Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels

Barbados, Caribbean

Virgin rating

The hotel

Taking All Inclusive to another level, the Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels doesn’t just include essentials such as dining and WiFi, it lays on additional luxuries including water sports, spa treatments, and yoga. From cocktail mixology to rum tasting, you’ll never be short of entertainment - you can even ‘add on’ bucket list experiences like swimming with sea turtles, the kids will love it! Its restaurants will take you from the Mediterranean to Asia but, as a member of Elegant Hotels, you can now dine at their select west coast sister hotels too, travelling there by complimentary water taxi. It’s not all about getting off the sunbed though — nobody will mind if you laze away days at the spa, by the two pools, or on its Platinum West Coast beach, and the complimentary Beach and Pool Ambassador Service guarantees true unadulterated relaxation.

Amenities

  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Snorkelling
  • Water Skiing
  • Yoga
  • Babysitting service
  • Families
  • Honeymoon
  • Wedding
  • Bar
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Fitness Centre/Gym

Where is it

Located directly on the west coast beach of Barbados, 25 minutes north of Bridgetown. Transfer time from airport: 30 minutes.

Hotel information

70 eco-chic inspired rooms and suites, each with a simplistic design featuring earthy and white tones along with natural materials and artwork. All with air-conditioning, 47" flat-screen TV, complimentary WiFi access, mini-fridge with bottled water, tea/coffee-making facilities, iron and board, hairdryer, safe, bathroom with walk-in shower, yoga mats, bathrobes, Bluetooth speakers, and a multi-device charger. All rooms feature a king-size bed. 

Standard Guest Rooms are located on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the Oceanside building, showcasing inland views without balconies, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. Guests enjoy two complimentary spa treatments, per adult, per stay with a minimum 7-night stay in this category (minimum 24-hour advance reservation required).

Please note: the hotel has two sections — the Ocean House on the beach side, and the Spa Area (adults-only) on the island side which is across the road from the main Oceanside building.

All Inclusive of: all meals and snacks as well as non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages including a variety of house wines, cocktails, sparkling wines, beers and more. Motorised and non-motorised water sports, fitness centre and classes including Yoga and Pilates, and recreational activities. Spa treatments — up to three spa treatments per guest per stay (depending on room category booked). Complimentary WiFi access. Water Taxi to select west coast sister properties (subject to availability and weather conditions). Dine Around Programme with other select Elegant Hotels properties*. Beach and pool Ambassador service.

Pool View Spa Rooms are located in the adult-only spa building of the property (guests 17 years and over only), across the road from the Oceanside building, these large rooms feature a balcony or terrace overlooking the pool, sleeping maximum 2 adults. Guests enjoy two complimentary spa treatments per adult per stay with a minimum 5-night stay in this category (minimum 24-hour advance reservation required).

Spa 1-Bedroom Suites are located in the adult-only spa building of the property (guests 17 years and over only), across the road from the Oceanside building, these spacious suites offer a separate bedroom and living space area with a balcony overlooking the pool, sleeping maximum 4 adults. Guests enjoy two complimentary spa treatments per adult per stay with a minimum 5-night stay in this category (minimum 24-hour advance reservation required).

Ocean Front Rooms offer spacious accommodation and are located on every floor in the Oceanside building, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 child. Guests enjoy three complimentary spa treatments per adult per stay with a minimum 5-night stay in this category (minimum 24-hour advance reservation required).

Ocean Front Junior Suites offer balconies featuring spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea, and come complete with a stocked mini-bar, sleeping maximum 2 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. Guests enjoy three complimentary spa treatments per adult per stay with a minimum 5-night stay in this category (minimum 24-hour advance reservation required).

Ocean Front Split Level Rooms are ideal for guests seeking a separate living and sleeping space for enhanced privacy. The guest bedroom, with a king-size bed and bathroom, is on the entry level and a spacious lounge with pull-out sofa, fridge, and wet bar is located on the upper level. The lounge leads to a top floor balcony offering breathtaking, panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. These suites come complete with a stocked mini-bar, sleeping maximum 2 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. Guests enjoy three complimentary spa treatments per adult per stay with a minimum 5-night stay in this category (minimum 24-hour advance reservation required).

Seascape (Mediterranean inspired cuisine), open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering a lunch buffet and Mediterranean-infused à la carte dinner menus as well a variety of international theme nights. Shiso (Asian Fusion dining), offering freshly made to order noodle and rice bowls with customised flavours and spices. Kýma (al fresco Coffee Bar & Deli), serving specialty hot or cold coffees, lattes and teas as well as Grab and Go food including fresh salads and sandwiches. 2 bars serving a selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages by the glass including a variety of cocktails, sparkling wine, beers and more. Take advantage of the Taste of Elegance Dine Around programme which offers exchange dining with select sister hotels' restaurants* (meal and drinks supplements may apply). Room service* (7:30am–9:30pm).

Regular entertainment, shows, and DJ nights throughout the week. Manager's cocktail party. Special culinary events such as wine pairing or rum tasting. Educational events or demos from cooking to mixology workshops.

2 swimming pools, including the adult-only pool with jacuzzi. Fitness centre with state of the art equipment and regular complimentary indoor and outdoor fitness classes, such as yoga and pilates. Family meditation classes are also available. Motorised and non-motorised water sports including an Aqua School featuring instructional lessons, water-skiing, stand up paddle boarding, tubing, Hobie cat sailing, banana boat rides, kayaking, and snorkelling. Beach cricket. Spa* offering a variety of treatments* as well as a sauna and steam room (temporarily unavailable), and manicure/pedicure stations (adult-only area). Use of tennis courts at sister property. Nearby golf course*.

Complimentary WiFi throughout the property. Complimentary daytime water taxi to select west coast sister properties (subject to availability and weather conditions). Babysitting services*. Pool and Beach Ambassador service.

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.  

5 nights between 1—28 Feb.

7 nights between 22 Dec—2 Jan.

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: child ages at this property are up to 16 years.

Please note: all rooms are non-smoking.

Please note: the hotel has two sections — the Ocean House on the beach side and the Spa Area (adults-only) on the island side which is across the road from the main Oceanside building. 

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

  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Location 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 (784)
  • Very good (180)
  • Average (49)
  • Poor (21)
  • Terrible (11)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Special thanks to the staff

Nov 30, 2023 Alyallan123

This was our first visit to Waves, although we had visited Barbados a number of times previously. We had booked an ocean front room which was clean and modern with plenty of space. The food was generally of high quality with plenty of choice. The closure of the adult only area did not really effect us. What really made the visit special was the… Read more
This was our first visit to Waves, although we had visited Barbados a number of times previously. We had booked an ocean front room which was clean and modern with plenty of space. The food was generally of high quality with plenty of choice. The closure of the adult only area did not really effect us. What really made the visit special was the attitude of the staff. Everyone we came in contact with was friendly and helpful, nothing seemed to be a problem, you only had to ask. We would certainly return in the future. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Disappointing hotel but great staff

Nov 25, 2023 Dave-Jerseyboy Wells, United Kingdom

We had been recommended this hotel by friends however it was real mix. So here are the positives and things which could have been much better… Positives Right on the beach Great water sports - use what you want when you like The staff - the team are amazing. Very cheerful and helpful responding to any issues We had 3 spa treatments which were… Read more
We had been recommended this hotel by friends however it was real mix. So here are the positives and things which could have been much better… Positives Right on the beach Great water sports - use what you want when you like The staff - the team are amazing. Very cheerful and helpful responding to any issues We had 3 spa treatments which were free and all lasted 30 mins each which was great. Good quality. Could have been better The hotel felt a little fawlty towers at times - the wine we were drinking ran out twice during our stay. We asked whether the rather limited drinks menu could be extended eg the only gins w available were Gordon’s or Beefeater. The manager listened however explained that these were the only guns available from the F&B team. Disappointing range compared to other Caribbean islands and resorts. The hotel was half shut - we had been pre-warned however perhaps hadn’t appreciated just how limiting this would be - 1 restaurant only ?? Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating It was OK but no better

Nov 25, 2023 NorfolkBoy73

The massive positive of this resort are the staff. They were superb - always friendly, smiling, and willing to help! An absolute credit to all and they made the vacation. That said there were some elements that took the edge off. We arrived and the room we booked was not available - we booked directly so were perplexed as to why this was the… Read more
The massive positive of this resort are the staff. They were superb - always friendly, smiling, and willing to help! An absolute credit to all and they made the vacation. That said there were some elements that took the edge off. We arrived and the room we booked was not available - we booked directly so were perplexed as to why this was the case. We therefore had to spend one night in another room until our room was available. An annoyance indeed however, we were given a spa voucher each as compensation. Also, the adult rooms were closed for refurbishment - which we were told on confirmation of booking - however, we were not told that one of the restaurants - Shiso - was not open. This is the Asian restaurant which we were looking forward to. Due to the adult area being closed the spa was also relocated to a hotel bedroom - it was OK but still a bedroom and not spa area. The main restaurant - Seascape - had a fair selection of foods however, some of the a la carte choices came out cold / tepid which was a disappointment and some of the buffet foods seem to have been out for some time - again some of the choices were tepid / cold and were meant to have been hot! There is meant to be a dress code for dinner for gents which is shirt with collar and no beach / open toed shoes, this was not enforced. Some individuals turned up with flip flops and t-shirts with beach shorts and nothing was said which was rather odd. Lastly, it is a shame that you can take the brits out of the UK but not the UK out of the brits! What I mean by this is that the beach, which is small, allowed people (mainly brits) to go and put towels on their loungers and then disappear back to bed ready for later. This happened from 7am onwards meaning that if you get to the beach at 9am and have not managed to get up and save a lounger you will be disappointed. There was no one governing this - it was a little like the “Lanzarote Rush” often seen on social media. Lastly, we visited Crystal Cove only because we walked up the beach and found it - this is really tired and old so in comparison Waves was the better choice however, not sure we would return. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The Waves staff are so friendly and welcoming

Nov 24, 2023 julie p

Waves never lets me down😄.As a repeat guest over many years , I have seen the hotel under different owners , it the warm and friendly staff that makes this hotel stand out amongst the other Elegant group of hotels. Even with the Spa and Asian restaurant is currently closed for a refurbishment I was delighted that the Asian menu was available and… Read more
Waves never lets me down😄.As a repeat guest over many years , I have seen the hotel under different owners , it the warm and friendly staff that makes this hotel stand out amongst the other Elegant group of hotels. Even with the Spa and Asian restaurant is currently closed for a refurbishment I was delighted that the Asian menu was available and the magical hands of the spa team were able to work their magic. I was delighted to share this hotel with my niece this year , the kitchen and restaurant team happily supplied vegan meals when there was nothing on the menu that suited. Even though the hotel is fairly isolated the water taxi during the day gives a great service to see the other hotels on the west coast , certainly calmer than the buses. If like me you need to feed your retail therapy addiction the-buses pass regularly so Bridgetown and Holetown It saddens me that some guests do not respect the requested dress code in the restaurant., But with one restaurant closed the team worked well to accommodate the guests, yes the open air restaurant is warm but you are in the Caribbean! It has taken a few trips to find the cooler spots in the restaurant.😉 As previously said all the staff are so lovely and accommodating it is not fair to mention them singularly, but many have been there for as long as I have been coming.Kim (the manager )your team are a credit to you . I look forward to seeing you all next year Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing visit

Nov 23, 2023 kwells5579 Orpington, United Kingdom

As repeat guests we were looking forward to returning . We got upgraded from the spa side to an ocean room as this closed for refurbishment. Our room was Amazing and even though there was only one restaurant open there was something different every night . Barbecues , a fish fry one night where everything was set up on the deck , lights put up it… Read more
As repeat guests we were looking forward to returning . We got upgraded from the spa side to an ocean room as this closed for refurbishment. Our room was Amazing and even though there was only one restaurant open there was something different every night . Barbecues , a fish fry one night where everything was set up on the deck , lights put up it was amazing . The food was so nice everyday .the Asian menu a couple of nights . Now for the staff They cannot do enough for you the service and warmth of the staff is second to none . Lots of names to mention Kenny valarie Sabrina destiny shion (hope this is right) she held the cooking demonstration and was so good she even gave us some spices to take home Ashani in reception looked after us and taminta and Tamika are so funny and friendly All a credit to Kim and Ryan the managers Can’t wait to return Read less