I reviewed the ASR last year because we'd enjoyed our trip so much and felt they were worth mentioning, and I'm back to say that (for us) they are still on form. I said last time that we treat a hotel as a base, nothing more. We're out doing things and although we eat "at home" most evenings, we self-cater happily enough. We don't use the a/c (so can't complain about having to pay for it) because we like to acclimatise - and besides, once you've visited places like Tahiti where a/c is pretty much mandatory no matter what - you appreciate that the trade winds over Barbados work wonders for the humidity and it is far easier to get used to. If you have people in your party that require a/c for some reason (babies perhaps, obese people, probably) then your requirements may differ from ours. If anything, this year felt cooler than last year, so perhaps we're getting better at adapting. The ASR is not on a beach, and once or twice we thought it might have been nice to be able to stumble out of our room onto the sand as we'd done in 1998, from the (then) Inn on the Beach. The trap with having a beach hotel is that it becomes tempting just to stay put and not explore other beaches. If you like the idea of trying multiple beaches (and there are many wonderful ones on Barbados all with their own quirks and character) then a hotel with access to transport is as good wherever it is. The ASR is close to the H1 highway (far enough away that it doesn't get road noise in the evenings, though, as would the landside rooms in a beach hotel). If you're not averse to strolling through the grassy rain channels (on dry days), two of which run past the hotel, you can be at the coast road within about 5 minutes tops. This year we didn't hire a car at all and took buses from the nearby stops to explore many other west coast beaches, and once walked up to Speightstown sampling every beach with public access from the road that we could find. We settled eventually on a really nice "locals" beach that catamaran cruises advertise as a "deserted beach", and when they departed after an hour there, we would indeed have the beach to ourselves often for the rest of the day. We're really not the kind of folk to be shuttling ourselves around in a/c "comfort" and would much rather explore on foot if we are not simply lazing on a beach admiring the glittering waters (or zip-lining, which was great fun). Since even the locals seemed a bit surprised that we'd strolled up to Speightstown (c'mon, it's only about 5-6 miles) I assume it isn't a national pastime. Our "deserted beach" was just a few minutes away by local bus, and we were pitching camp 15-20 minutes after locking our patio doors.

This year, the ASR offered beach towels, which were handy for our beach trips since the quieter beaches don't have sun-loungers and beach umbrellas available. With a beach towel and a friendly palm tree on a deserted beach, we were happy! The ASR staff were also particularly kind this year, when I was briefly unwell and confined myself to the hotel for a day (I had work to do anyway, and took the opportunity). The'd discovered I wasn't 100% and offered many small sympathetic touches that I really appreciated.

I've been quite open about the fact that I don't expect or even *want* every little luxury - to me, that kind of fussing just gets tedious very quickly. I go to Barbados for "space", peace & quiet, room and time to think. ASR offers that, you can be as gregarious or isolationist as you please, no problem, you won't be imposed upon in any way. The rooms are basic, no doubt, and ours lacked a sharp kitchen knife we'd need to chop up pineapples for our home-made cocktails, but we had one on request. I'm not particularly comfortable on the furniture, I have to say, however the furnishings are practical for the tropical environment where a succession of guests passing through would require the ASR to launder any covers or cushions so regularly that the prices would have to reflect the laundry bill, so I'm okay with that "deficiency", you get what you pay for - you want unabashed luxury? Then you can pay the hotel's overheads! The ASR isn't a luxurious hotel, but pretty much on a par with other places we've visited in Barbados over time, and there are plenty worse too. I see it as a practical place to use as a base for getting around, the staff are kind and friendly, the rooms while basic are presentable and serviceable, the cottages and grounds tend to get some TLC in eary December, so a visit beforehand will show the hotel in a poorer light than in early January after cottages have had their exterior paint refreshed, walls etc likewise, and the grounds have been manicured to some extent.

So yes, I'm a "cup half full" kind of guy. If I had a gripe it'd be "please can we have more flowering plants so that we see more hummingbirds when we're taking breakfast in our porch"!

I'm going to use this review to also say formally "thanks" to everyone at the ASR for simply being decent human beings, it was a pleasure to stay amongst you again this year, you do your lovely island great credit - thank you!

All in all the All Seasons Europa is a very comfortable, spatious, clean and economical resort that is ideal to use as a base to create your own Barbados holiday or just laze by the pool without spending a small fortune.

Ok, I have never written a review on Trip Advisor and have been using it for years however in this instance I really want to praise All Season Europa and encourage other budget concious travellers to visit them. Here it is layed out for you, this hotel costs £75 per night!! The next cheapest option that we had was a 3* room only in the gap for £2,000. A 4* all inclusive resport wanted around £8,500 for the 3 of us to go for 10 nights over Christmas. I was expecting basic, basic but what we found was a spatious holiday home, well kept, immaculately cleaned daily with all and more of the facilities you hope to have if you take a small family away except its not on the beach. I have a 4 year old, after 3 days of restaurant food she had not really seen a vegetable so how great it was just to nip to the supermarket buy some fresh veg and be able to prepare something for ourselves in the fully functioned kitchen; whether you use it or not, it is there for you. We also made our own breakfast but did eat breakfast in the restaurant on the first morning. Which brings me onto the restaurant at Europa. The food is off good quality and breakfast was around £8 each, not the £25 each we were charged last time we went to Barbados. The bar charges a reasonable £1.60 for a banks beer, etc etc... All seasons Europa is a fantastic little base where you will not be charged the earth for everything you want. Ok so you pay for the aircon but you know that upfront, for me it is preferable that they offer the room at the lower price and then you can decide if you want/need it or not, we took it for the duration. The pool is cleaned daily and was fantastic for us, I went out with a 4 year old who had never willingly put her face in the water and came back with a mini mermaid! The grouds are well kept and although some areas would benefit from an update it is a prefectly comfortable environment to spend a relaxed holiday in. All the staff were freindly and professional and helpful at all times. Thank you to everyone who helped us have a lovely holiday. We also have a car which I would recommend (approx £25 per day if you book in advance), drive down to Paynes Bay Beach (10 mins) to hobnob it with the rich and famous staying a 1 Sandy Lane or go up to mullins Bar, 20 mins rent some loungers and unbrellas to spend your days at the beaches.
Eat out at nice restaurants, there are plenty to choose. Of course you will have to pay but that is OK becasue you will have plenty of spending money because you saved loads on the accomodations costs. Take absolutely no notice of Shane Rizzy G, there are some serious delussions of granduer in that review. £75 a night, this place is a bright, happy bargain! Enjoy.

Its easy to be fooled by online pictures and inviting words, but my experience was all but good.
1. The place is not well kept. The furniture is old
2. An A/C is in every cottage but cannot be used unless you pay an additional US$14 per night
3. Even upon paying for A/C you may not get a remote to use it because they have a shortage of a/c remotes. Imagine that.
4. There is no ironing board or iron. You have to make a request for it and you will get only when someone is leaving as there is a shortage of these as well.
5. The tea cups seemed to be for children's dolls. They were that small
6. There were no serving trays. if you ordered food at any point, your plate was handed to you just like that.
7. The swimming pool is very small and uninviting
8. The quality of service fluctuated from person to person. Some just really don't know how to talk to their guests.

I was at this hotel Dec 3- 10 , 2012... My second time here. I love it. if you are looking for peace and quiet, it is the place to go. If you do not mind a 10-15 minute walk to the beach ( or you can have Dennis drive you ). The staff are fantastic. You have to pay seperately for the A/C and the safe. It is not an all inclusive. But the grocery store is only a short walk away. ( Or again there is Dennis )..