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 one 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 four 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 Marriott All-Inclusive*. 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 four 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 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 Marriott All-Inclusive 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 (826)
  • Very good (193)
  • Average (50)
  • Poor (30)
  • Terrible (14)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating October vacation

Oct 22, 2024 micky r Kennington, United Kingdom

First the bad part. Prior to arrival we were advised that the hotel’s Asian restaurant was closed for renovation. Only reading reviews on Tripadvisor did we find that the whole of the hotel facing the sea had scaffolding, a real blot on the landscape, not least as we had booked and paid for a seaview suite. We stopped receiving emails from the… Read more
First the bad part. Prior to arrival we were advised that the hotel’s Asian restaurant was closed for renovation. Only reading reviews on Tripadvisor did we find that the whole of the hotel facing the sea had scaffolding, a real blot on the landscape, not least as we had booked and paid for a seaview suite. We stopped receiving emails from the hotel so a phone call from the U.K. to the front desk failed to reassure us and the timid girl on reception failed to convince us otherwise. Her untruthfulness was revealed on the day we arrived. The sea view we had paid for was indeed beautiful but marred by ugly scaffolding and scaffolding boards throughout. A request for a refund has been ignored. I must give credit to Stefan, a Front Desk Manager who did come and talk to us about the hoped for removal of the scaffolding as all the work had been completed prior to our arrival. Promised removal on Tuesday became Wednesday which became Thursday which became Friday after which we gave up. Finally, on Saturday evening the day before our departure, we were able to enjoy the wonderful sea view we had been promised and paid for. At no point during our stay did we receive an apology from the Hotel Management. Phone calls, emails and Instagram failed to elicit a response from Marriott Bonvoy. Their management should be embarrassed by their failure to ensure the happiness of their client. Unfortunately, with some large organisations, this principal is ignored. So, I am calling out Ryan Rayside, whose welcome letter failed to mention the scaffolding; Kim Griffith Lewis, General Manager who was conspicuous by her absence and failure to apologise. On a positive note, the general hotel staff were apologetic, embarrassed but a real delight always cheerily greeting us and wishing us a great day. Waves is a small boutique hotel, quiet, intimate and perfect for couples. Food, although limited by only one restaurant being open, was absolutely fine with a nice choice of wines, beers and spirits. I have no doubt that all those following us will enjoy their stay to the full. There is a nice choice of motorised and non motorised water sports and off site activities to enjoy. A special mention to Stefan, Tamika, Darren, Asanti, Pamela, Kelvin, Tiara. I could mention more and all but regret that I cannot remember everyone's name. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Lovely Hotel! Good food, great staff, very attentive, friendly and professional. Location good. Nice private beach.

Oct 20, 2024 amelia022 London, United Kingdom

Just returned from an eleven night stay with my husband. Great Hotel, staff were outstanding, so polite, friendly and helpful. Nice room - we stayed in the pool area. Lovely small private beach, easily accessible from the hotel. Food great, plenty of choice. Choice of two pools,one being an adult only. Can’t really fault anything !
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great potential, terrible food

Oct 18, 2024 henry m Salcombe, United Kingdom

I want to prepuce this review by saying that I have stayed at elegant hotels hotels prior to them being owned by Marriott and I stay then was very good. I think the Marriott influence has become the downfall of the group. The overall stay was satisfactory, the staff were all very enthusiastic, but the biggest reason I would be unlikely to… Read more
I want to prepuce this review by saying that I have stayed at elegant hotels hotels prior to them being owned by Marriott and I stay then was very good. I think the Marriott influence has become the downfall of the group. The overall stay was satisfactory, the staff were all very enthusiastic, but the biggest reason I would be unlikely to recommend the property or the group as a whole is for 2 reasons. The food was sub par at best, we dined breakfast lunch and dinner on a few occasions, breakfast was fine, the consistency of the product was very varied with breakfast. On some days the has browns were spot on, others they were very soggy and not worth eating. The largest issue arose with lunches and dinners, lunch the pizza choice took 45 mins, was very very small, very thick, and overall deeply unpleasant. A frozen oven pizza would have been better. The chicken was consistently dry every single time. The BBQ was a nice touch the 2 times we did it once for the fish night once for bbq on the deck. The chicken again was dry, the ribs were very good. The steak was small, very fatty and obviously a cheap cut so was not really worth the time taken to get it. The other meals were consistently sub par and I would avoid in future. The cafe sandwiches and salads were fine, we ended up eating off property for most of the time due to the unpleasant food. This was fed back to the duty manager on our last evening. The second would be that while the Asian fusion restaurant was not open this was communicated. What was not was that the dine around option was not available as advertised with only one accessible by boat. We probably would have booked another hotel had we know this was not a possibility. The rooms were nice, good AC and clean, our shower was blocked and did not drain, when reported was apparently fixed but then reoccurred again so was eventually fixed another day. The complimentary spare services were very good, a highlight of the stay. Drinks were very nice through the stay and the bar service was always strong. The majority of the property is very tired, while I appreciate they are refurbing the other elegant hotels and pushing the majority of guests into this property while they are behind schedule for reopening of better sister hotels. Having worked in hospitality and having the majority of my direct family members in hospitality I would recommend a main hotel refurbished and a repaint. There was scaffolding all over so I assume this is underway. The biggest issue is the F&B side of it, the B was good but the food was the biggest let down of the whole trip, especially when benchmarked to other property’s on the island I would say that if eating was part of your holiday plans to make alternative arrangements. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating New home from home

Oct 13, 2024 TJOLondon London, United Kingdom

Have been going to Barbados for over 20 years....and usually stayed at the same place....Had to stay at Waves as our usual place did not have room for us.....was pleasantly surprised....Hotel and staff was amazing...nothing was any trouble...staff were attentive from the moment we arrived to the moment we left...always smiling and asking ifnwe… Read more
Have been going to Barbados for over 20 years....and usually stayed at the same place....Had to stay at Waves as our usual place did not have room for us.....was pleasantly surprised....Hotel and staff was amazing...nothing was any trouble...staff were attentive from the moment we arrived to the moment we left...always smiling and asking ifnwe needed anything else...Shiso Asian restaurant was brilliant, food was great definitely now be our place to stay in Barbados... Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Very disappointing - construction work ongoing

Oct 10, 2024 UKLizzie London, United Kingdom

My ocean view bedroom was nice and I found all the staff delightful, but everything else about Waves was very disappointing and absolutely not worth the money I paid. Construction work started on my third day in the resort, closing the Asian restaurant and leaving just one restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus the cafe which is open… Read more
My ocean view bedroom was nice and I found all the staff delightful, but everything else about Waves was very disappointing and absolutely not worth the money I paid. Construction work started on my third day in the resort, closing the Asian restaurant and leaving just one restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus the cafe which is open from 10 - 5 and serves salads, sandwiches and snacks rather than meals. In the main restaurant the buffet area is very small for an all-inclusive resort, so there weren't very many choices. And in addition to the lack of choice, I found many of the options bland and unappealing. The only made to order option at lunchtime appeared to be tacos every single day. But it was the noise resulting from the construction work that was the worst thing - scaffolding was put up on one side of the hotel and the clanging and banging from the poles ruined any peace and quiet one might have found on the small beach. And the closed Asian restaurant was right beside the large adult-only pool, so the views there weren't helped by the wooden hoardings put up around the building site and the hammering and banging coming from within. With this much work going on and one restaurant out of action I would have expected to have been informed by my travel agent and offered the opportunity to change to a hotel not undergoing refurbishment, but they claim not to have been told of the work. Anyway, I shan't be returning - I feel thoroughly ripped off and as I have a couple of other favourite Caribbean resorts that offer far better facilities, vastly better food and peace & quiet for about the same price, so I'll be going back to them in future. Read less