Southern Palms Beach Club

Just back from staying at the Southern Palms in Barbados for 10 days. The hotel is on a beautiful beach, which takes your breath away when you first see it, the sea was very rough for the duration of our holiday so we weren’t able to swim in it the whole time as the red flags were out, however there is an area you can swim in the sea a bit further up on the beach. There were so many turtles directly opposite the hotel in the sea, but you obviously weren’t able to swim in the sea to see them close up but it was great from a distance too. The hotel is pleasant and nice enough but it was just a bit too boring for us. Not much personality or any sort of good vibes! It was all very serious and strict. Not much fun entertainment! A couple of chilled bands while we were there but they finished at 9pm ! As the majority are of an older generation which is absolutely fine but I guess the hotel don’t feel they need to liven it up much but I’m sure EVERYBODY would love it if they did, especially as the other hotels had fire breathers and other great entertainment going on ! Luckily it was on the Gap so lots of restaurants around and a bit of entertainment in some of the places. Annoyingly there is a bar directly opposite that has karaoke and singers in which is good but they go on til the early hours which sounds as though it is right outside your bedroom ! So so load and you hear everything !!! So annoying. The food at the hotel is good and we didn’t have to wait too long for it. The staff a nice enough, they are very professional and take their jobs very seriously. Would be nice if they smiled a bit more though and relaxed a bit. But I understand they are probably not allowed too! So the hotel does need to losen its reigns a bit. For us we would not stay here again simply because of all I wrote above and that the beach although looks beautiful there is nothing else todo there, no water sports etc. we spent most of our days at Carlisle Bay at The boat yard or Savvy on the bay! So much more fun for my husband daughter and I! There are water activities and boat trips out to see the turtles and a ship wreck’ lots of good music and happy, smiley people. We took a ZR bus there which was an experience in itself! I recommend waking up early and seeing the race horses at Pebbles beach! A ZR bus away! So lovely seeing them. We also went to Harbourlights dinner show at Carlisle bay one evening (they do them on a Weds and Thurs evening) we loved it and so much fun ! We ate at Primo (top of the Gap) lovely lovely food and sea views. We ate at a lot of restaurants at the Gap and all really good. We also took a trip to QP bistro st the Cliff one night and wow what an amazing restaurant with delicious food and entertainment. We also ate at Cafe luna in Oistens which was also amazing. On a Friday night Oistens have there Fish market on which all the locals go too and holiday makers ! They have local singers, food stalls (we ate at Chillin and grillin which was r

Disappointing This property needs some attention. It is quite run down, and was probably very nice when first built, but not much attention to maintenance recently. Lots of evidence of repairs in the walls and ceiling, worn out furniture and linens. Plumbing caused a great deal of stress ( toilet flushing was unreliable, water pressure limited, pipes making lots of noises). Bed was comfortable, staff pleasant and the restaurant was pretty good. Nice beach but due to winds and wave conditions we could not venture into the water even knee deep due to undertow. For the price expected better quality overall.

Large beach area many palm trees for shade. And many areas to find peace and quiet.

Really enjoyed Southern Palms this year. We did visit the hotel last year but this was the first year we have stayed in it. We were in a garden room. It was in need of a refurb and although the balcony and room were a decent size we didn’t have much daylight in the room not helped by a proper door to the balcony. Service in the bar area is pretty slow i agree with others but the whole complex is clean and i found staff helpful the reception were always great too. The location of the hotel is perfect. Always the normal ****** that put towels on sunbeds around the pool (the hotel should remove these) but plenty of sunbeds on the beach whatever time you visit. A minor gripe is that it’s really hot and the sun is intense but you can’t get umbrellas on the beach. I think it was the only hotel that doesn’t supply when asked. i did see 3 or 4 but that’s not enough. Will come back next year but do think the beach umbrellas are needed. Happy hour every day except Monday 6-7pm. Again really good before leaving for the evening.

Where to start!! Ok good points... lovely views rooms ok. Turtles in the sea. Cocktails are strong.. rooms are basic with kettle and fridge that's it nothing else. Our room when they bothered to turn up to clean it wasn't cleaned! Toilet stank of urine since the day we got here and sides were never wiped over. Restaurant just don't bother!! 2 hours to get a salad which got sent back as was just bowl of lettuce nothing else I orderd. 4 nights we went to eat and 2 of which we ended up walking out and grabbing street food as was seated and then completely ignored no menu no water nothing noone came to us at all but others served straight away.. bar you get ignored. If you are American and tip big you get treated completely different.. Just made us feel invisible the 2 weeks here! After complaining to manager nothing changed!other guests said the same thing that they get ignored.. I orderd 2 coffees and just got eye rolls and lady wouldn't even look at me! Their are a couple of lovely staff but only when you have been here 10 days they talk to you! Beach has NO shade at all the cople of palm trees on beach people get up at 5am to reserve them for the shade! Same with pool only about 12 sunbeds with umbrellas no more about.. if you don't get up at 0530 to put towel on you don't stand a chance and the sun is HOT!. Entertainment was good steel bad couple of nights and singers. Was nice. Sea is rough here on Dover beach had red flags up last few days so be wary of strong current.. so all in all we made the most of it there were 4 of us 2 couples in our late 40s .Most the guests here are elderly and American.. and staff are RUDE and just genuinely don't care! Never staying here again 😔

Hotel has a fantastic location on a beautiful beach with lots of turtles in the sea. Rooms very large and clean, although somewhat dated and could do with a refurb. Good facilities with 2 pools which were never crowded and sun beds on the beach. The key thing which really lets the hotel down is incredibly slow and chaotic service in the bar and getting drinks by the pool. It could take up to 30 mins to get served and equally slow getting the bill. It didn’t help that a new billing system was being implemented whilst we were there which either didn’t work or staff weren’t adequately trained as half the time they were resorting to hand-writing bills. If they can sort out the service and refresh the rooms this could easily be a 5 star experience as the location and facilities are superb.