Bougainvillea Barbados

We have recently returned from a two week stay at the Bougainvillea. We were truly sad to leave this resort. Their outstanding feature is the staff, the service we received from organising our stay straight through to our final day was exemplary. Every single member of staff we came into contact with was polite, extremely helpful and genuinely pleasant. We came to the Bougainvillea with friends to celebrate and the Bougainvillea staff were very accommodating of our requests and instrumental in making our celebrations very memorable. The resort itself is lovely with their namesake flower in bloom throughout. The site is not too big or too busy and it is very well kept, clean and bright. There are no lifts, only stairs if you are on the upper floors but we saw this as a benefit towards working off the great food and drink we were enjoying. We had a junior suite that was spacious, clean and well lit. There was a kitchenette supplied with basic utensils, plates, glassware and pans to make a small meal. We ate breakfast most mornings on our balcony and if you want to go down this route, there is a Massy grocery store just up the road in Oistins. The bathroom was a good size with a large walk in shower. We loved the illuminated magnifying mirror, it was a great touch. The room came with robes for our use that came in handy. The air-conditioning worked well and we were always comfortable. We met some lovely housekeepers who did an amazing job keeping our room looking great; our favourite was Brendalee, she brightened our day. We had a spa treatment, back and shoulder massage. It was just what we needed to work out the kinks after a long flight. Our only regret is that we didn’t go back for more. Too busy getting out and about in Barbados. We were always able to find a beach lounger no matter the time of day. The pool area was a bit busier; this wasn’t a problem for us as our preference is to stay on the beach. It was so refreshing not to experience the inconsiderate habit some travellers have at other locations of “saving” loungers from dawn till dusk; it just didn’t happen here. They operate a beach towel exchange which was always stocked with fresh towels when we swapped. The beach and pool areas are well staffed and kept clean. They all make sure you are comfortable. We were regularly offered beach umbrellas, cool towels and Jello shots by the Water Sports team who look after the beach area. The pool bar was great fun during happy hour which runs from 3:30 to 4:30. Watch out for the rum punches, they can catch you unawares! Juan Jose and George were the bartenders we engaged with the most and they were amazing. They all were fantastic; we just can’t remember everyone’s name. We liked that there were separate pools for adults and children. We normally stay at adult only resorts but we were unable to this time and though we are not used to having kids about, it wasn’t too bad. The Calabash is the restaurant on site. They were always accommodating and extremely pleasant; though the service could be a bit slow at times, it was well worth the wait. We really enjoyed Thai night on Saturdays. It was always best to make reservations as they did get busy some nights. We ordered “take away” to our room a few times. It is a limited menu and usually took about 45 minutes but the food was just as nice. You could collect it from the restaurant or get it delivered to your room for an extra $15.00. There was musical entertainment some afternoons and most evenings which added to the atmosphere. We could clearly hear the entertainment from our balcony which was nice on the nights we stayed in. The only slight down side is that the resort wifi was not very reliable during our visit. When it did work there was great coverage but there were many times during a day when we just couldn’t get connected. To some extent that was a good thing as it forces you to get off the phone and enjoy what is around you but it made it a bit difficult to make needed connections back home. The resort is very close to the Oistins Fish Market where the weekly Oistins Fish Fry happens on Friday nights. It is a great Bajan experience, give it a go but go early. St. Lawrence Gap is about a 20 minute walk (using the beach path) where there is an abundant choice of restaurants and entertainment if you are looking for something different. We didn’t use taxis, preferring to use public transport. The mass transport options (blue buses, yellow buses, white ZR vans) are $3.50 per ride which is a very reasonable way to get around. We mostly used ZR vans as they would pick you up and drop you off anywhere on their route. Just tell them where you want dropping off; they were always friendly and helpful. Using them is an experience, you have to be comfortable with some fast driving, loud music and getting up close and personal with strangers but it is a great way to get about. We would definitely go back just on the amazing customer service this place offers. Every single one of them we deserves an award. They were fabulous representatives of the Bougainvillea and Barbados. This was our first trip to the Bougainvillea and our third to Barbados, it gets better every time. Read less

What a gem of a hotel. Have tried to book in the past but always full. Have just got home and don’t normally do reviews but this is such a nice place I had to write this. The staff are first class and are the for every need. The beach has the whitest sand and the beach staff keep it clean and are there if you need an umbrella. Just a short walk to the Gap if you need extra night life. But the best thing about this hotel is the swim up bar, the cocktails are probably the best on the island expertly made by Jose and Geoffrey. They are both amazing and entertaining, it would be rude to say what one was the best cocktail make. If you get the chance go and judge for yourselves Read less

Our experience at the Bougainvillea resort was amazing. I would ABSOLUTELY return. The entire front desk was super warm and friendly at all points when we needed help. Kemar was great at getting us set up in our room when we arrived, and making sure we knew how to work the fans and everything. The housekeeping staff were amazing as well, Shavanna in particular was very understanding with my kids wanting to sleep in late and set us up with anything we needed even when the time was awkward, so we really appreciated her. Other things I appreciated? I have never seen a resort that was so well set up with tons of lounge chairs, everyone had their pick and everyone had a chair to enjoy the pool or ocean . Seriously!! No fighting for any beach chairs! Bathrooms and bedrooms super clean. Toilets flush GREAT. We did a lot of take out from the restaurant, everything we tried was very good. Very safe and private. Overall, one of the most relaxing vacations I have had in my life because the resort makes sure everything is taken care of, is very helpful, and you can just melt into your beach chair for a week and worry about nothing :) Read less

We were a family of 9 from 13 to 80 years old - 3 rooms - a 2 bed ground floor apartment and 2 studio rooms. All were tastefully furnished but tired. Incredible views of a stunning beach. The rooms appear to have had some modernisation but the finish is average. We had both toilets flood in the apartment, with sewage onto the room. However the hotel attended to it immediately and gave us a free dinner in the calabash restaurant which was appreciated. Cannot fault the staff - the service is with such kindness and warmth - probably the nicest staff we have had the pleasure to meet on our travels - they really to make the place. Service is slow but you learn to adjust to the Barbados way plus we are a big group so are happy to accept that. The pools whilst looking nice in photographs were very unclean. No other way to describe them - the adults one was green and has been for some time - green along the times and coping stones. That basically precluded us from using them. I politely complained and there was some activity, closing the pool for a while but no discernible difference. To be honest this is just not acceptable. A clean pool in a hotel should be a pre requisite. Management really should take better care here. It didn’t spoil our holiday but it might stop us from returning. I can see why the hotel is a firm favourite with many returning guests, but for us it really does need some investment in improving the quality and standards of maintenance. It could be a 5 star rating - we are being generous with 4 as 3 would be unkind. Lovely people good food from the restaurant, incredible beach but attention to detail in hotel maintenance and standards of the property not quite there for us. A shame as these are all pretty simple fixes. We had a great holiday and will have lots of great memories, chief among the the warmth and hospitality afforded to us by the 5 star staff. Read less