Sol Barbados

Pay no mind to the overly negative reviews you may have read- some people are just too picky and judgemental. And any holiday is what you make of it. My partner and I just returned from a fabulous week at Sol Barbados from 28 Sept to 5 Oct. I will agree with some reviews that it’s not a traditional 4-star hotel but it tries very hard to be. Here’s what we thought: The Hotel: It’s spacious, clean, modern, and well-managed. We appreciated its layout, as the kids’ “Waterland Pool” area is on a lower level and away from the adult pools. However, they close the kids’ pools 1 Oct, sending all the families to the adult side. This should have been mentioned on their website. I thought this would bother us, but we actually enjoyed watching the families play. There’s a game area and sports bar next to Waterland pool. The In&Out bar is between the entertainment lounge and adult pool. The restaurant is near the main reception and lifts- it overlooks the kids’ pools and front garden. Our sea-view room on the 11th floor was large and very clean- the housekeeper did a fantastic job each day. We had a lovely view of the cove and beaches. My only criticism about the hotel would be that they could upgrade some things (lighting, chairs) to enhance decor and comfort. The Location: Magaluf (or Shagaluf as I’ve heard it called) is a fun beachside resort town about a 30-minute drive from the airport. It’s filled with hotels, shops, activities, restaurants, bars, and clubs. There is lots to do for all ages during the day, lively bars at night, and the club parties extend into the early morning hours. The hotel is located at the edge of town in a quiet area on the south end of the beach. It has direct beach access from the adult pool area. Its sister hotels- the Calvià Beach and South Beach- are next door and on the beach. Guests of the hotel are able to use the pools and gyms of these hotels, as well as other Meliá hotels in the area. We enjoyed the posh glass-bottom, fifth-floor pool at the Innside Hotel nearby. If you want to save money on airport transfers, take the A-11 bus line- it’s only 5.50€ and takes 40 minutes. The Food: Preparing a wide variety of food for many cultures and tastes is very difficult if not impossible, but we feel the restaurant team did a great job. Breakfast offered everything you’d expect each day. There could have been two cooks on the grill though. During the whole week there was a delicious variety for lunch and dinner. Whilst there were several mainstays (salads, cheeses, cold meats, breads), few dishes were repeated during the week. There were several types of meats prepared many different ways for every meal. I think I had a dozen different fish! Some dishes needed seasoning and were a bit overcooked but most everything was delicious. There was even a great selection of desserts and fruits. We left each meal feeling very happy. All-inclusive alcohol: The hotel uses many local brands of liquor- to be fair, some seemed a bit weak even after a heavy pour. They use a premix for most specialty cocktails, which we felt did not taste as they should and were sweet and rather weak. There’s one brand of wine but they offer a red, white, rosé, and a sangria. They have Cruz Campos beer- reasonably good. We mainly stuck with the wines and beer, which was fine for us. For 12€ more a day, you can upgrade to a premium brand package. Entertainment: The entertainment (animation) team were AMAZING! Each day at the adult pool they have a programme of four activities such as spinning, aqua gym, pool biking, paddle-board pilates, water polo, and table tennis. Team members Edgar, Isaac, and Juan Carlos are high energy and got everyone active and having fun. (They’re also very nice and personable.) By the end of the week my partner and I were exhausted but in a good way! There were several activities for children including face-painting, a pirate game, and a treasure hunt. At night the team have a kids disco before offering a more adult-focused yet kid-friendly event such as a magic show, a ‘spooktacular’ dance show, live singing, and their version of Mama Mia (so fun!). It was nice to enjoy a cocktail in the lounge during the shows. The staff: Everyone we encountered (with the exception of one unhappy bartender) was pleasant and helpful. Some don’t smile that much, but I think it’s because they are busy and focused, especially the restaurant crew who did a terrific job. Overall, we had a truly fabulous holiday at Sol Barbados! Would we go back? Absolutely- we cannot wait. Would we recommend it to a friend? I’m doing that now through this review. I hope you enjoy your holiday there too!

The hotel is very convenient. We booked B&B, and were happy with the breakfast. The room was good, a bit tired,but decent and very clean. Definitely would recommend the Xtra Sea View room - great view, mini bar included and refilled throughout the stay! Staff is very helpful, kind and welcoming! Pool area is well kept, and the animation team is really trying. Recommended!