Bougainvillea Barbados

Love Bougainvillea Resort My first "adult" vacation in many years was spent at Bougainvillea Resort in Barbados at the end of July and I'm so happy I chose this hotel. The grounds are pretty and convenience of pool, beach and food are excellent. Everyone at the hotel was extremely accommodating and pleasant. We arrived early on a Sunday afternoon and waited about 10 minutes for our room-we had expected to be let in early but were pleasantly surprised. We stayed in a 1 bedroom suite in building 5 which is directly across from the pool and restaurant. We had patio with subbed and small table and could see the ocean from the patio. I think just about every room in the hotel, due to its U-shape-has at least a slight view of the ocean and if not, a view of the beautiful grounds surrounding the pool. The room was very spacious though kitchen and furnishings are a bit dated but the bed was very comfy. The bathroom seems to have been updated recently and had a double vanity and rain head shower. Our first showers were cold, but that was quickly fixed with a call to the front desk who had a technician there within in a few minutes. The staff at this hotel are all very professional and extremely accommodating. We ate out in town a few nights and they easily arranged transportation for us each and every time. We had breakfast included in our stay and the restaurant, Calabash, was very good with a decent variety, fresh fruit and omelette station. When there was no bacon at the buffet, we were asked if we would like to have them make some-we did this just about every day with no problem. Lisbeth, the hostess, always found time to chat and all the staff were wonderful. Our taxi driver from the airport to hotel was Trevor and we hired him to pick us up from a tour one day and take us around the island. He is extremely knowledgeable about the island history and proudly shared this with us. We would highly recommend him if you need a private driver for the day, or just a quick taxi ride. We also made use of the Karma Spa. Sometimes, hotel spas can be hit or miss, but I can honestly say I had one of the best massages I've ever had here. The hotel is small to medium in size and everything is at your fingertips. The beach had ample lounges with some built in shade from trees. If you need an umbrella beach staff will happily supply one and set it up for you. They also have boogie boards and beach games for use if you choose. The water was clear just about every day we were there and the waves were fairly calm but there are waves. A quick 1 minute walk down the beach will bring you to a rock barrier for a bit calmer water. If we return to Barbados soon, we will definitely stay at Bougainvillea again.

Another amazing stay! Bougainvillea Another fantastic stay in Barbados at the beautiful Bougainvillea Beach Resort. Everyone at this resort goes out of their way to ensure your stay is amazing. From reception team who always provide a warm welcome to the pool bar team Jose,Vivian,Gregory and Sonja, the Calabash team Elisbeth,Roxanne,Darius, Jireh,Marvie, Nickolai, Justin and many more, and Shawna who kept our Junior suite by the pool spotless all week. Thank you everyone at Bougainvillea you always make our vacation to Barbados an awesome one!..Gillian and Charlie

This is an excellent resort, excels in everything - a fantastic experience. Have just returned from an 8 day stay at this resort, and having reflected on this on the flight back I have to say that from start to finish this resort, and most importantly - its wonderful staff - provide an absolutely exceptional experience, considering the cost and value, time of year and customer service we encountered. The short summary - it looks great, is fairly small to mid-sized but all-round very well appointed. Considering its age, and location - it looks absolutely fine - and much of the grounds are very beautiful. It is not sold as a 5-star resort, and not on the level of some other bigger more exclusive or high-end brands however...it competes extremely well. Our room was a deluxe 1 bedroom suite - with a great sea view - all rooms I believe should have a reasonably decent view across the pool and gardens - to the sea , the hotel is sort of a U shaped complex - of 3 or 4 stories, with patios and balconies. We had a 3rd floor suite -it was very spacious, with kitchen, large bathroom, a decent sofa bed, and loads of storage. Our king bed, was pretty good - perhaps not amazing but did the job. The rooms are aged somewhat, in good repair - but, most importantly any slight issues we had - a drip from the ceiling one morning, a missing utensil etc - were all dealt with within an hour, quickly and extremely effectively. The suite was very comfy, efficient air con, and generally very well appointed. There are no complimentary tea/ coffee items - but there is a full kitchen, so you can prepare meals etc - we didn't (the onsite dining is excellent, and the cost of groceries in Barbados for a European is staggering...) The complex is very easy to stroll around -its perfectly designed, and very pretty to look at - the grounds, in July are expertly maintained. This is a beautiful resort. Our suite was a 2 minute walk to the beach or pool - both are right on your doorstep. There are several medium pools - never too busy. Annoyingly, we spotted some guests popping down at the crack of dawn to rserve loungers with towels etc - but there are so many, and the choice of beach and pool is always an option, so it wasn't a big issue - Id be pleased to hear if staff removed towels from vacant chairs as some resorts do - its a very bad habit, but i didnt see them. The pool and beach staff are all lovely, chatty very friendly and seem genuinely happy to be there - at the beach there is a small hatch where you can borrow snorkels, towels, shades and toys. The beach is beautiful - the sea a little rough , with some waves, and a bit more action than the West side of the Island - we actually paddled across to some stone breakers adjacent to the next door Sandals resort, where it was calmer. You cant really snorkel here, but its great for body boarding etc The pools are all very photogenic, one has a swim up bar and the atmosphere is very friendly, chilled and pleasant. A few minor issues with somewhat messy guests leaving trails of empty cups and other trash around their sunbeds, but this is not the resorts fault - my daughter did feel it necessary to point this out to one older lady who had thrown her empty beer cans in the bush behind her - unfortunately we've seen this a lot around the Caribbean & mexico, a great shame. The local area of St lawrence gap and Worthing is adequate, but not particularly picturesque or memorable - in comparison to Holetown or Speightstown -if youre not into partying at bars on a friday or saturday, there's not actually much in this area for families - though it is right next to the airport - if you could pick up and drop this hotel on the West side of the Island it would be beyond perfect -but probably twice the price. To compare, we also visited Mango Bay - but this resort is by far the more superior. We dined often at Deia beach and Calabash the resorts 2 restaurants, Deia beach is somewhat separate, and slightly hidden behind the main resort - but adjacent to the beach. Its lovely - very trendy and more adult -centric. Calabash was our main restaurant - we had breakfast included in our package, which was extremely convenient - and always excellent - I highly recommend this. In particular Lisbeth greeted us very warmly everyday and stopped to chat - she is amazing. As our all staff - very hardworking and very welcoming. It was no trouble to extend our room stay until 6pm on day of departure - and this was dealt with so easily by the front desk - who are completely calm and cool, and always smiling. I could continue to list dozens of little details about the hotel - how the beach was scrupulously cleaned daily , the complimentary and fun cocktail parties every monday, the little local art & craft stalls, the music, easy & free parking - I can go on. Its great for guests who want a little of everything - but not a full on party resort, with noisy drunk adults - or a cheesy and cheap kids resort full of loud kids and harassed parents. Its calm, chilled, beautiful and friendly - and very worthy of a 5 star review.

Bring an excel spreadsheet and watch for meals I happened to be staying here during Hurricane Beryl and the hotel handled it wonderfully. They were very supportive and communicative. Communications from local authorities online and via local tv stations were sporadic and left alot to be desired though. My room was clean and neat upon arrival. Check-in was smooth and service during my stay was just what you'd expect for a 3 star hotel. The hot water was hot and the a/c was cold. The main pool was foggy the length of my stay even though I mentioned it to the front desk each morning but for some reason it was never resolved. I've stayed at this resort several times before and it seems to be a chronic problem. A top tier resort never has foggy/dirty pools. There is free parking available across the street and that is very convenient. During our week-long stay, my family and I ate just about every meal at the resort's sole restaurant, Calabash. Calabash is the sole resort restaurant, is on the beach and faces the pool. Every meal was very good - everything came out timely, hot, fresh and as requested, even if it was under difficult circumstances and to-go due to post-Hurricane issues. Some of their policies and staff however, were not as pleasant. Considering how pleasant everyone at the hotel we encountered were, I'm convinced that the hotel doesn't run the restaurant because they would not tolerate staff being rude to their guests. On our first full day there, after ordering 2 Miami Vice cocktails from their bar we sat for lunch and ordered the same 2 drinks. The waitress brings them and later during our meal we ask for 2 more. The waitress now mentions that we can't order those drinks because they aren't on the restaurant's cocktail menu. Hmmm, its literally the same bar and bartender and she brought 2 just a few minutes before and soooo then please provide us with the restaurant's cocktail menu??? The restaurant was successful in creatively billing us for the first 2 drinks but couldn't do it for the 2nd round I guess. Next day we go for lunch, haven't even been to the pool or beach yet. I am a middle-aged Hispanic woman wearing a one piece bathing suit and an opaque coverup. Lizbeth, the restaurant hostess that day (and many days), tells me that I can't be seated in the restaurant because I'm wearing a bathing suit and they aren't allowed in the restaurant. I am taken aback because this restaurant is literally poolside and on the beach so I said I didn't know and I didn't see a sign that mentioned that. She proceeds to show me the sign (covered by foilage) which says WET suits aren't permitted. I mention this to her and point out that I am not wet, I am completely dry. She insists its a rule and says I'm welcome to sit outside. Fine, I sit outside and say nothing else to her, but I'm not happy. I have to mention that while we are outside a stray cat comes to our table which we ignore. Lizbeth comes over and accuses us of feeding it! Strike 2 for her, but I gather my composure and nicely tell her that no, we are not feeding it but if something from our plate fell I was not picking it up.. She nicely tells me to try and have that not happen because they get alot of complains about the cats. Next day, I go with my family (remember, this is the only resort restaurant) and encounter Lizbeth again, but thankfully our attire is ok with her this day and we sit inside without any issues. However, 5 mins. in she seats an English family whose older teenage daughter is wearing an obviously wet bathing suit covered by a wet tshirt (not covering her bottom at all) and wet hair inside the restaurant. Lizbeth didn't mention anything to them (I know because I am sitting right next to her hostess station). At the end of my meal I muster all my remaining kindness and remind Lizbeth that the day before she wouldn't seat me even though I was dry and wearing an opaque cover up and that I was upset because she had no hesitation in seating this family with their wet daughter. She deflects by saying various untrue statements (my daughter didn't have a cover-up, someone else in my party was wet, etc. - neither were true) then she says that she'll speak to the family she just sat about it?? Too late, they were already seated and enjoying their meal without delay. I tell her that the reason I'm upset is because I was not allowed in, she is no one to be making up rules as she goes along at the restaurant, and that she was unprofessional and impolite. Next afternoon, my family and I again go to Calabash for an early dinner (did I mention that this is the only restaurant at the hotel). We have been poolside all day but are dry (we don't get in the pool because its dirty). We are wearing dry bathing suits and cover ups. The person at the hostess station (not Lizbeth) tells my older daughter that she can't sit inside because she needs to "dress up for DINNER" (emphasis as added by the hostess). I am in the same coverup I mentioned before but she mentions nothing to me and my daughter goes upstairs to change and returns. There are others at the restaurant in typical beach-resort attire. Not sure what this hostess found upsetting about my daughter's attire that she didn't find upsetting with the others. Please note that the restaurant also has very specific meal times and they close in between meal times to clean. Not sure what any of those meal times are because none of them are published on the physical menu, the online menus, or the informational chalk-board outside the restaurant. The fact that the meal times and attire aren't in writing anywhere makes it very easy for staff to get it accidentally incorrect or make up rules according to their personal preferences. You have the ask the Hostess on duty and hopefully they aren't new and provide you with incorrect information (as happened to me on a previous stay with incorrect brunch time on a weekend vs. a weekday). Also, don't show up within 30 minutes from closing for any mealtime because they are really already closed and you won't be seated. Many thanks though to Mr. Gregory at the poolside bar for holding down the bar solo even when it is full and serving the drinks promptly and with a warm smile. Also many thanks to Ms. Marvie at Calabash for being her warm and friendly self.

Lovely holiday 4.5 stars! This is a great property and we enjoyed our two weeks here. It’s not prefect (where is) but it’s certainly way better than some of the reviews indicate. The hotel has a pretty lobby and helpful reception staff. The grounds are beautiful and the staff work very hard to maintain them. We arrived 2 days after Hurricane Beryl and there was no sense of disruption. The public areas are clean and tidy, with a real Caribbean feel. We were in a junior suite and it was very spacious with a great ocean view from the bed. It had excellent AC and a big shower room with White Company toiletries - the genuine product. The bed was super comfortable and big - great sleeps! There is some sign of wear and tear in the rooms and on the stairwells but it didn’t get in the way of comfort. In addition some of it is because of the climate. The balcony was a good size with decent furniture. The room cleaning was fantastic. The kitchen area was too small to be much use as a full self-catering option but is handy for snacks with a useful fridge and freezer. There is a small shop, a gym and a spa. We brought our gym kit and did not use the gym once but I think it still counts as exercise if you bring the kit and don’t use the it. There was a swim up pool bar which sold (powerful) cocktails and a restaurant which sold good quality food. It is in a lovely location on the beach and gets a nice breeze. Like everywhere on the island, none of the catering was particularly cheap but it was in line with Barbados prices. There is also a nice restaurant next door (Deia Beach) which sold similarly priced food and drinks. The menu might become a little repetitive if you ate here every day. There is no real ‘bar’ area - a few tables around the pool bar which stays open until 10. This suited us as we came to relax and hate loud music in the evening. The service everywhere was excellent - staff are very accommodating and every single member of staff greets guests around the property. I felt welcome and at home because of the staff. I had been in quite a bit of communication with the staff prior to arrival and they were incredibly helpful (and patient!). There was low key entertainment in the evening which was appropriate for the size of property, and finished early (by about 9.00/9.30). We didn’t want to come to a noisy party hotel with forced day time activities and this hotel was busy but relaxed. Most guests were mindful of the relaxed atmosphere and we encountered only minor irritations - the room doors slammed if not closed carefully (some guests were more aware of this than others) and a large group repeatedly left towels everywhere instead of returning to the towel stand. The only (fairly minor) cons are the location, the connecting rooms and the sunbeds. It’s too far to walk to the St Lawrence Gap restaurants in the heat and if you’re here for two weeks, you might feel a bit stir crazy as it’s a smaller resort. We hired a car so this was less of an issue for us. There were insufficient sunbeds at the pool and the usual problem of people ‘claiming’ beds then not using them for a good portion of the day. Beds are claimed by 8.00am. There were usually free beds on the beach but not always with shade. There is also a seagrass issue from time to time on the beach. There seemed to be Sisyphean effort by staff to clean it but if you like white sand with clear water, you might be disappointed and it’s not the hotel’s fault. We had a ‘connecting’ room and whilst the door was locked, it afforded no privacy AT ALL. Fortunately the other room was only in use for the last few days of our holiday but I’d have been very unhappy at 2 weeks of trying to be quiet so as not to disturb/being disturbed by other guests. Some of the other room options would not have this issue. If I were to return, a non-connecting room would be a deal breaker. It’s hard to find a perfect hotel but we had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday at the resort.