days a week only when ASKED again! and you have to make your own way there. Sunbeds were unreal - high and padded so so comfy! but non available on the beach the day we visited so we went by the pool, lunch was delish pizza, salads baguettes as it was there buffet day. BAR - we only had a temporary bar which was a white plastic marquee and wooden bar structure as the main bar was being replaced and still under construction, we were told on checkin and letter in our room confirmed it would be open by 14/11, It just opened the day we left 22/11 and work of drilling, sanding etc was a pain but I think they worked for a max of 2 hrs a day, defo no rush to finish it !!! Bar (temp and new) are outside so great for rainy season!!! Can be big queue and waiting times for a drink as it’s the only place to get a drink …! If you’d like a cocktail and want to see a menu ASK! STAFF - Staff do not always come across as wanting help, but once you speak and smile most are helpful and accommodating. BEACH - No lifeguard, sea can have very strong current - speaking to 3 ladies all were swept along the beach by tide - 2 having to climb onto the rocks and the other rescued by 2 men who jumped in to help her after calling for help, I would just say if you’re not a strong swimmer keep close to the shore line and don’t swim alone! Great to see / swim with 3 turtles that live in the bay the beach area is typical of the Caribbean, white sands and palm trees. Beach sunbeds standard quality - your normal white and blue plastic and not all set up, arrived at beach after 8 am on the Sunday and have to ASK for beds as they are packed away each night with the sun brollies and the ones already put out were all taken, there is occasionally a drinks waiter who come around the beach to ask if you’d like a drink but this was seen only twice! ROOM - we stayed in a duplex with kitchen and kettle, water and sachets to make a hot drink. Sofa and tv with nice balcony. We noticed some rooms had clothes airers we didn’t so we ASKED and the cleaner found us one. No aircon downstairs just a fan, aircon in the bedroom and if you prop the door open it does drift downstairs. Bedroom and Bathroom just standard, our room had 2 bedrooms but the other was locked. We wanted more pillows and ASKED 2 more arrived However a week in and we came back find somone in our locked 2nd bedroom upstairs - was so weird!!! It was like having a loud guest you didn’t want! They sell the other rooms off as a super saver they have no windows or balconies and entrance is from another door - it was livable until she complained to reception who called us as apparently we’d be banging on her door, so we went to speak with them and the loud rude lady basically was complaining about her room, would not even look at us but she wanted an upgrade, I sort of felt sorry for her as the room must be horrid but she needs to read what she’s booking - it clearly says no windows or balcony sadly they never moved her so we felt like we had to tiptoe around and put up with her loud gob!!! Rooms were kept clean. TAXI’s/ BUSES - taxis’s not cheap, standard price, it was $35 from the airport and approx 15 mins. Buses are $3.50 however far you go, stay away at standard work times it’s certainly an experience… shoe horn and v bumpy on the roads. TOWELS / WATER SPORT - was a tiny gazebo at the end of the swimming pool - no sign had to ASK, don’t always get towels especially if it’s rained there won’t be any left ! All towels were good quality. WATER ISSUE -18/11 - at lunchtime hotel apparently was warning they were running out of water, tanks were completely empty by 3pm, letter in room confirmed as local works on water pipes had shutdown all water to the area, we eventually got water at 8 am the following day. You can imagine going to tea having not been able to shower, food served on paper plates and the toilets with no flush …… and you couldn’t even wash your hands 2 drinking water bottles arrived at the hotel room. GROUNDS - kept to a high standard so to round off CHEAPER AI for Barbados, do you get what you pay for? I don’t think so if you work out your daily spend, if you’re a massive drinker maybe! Advertised as a 4* I don’t believe the star rating is justifiable! Nothing about the hotel is fabulous or luxurious except the view of the pool and the beach It’s one of the cheaper place in Barbados and I’d be gutted if we had paid more tbh as looking it can go up to 9k A few of the people we talked to thought it was the best holiday ever!!! We just smiled and after lovely chats realised they hadn’t really been AI other than Spain. It’s a small hotel so everyone is really talkative and lovely to chat and see familiar faces for a drink / food if you’d like to. Would I visit again - say NO! Read less