Before going to Blue Water’s but unfortunately after booking, I read the various reviews on the hotel. It has to be said that I probably wouldn't have booked if I had read them earlier.
We ended up in Blue Waters after being unable to get a room in Jumby Bay. We had previously stayed at Galley Bay on the Island and various other top all inclusive hotels in the Caribbean. Blue Waters was the same price category as Galley Bay and more expensive than Le Sport but did not really compare favorably with either. Yes the pool bar was not manned at lunch time and yes some (but few) of the staff could have done with a training course on how to smile, but all in all service was good. My main areas of disappointment are two fold, firstly the place needs refurbishing. It is all very dated and old fashioned. Secondly was the food. Some of our meals were excellent others were very poor. There seemed to be a lack of consistency! A miscomprehension as to what ‘medium’ meant which varied from raw to very well done and basically a poor choice of how to serve some very nice food. For example one night in Vivian’s I had lobster which was large and succulent but smothered in cheap cheese and mushrooms. Another night and excellent piece of fish was ruined by being over cooked in butter.

All in all we had a wonderful holiday. We are a married couple in our earlier 40’s and it has to be said, like the good life. This holiday was great because it was spent with a husband I adore and little to do with the hotel. Will not go back and sorry but would not recommend it to others. If you are looking for excellent food, go the le sport and the Tao restaurant, a good beach, Palm island in the grenadines.

Firstly I must express my surprise at the bad review that was posted on the 1st June... as we were at the hotel for the week up to and including that date and our experience could not be more different.

The rooms:
We had a deluxe beachfront room - which as honeymooners we would have been upgraded to ... shame I didn't check this before hand as it would have saved a few quid. It was air conditioned, very well decorated, plenty of light, mosquito nets on all windows and doors - which are very welcome given the proximity of the sea, TV for those moments where the temparature outside just gets too much, phone, bath with shower - mains pressure is not that great - but perfectly acceptable, 6ft wide bed, all-inclusive minibar - including half bottles of local rum and gin. You fill out a form each night for the re-fills that you require the next day - no big hardship as during the days the bars are open outside if you run low on anything.

The location:
After the usual realisation that the roads in the caribbean are potholes connected with the occasional bit of tarmac, the journey to Blue Waters was fine and cheap $11 US fixed at the airport - probably a 20/25 min journey. Having not been to Blue Waters before - when we pulled up outside the resort - after entering a private drive - was a well built, very presentable building with a large number of high fans providing some welcome air movement in the hot and sticky weather. Welcomed by a member of staff, some rum punch was provided whilst the paperwork was being processed - they requested a accomodation voucher - which if you book by a standard travel agent I assume gets issued - as I booked the accomodation via expedia they were quite happy with a copy of the booking acceptance form - so try to remember an extra copy.
The main reception area is well ventilated, not air conditioned, and has 2 internet connected computers - vouchers for use cost US 10$ for 1 hour - this can be spread across the time you are there as there is a timer facility that stops when you 'logout'.

The Food:
The food was good, and certainly a different league to a number of the spanish all-inclusives I have attended (remember the hamburgers actually made of ham...mmmm nice). The menu varied each night in the Palm restaurant - and any standing food (salad/fruits etc) was covered - there are a couple of hotel cats in the restaurant - but they don't bother you if you dont feed them. The range of food was good, from steak to smoked salmon etc - the sign of a good restaurant to an englishman should be the quality of their puddings - and they had home-made cheesecakes and fruit flans that were very good. To cater for the american audience there was not too many spices added to some dishes that could have been livened up a bit - but generally very good. BBQ nights and internation cuisine night was good (yorkshire puds!) Didn't actually try Viviens (a la carte) as the food in the Palm always appealed more to us. The Palm was open air and could do with some citronella candles to deter the mozzies but if you have the proper spray - they shouldn't be an issue.

Facilities:
The pools were excellent - cleaned each morning - no missing tiles on the floors - easy entry and very pleasant temperature.
The poolside bars were very well stocked and brought water to the guests around the pools.
The beaches were cleaned and raked each morning and were within a minute walk from the room. There is some underwater kelp around that can cause a small jellyfish like sting - but this is easily avoided. There is plenty of fish and wildlife around (pelicans and crabs etc) for those looking to snorkel - watersports equipment is available as part of the AI package also.
There is a games room with Pool tables, table tennis and a couple of Playstation 2's for the kids. Next to this is an gym. Both of these rooms are air conditioned, but the games room air con was busted.
The electricity supply does go off now and then, but this is to be expected and returns promptly.

Staff:
Very nice people - though you do get the sense sometimes that being nice is in their contract, perhaps english cynicism - dont know. They are all very helpful and curteous and offer greetings each day.
There is definetly a procedure and hierarchy to things there which is evident in all areas of the staffing structure - but it works well for the guests.

Price:
Cheaper than Sandals and much more exclusive - 77 rooms and enough beach/pools/gyms/tennis court for everyone.

Overall:
I would recommend this Hotel without question as one of the best I have stayed in and would have no hesitation in returning - there were people returning there for the 11th time - which to me is the best recommendation someone can make.

Having just returned, I find the contrast between some of the opinions remarkable. I'll add mine to the pot of conflicting views:

Rooms - we were in one of the refurbished rooms, they're great (we were in 101). We asked for a balcony and were put in one of these - nobody walking past and just a view of a palm tree and the sea. I understand that they are closing for a refurb and plan to redo other rooms, but the location of some would still be offputting as the path is right outside the terrace.

Minibar - yes, you had to put a request for a restock the night before on your door/remember early the next morning, but given the quantity of alcohol that you would have to drink to empty it, is that really such a hardship? Minibar and icebucket replenished daily, no problems.

Bars - the cocktails were great. Yes the tonic was not the same, but hey it's not England and when so many other drinks are available, why not try something else for a change.

Service - with the exception of the spa manageress, we found everyone to be really friendly, polite and helpful. Unlike the USVI (where we went to next), they were genuine and wanted to make your holiday special.

Food - OK, we were there on our first ever AI package which may affect our expectations, but it was great. Breakfast was disappointing when you are used to champagne/homemade yoghurts when on holiday, but otherwise there was everything there that you needed. There was a buffet twice a week, the rest was from a selection of around 4/5 a night. The fish was consistently excellent. We found Vivyens very good indeed. If on AI wine is served by the glass (it does say that in the brochure), but towards the end of the week we were just brought a bottle of our favourite house wine (there are 5 to choose from) in a cooler. There were often lunchtime BBQs, but still an a la carte menu or snacks from the pool bar.

Location - yes there's nowhere to walk to, but the taxi/shuttle service is excellent and once you've walked round St John's it's good to escape back.

The beach was fantastic - plenty of loungers and space, sea was very warm and clear, watersports facilities good and all in all a great place to unwind.

Overall, it is only 4 star, some of the little touches are missing, but for the price we thought it fanastic value for money. We will return and have no hesitation in recommending it.

We first stayed at Blue Waters two years ago and loved it so much we decided to return. This time it was even better! The hotel has made some improvements in the past two years, including a lovely pool, and better sunloungers. The rooms were great, lovely balconies overlooking turquoise seas, and all the amenities you would expect in a four star caribbean hotel. Food was good, Vyviens excellent! All inclusive package generous.
The best thing about Blue Waters has to be the staff though, From the General manager to the guy sweeping the beach and everyone in between they are all so friendly and pleasant, and genuinely care that you have a great holiday. I have just read the last review posted, and can't believe what I read! It was far from our experience.