Rio Guest House

Guests enter the Rio's reception to find a small front desk and dated seating area with patterned couches, terra-cotta tiling, and a TV. Adjacent to this is a lounge area with wooden tables and a fridge where guests can purchase beer, plus a kitchen stocked with available cookware and free coffee and tea. Interiors are showing their age throughout, but the public spaces -- such as the popular balcony -- are comfortable and allow the many solo travelers to mingle. In addition to lone guests, the property's low rates attract budget-minded couples and friends. It's certainly not a party vibe on-site, but the atmosphere is friendly thanks to socializing guests and staff. 

Rio Guest House is located on the south coast of Barbados, near the popular and touristy St. Lawrence Gap. It's about a 20-minute drive from Grantley Adams International Airport. This area has dozens of hotels along the strip, so there are plenty of mainstream restaurants and bars catering to out-of-towners, as well as shops, and ATM machines. Dover Beach -- one of the highest-rated beaches in Barbados -- is just a two-minute walk away.A stop on the local bus system, nicknamed "reggae bus", is a five-minute walk away and only costs $1 to go north or south. It's a 20-minute ride to Bridgetown (the capital) or 30 minutes to Holetown, the spot where settlers first landed and claimed the island in the name of England. There travelers will find luxurious hotels and many more options for restaurants and shopping.

The two-story building has nine simply decorated rooms that show wear and tear, though in the right light they can appear bright and cheerful with an unintentional shabby chic quality that low-key travelers might find charming. Solo travelers can opt for the Single Rooms, which have a twin bed and shared bathroom that's cleaned daily. Double Rooms have two twin beds that can be pushed together for couples; these have private bathrooms with walk-in showers. The Studio unit on the bottom floor can sleep up to three people with one double bed and one twin bed. This more spacious unit comes with a small kitchenette equipped with an electric stove, kettle, and mini-fridge. All rooms have screened windows and fans to help keep the room cool. The majority of the Double Rooms (as well as the Studio) have air-conditioning units that are available for an extra fee, which may make guests feel nickel-and-dimed. Bathroom towels are provided, but guests should not expect to find anything more than liquid soap in the bathrooms.

Though Rio does not have a pool or beach on-site, guests can take a two-minute walk to Dover Beach for swimming in beautiful aquamarine water. Beach chairs and umbrellas, as well as water sports, can be rented from local vendors. There is a small convenience store down the block for basic groceries, beer, and water, so guests can store items in the shared kitchen, which offers shelf and fridge space. In the kitchen are several sets of mismatched utensils, cutlery, and cookware that is free to use. Guests can also help themselves to Nescafe coffee and tea at no charge. The main lounge has a fridge that sells individual bottles of local beer at a low price. Seating in the lounge and lobby isn't the most inviting, so most guests make use of the upstairs balcony. It doesn't have much of a view, but there are lights strung up to help create some evening ambiance. It closes before too late (10 p.m. during our stay), so guests don't have to worry about noise while trying to sleep. The staff can help arrange airport transfers, tours, and activities. Wi-Fi is free throughout.