Calm location, near Oistins and St. Lawrence Gap
Simple rooms with balconies and mini-fridges
Outdoor pool surrounded by gardens
Access to sister resort's swimming beach and water sports
Small fitness center on-site
On-site restaurant serving all meals
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Basic and limited restaurant menu
Decor is dated throughout
The 104-room Sunbay Hotel is a value option set opposite a small beach, a short drive from the airport and walking distance to the nightlife hub of St. Lawrence Gap. Rooms are clean and simply decorated, with patios and pool views or beach glimpses, but decor throughout is terribly dated. It's a well-priced hotel in a calm yet central location and the scenic pool and gardens are pluses, but the hotel is otherwise lacking in stand-out features. There’s one basic restaurant, an unimpressive fitness room, and not much else, although the nearby sister resort offers Sunbay guests free access to its swimming beach and deck chairs. Another option travelers could consider is the Time Out Hotel, which is right in the thick of the St. Lawrence Gap action.
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Scene
Value hotel with open-air courtyard grounds and a relaxed tropical vibe
The Sunbay is housed in a four-story building painted in vibrant coral with white balconies and trim and a giant open-air courtyard on three sides. A figure-eight pool set amongst lush tropical gardens with tall palms forms a courtyard centerpiece that can be seen from most rooms. The lobby is large and cavernous, with several interconnecting rooms. Sparse decoration includes historic Barbadian images on walls, orange wicker cushioned furniture, and a small library of books. The lobby flows into the restaurant area, which looks toward the pool through the well-kept gardens. There are plenty of umbrella-shaded lounge chairs, tables, and chairs in bright blue surrounding the pool, and guests typically comprise a mix of budget travelers, including couples, small groups, and families with kids.
Location
On the southern coast of Barbados, close to beaches, nightlife, attractions, and the airport
Sunbay is located in Christ Church on the south coast of Barbados. The hotel is directly across from a small beach, and 16 minutes from Grantley Adams International Airport. It’s a five-minute drive to Oistins Fish Fry (a Friday night must for fresh seafood fans), and six minutes to Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary. Guests are encouraged to walk up the road (under five minutes) to sister resort, Barbados Beach Club, where they can access another beach with deck chairs and water sports on offer. Other nearby beaches include Maxwell Beach (12 minutes’ walk), and Dover Beach (a five-minute drive). The nightlife at St. Lawrence Gap is a 15-minute walk away.
Rooms
Practical, dated rooms with furnished patios -- many with pleasant pool and garden views
Rooms come with king, queen, or twin beds, and there's also a one-bedroom option. Beyond bed configuration, all rooms are more or less the same in terms of decor and floor plans, but higher categories have more space. Rooms are simply decorated, with subtly island-themed decor that's jarringly dated. Light-colored wicker or timber furniture and headboards offset matching patterned bedspreads and drapes in drab tones. Mini-fridges, air-conditioning, wall-mounted tube TVs (with limited channels), and safes come standard in all rooms. Units also have private furnished balconies with pool and garden views, some with sea glimpses (beyond the entrance driveway, and across the road). Bathrooms range from simple to spacious, with walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, but the only toiletries provided are bars of soap.
Features
Outdoor pool, restaurant, and a paltry fitness room, but not much else
The pool is the Sunbay's main highlight and is framed with lounge chairs and patio sets with parasols. On-site dining consists of one restaurant -- Palm View (closed for maintenance during our visit), which offers basic Caribbean and Western fare, though past guests have reported that the menu offers limited choices and that the food is of disappointing quality. However, there are plenty of local dining options a walk or short drive away.Fitness facilities consist of a small, industrial-looking room on the ground floor that only contains a weight bench, an elliptical, and an abdominal bench that barely qualifies as a fitness center. Supervised kids’ activities are provided, but only during specific holiday periods. Free self-parking is available, and free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel. Although there’s no beach right on site, the hotel is just across the road from a small, secluded swimming beach, though it lacks lounge chairs and the water can be choppy at times. However, guests can use facilities and access the beach at the Sunbay's sister resort, Barbados Beach Club, just up the road.
