Have just spent 10 amazing days at the Dian Bay.
We were made to feel very welcome right from the minute we arrived in the great reception area (no idea what the person was talking about below).
The room was large and airy - the 2nd floor rooms have high ceilings up to the rafters. We had a fantastic view over the entire bay and a large balcony to sit / stand and watch the sunsets. The room was kept very clean for the whole time we were there. The aircon worked - wasn't too loud - but we found that the fan was often good enough.
The hotel's set in nice well maintained grounds down a hillside to the small but perfect beach. Dian Bay hotel pratically has the whole of Mango Bay to itself (the Long Bay hotel is at the far end, but has no beach). You can spend your days on one of the 2 beaches - Lovers' Bay is reached by their free boat whenever you want - raise the flag when you want to get back. There's swimming, snorkelling - plenty to see and the reef's just up near the entrance to the bay, kayaking around the bay or up to Devil's bridge or one of the lads will take you out catfish sailing.
All the staff were really friendly and welcoming - especially the lovely Brenda behind the bar. Eric would come over to the other beach and bring you drinks mid morning. George the cat will be around - so make sure you give him some of your fish supper and a tickle.
The food was, on the whole, excellent - often really well presented and different - especially the fish. The first few nights were a la carte as they're weren't enough at the hotel to make a buffet worthwhile. After that it alternated. There was plenty of choice. Definitely not all chips and burgers here.
The hotel's well away from the main crowds and sometimes we had the beaches to ourselves, unlike any of the other main tourist areas. It had by far the nicest setting of any hotel we saw on the island - even the expensive Jumby Bay.
We found the 10 days very relaxing and loved being in a smaller hotel. We wandered over to the Pineapple Beach one morning and found the beach busy with guests, children and vendors. Only the reef is worth visiting.
There are few hotels I would want to return to as there are so many places to visit, but this is one place I would definitely return to.
Our only 'complaint' was that Virgin (we booked with BA) were moving guests from the overbooked Pineapple Beach to Dian Bay which made the hotel busier than it need be - however, we never struggled to find a space on the beach and often had it to ourselves (there are only 52 rooms).
This isn't the place to come if you expect lots of activities, multiple restaurants, organised activities and entertainment.
This is a small, lovely caribbean hotel with great staff. Thank you!