Review: Have fun taking time out at Time Out Hotel in Barbados

When I checked into my original Barbados hotel, in the Carribean, I was sorely disappointed. The bed was uncomfortable, bathroom dirty, and, because of the open plan of the building, was barely private. The next morning I trawled Booking.com for a better hotel nearby and found a deal at Time Out Hotel, only a ten minute drive from where I was.

Booking.com approved a refund for the original, disappointing hotel, as long as I made their checkout time. I threw all of my things back into my suitcase, charged down the stairs, and with my best “Can I talk to the manager?” voice informed them I wouldn’t be staying any longer.

Walking into the Time Out Hotel was like a dream compared to the way I felt when I’d walked into the other one. The lobby area is hidden from the street behind a bar and restaurant, and boasts sparkling floors, modern decor, and air conditioning. The rooms are even further back from the main street, and I had to walk all the way to the back of the property, past the pool to get to mine. While I didn’t swim in the pool – no need, with the beach right across the street – it was open late, clean, and surrounded by lounges and beach umbrellas.

My room had two beds, the second of which housed wet swimmers, clothes, and souvenirs, and a large TV mounted to the wall. The bathroom didn’t have any special features to speak of – no fancy soap or shampoo, no lotion, no bathtub – but who goes to an island paradise to spend all their time in the bathroom?

The staff at the hotel were very friendly and helpful every time I interacted with them: when I called them to check if I could come in early to drop my bags off before check-in time, when I arrived early to drop my bags off before check-in time, when I checked-in, when I called them to ask them to rescue my phone charger from my room when I was on a day trip the day I was checking out, when I checked out, and even when I called them to complain about the group of school children in the next room who’d dared to disturb my holiday with their inane chatter about what some guy had posted on Snapchat. One thing to note is they do not provide blankets on the beds as a standard feature – something I had noticed at the other place I stayed at in Barbados – but they were happy to give me one when I asked.

The hotel is in a perfect spot for exploring the beautiful, quiet, Dover Beach on the South Coast of Barbados, and also within walking distance of popular St Lawrence Gap – or “The Gap” – where there are restaurants, bars, and clubs. Dover Beach is only a couple of minutes’ walk from the front door of the hotel, there are a number of small bars and restaurants to choose from along the beachfront and there’s a supermarket nearby if you need to stock up on sunscreen.

The bar and the restaurant attached to the hotel are also the perfect option for a late night snack or a night cap after a day at the beach or on your way home from partying in The Gap. There’s also an option for a continental breakfast, served in the restaurant.

Staying at Time Out Hotel was very enjoyable, and the perfect way to explore Dover Beach. I recommend it for its location, friendly staff, and large rooms. Head to booking.com now to book a room for yourself.

Images from Time Out Hotel’s website. The author stayed at her own expense.

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