The location of this hotel, right on the sea front, with direct access to the beach is a strong plus point, but, along with some previous reviewers, we found the traffic noise a serious draw-back. We were in block "D" which backs onto the main road, so the permanently open slatted windows in the kitchen and bathroom, meant that we couldn't shut out the traffic noise, which went on for much of the night. Ironically our friends, who had a room screened from the road by another building, also had closeable windows and no problem from traffic noise.
Despite arriving at 2.00 pm our room wasn't ready and it was particularly frustrating that later arrivals were accommodated before us. We eventually got into our room after a two-hour wait.
This is a simple hotel with adequate self-catering facilities, including a full oven, good fridge-freezer and a microwave oven and a good range of glasses, crockery and cutlery. But on arrival we found that there was cutlery in the drawers with dried food on them from the previous occupants. The staff are obliging and pleasant and there is good wi-fi from the ground floor but not from our room on the 4th floor.
The hotel has a beautiful setting but during the whole of our week's stay the red flag was flying advising against bathing, but there is another beach within a 5 minute walk where the waves were less strong.
Another locational plus point fo the hotel is that it is on the local bus route and for $2 Barbados you can travel for quite a long way. For example, we went to Sam Lord's Castle which took about and hour. But for local journeys between Bridgetown and along the south coast we found the best way to travel was on the local "ZR" shared taxis which also cost $2 pp per journey.
The hotel restaurant had recently been taken over by outside caterers but, having seen the menu, which has quite high prices and were then subject to additonal charges of 17.5% for VAT and an 18% service charge, we decided to try local restaurants, which we continued to do for the rest of out stay.
For local food our favourites were "The Reggae Grill" and "Just Grillin'", which are within walking distance. For the freshest grilled fish (and meat) with a party atmosphere, a visit to Oistins on Friday night in a "ZR" is a must. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqcV0MwLlRc. We also went on a Monday night, which is less crowded but still had a local band playing. We found Pat's Place the best for food.
- Hotel Blue Orchids Beach
- Blue Orchids Beach Christ Church
