This was our 3rd trip to Barbados but 2nd to the west coast. We picked the Treasure Beach based on tripadvisor reviews and the fact that it is small (35 suites). Unfortunately this was to backfire on us.

When we arrived, we were informed that there had been a burst pipe and our room (& 3 others) had no water - not really what you want to hear when you have been on the go for approx 17 hours!!. We were told that they were working on a" temporary fix" but we could shower in the spa which was below our room (once we negotiated our way around those working on the problem).

The weekly cocktail party was on that evening so we joined that for a short time and Jason (the manager) told us that we had our "temporary fix " & the plumber would be there the next day. As it turned out we only had water in the WC & basin, not the shower.

The next day, our Virgin rep Solange arrived & we advised her of the situation. We agreed to give the hotel until 1700 to sort out the problem & she kept Virgin informed. As the hotel was full, we could not move room. By 1700 nothing had changed. Jason seemed to think some progress had been ,so we then had a procession of people checking the water in our room and even changing the shower head - presumably that was going to convert the dripping brown trickle to an acceptable & clean water pressure!!

Jason checked the room availability (many people only stay for a few days). He was able to move us to another room for 2 nights, then a different one for 1 night and offered to upgrade us to a deluxe one for the last 3 nights - a bit much for a one week stay. We agreed to move for the first night but asked Solange to investigate alternative accommodation for the rest of our holiday.

We packed our things & moved to another room which was fine with a fairly large air conditioned bedroom ( plus ceiling fan), a separate living room with fridge and a large bathroom with water- which had begun to seem like a luxury. It was very similar to the original room and fairly typical Carribean style.

Once we were settled in, we went to dinner which was very enjoyable with good service. Breakfast was also fairly good. There was a reasonable amount of choice although things could have been replenished more quickly. The staff are all friendly and helpful . However they do tend to forget who requested an item and may try several tables before finding the right one. It is maybe just as well it is a small hotel but I found this quite endearing in a "Carribean chillout" sort of way. There are small birds which fly around at breakfast time, ever hopeful, so it is wise to keep one person at the table to shoo them away if it bothers you.

Few people seemed to use the pool as the sea was so close. The staff will place the sunbeds where you wish on the grass or the beach although the area available is limited. Towels are supplied by the hotel and the staff come round occasionally with fruit kebabs or cold towels which is very welcome. The complimentary afternoon tea with finger sandwiches and scones is also a nice touch.

A mosquito zapper complete with tablets was supplied in the bedroom. This was useful as I was unable to use my liquid one due to the socket being at a 90 degree angle. Molten Brown toiletries were supplied in the bathroom.

A bus stop is directly outside the hotel costing 2 Barbados dollars no matter whether you travel one mile or to the end of the line. It is definitely an experience and the music can be deafening but there is a lot of traffic and the footpath alternates from one side of the road to the other, so walking is a bit of a hazzard.

Our rep arranged for us to move to the Tamarind Cove which was next door. She even offered to get us a taxi which would actually have taken longer than it did for us to walk to the hotel!-nice touch but not required. Solange (& Virgin ) were extremely efficient in sorting out our problem & Virgin also covered the extra cost. It was much appreciated.

Jason apologised profusely and didn't charge us for any drinks we'd had while we had been at the Treasure Beach. It is a nice place & if circumstances had been different, we would have been happy to stay.Unfortunately it did restrict us during the first two days of our holiday as we didn't know what was going to happen but we are pleased that we were able to stay in the area we had chosen to return to for our 10th anniversary.