Barbados isn’t a large island, in fact its 166.4 square miles; 21 miles in length and 14 miles across and just over and hour to drive from top to bottom and 40 minutes across; but strangely for an island population of 280,000 its got A LOT of open green spaces.

For me, the island is split in two; not down or across the middle but more West coast versus the remainder of the island. The West Coast is the more beautiful side of the island as in the beaches are better, the weather is less windy and the surf is better for sporting activities, its also the side of the island that is more densely populated with resorts and hotels claiming their piece of Bajan Beach Paradise.

DOVER BEACH HOTEL BARBADOS

The West Coast is where you’ll find the city of Bridgetown and the two main towns of Holetown and Speightstown. All dotted along the west coastline. At the very start of this, on the south west coast, you’ll find St Lawrence Gap. This is where you’ll find the greatest choice of beachside bars, restaurants, hotels and resorts. They all seem to sit on top of each other, crammed between gaps int the palm trees and the rum shacks.

Bajans love colours; the brighter the better and this is what helps you distinguish between them. It exudes a certain charm though and walking through St Lawrence Gap, you cant help but do so without a smile on your face.

The locals make this place. There are so many Bajans working in the hospitality industry here, that it almost feels like the lifeblood of what keeps Barbados afloat (much like Scotland). Locals will talk to you all the time – asking how your day is, where you are going and most importantly, if this is your first time to Barbados and how you are finding it? You can be walking along the street to collect a morning pastry, you can be heading out on a morning run, returning from a walk on the beach – you can bet that one, two or three locals will call out to you and their demeanour is packed with sunshine and happiness. They are the good mood ambassadors of Barbados and they don’t even know it.

Nestled in St Lawrence Gap is Dover Beach Hotel. It’s a three star hotel and nothing like The Crane where we had stayed previous to our stay here.

Dover Beach is charming, quaint and compact. I loved the close proximity of the reception, rooms, pool, bar and beach. All within 5-15 metres of each other.

What I didn’t pick up from their website is that their garden apartments are in a completely separate block on the other side of the road from the main hotel. The apartment block is bright coral pink in colour with a view as promised over the garden. Unfortunately the back view overlooks the hotel laundry area which although you are not overlooking this, the noise and the walkway to your room is on this side of the block.

On arrival our aircon didn’t work, we were soon transferred to another room inside the main hotel block with a balcony overlooking the pool and ocean. I recommend these rooms in the main hotel block and perhaps later on in the year, when the garden is back to being lush and thick, the garden view may seem more attractive.

APARTMENT

The rooms are functional and super clean. On entering the apartment, you walk into a small kitchenette fully equipped with fridge, microwave, stove, utensils, crockery, cutlery etc. The bedroom is a decent size with large comfortable bed, small dining table and chairs and television. The bathroom is basic but well maintained and the outdoor balcony has a table and chairs.

As this is a self catering apartment, you will have to purchase all food and drink yourselves and do remember the washing up liquid!

There are no duvets on the beds just a sheet, so if you do like to sleep with some weight on you like a duvet or blanket or sleep with the air-conditioning on, you need to request a blanket from reception. They do provide liquid body wash but the dispensers are a little old and I think I managed to accidentally dismantle one or two of them. Rather buy and use your own.

THE GROUNDS

The pool is the epicentre of the hotel. There is only one pool which is kept in absolute pristine condition. A pool side shower allows you to remove all the sand from yourself before dipping into the pool. The pool loungers and brollies surround the pool and if you booked the poolside hotel rooms, you are less than 5m from your door to the pools edge.

THE BEACH

The beach is accessible through a small gate just off the pool balcony. Within a minutes walk from the pool side, you are sinking your feet into the most gorgeous powder soft, white sand I have ever seen. The surf is gentle and it ebbs and wanes like ocean scenes you see in the movies.

The beach isn’t that crowded either. Leave your belongings on one of the pool loungers on the hotel deck and then head into the surf for the best invigorating restorative swim ever. Pool loungers from Dover Beach are not allowed onto the beach but you can hire sun loungers and umbrellas from stalls along the beach.

FOOD AND DRINK

Dover Beach Hotel has a poolside bar and restaurant. It’s brightly coloured tables and chairs make for a cheerful poolside snack or ice cold beers. You’ll find general all round poolside beach bar food here, think Burgers and Fries. The restaurant bar provides the basics but with so many restaurants and bars around you, there is plenty to choose from and they are all just a short stroll away. You are most definitely spoilt for choice in this area.

But if you don’t want to head out for any meals, you can of course rustle up something in your apartment. There are 2 small grocery stores less than 5 minutes walk away and larger stores in Bridgetown should you need to purchase groceries. We always had breakfast in the apartment – cereal or toast, and as we spent most of the day exploring the island, we always ate out for lunch. Dinner was alternated between eating in and out. We thoroughly enjoyed cooking at the apartment as it was a fantastic way to experience what produce is available on the island, the cost and how to cook it. We tried to switch up our staple dishes with Bajan produce and then happily sat on our balcony, drinking ice cold Banks Beer eating dinner whilst watching the sunset over the ocean. Bliss.

STAFF

The staff are very helpful, not that you will see much of them unless you need to. Check in was smooth as was check out. Our housekeeper was lovely making sure that we had everything possible and our rooms were spotless. The hotel is small and friendly, you almost feel like family. They have a lot of repeat custom and know many of their guests on a first name basis. It’s warm and welcoming.

I spoke with many hotel guests here at Dover Beach and most were returning guests having come here for years or new guests having booked here on the back of a friends recommendation; so for me this is the true testament of how great this wee hotel is.

Would I stay here again? Yes. If you are on a budget and looking for a hotel with a great location, an amazing beach right on your doorstep, clean comfortable rooms, parking for a rental car, easy walking distance to many restaurants and bars, then Dover Beach is the place to stay on your holiday to Barbados.

Dover Beach Hotel, St. Lawrence, Christ Church, BB15026 Barbados, W.I. Tel : 1246 428 8076 www.doverbeach.com

My Spoon Award : Silver Spoon 8/10