Treasure Beach by Elegant Hotels

Dear readers, I would like to share with you our ‘vacation’ experience in Barbados in November 2020. It might be good information about potential outcome of your trip as well. A little bit pre-history. We love Caribbean vacations and went to more than 9 counties in Caribbean multiple times. We try to stay in all inclusive 5 star hotels. However, we have never been in Barbados and I thought this is the time to see something new. Especially now when my husband was diagnosed with dementia it could be the last trip together. Knowing situation with COVID we went to have Covid 19 test done in Canada for people without symptoms and confirmed that test results will be ready in 3-5 business days. Great. Our results came negative and we were ready to fly. We decided to go to Barbados (all inclusive 7 days) that cost us more than even Aruba. I decided, ok, basically our last vacation together, I can use my savings, and we bought tickets. Excited about trip, we came to airport and flew to Bridgetown. As soon as we arrived, airport officials started requesting COVID results from passengers. I was sure that we are ready and can be on time for our transfer to hotel. But everything turned opposite. Our papers with negative results were 7 days old, which is not acceptable by Barbados officials. They require test to be the oldest in 72 hours. 72 hours? 3 days. How it is possible if test in Toronto can be done in 3-5 business days. Nobody in Barbados synchronized days with other countries. Ok. We were sent to the special line to have test done in airport. Nobody was really listening us, they just placed us in a waiting list completing tons of paper work manually. So, it took us another 3 hours to wait for test to be done where one of the officers stuff assured me that we will be taken to our hotel (‘Waves’ hotel) and will be on quarantine for 2 days. In two days we will need to have second test, and after good results will be allowed to go outside. 😮😩 This is not the end of the story yet. This is just a beginning. As a result of waiting test we missed our transfer to hotel and were taken by driver for 40 US dollars. We finally arrived to our destination hotel by 11:30 pm. I happily thought that we can relax and rest.... No, it is not so easy in Barbados. Hotel administrator came to us and explain that we cannot stay in hotel that we booked (please notice that it is opposite to what government official in airport told us). We need to go to another hotel Treasure beach where we will be on quarantine for two days until negative results received. Hotel administrator never mentioned that we could stay on quarantine in Waves hotel. She even said that our trips to another hotel and policlinic (back and force) will be complimentary. We arrived to Treasure beach hotel at night. They started to request payment for the transfer to their hotel. When I explain that it was complimentary they started to accuse me that I did not understand correctly and in the end I paid for it. We were allowed to go to the pool, but not to the beautiful ocean that we could watch outside. Torcher continues. Next day we received negative results from first test in airport. We were honestly taking temperature morning and night as promised and our hotel staff even organized transportation To go to policlinic (our expense again) to take second test hoping to start real vacation was not eliminated even when it was already 3 days of wasted time. They did test in policlinic and said that it will be ready in 24 hours. Next day I packed again and was ready to leave after receiving test results. Dear readers, results did not arrive. I went to ask front desk and they with the same attitude started to blame me that I said that second test needed to be done in 2 days, not 3. That real second test needed to be done in 3 days. Welcome to my feelings. They accuse me in lying when they misinformed me everywhere. In the mean time I saw that 3 other ‘prisoners’ were checking out, I asked them when they arrived? The answer was that they arrived same day as we did, they did second test same time as we did, they received negative results and were allowed to go to destination ‘Waves’ hotel. So, who was lying? I started to cry ..... it was last drop in the ocean of emotions. Hotel manager was sorry about it, but did not help us to receive results from second test even though I asked multiple times. She wanted to help and arranged with the ministry visit of the doctor next day that could take test and accelerate results. She also confirmed that we can go to the ocean to swim. Thanks GOD! Beautiful beach without any person close to 300 m. Thursday, which was 5th day, doctor came to take test. Results finally came on Friday. Of course negative. And we happily left ‘prison’ to hotel that we bought. Basically we had left 1 full day – Saturday to enjoy our most expensive vacation. Treasure Beach hotel is an outdated hotel with lots of bugs. We had dirty carpets, tons of ants and sometimes cockroaches. But I thought that it is for 2 nights and decided to stay patience. Next day of our stay our refrigerator started to lick. I showed it to cleaning lady. She trough towel on the floor which stayed there for the whole period of our stay. I am not sure how people can give to this hotel 4-5 stars? See pictures attached (including entrance of the room below ours) Food was not bad, but very limited choice. This is not real all inclusive option. Of course we had room service since we were on quarantine. Choice of the food is so small that we end up eating same thing over and over. On Tuesday that officially have sushi day and we were looking forward to have it. Of course when Tuesday came we were informed that this menu is unavailable. Our trip included all food and drinks. They had very poor choice of drinks and no nice cocktails. Unfortunately our last and only one day of vacation out of 7 end up not good as well. I placed my review about it under Waves hotel. I still do not understand how we end up staying more than 5 days in a hotel that we never wanted to stay. Waves hotel is much better than Treasure beach. We could of stay 2 days in a room there, and start out vacation third day. But due to ignorance of the administrator at that night we spent time in ‘prison’ hotel. Do you like this experience? Do you think we feel rested? Do you think 1/2 day vacation is good enough for the money we paid? Think twice before going to Barbados with the Covid 19 restrictions. Make sure you read all small fonts in government papers if you want to go. Make sure you read last documents because they are changing constantly. Make sure you understand what to expect and do not trust people in Barbados what they say. Know your rights. Otherwise your vacation might turn to nightmare like ours. Read less

We stayed here for 3 night whilst waiting for our Covid test results to come in. We used the government testing option (which was free) and it took just short of 72 hours. Those who paid for tests took around 2 days. The hotel had a great set-up to allow us to quarantine in comfort. As mentioned the pool area is small but adequate for families and sunbathing. Our room was on the floor level & was beautiful. Housekeeping items are delivered by request to your door. Fridges & good coffee machines in the room (ask for milk when ordering breakfast to keep in your fridge for the days cuppas!) 1 UK plug socket in our room & the rest US plug sockets. The food was good but limited (the banana pancakes for breakfast are fantastic!!!). As already said by previous poster the key is to order an hour/90 mins before you actually went to eat. Food can be delivered to your room or to the pool/beach deck area which is great! Eating your breakfast watching the sunrise is wonderful! Gym is small and must be booked beforehand as only 1 person allowed in at a time but it was very clean and well kitted out for a small space. Lots of books to borrow up near the gym area also in case you get bored in quarantine! WiFi was really good, never had an issue with connection or speed. Also no device restrictions like some hotels, you can have as many connected as needed. Staff are wonderful and make you feel comfortable whilst essentially “stuck” in their hotel waiting on results! Nothing was too much trouble! In terms of Covid, the hotel obviously take strict measures when cleaning, everyone wears a mask when walking around/at the bar area and lots of hand sanitiser dotted around. Hopefully this helps if you’re planning on using an Elegant Hotel & you need to quarantine here, you have nothing to worry about! Read less

Chose Treasure Beach for our first 3 days on the island, while getting our second test and waiting for results. Very pleased - small cozy hotel right on a beautiful beach, nicely refurbished. We were able to use the pool (on the small side) and sit and watch the sea - no access to the beach while in quarantine. Guests wearing masks while walking around - but take them off on the deck. Limited menu - have to preorder food by calling or messaging the restaurant. First we were concerned about a bit of a wait - but the trick is to preorder a few hours in advance. Nice fish, burger, greek salad, cheese plate - can’t complain. Staff friendly and hard working. We also ordered covid tests to be done at the hotel ($200 pp) and airport pickup - great service, on time, very happy. Thank you Treasure Beach for making quarantine experience enjoyable!!! Read less

My room was spotless The staff were amazing Everything was very good and i have no bad comments about hotel. They made me feel welcome, its nice because its a nice resort and other guests like me were under quarantine and we all met each other talked very very very friendly atmosphere. Its was very comfortable to quarantine here... My trip was arranged by elegant resorts they were amazing and very very helpful... Read less

Just got back from a truly amazing Barbados holiday we had two days quarantine with the fantastic staff at treasure beach nothing was too much trouble excellent suit very very clean to say the least wonderful comfy bed bath with soft towels this place is heaven food was just awesome although we we awaiting covid test results was a lovely stay fantastic pool immaculate tropical garden just loved hearing the frogs of and evening and watching humming birds drink nectar from flowers many many thanks to all the staff from the chefs management to the cleaners keep up the wonderful work and please all stay safe such lovely friendly people Regards nicholas and dawn Read less