We spent a week here at the end of February.
The hotel was lovely - clean, spacious room (we had a junior suite) and a nice bathroom. The food at breakfast was good and we had lunch and dinner at the hotel once, both of which were excellent.
The pools are a little small but I think that is typical of most Barbados hotels as space seems to be at a premium along the coasts on this popular island. However, with the beach to use too, the pools didn't get crowded at the times we used them.

The beach was nice and we were hardly accosted at all - just once or twice each day. The swimming area was a bit too restricted for me, I like to feel open and unrestricted in the sea and have a good long swim, but the cordoned off area was relatively small to allow for all the various watersports that were on offer.
When we came to the pool later in the day (ie mid-afternoon) there was usually a frustratingly long wait for pool/beach towels (one man waited almost an hour) and no apology offered when they finally did arrive

Whilst some of the staff were helfpul, most gave the impression that it was all a bit too much trouble. I appreciate that the attitude in the Caribbean is more laid back but this was just plain rude at times. They would do as you (politely) asked, but with a huff and a puff. Its almost as if many of them are carrying a chip on their shoulder. The staff at reception were very helpful.

So in summary, the hotel was very good and a beautiful setting but not as fantastic as I would expect for the cost.

We stayed at the Colony Club for a week before Easter. Naturally, our plane was delayed, forcing us to check in after midnight. The night crew, desk, security/bell hop, cocktail waitress were cheerful considering the hour. They brought us our welcome cocktail - too strong for our tastes but good nevertheless.

We had a deluxe ocean view room - slightly different from the ocean view suite that was discussed in the next post. These rooms are on the second floor, above the one bedroom suites, allowing a view of the pool and beach. They are not ocean front rooms - I guess the only ocean front rooms were some on the other side of the complex. The room was nicely decorated - their website does a good job of showing the room. The poarch with the day bed was a nice way to be outside and still be out of the sun.

Morning, afternoon and evening waiters and waitresses were all nice and usually thoughtful and the bar tenders and their waitstaff were fairly attentive except on the beach. We often had to chase down someone to help us.

As for the beach vendors, be nice, say no thank you and they will leave you alone.

On a negative side, I felt that the price we paid for March (I know it is high season) was way too much, all over the island. For the $$$ we paid, we could have had much nicer, ocean front suites on other, more interesting islands in high season. I felt that we never got out of a dinner, either at the hotel or around the island, for less than $140 per couple. The food around the island and in the hotel was good, however, and service around the island was well above average.

Would I go back to Barbados - no, there are other islands in the area that offer as much, look better and aren't as expensive in high season.

Would I stay at the Colony Club again IF I went back to Barbados - yes, compared to the other offerings on the island, the location, the facilities, the cleanliness of the rooms and the grounds, the service and the overall feeling on the property, I would stay at the Colony Club again.

Swimmin' M

We stayed at the Colony Club for a week at the end of Feb, 2008. We chose this particular hotel based on the reviews on this site and we were on the whole not disappointed.

On arrival we were met with cold towels and complimentary drinks whilst checking in. The staff were informative and told us every thing we needed to know about the restaurants, shuttle bus, taxis etc. They had even booked us in for dinner that evening. We were taken to our suite one of four 'ocean view suites'. The room was well appointed with a large outdoor lounging area (day beds) with privacy curtains and an area for dining. During our stay we didnt use this area at all due to the positioning of these suites. Our four poster bed was one of the most comfortable I have ever slept in. The bathroom was large, with a whirlpool bath separate. A kitchen area with a fridge, tea/
coffee making facilties, crockery and glasses were also a very useful addition. (ask at the bar for the bottles of milk to keep in the fridge). There was also a separate lounge, with flat screen TV (slightly smaller than the one in the bedroom), sofa (bed) with access onto the patio. All areas were air-conditioned with soft lighting via standing and table lamps. We had two double wardrobes, drawers and a small library of books. Each evening turn-down services left ELEMIS samples and/or cakes/chocolates, and bottled water. We had fresh fruit every day and there was a waiting chilled bottle of champaign on our arrival. My only negative comments on the room were that it was not in any way an ocean view. Not even on tippytoe could you see the sea. During the day the suite was very dark due to being ground floor and facing north west and hence why the day bed area would rarely be used. However, it was a very warm cosy room in the evening due to the soft lighting and warm toned furnishings. Had the room not been so pleasant I would have complained about the ocean view.

The staff and operation of the hotel we could not fault. They went out of their way to accommodate your requests and always greeted you with a smile. The concierge staff were to be complimented. Breakfasts were good, although the food could do with being a bit hotter. We had one al a carte meal and this was very good food wise but the staff were struggling to cope service wise. The out door eating area was pleasant, though watch the high heels on the decking and negotiating the sand for the buffet. Well us ladies like to dress for the evening and I did eventually resort to flatty shoes to avoid a falling over carrying your dinner spectacle. The BBQ was the only meal that let the hotel down due to the food being undercooked.

We enjoyed our stay at this hotel and would recommend it for adults who want a quiet time, with a gentle evenings as the entertainment is limited and the inside bar area is very small should you need to be inside. Our biggest comment to the hotel management would be please, do something about the beach vendors. I was quite upset some days is the interruptions were constant and some would not take no for an answer. One 'gentleman' whilst my other half was off jetskiing came back and harranged me again about why i wouldnt buy anything and had i got out of the wrong side of the bed, why wouldnt i look at him. All I had said was 'no thank you' (about five times) and carried on reading my book. I found them quite stressfull.

A great little hotel, in a good area for 'shopping' and restaurants outside, with some really nice touches, good food (most of the time) and great staff. It is not the Sandy Lane but then again you get what you pay for and this was really good value for money. Well done Colony Club.

We just spent 10 wonderful days at the Colony Club. The relatively new general manager Gayle Talma is making a real impact at the Colony and in particular in the levels of service. The staff were outstanding, nothing was too much trouble and this is due to the fact that they are all personally benefiting in the success of the hotel. We stayed in a luxury poolside room which was lovely and I would recommend these rooms. The beach is one of the best on the west coast and yes, there are a few coral rocks to navigate when going into the sea but it was not a problem and there are plenty of sunbeds. The watersports are excellent and free and the beach team are always around to serve you with drinks and complimentary fruit, sorbet and cool towels throughout the day. Breakfast is very good and the standard of food in the Laguna restaurant was as good as many of the restaurants in Holetown. Although we ate at Tides (I suggest you email the restaurant to reserve a table before travelling and then you get one of the best tables by sea), The Mews and others I have to say we enjoyed eating at the hotel as it offered live entertainment most evenings which was of a very high standard. Every Tuesday the General Manager hosts a cocktail party followed by BBQ on the sundeck and entertainment and I highly recomment this. There is lots to see and do in Barbados and I can recommend two specific excursions. Firstly, book the Catamaran Silvernoon before you depart (there are two boats one for 12 and one for 24) and you will have the most amazing day. We went on the catamaran for 12 and sailed to the top of the west coast where we snorkelled with green turtles and had lunch, totally fantastic. Lots of boats offer you this but Silvermoon is regarded to be the best on the island and the crew schedule the sailing so that you are not surounded by other boats and they offer excellent service. It is a 5 hour trip and around BB$350 per couple. We also took a Natural Wonders Tour with Glory Tours. This took us, with the highly experienced guide Steve, to Harrison's Cave, The Wildlife Reserve, Orchid World and local churches and then onto the East Coast to Bathsheba for lunch. Both the Catamaran Silver Moon and the Glory Tour, Natural Wonders can be booked via St James Travel & Tours who we found very efficient and professional. We did finally settle on the Colony as children under 14 are not allowed during February. We are both in late 50's and tend to try to find child -free hotels. This hotel is really not suitable for small children but perfect for couples and small groups of all ages. Finally, taxis are cheap and very efficient, duty free shopping excellent particularly if you are thinking of buying jewellery (diamonds and emeralds from South America) and the Gatsby Boutique in the hotel has some excellent beachware from the US. We met some lovely people at the hotel but I have to say there were some 'regulars' who behaved as if they owned the place and also the appalling habit of reserving sunbeds is flourishing at the Colony. Some beds were reserved all day with the guests turning up at 4.00pm for a 'dip'. This should be stopped by the hotel, at many 4 and 5 star hotels in Europe this is not acceptable and the pool/beach staff remove the towels. Also, licensed vendors can be overbearing but if you say 'no thanks' they do go away. We shall return to the Colony, it is a lovely hotel and we did not want to leave.