We have just spent two weeks at the Coconut Court in Barbados. We arrived in the dark, and our first impression of the hotel was walking into a clean, airy space and a welcoming smile and greeting from the receptionist. Our room looked just like the picture in Virgin's holiday brochure, Barbadian in style, which is what we wanted.

The next evening (after an exhausting day swimming in the turquoise sea and lying on a sunbed shaded by palm trees on the beach) we went to the Managers welcome cocktail party, where we sampled our first delicious rum punch, followed by a traditional bajan buffet, which we really enjoyed.

The food at the hotel is well cooked, well presented, although the menu a bit limited, however the menus are currently under review. Bajan's like their veggies hot and crunchy, which is a bit different to how we eat them in the UK, however, you get used to it!

The staff are the friendliest, most helpful group of people you could meet, all wanting to make sure your stay is an enjoyable one. The Concierge, Sarah, was exceptional in providing information about various trips and activities, and was always interested to know how we got on with the trips we took.

If you go to Barbados and only go on one excursion it has to be Ted's Tour. Ted clearly loves this island, he gives lots of bits of local history as you travel round, and a couple of bits of gossip too. Perfectly timed stops for refreshments and enjoying views, plus a great Bajan lunch. Ted likes to tell a few jokes and on our trip even sang a song - it was a great day out.

The beach at the hotel is kept clean, and there are plenty of sunbeds. The coconut palm trees on the beach provide welcome shade in the heat of the day. The reef off the beach provides calm water for snorkelling, and there are small fish to see. The pool and spa located on the deck of the hotel are both good. Again, on the deck there is a supply of sunbeds and plenty of chairs and tables.

From our room, which was at deck level, we saw a few small lizards scampering around, and we were fascinated by the occasional humming bird who came to feed on the flowers outside our room. The planting around the complex is very good, colourful, and really well maintained.

The location of the hotel is only 10 minutes or so from Bridgetown on the bus, and about three miles to Oistins. Oistins is where 'everyone' goes, particularly on a Friday night to enjoy good, inexpensive food, and a great atmosphere. Get there by 6pm and you may also see the sunset.

There is a well stocked gift shop on site, and even though we looked around shops on our journeys we ended up buying most of our gifts here, the prices are fair.

If we returnto Barbados for a holiday we would happily stay here again.

Jenny and Geoff Harrisson

Positives: location good for south coast dining etc
Pool and Jacuzzi on site. Helpful staff..snacks fine and breakfast. Beach clean and quiet. couple of nights with a buffet and some local entertainment.

Negatives.. Basic room. 2 cracked panes of glass in our patio doors. balcony chairs old and not comfy. bedding old and very tired. plumbing problem ..took long time to sort out. Too many children, bad mannered and screaming all day.

Think it would be ok for people with children here.
IMO a freshen up in order..spoke to a lot guests who have been coming for years and say same..they looking at other places next vist.
The beds are not for a good nights' sleep unless you have had much rum punch

just back from a week's stay at coconut court and we were very pleased with our choice of hotel.
stayed room only and ate out all the time.
the room was spacious, bright, very clean with an amazing full sea view. the bathroom was a little dated, but very functional. the shower was powerful with plenty of hot water all the time.
the beach was clean and never crowded and the ocean was turquoise blue and never cold. plenty of sunbeds always available.
the staff were very friendly and their attitude even spread to most of the guests, everyone saying "hello" ...
the bar was well stocked and excellent value. the strawberry and peach daquaris were to die for and only $8 US.
we paid for cooked breakfast once but didn't bother again...not that great and the buffet breakfast certainly wasn't woth $12.50.
hired a jeep as wanted our own transport, but rather expensive $100 a day, and you could easily manage without.
st lawrence gap was a great place to eat out any time of day or night, and only 5-10 mins away.
best restaurants were "flying fish" and "picese". the first was lovely. great menu, great views and fantastic friendly service. the second was very special. right on the water and very romtantic and beautful in the evening. staff there treated you very well. more expensive than most places, but well worth it. still good value by uk standards, around $130 US for 2 courses for 2 people with drinks.
the fish everywhere was gorgeous. would reccommend flying fish, barracuda and our favourite was king fish. just ask for it grilled, there's no need to mask the flavour with blackening or breadcrumbs.
went to crane beach...not quite "one of the top 10 beaches in the world" as it's supposed to have been listed as, but non the less, still very beautiful and really worth going to. the sea was amazing. massive waves, aquamarine blue and very soft white sand. you can rent a brolly and 2 loungers for $30 a day.

finally...if you go to the coconut court...make time to talk to tony the guy who stands by the steps leading onto the beach at the hotel. we were there a whole week and he never tried to sell us anything (he makes and sells jewellery on the beach). each time we passed he chatted to everyone with a huge smile on his face. you wouldn't even know he was selling anything! he is there all day every day. we were so humbled by him after speaking to him for longer on our last day. his attitude to life is something else and made us ashamed at the way we are sometimes and of the things that people from busier parts of the world let get to them in life. tony is a very clever and charming man. we wish we could have brought him home with us just to keep us in his frame of mind when the stresses of life get you down! (not that he would ever want to leave there!)
go to coconut court if your idea of a great holiday is a safe clean friendly hotel, with a gorgeous beach and lots to do and see within 30mins of where you're staying. we would certainly go back there again if we decided to return to barbados.

This is our first trip to Barbados and I had read the reviews on this site and found them to be pretty much right on. The rooms were very comfortable and clean. The view from the rooms are unbelievable! The beach is just incredible! The staff at the hotel are all very friendly and helpful, they will do anything to help make your stay the best. The restaurant and bar are very good. I had read how expensive the food was in Barbados but found that the cost of eating out there is similiar to other resort areas. The price for meals were very similiar to a stay at Disney World or ski resorts in Utah. Yes a little pricey but not over the top. We enjoyed the Seafood night at the hotel and the entertainment was fun as well. We enjoyed our stay so much that we extended from one week to 10 days and Judy was absolutely wonderful at finding us a room for our extra 3 days. The staff are like family by the time you leave and we miss them and the beach. Barbados is such a friendly, safe and beautiful island that more than met our expectations. Don't miss the Heatwave Sunset Cruise, Scuba diving or snorkel with Andrew at Eco Dive all which Lisa at the front desk is very helpful at setting up. Don't miss the fantastic sunsets there on the beach at the hotel. As we traveled the island I was always keeping an eye out for a better beach to stay on and I found that the beach at Coconut Court is the best beach. We will definitely be going back to Barbados and will stay at Coconut Court again.