Having booked at the last moment for a Christmas/New Year getaway I was unsure what we were going to get for our money. However the Coral Reef Club in Barbados was a Christmas present to die for. Firstly the room was spotless and the baby cot was already set-up in the room (if you don't have kids this is something you generally have to ask 100 times for!). The grounds are beautiful and so well maintained.

The hotel is run like clock-work and the owners/managers were always around making sure that everything was in excellent condition and everyone was happy. I have never once been to a hotel where I could not complain about something, yet this hotel was faultless. The accomodation, service, staff, food, grounds... everything was tip-top!

On Christmas Day santa and his helper came on a horse-drawn carriage with presents for ALL the guests and that included us, even though we had literally flown in the day before, we had personal presents with our names (even the baby) wrapped and handed to us on the beach. A lovely touch.

If there was one complaint (and it didn't really apply to the hotel) was that the beauty room at the entrance to the hotel was grubby and not to the standard of the hotel.

We had not visited Barbados for a number of years as we had decided we preferred the less developed atmosphere of Antigua. On our last couple of visits to Barbados we had stayed at the Sandpiper, which was full on this occasion, so we opted for its larger sister hotel – The Coral Reef Club. Run and maintained to the same standard by the O’Hara family, it was very similar to the Sandpiper only larger. We had a lovely room (junior suite) called ‘Wildcane’. The standards and staff at The Coral Reef are first class as is the setting, the gardens, the beach and the food, the only criticism of the food would be that it is mainly buffets – but they are very good. The beach and water sports were good albeit the beach was a little stony at the waters edge, there was no problem getting sun beds. We met a couple in the bar one night we met at Turtle Beach in Barbados in 2000! They were staying in a villa at the Royal Westmoreland complex which was lovely – we may book one if we come back with the kids. The tennis program at Coral Reef (4-6pm) with a different visiting coach every couple of weeks, is good and it means you can play every day without having to organize anything. The courts were excellent with rackets and balls all provided. The gym is also quite adequate. We had some nice meals in the hotel and some nice meals out, notably at Lone Star, Tides and Daphne’s. There were at large number of pensioners in the hotel, many of whom are regulars; they all seemed to know each other which gave it a very ‘club’ feel. Evidently later in February the age range moves up another level! Many of the guests have been going for many years, which speaks highly of the hotel. The bar is great for pre-dinner drinks and nibbles. According to my wife the spa was disappointing but is being redeveloped next year. We had lunch (great) and dinner at the Sandpiper where dinner is more refined than at Coral Reef. BA has a new fast check in facility for club and first class passengers at Barbados which is excellent. Note from taxi driver; BA flights often disembark before other flights that arrive at the same time! This was a great trip and we were pleasantly surprised by the elegance of Barbados after five years away.

Outdated - and a little dirty - could do with a renovation.
The owners a Barbadian white family were not friendly

Matt

Returned today after 7 nights at this marvellous hotel. If you want "cutting edge" modern design in an hotel don't come here (or probably Barbados at all). This hotel was established in 1952 - but it is immaculately maintained and has an elegant but informal air to it. All ages should feel comfortable here - but if you want a lively night life go elsewhere! This hotel is for those that want to chill out. Watersport is easily available on the beach. The beach area of the hotel is cramped (as are most hotel beaches on the west coast) but walk 50 yards and you can find more space - but never complete privacy; or have a sunbed on one of the lawns (less than 20 yds from the beach). We were not pestered by the traders on the beach - just politely decline and they move on - but if you show interest they will try to sell - it is their living after all!! The gardens are extensive and well established and maintained.

The restaurant offers excellent food and wine and is on a par with many of the restaurants on this part of the west coast. We were on the meal plan (half board) but they do offer exchange dining with several other hotels which is worth doing. We had evening meals at The Sandpiper and Cobblers Cove on exchange dining and also swapped an evening meal for lunch one day when we went to Tides Restaurant for dinner. Prices at these restaurants do not vary too much - three courses approx B$140 plus drinks. All the meals we had were top quality - and probably which restaurant one feels is best, depends as much on the restaurant's ambience and service as it does on it's food.

Reception staff were particularly friendly and helpful with restaurant bookings and taxi services and any other requests - one of them even lent my wife his "blackberry" charger. Guests are asked not to use cell phones in public places and this appeared to be adhered to - people just walk into the gardens!

An excellent hotel that gives excellent value (for Barbados).

We will return!!!