Dover Beach Hotel is superbly located on the beachfront in Cristchurch. We searched the internet and decided to try the Dover Beach due to its location, affordable prices and decent reviews. It was also described to be family friendly. We ( A family of 4) stayed at the hotel for 19 nights from oct 28 to nov 16 and we were not let down. The location on the beach is beautiful with a lovely wide stretch of beach adjacent to the turtle beach hotel. The hotel has an overall acceptable standard but is not luxurious by any means, but is well kept and very clean. The main building is the building which has been most recently refurbished and i f possible I would reccomend that building for your stay. We stayed in the " pink " building initially with a garden view. This building has an acceptable standard with spacious rooms , lovely balconies and a is surrounded by a colorful and very well kept garden. After a week there was an opening in the main building( room 205) for the rest of our stay and we moved to the above room without additional charges.!
The staff is extraordinary at all levels. You are always met by a smile and they will go out of their way to assist you. Natalie Goodridge, the hotel operations supervisor was exeptionally helpful for our little family and we strongly recommend this family owned hotel to anyone wishing to explore the beautiful island of Barbados.
If you want to explore the island as we did make sure that you do some research in advance ( lonely planet). We used taxi ( Ask for Niccold Callender ) for the most , but also bus on trips up and down the west coast. The bus stop is nearby.
There are plenty of restaurants and bars in the Gap but I do not recomend the dover beach market for groceries because it is simply to expensive. Stop by a supermarket ( The Big B) on your way home from the beach or a day trip and load up for the week. Local beer, fruit and water is though inexpensive anywhere. "Scottys" across the road from the dover market is less expensive and offers superb lunch.
Overall we were extremly pleased with our stay and we strongly reccomend the Dover Beach Hotel.

We stayed here for 2 nights. There minimum was 3 nights, but they were kind enough to approve our 2 night stay. We came in late at night and for never being there, it was a little scarey, but fine. The lady at the desk was not the greatest help. We wanted a place to eat (9:30 their time) and she said there was nothing open. We went to the small bar and the bartender, Nigel, is the best thing going on at that motel. He made some calls, walked 7 blocks and went out of his way to get us food and a taxi for the next day!!! You have to look up Nigel if you go there. The rooms were clean and nice, but there is a kitchenette, but you have to supply your own soap to was dishes with, and the pool was never open before noon. Didn't understand that and very cloudy. We had a beautiful view of the ocean and the pool, breath-taking!!! Very nice hotel. I would stay there again.

Stayed at the Dover Beach for 10 days late Oct to early Nov 2007. The hotel is small, friendly and clean. We had a third floor 1 Bedroom apartment with views to die for!!. We stayed at the Casuarina (next hotel but one) 2 years ago but this is currently closed for refurbishment.

Dover Beach is in a excellent location, right on the beach with a lovely little pool. There is a well stocked supermarket (Dover market) just a short waljk away which sells all you could need. There are plenty of good and reasonably priced restaurants all around. we booked direct with the hotel and got great value flights with BMI from Manchester. A taxi from the airport to Dover Beach was $24US for 6 of us.

We had our room (305) flooded by a tropical storm (as did the previous review poster) but help was quickly at hand with the management ringing all rooms to see who needed help.

Overall..Hotel is great value 3 star accomodation in an excellent location

Dover Beach Hotel is a great small hotel. If you are expecting a 5 star hotel look elsewhere. If you want a good 3+ hotel with an excellent staff , quiet location, clean, safe rooms ($2.50 us per day for in room safe) this is your place. I stayed in room 304, it had a brand new kitchette, new and cold a/c , clean newly refinished bathroom and comfortable bed. My room had a balcony overlooking the pool and an excellent view of the beach and ocean. The thing that stood out the most was the courteous and professional service. Every person I interacted with from the front desk, security to housekeeping were all very friendly and helpful. One day there was a bad storm and water leaked into the room from the balcony 1 call to the front desk and housekeeping was there in 15 min with towels and mops. Cant fault the hotel for mother nature but they took care of it promptly. My return flight was very early in the morning so they acomidated me by letting me settle up the night before and leave the key with security.

The Hotel is a little removed from the main Gap area but just 5 - 10 min walking to just about anywhere you might want to go. If you chose to leave the Gap taxis are all around, just agree on a price and go. For the more adventuerous during the day take a local bus they have a sign in front stating their route hop on for $1.50 BD and get off where you want. The bus stop is a short walk up the road from the hotel..
The only thing lacking is an onsite restaraunt, but the rooms have kitchenettes so you can walk down to the local market and get what you need within reason.

As a word of advice taxis may save the trouble of walking down to the Gap and running the gauntlet of vendors of various goods that you will encounter.

All in all i have to say the Dover Beach Hotel is a good base for a trip to Barbados. I would recomend this Hotel to anyone looking for good basic accomidations on a reasonable budget. The staff is wonderful and will do anything to help you enjoy your stay.