The Sands Barbados

Barbados, Caribbean

Virgin rating

The hotel

Occupying one of the most sought-after beachfront settings in Barbados, the All Inclusive Sands offers not just sun, sea, and sand by the bucketful, but very comfortable accommodation too. Choose from a variety of room options, including a garden studio with gorgeous tropical views or an oceanfront family suite, all with plenty of amenities, including complimentary WiFi, to make you feel right at home. Not that you’ll be in your room too long, there’s too much else on-site to tempt you, with a swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre to keep you occupied. St Lawrence Gap, the entertainment capital of Barbados, is just a few minutes away, featuring some of the best restaurants, bars and nightclubs on the island. Want to stay closer to home? No problem. The Sands boasts two restaurants of its own as well as two bars in which to linger over drinks and eats.

Amenities

  • Kayaking
  • Snorkelling
  • Babysitting service
  • Honeymoon
  • Wedding
  • Bar
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Free Parking
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service
  • No Smoking

Where is it

On Worthing Beach, within easy walking distance of St. Lawrence Gap. Oistins Bay Garden market is a short taxi ride away. Transfer time from airport: 15 minutes.

Hotel information

151 rooms within 87 suites. All with air-conditioning, flat-screen cable TV, complimentary WiFi, fridge, tea/coffee-making facilities, safe, bathrobes, hairdryer, and iron and ironing board. All rooms have bathrooms with showers. 

Virgin Supersaver rooms are cosy and open to internal corridors, they have small frosted windows but do not have balconies/patios or a mini-fridge (all other room categories will include this). Rooms have 1 queen-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults. 

All Inclusive of: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. All beverages, except champagne and speciality wine. Weekly Manager’s cocktail reception. Complimentary water sports include kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkelling, and body boards. 

Please note: guests must be 18 years and over to be served alcohol. All activities featured in the All Inclusive programme are subject to availability, demand and weather conditions.

The Sands Signature Rooms have either a patio or balcony with garden views and 1 queen-size bed (twin beds on request), sleeping maximum 2 adults.

One-Bedroom Garden/Pool Suites have either a patio or balcony and are air-conditioned in the bedroom only. These suites feature a separate fan-cooled living/dining area with tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-fridge and flat-screen television with cable channels. The bedroom has 1 queen-size bed (twin beds on request) and a sofa in the living area, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

One-Bedroom Ocean View Suites have either a patio or balcony and are air-conditioned in the bedroom only. These suites feature a separate fan-cooled living/dining area with tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-fridge and flat screen television with cable channels. The bedroom has 1 queen-size bed (twin beds on request) and a sofa in the living area, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child.

Two-Bedroom Garden/Pool View Duplex Suites have either a patio or balcony and are air-conditioned in the bedrooms only. The duplex suites feature a separate fan-cooled living/dining area with tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-fridge, a sofa and flat-screen television with cable channels. Bedrooms are located upstairs and have 1 queen-size bed, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Two-Bedroom Garden/Pool Family Suites have either a patio or balcony and are air-conditioned in the bedrooms only. The family suites feature a separate fan-cooled living/dining area with tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-fridge, and a flat-screen television with cable channels. Suites sleep maximum 4 adults and 2 children (under 16 years).

Two-Bedroom Ocean View Duplex Suites have either a patio or balcony and are air-conditioned in the bedrooms only. The duplex suites feature a separate fan-cooled living/dining area with tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-fridge, a sofa and a flat-screen television with cable channels. Bedrooms are located upstairs, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Please note: children under 6 years are not allowed in the duplex Suites

Two-Bedroom Ocean View Family Suites have either a patio or balcony and are air-conditioned in the bedrooms only. These suites have either a patio or balcony and are air-conditioned in the bedroom only. The family suites feature a separate fan-cooled living/dining area with tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-fridge, and a flat-screen television with cable channels. Suites sleep maximum 4 adults and 2 children (under 16 years).

Three-Bedroom Garden/Pool Suites have either a patio or balcony and are air-conditioned in the bedrooms only. These suites feature a separate living/dining area with tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-fridge, sofa and a flat-screen television with cable channels. Suites sleep maximum 6 adults or 2 adults and 4 children.

Two-Bedroom Penthouse Suites are air-conditioned in the bedrooms only. Penthouse suites feature a separate fan-cooled living/dining area with a sofa, flat-screen television with cable channels. The oceanfront Penthouse Suites are on the highest floor and is well appointed with magnificent oceanfront view, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. Please note: children under 13 years are not allowed to stay in the Penthouse Suites.

  • Booking Bonus: Book by 3 Dec '23 to receive up to 55% off the accommodation cost for stays between 16 Dec '24– 31 Oct '25. Terms and conditions apply. Blackout dates apply. Minimum night applies. Any applicable offers have been calculated into the prices shown. Offers may not be combinable.  

On The Water (beachfront restaurant serving Caribbean/International cuisine - open for breakfast, lunch and dinner). Noir* (à la carte rooftop restaurant, open 5 nights a week for dinner only - guests 12 years and over only). 2 bars (the main bar is open from 10:00am-11:00pm and the second bar is open when Noir is). Afternoon tea. Snack menu available daily from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Room service*.

Please note: guests may dine at Noir once per stay. Subsequent visits will be subject to availability and additional supplement.

Please note: reservations are required for lunch and dinner at both restaurants.

Nightly live music in the main restaurant from 8.30pm-10.00pm. A selection of complimentary seasonal activities and programmes are available to kids and teens during Christmas, Easter and the Summer school holidays. Subject to change and rotation, and will run based on minimum numbers.

Saltwater swimming pool. Reflections Spa*. Fitness centre. Non-motorised water sports including kayaking, paddle boards and body boards. Snorkelling equipment.

 Complimentary WiFi access. Guests Lounge with computer (with Internet access). 24-hour reception. Complimentary parking. Laundry service*. Babysitting service* (on request).

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. 

3 nights between 1 Apr-22 Dec.

5 nights between 6 Jan-31 Mar.

7 nights between 23 Dec-5 Jan.

* Denotes local charge.

Dress code

On The Water: the evening dress code is smart casual. Gentlemen may wear smart dress shorts and short sleeved shirts (polo shirts are allowed). Ladies tops/blouses must be full cover. Please note that no sports replica shirts or club branded merchandise are allowed at dinner. Smart jeans are allowed. No flip flops or trainers are allowed in the evening in the restaurant.

Cover-ups are required in the restaurant for breakfast and lunch and footwear is required in the restaurant at all times.

Noir Restaurant (à la carte): elegantly casual. Full-length trousers for gentleman and shirts with sleeves (either short or long sleeve), smart casual footwear. Stylish jeans and polo shirts are allowed. No T-shirts, sports replica shirts or club branded merchandise. No distressed jeans, three quarter pants, cargos or shorts (shorts applies to ladies also). No running shoes, flip-flops or caps are allowed in the restaurant. Children under 12 years are not allowed in Noir Restaurant. 

Please note: all rooms are non-smoking (including on balconies). Smoking is permitted in limited areas around the hotel.

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 (294)
  • Very good (109)
  • Average (62)
  • Poor (33)
  • Terrible (30)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A little piece of paradise with lovely staff!

Nov 20, 2024 ParadiseNets78 Derbyshire, United Kingdom

We loved the Sands, our first time and won’t be our last, we travelled with friends. We had a ground floor room with a pool and ocean view. Bedroom (with very comfortable bed), kitchenette with fridge, seating area and TV but to be fair we don’t spend much time in the room as the beach and pool area are so beautiful, we had an early problem with… Read more
We loved the Sands, our first time and won’t be our last, we travelled with friends. We had a ground floor room with a pool and ocean view. Bedroom (with very comfortable bed), kitchenette with fridge, seating area and TV but to be fair we don’t spend much time in the room as the beach and pool area are so beautiful, we had an early problem with mosquitoes but the staff were great and sprayed the room and once the 21 day fogging cycle had been done it got much better. Food was amazing, not like your average all inclusive, sit down 3 course lunch and dinners and buffet breakfast. Drinks also really good, any cocktail you can think of and fun to watch them make them. They like you to book your lunch and evening meal time at breakfast to avoid overcrowding or you can order a packed lunch if going out for the day if you give them 24 hours notice. We didn’t mind booking our time slot for meals but they wouldn’t deviate from these which was difficult sometimes as we had rain a few times and when it rains there is NOWHERE else to sit that is undercover at this hotel so even though there were tables free we had to stand huddled at the only dry area at the front of the restaurant or go back to your room! We didn’t want to eat any early but just to be sat down where it was dry would have been nice, lessons could be learnt here and made me question the 4 star service. You can eat at Noir once during your stay and I have to say that was an amazing experience, the food was a la carte and definitely worth booking it is closed Fri & Sat nights though. You have to be up early for a sunbed around the pool especially, but think everyone in Barbados rises early as it’s so beautiful. Most beds taken by 7.30am. Entertainment good, quizzes, rum tasting, managers cocktail party etc all round the pool bar daily and good quality and creating a lovely atmosphere. We booked a half day private tour through the hotel with Antonio! Can’t recommend enough, we did Bridgetown, Basheba, Cherry Tree Hill, Rhianna Drive and more. We caught the reggae bus to Oistins fish fry on a Friday (hotel trip is 25BBD we did it for 7 on the bus and a crazy experience) amazing atmosphere and entertainment. We went to see the race horses bathe at pebble beach at 5.30am for the sunrise. Snorkelling around Carlisle bay to see the turtles. St Lawrence Gap is a 5 mins walk away. It really does have so much to offer this place if you can peel yourself away from the hotel. Only negatives was outside the hotel the area surrounding is about tired and dirty, the patio areas need more furniture; table and chairs or sunbeds would be better than the bench with cushions, more sunbeds needed around the pool and A/C only in the bedroom so the living area was often too hot to relax in. The hotel is part of a chain so you can visit Mango Bay for the day in Holetown which is a nice experience and you’re all inclusive there too and is done on trust (no one wears wristbands) and we visited Island Inn for a cuppa after visiting the horses. All in all a fabulous trip and we would deffo come here again for the right price, I’ve been to better 4 star hotels but the staff and beautiful location won us over. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating hotel made by the staff

Nov 18, 2024 tomgZ8656BB

this was a good hotel made great by the staff. Restaurant and front of house staff were superb, bar staff pretty good although service could be a little slow. food was hugely better than expected after some of the reviews we had read before we went, we never had any bad food at all in the week we were there and some of it was really very good… Read more
this was a good hotel made great by the staff. Restaurant and front of house staff were superb, bar staff pretty good although service could be a little slow. food was hugely better than expected after some of the reviews we had read before we went, we never had any bad food at all in the week we were there and some of it was really very good indeed. If I could change anything is if they would enforce the rules about booking sun loungers. our room was great and it was just one of the basic ones, we also took advantage of the day up at the Mango bay which was a good experience, and getting the bus up there was another superb experience. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Overall an average hotel

Nov 17, 2024 David L Greater London, United Kingdom

Just got back from 9 nights at the Sands. Nice small hotel with friendly and attentive staff. Food was varied in the main restaurant with a mixture of buffet style and service at your table. Portion sizes were small but tasty and good for our waistlines. Visited the Noir restaurant once and found it to be mediocre and not worth a second… Read more
Just got back from 9 nights at the Sands. Nice small hotel with friendly and attentive staff. Food was varied in the main restaurant with a mixture of buffet style and service at your table. Portion sizes were small but tasty and good for our waistlines. Visited the Noir restaurant once and found it to be mediocre and not worth a second visit. Beach was good and the nightly singers were excellent. Location is great and close to St Lawrence Gap and Six the excellent sports bar. Easy bus ride to Oistins, a must on Fridays, and Bridgetown. Been to the Caribbean more than 20 times across many islands and have to say this was the worst example of either watered down or low grade alcoholic drinks, the spirits specifically. Beer and wine were good (explains why so many people were only drinking beer or wine), but everything else was unacceptably poor. Shocking and should be addressed. Also worth saying that for periods of every day of our stay the bar ran out of water or beer. Rooms were a good size but the bathrooms need to be updated. Overall, a 3/5 strikes the right balance and represents our experience. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Cracking Hotel

Nov 14, 2024 lazy74 Doncaster, United Kingdom

Superb All Inclusive holiday. We stayed for 7 nights and enjoyed a lovely Ocean view room, excellent food and drink and great service. Love the fact that they clean the room everyday and even have a turn down service on an evening. Live entertainment every night and they were great. Found the staff very friendly and always keen to help. The hotel… Read more
Superb All Inclusive holiday. We stayed for 7 nights and enjoyed a lovely Ocean view room, excellent food and drink and great service. Love the fact that they clean the room everyday and even have a turn down service on an evening. Live entertainment every night and they were great. Found the staff very friendly and always keen to help. The hotel is only some 500m from St Lawrence Gap with all its restaurants and bars and there are some great beach walks to enjoy. We will definitely be back. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The Sands Barbados..!

Nov 6, 2024 Deirdre R

Nice clean relatively small hotel.. Doesnt have the facilities of the large hotels we've stayed in! Good pleasant staff-always polite and helpful.. Rooms are comfortable and have all facilities necessary..! Only one basic restaurant,but you are allowed one visit to the luxury end Noir..!