More about Sandy Lane Hotel
Amazing Sandy Lane
by TripAdvisor Member NK135
We have just returned from an amazing week at the Sandy Lane Hotel and I can't recommend the place highly enough!! The weather was rather temperamental in Barbados whilst we were there, however, the hotel was superb and more than made up for it! Staff are incredibly efficient and helpful, the restaurants and bar were first rate and the rooms were even better than we had expected (and we had very high expectations!!!) - plasma screen etc. Swimming pool, complete with waterfall was lovely and very peaceful, and the stretch of beach outside the hotel was very nice too. Sandy Lane have a fantastic spa and we had a variety of treatments there which we were very pleased with, also the golf course was, my boyfriend informed me, the best he has ever played on. If you are planning a holiday to Barbados then definitely book the Sandy Lane, it's the best on the island!
loved Sandy Lane
by TripAdvisor Member StellaLondonUK
My wife and just returned to the uk after spending 3 wonderfull days at the Sandy Lane.
We were met at the airport with a BMW car,a nice touch after a 9 hour flight.
On arrival at the Hotel the General Manager greeted us and we quickley taken into a beautifull room (orchid).The check in formalities were taken in the bedroom which was much nicer thatn the usual check in at reception.
We were also given a very detailed description about the facilities at the resort and in the bedroom.
The Beach was perfect and it was nice to have reserved seats each day.
Other nice touches were ice cold napkins and fresh fruit which were very welcome in the heat. There was also a lady who came on the beach everyday to clean our sunglasses!The Beach bar could open earlier
The two Restaurants were excellent and our praise goes out to the breakfast superviser Vicky who really new what service was all about.
The spa treatments were great and we also tried out the new country club golf course which was most enjoyable.
We will definetly be back
More than just golf here
by stopatnothin about Sandy Lane
I showed up here just a week after Tiger Woods said his I do.
This hotel is so clean and runs like a well oiled machine. Presentation is a must here. Everything looks as though it has been perfectly placed. The glare from the shiny floors was blinding. You don't really see the other guests. You have the freedom to walk around with no make up on and flip flops without feeling self conscious that someone may see you.
I was highly impressed with this 5 star resort and if I had that kind of money - I might even stay awhile.
Most Luxurious in the World
by bluewilldo about Sandy Lane Hotel
I never stayed here, but my friend did. I spent some off-time in his room and was awe-struck by the excessiveness of it... a plasma flat-screen TV, remote control lights and curtains, marble and cherry wood lined bathrooms and closets. Agh! I was afraid to touch things. If you have spare money, this is the perfect place (when I say it's the most expensive, I mean it. It runs from about 500 to 1000 a night, on average). There is an underground labyrinth for the staff. Through it they can get to anywhere in the hotel, and the guests never have to see them. It's a little creepy at times, but altogether a great idea.
Massages, spas, an extensive gym, a beautiful pool, world class private golf course, but a sub-par beach. The beach is covered with Manchineel trees (the poison ones that burn your flesh), so be very careful while walking out there at night.
I'm just not that into you
by scbelle about Sandy Lane
Soooo.... while I was researching my trip to Barbados, I was frothing at the mouth over the reviews of Sandy Lane and how luxe it was supposed to be. Sadly, it was out of price range. And now I must say: thank goodness. We went there for dinner/afternoon to check the place out, and I was simply not impressed. First of all, while they do have an enviable LENGTH of beach, its still the same eroded, yellow, medium grained sand that you find all over the west coast. So, nothing special there.
And the fabled food... Well, we went on a regular week night, when apparently many of their guests were arriving from long flights. We had made dinner reservations, but what a shame that no on told us that they wouldn't be serving from their regular menu that night. Instead, horror of horrors, there would be a ... wait for it ... BUFFET!!!! NOOOOOO! Much better, a $95 buffet.
Ok. You have got to be freaking kidding me. I despise buffets. Old food sitting around on steam plates. Blegh. The hostess saw my distaste and hastened to give us a "tour" (ok, so it was an extravagant buffet) pointing out the highlights: a suckling pig, a raw bar, and a "fresh" bbq.
Number 1: I'm from South Carolina. You ain't gonna do slow cooked pork better than we do. Number 2: Ok, so if I could eat seafood, I might have been into this. However, neither my friend nor I (and this is why I love to go out to eat with her) can eat seafood. So, ew. And if the smell was that strong, I'm guessing seafood people might not be that into it either. Number 3: Please, already cooked meat thrown on a grill for a quick warm through and sear doesn't qualify as a "fresh" bbq. They didn't even have nice cuts of meat.
A number of exhausted ,fresh off the plane guests were as put out as we were. Especially the ones in from London with children. You're not staying at a premiere hotel to have ONLY the option of a buffet.
Oh, I didn't mention the side dishes because they were pitiful. All that said, the architecture and landscaping is both beautiful and immaculate. So that does make up for it a bit. As a guest, I mean. Not as a restaurant patron. Its all about the food there. (A buffet. Seriously. Ew.)
Additionally, while many people have complained about a snooty atmosphere, we found both the patrons and the service people to be very nice. But perhaps we looked like the "right kind of people" ha ha ha. Of course, if someone who liked Buffets saw my reaction to this one, which indubitably THEY would love, they probably would have branded me the snobby sort. Which I'm normally not. But I despise buffets.
But the hostess/waiters/bartenders were ultra nice. Actually, we ended up drinking our supper as we waited to decide where to go instead. Loved the bartender.
Now, there greatest asset would probably be that golf course! Amazing. I don't know anything about golf, but I do know a little about land value and landscaping, and its quite nice. So for golfers, this might be the place to go.
As for all of the talk about the luxe rooms--other hotels have equal decorating, minus the plasma tv. But if you're planning on watching tv on vacation, don't go to barbados. go to myrtle beach. It needs the distraction of tv. We went for a week, are both tv ADDICTS, and didn't once turn a tv on. Why?
Overpriced overrated
by A TripAdvisor Member
The rooms were fantastic remote control curtains and lights large screen tv marble floors and bathroom, immaculatley clean. The pool was lovely but should have been opposite the sea. The celebs did overrate themselves mainly footballers and thier families hoping to be seen. The service was a little slow but that's Barbados, (no problem). The food at this hotel was not special at all, I could have done a better job, the menu is overpriced for what you get. Although I must say the bajan buffet night is the best I have been to in Barbados. The beach was not that special cluttered and overcrowded. When you were allocated a bed, you were expected to use the same spot for the duration of your holiday (not me)neither was the service overall that great in comparison to The Datai in Langkawi which kicks butt in cost, service style and class (worth the extra few hours flight from UK to get there)and less than half the price approx £1,200 Sandy Lane cost me £7,000 for BB luxury ocean room. In its defence Sandy Lane is a good hotel for the children with its tree house club and baby sitters. Apart from the stylish rooms there not much else going for it.
Fallen star
by TripAdvisor Member oliver_chance
I rated Sandy Lane with only 1 star because its standards have fallen so far since the last time we were there (in 2002).
The air conditioning in our room did not work properly. The spa lounging pool did not heat properly. Staff did not deliver robes to the room. Room service forgot items and never returned with them. The beach staff was slower-than-slow. The pool staff was even slower than that. It became a running joke among us that this was a "self-serve" resort. If we wanted something we had to get it ourselves.
The pool was littered with toddlers NOT wearing diapers. When I mentioned this to someone on staff, he said he realized it was a problem but could not say anything to the parents. Spa treatments were so-so. The golf course is amazing.
We loved Sandy Lane two years ago and I gave it 5 stars. Sadly, now I would not recommend this resort to anyone. There are much lovelier spots in the Caribbean
Well worth the money..
by TripAdvisor Member Wardour_Waddler
Sandy Lane is an expensive hotel, but to my mind, worth every penny. My wife and I just returned from a 5 day stay and both came away with a tear in our eyes! The hotel is simply beautiful, both in design and in attention to detail, and nothing seemed to be too much trouble for the staff.
We stayed in an Orchid Room which was beautiful. This was the lowest cost room, yet was probably the nicest, best equiped room we have ever stayed in. The bathroom was enormous, with twin basins, walk in stone shower with 100's of different water jet combinations, jacuzzi tub etc. The private balcony/terrace was lovely too, with sofas, chairs, candles etc. My only complaint was the air con. It was very quiet, but only reasonably effective. I would have liked more control over the temperature and for it to have cooled the room more effectively.
The food at Sandy Lane was outstanding. L'Acajou and Bajan Blue were both exceptional. We ate everything from great sushi, to fabulous pasta to a first class ribeye - and have come home on very strict diets! (Its a small thing I know, but Sandy Lane has the most exquisite china I have ever seen in a hotel).
The staff must have taken note of some of the previous postings here, as we found them very keen to please. As always in the Caribbean, if you smile at them, they will always smile back! After only 5 days most of the key restaurant and front desk staff knew our name. One special lady in the Bajan Blue restaurant is Vicky - she is quite exceptional and could not do enough for us.
Other good points included excellent BMW transfers from the airport, a very beautiful beach, a good library and easy, free pc/internet access, lovely fresh cut flowers everywhere and stunning multi-tier pool.
Not so good points included a rather complex beach bed assignment system that we never really worked out, slippery stone floors and a beach bar that I think is too small for the size of hotel. Th rum puches are vgood though!
Thanks Sandy Lane for a wonderful holiday!
We loved it!
by TripAdvisor Member SASSSSY
We recently returned from our honeymoon and we are happy to say we loved Sandy Lane. We split our honeymoon: Anguilla (Cap), Mustique (Cotton House) and Barbados (SL). Sandy Lane is opulent in every way possible. The rooms are magnificent, particularly for the Caribbean. The beach was lovely, certainly not the grotesque vision that past reviewers have declared. The beach is not like Cap Juluca's, which we think is one of the best. It is, however, lovely. The biggest drawback is that it is a bit crowded and "claiming" your spot at the beginning of the week seems a bit tacky for a resort of this level. That said, we would return again. The rooms are overpriced, but where else can youfind a room in the caribbean that is so pristine and luxurious? The bathtubs are deep and the bathrooms on the whole stand out as being simply beautiful. The spa is stunning and the treatments are just as good as what we find here in NYC (except for the airbrush tanning which was a joke). The island of Barbados also boasts many activities if you would like to venture out and the dinings is darn good. The Cliff, albeit pricey, offers intimate dining with beautiful views. The concierge was most helpful in making dinner arrangements and the only snafu was that they inadvertly shortchanged my husband almost $100 when exchaing money (which was quickly rectified). The only other complaint: our travel agent had told the resort repeatedly that it we were celebrating our honeymoon and it took them 48 hours to leave a bottle of champagne and some rose petals. We were so happy we really didn't mind, but in retrospect one would expect them to be more on point. Overall, we loved the resort and would def. return again. Two thums up and one last thing: the water is some of the bluest and most beautiful we have found. As for Mustique, we will post on that later. It was beautiful butthe hotel def. needs improvements.
For people with money but not much taste.
by A TripAdvisor Member
On arrival at the hotel we were shown to our deluxe ocean view room.
It was very nice and luxurious but the packing and unpacking service never materialised. Indeed the butler was to be hardly seen all holiday except when they lost some of our laundry.
Nevermind, off to the beach. Disappointing. It was quite steep into the sea and all the sunbeds were lined up next to each other with military precision. You can hear everyones conversation arround you, and there is no room to move the sunloungers out of line. Buffet lunch disappointing downstairs, but main alacarte upstairs was better first night.
We asked if we could book a particularly nice romantic table for later in the week and were shown round by the restaurant manager. No problem he said ,that table is yours for Thursday night.
We were most put out when we then arrived for dinner on thursday and there was already someone sitting at our table. It transpires that they were of some minor celebrity status from television but as we were not well known we were bumped of our table. When we complained they tried to fob us of with a glass of cheap champagne, which was not acceptable.
We asked to see the General Manager who did offer us a free meal in the restaurant which we declined, and asked for a taxi to take us to the Cliff resataurant where the meal was excellent.
You may think we over reacted but the truth is that the hotel prides itself on mainly B list celebritys frequenting its doors and treats them differently to the mere mortals no mater how much money one has.
Ok they do get the odd A list such as Tiger Woods who had his wedding there but I will leave you to ponder as to whether you actually think he paid for it himself., as he has opened there golf courses in the past and endorsed them.
On the plus side the spa is very good as is the golf but it is all expensive as you would expect. The rooms and suites are first class, but overall there are better alternatives for the money. Somewhere like the Royal Palm in Mauritius which goes out of its way to make you feel special.
Its Ironic that thats where the Sandy Lane got there chef from, but it still beats them hands down in most areas. This review is of our visit in 2002 which we have just got round to placing.
Photos
Sandy Lane Beach
Beach at Sandy Lane Resort
Golf at Sandy Lane
first glimpse of the ocean from Sandy Lane
Forum Posts
beaches
by carlandgail
can anyone help.
Are all beaches on Barbados public or are they some private?
RE: beaches
by Bashment112
All the beaches are public in Barbados, some are a little harder to get to than the others, beaches such as Sandy Lane but that's what makes it fun.
RE: beaches
by Sunniebgi
As said before.. all beaches are public.. up to the highwater mark. It can take a bit of invention to get to some of the beaches.. Sandy Lane can actually be approached from the south by way of a public access at the Coach House entrance to Paynes Bay or just slightly north of there.. then you walk north to Sandy Lane beach.. plop yourself down in the sand (not the chairs provided by the hotel) and enjoy the day.
Even at the Boatyard, you don't have to pay for the beach. you can get to it by other entrances off the main road.. and if you feel like it, move the beach chairs and have a nice sit down in the sand.
Enjoy your stay.
RE: beaches
by joanj
ALL beaches in Barbados are public, but some hotels do put their loungers out in front of the hotel, so my advice is, (don't sit on their chairs/loungers,) put your towel, or you folding chair into a space and sit there.
vt meetings
by carlandgail
is there any vt meeting between august 19th to 2snd september 2006 on Barbados as we will be there on these dates
RE: vt meetings
by pablo34
Not sure what you mean by VT meeting. All beaches are public - Where are you staying on arrival? I am staying at my Dads pad on Sandy Lane with another couple. Some great places to go. Pay a visit to Nancy's rum shop on holders hill, she is a smashing cook and its a very local rum shop. Very expensive but perfect setting is a restaurant on the west coast called 'the cliff'...
Passing Through For One Night - Want A Good Hotel
by ownersperspective
Can anyone recommend a good hotel for just one night in Barbados? I am flying in there to join a cruise the following day.
Re: Passing Through For One Night - Want A Good Hotel
by YVRDave
How 'good' do you want? Is Sandy Lane too good?
Is Sandpiper better?
Re: Passing Through For One Night - Want A Good Hotel
by ownersperspective
Happy with the high end, just don't know which are over-priced and which are better value, especially considering we'll be going out to dinner, sleeping and then leaving again.
Re: Passing Through For One Night - Want A Good Hotel
by YVRDave
Have a look at Sandpiper http://www.sandpiperbarbados.com/
You will have a half day before embarking also.
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