Needing accommodation for the first two nights of our annual trip to Barbados and getting a good rate via an Expedia Group website (Lastminute UK) we chose Tropical Winds. We were not disappointed.

Having been to the island many times we knew it was 45 minutes out of Bridgetown (15 minutes from the airport) and there was nothing much within walking distance. With a rental car you are able to access the Crane resort with its three restaurants, Cutters Deli and Crane Palms Restaurant (see their own reviews) and a couple of other bars / rum shacks within a few minutes. These are also on the bus route into Bridgetown (“The City”) which is frequent in the day but hourly in the evenings (BDS2 flat fare). Taxis have to be booked by phone.

The hotel is situated within a right angled bend in the bus route but which is not a major road, very near to the entrance to Sam Lords Castle (itself now just a burned out shell after many years of dereliction after the closure of the former Marriot franchised hotel). There is one shack/ store on that road. The hotel is situated about 500 Metres inland of the coast and the tiny rocky cove called Sharks Hole is within easy walking distance, across the road and through the exclusive Long Bay Development. The much photographed bays and beaches at Harrismith and Bottom Bay are about 1 mile (out of the City). Bear in mind this is on the windy East of the island (hence the hotel name) and swimming on these unguarded beaches is not recommended. Crane Beach in the other direction is a safer bet, but even here only for strong swimmers.

The hotel has 16 studios, 6 one bedroom and 1 two bedroom suites, all provide basic kitchen facilities (microwave, two ring hob, fridge, toaster and coffee maker and a limited supply of pans, utensils, cutlery, and plates and mugs). All rooms have a seating area and flat screen TV with satellite channels. Wifi near reception or cable internet in the rooms is available at cost (BDS10 for 1 hour, cheaper for longer periods). Rooms were very clean and (for our second night at least) well provided with towels wash cloths and basic toiletries. We found the bed comfortable.

There is a reasonable size pool with plenty of loungers, chairs and tables. There is a bar and restaurant which serves a limited but adequate menu from breakfast through to about 9:30 p.m. (also available as room service).

Our main difficulty was that we had paid a modest amount extra for a one bedroom suite. When we arrived the receptionist/clerk on duty (8pm on a Sunday night) seemed a bit vague about our booking and made a number of whispered telephone calls on our arrival. We were eventually shown to our room which was a studio and not a one bedroom unit. Going straight back to reception there was another whispered telephone call and we were asked how much we had paid (of which I had printed a confirmation showing the selection of the upgrade – the voucher showing a one bedroom unit having already been passed over). We were only then shown to a one bedroom unit. We were told the information provided by Expedia to the hotel did not distinguish the room type booked, but the booking voucher clearly said a one bedroom suite. Apart from that occasion we found the staff very friendly and helpful.

The hotel seemed very quiet during our stay although this may have been deceptive as we aware of other guests even though our car was the only one in the car park. There was never more than one table occupied in the restaurant. This may be because some guests appeared to use the hotel for an overnight stop while waiting for flights, others however were staying for longer and exploring the island by bus.

I not sure I would want to spend my whole holiday in Barbados at Tropical Winds but certainly we found it ideal for a short stay and would certainly consider going back.

I had a really nice room with balcony overlooking the pool. My only complaint about the room was that there was no kettle, just a coffee maker and I am a tea drinker but that was a small thing really. The room was clean and spacious. The hotel is not situated in the heart of things but there is a very good bus service with a stop just outside. The food at the hotel was excellent although room service took a little longer than expected but they were probably very busy. I would recommend the cheese, ham and onion omlette with plaintain, delicious!

The staff were polite and friendly and one day I was rained in for the entire day didn't go anywhere and I loved it but that's just me I am a bit sad.

Finally, I would say that I have stayed in 5 star hotels in Barbados before which were only fractionally better than this 3 star.

I stayed at Tropical Winds for 2 weeks while on assignment for a local industry. The hotel quoted me a rate in USD which I planned to pay with cash. That was agreed to until it came to check out time when the owner Mrs. Blenman decided to have me pay in Barbados dollars. Because of exchange rate differences that increased my costs by 5 - 7%. While the hotel took my USD in the amount of the bill, several months later they later proceeded to raid my credit card account for Can. $ 260.00 for unaccountable expenses.

I just returned from a three day stay at the Tropical Winds and after reading the comments I had to write something positive. The place is very nice and clean. it is aboout 20mins east of the airport. Granted that there is no beach on the property just across the street through the Long Bay development there is a beautiful secluded beach called shark's hole and of course there is Long Bay. Not great for swimming but good for body boarding and sitting on the beach. I had fun but probably I will not stay at this location again because of the location. If you do not have a rental you are stranded or you can take the public transportation that runs in front of the property. I would rather be in "the gap" where there is more to do. All in all the hotel was nice and clean and the staff was very friendly . The front desk even got a car for us at the last minute when we decided to rent one. I enjoyed my stay at Tropical Winds!