My husband and I (Ken & Lyn Wills) got married at The Mango Bay Hotel on the 11th April 08. Before I go any further about the Hotel, I would like to say that the Wedding Co-ordinator Josea Brown who did an excellent job in helping to make our Wedding day/Honeymoon so special, even when the band that we had booked let us down at the last minute, Josea provided excellent music whilst having our pictures taken. We arrived on the 7th April, and although our Ocean Front Room that we booked was great, it was very noisy due to a plunge pool in the Penthouse Suite above us, we mentioned this to Josea, as we were not too happy about the noise, it sounded as if you had a launderette above your head, and it did go on for quite a few hours every day, she immediately arranged a change of room for us through the Manager of the Hotel to the other Penthouse Suite, which was unbelievable, it was fantastic, and we were very very grateful indeed, although we never used the plunge pool ourselves, but the suite was like an apartment and the view’s from our balcony were brilliant. To be honest, the Hotel offered us everything we needed and more, the food as superb and the friendliness of the staff was the best we have experienced in all our years of going to Barbados, they were so helpful, nothing was too much trouble for them, it was a joy to be served by them each day. The rooms were spotless and cleaned everyday, towels and beach towels changed everyday, and a turndown service was provided every evening, although I must say the chocolates left on the bed each night were not that nice, but you didn’t need to eat them. There were Pedalos, Canoes, Speed Jets and a Hobby Cat if you wanted to do something a bit more exciting than relaxing on the beach everyday, the Hotel also provided a Catamaran trip twice a week, which was free to guests of the Hotel, with the opportunity to swim with the Turtles. The food in the restaurant was very good and varied, with waiter service most lunch times and evenings, although personally for me and some of our friends, we would have preferred self service at lunch times, mainly because we didn’t always want to have to sit down for a long lunch every day, and would have preferred something light, and to help ourselves to what ever we wanted, still that is only a very minor criticism. I would also like to mention that the entertainment laid on every evening was very good, they had something for everyone, and it was all thoroughly enjoyable. The Spa facilities at the Hotel were the best that I have had, the girls were well trained and gave the best Aromatherapy Massage and facials that we have ever had in Barbados. I would certainly recommend this Hotel to anyone who wishes to get married in Barbados, it’s the best Hotel we have stayed in over the eight years of going there, and cannot thank them enough for making my Wedding Day/Honeymoon so special. Well-done Mango Bay, and Thank You.

This is one of the better All Inclusive Hotels on the West Coast of Barbados. Officially a three star, but pushing four star in many areas. As others have stated, the beaches on the West Coast are golden sand rather than white and generally quite narrow. There is a nice little beach here. You do get pestered by beach vendors and the jet ski guys but they will move on if you just say no thanks. A jet ski ride is great by the way!
The pool is quite small and decorative rather than practical. More for a quick plunge rather than a real swim. Swimming in the sea is fine.
There is a bit of a shortage of sun beds and shade around the pool but there are loads of sun beds and umbrellas on the beach.
I didn't understand the comments from some reviewers about food portions. Breakfast is an all you can eat buffet affair; fruit, cereal, continental breakfast, full English, waffles, toast, yoghurt etc. etc. If you eat half of that you won't want lunch. Five days a week lunch and dinner is chosen off a menu and served at your table. Twice a week it is a buffet. The served lunch and dinners are a treat. Yes the food is a bit nouvelle cuisine and served on big plates so it doesn't look enormous. I can assure you though that after three courses you are full. Most importantly, the food is very good. All the staff everywhere are very friendly and excellent.
The white wine is quite drinkable but the white is all medium dry. I think this caters for the American palate. In Europe, I think most people drink dry white wine and the medium is just too sweet. I have asked them to supply dry and hope they listen.
We had an Ocean front room and this was very good. Most of the rooms overlook the pool and also looked very good. If you do go for the cheapest rooms at the back of the hotel, they don't have any views and will get some noise from the bars behind the hotel. All the rooms have air conditioning, which is quiet. The room was a good size as was the bathroom.
Bar was great. If you ask for gin or whiskey etc. you will just get the local brew. You can ask for Gordon’s, Black label, Southern Comfort etc. and that will still be provided free. Beer is draft Banks or bottled Carib. Both very good.
Overall, if you want a really nice hotel for a special birthday or holiday this would be just the ticket. If you want a honeymoon destination, I would go to Antigua or elsewhere.
Coral Reef and The Royal Pavilion looked good with great beaches. Sandy Lane has the best beach on the West Coast and would be THE place to go for a honeymoon, but very expensive. I would definitely avoid Almond Beach Resort and Crystal Cove. Beaches at these hotels are almost non existent.
Other tips - the hotels free catamaran trip is a must and snorkelling with the turtles on this trip was memorable. The shopping trip to Bridgetown was disappointing. Not a lot there. There are two shopping malls in Holetown near the hotel and they are just as good. If you go shopping take your passport and a note of your flight number home. You get duty free in some shops with these.
I would recommend a trip round the island. There are organised tours or you can get a taxi to show you around for $50 Barbados an hour. (About £13) Doing the lot in one day is too much. I would recommend going out for two or three hours one morning and doing the north and east coast and then going out another day and doing the south and west. Maybe hire a car for three days. This seemed quite cheap. Don't forget your drivers licence! They drive on the left.
Take a trip on one of the yellow local buses. They cost $1.50 Barbados a trip and it is just a great experience travelling with the locals and reggae ghetto blaster.
For a special meal try The Tides, just a few minutes walk from the hotel. Quite expensive, cost £130 for three courses and a bottle of fairly average wine, but wonderful location and the food was absolutely fantastic. I used to think a £100 meal was a rip off but this place has educated me.

My husband and I stayed for 10 nights at the Mango Bay back in February and it was a great stay. The rooms are beautifully appointed with the most comfortable bed we have ever experienced in a hotel. It was our second visit to the island and our first the Mango Bay and we would recommend it. The food was lovely and the staff warm and friendly. There are plenty of things to do included in the price and we took advantage of the trip to Bridgetown and the glass bottom boat trip. We ate out on our last night at Olives which is a short stagger down the road. Food there was lovely and we thought very reasonably priced too. We hired a car for a couple of days and the staff were very helpful in getting us one. The beach is small but still lovely but actually we spent our lounging time by the pool instead and never had a problem getting a sun bed. There is entertainment every night but actually we thought it would be nice to have a 'night off' every now and again as it was slightly instrusive (though this is probably just us as we like to spend a lot of time on our own on holiday). There is plenty to see in walking distance and we loved the chattel village (a fave last time we went too).

All in all a lovely relaxing holiday amongst very friendly locals.

This is a great 3 star hotel. We just came back from a very relaxing 10 days there.
Our room was really nice. Spacious & with a huge & very comfortable bed.
We paid extra for an ocean view room. We were on the third floor with a direct view & it was fabulous! We spent many evenings having a glass of wine on the balcony watching the sunset before going to dinner.
The staff are really friendly and go all out to make you feel welcome. There were alot of repeat visitors there & you get the feeling most people seem to know each other. As it turns out the owners daughter was getting married whilst we were there & about 70% of the hotel guests were actually there for the wedding!
The food is lovely & the staff are constantly topping up your wine glass! We have only been to one all inclusive previously & this was in a 5 star hotel in Mauritius so we had to make allowances not to compare too much between the two. However saying that Mango was still great. We went out for a few evenings for dinner just for a change. There is only the one restaurant in Mango so we would have been a bit bored eating there every night. We went to the Cliff & Sandy Lane & The Tides for dinner & they were all great, but expect to pay London prices.
The only downsides that I could see was that the beach was fairly narrow at the front of the hotel, only enough room for one row of sunbeds. However there were plenty of beds & we never had a problem finding one. The beaches arent that wide on the west coast in general, except outside Sandy Lane.
The swamp that people mentioned did smell occasionally. We didnt have any rain when we were there & it was very hot . I got a couple of mosquito bites but I get them everywhere I go anyway.
We also went on the trip to Bridgetown & the glass bottom boat which were enjoyable. My husband also did the catamaran trip which he said was excellent & he loved swimming with the turtles. Overall a great holiday & a great hotel.