TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

We have just returned after 10 days at the lovely Crystal cove hotel. Our 5th trip. We are a family of 8 including 2 children and had a fab time. The beach pools bar food staff were exceptional. Especially Lisa in guest services who helped plan for my husband’s 60th birthday. She was amazing.

Crystal Cove is a lovely small resort that i have now been on holiday to 3 times. I can honestly say i love the hotel and facilities with water skiing - Kayaking-tube rides-sailing-paddle board all included in cost. Booking in was so smooth by Michael with bags brought up to room. The room we had was 231 wright on the beach was really nice and clean with fantastic sunsets. I found the food to be good with various choices so happy with this, also staff very friendly and helpful. Beach is really nice with nice long walks up to Cliff Restaurant and also down to Waves Hotel. Richard sat down with us on a few occasions to see if we were happy and enjoying are break and to ask if they could improve anything , gave a few idea's but only minor things. ( Well done Richard ) All i can say is don't be put off by some bad reviews as i have read these and think they have been to a different hotel to me and many over couples i had spoken too Crystal cove is a fantastic caribbean Resort. Will see you all next April for friends 60th celebrations.

Crystal Cove is a total rip off. Very overpriced and terrible food. For what they charge for an all-inclusive experience, go somewhere else. It was hardly even really an ‘all inclusive’. It was more along the lines of full board with a very limited menu (which was pretty much the same at every meal). There was little or no healthy food, and most things were fried They also ran out of food at several meals. They ran out of rum at the 2 bars, too. If you are thinking about trying several rums in Barbados, you won’t be able to do so at this hotel. We also saw them re-filling Mount Gay rum bottles with other brands of rum. They advertise a ‘dine around town’ program that is not even close to what they claim – one of the properties told us we were not welcome because we were guests at Crystal Cove, while another just offered a small discount on their set prices. The property is also somewhat isolated, so you can’t really go down the street to find other food (without a car). While the staff did their best to deal with the situation, the property manager was absent despite all of the guest complaints and problems. There was even one morning where a significant number of the guests tracked him down and tried to engage him. All he offered was to shrug his shoulders and ask ‘what am I supposed to do?’. Stay anywhere else.

Our group of six booked a one-week stay at Crystal Cove by Elegant Hotels from February 28 through March 6 to celebrate a retirement. The resort had reportedly been closed for renovations for nearly a year, and Marriott reopened the property only two weeks before our arrival. We were repeatedly assured the resort would be fully operational and ready for guests. It absolutely was not. The problems started immediately. Many of the room renovations were clearly incomplete — plumbing problems, unfinished details, and cosmetic work that should have been completed long before paying guests arrived. The property felt like an active construction project rather than a finished resort experience. What was most shocking was the complete failure of the “all-inclusive” experience. At approximately $400 per person per day, we expected basic food and beverage service. Instead, the resort routinely ran out of food daily. One evening we were literally informed there would be “no dinner” due to operational problems. Our only option was cold cheese sandwiches from a small coffee bar near the lobby. Additional issues included: No open snack bars No towel service Bars frequently running out of rum and beer Very limited staff presence or guest service Lack of available bottled water Minimal entertainment or amenities beyond a staff member occasionally walking around with a box of popsicles once a day The most disappointing aspect was management’s complete absence and lack of accountability. During our entire stay, the resort manager was never visibly present to address guest concerns or explain the ongoing failures. We raised our concerns with Marriott Corporate, and while corporate representatives appeared to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and suggested a more reasonable refund, the local resort management refused to honor it. Instead, we received compensation that worked out to roughly $30 per day for what was one of the most poorly managed resort experiences any of us have encountered. Marriott should be ashamed that this property was allowed to reopen in this condition and that loyal, frequent guests were treated this way. Barbados is beautiful, but this resort was nowhere near ready for occupancy, and travelers should think very carefully before booking here.

My Husband and l have just returned from a wonderful 17 nights stay at beautiful Crystal Cove We have stayed here for many years It definitely has our hearts The renovation has been carried out very well. Rooms are beautiful. Very comfortable bed and a great shower linen and towels beautiful The complex has wonderful, multicoloured accommodation and the sunshades at high tides by the sea are very Caribbean in the colours The beach is amazing here, wonderful sand and a gorgeous blue sea to swim in The food is very good, but would’ve liked High Tides to have been open more often on our second week to give more options for dining and choosing from two menus as we had in the first week, when both restaurants were open The staff here are simply amazing and they are one of the reasons for us returning each year They are all so friendly and can’t do enough for you Richard has been so helpful to us and gave us an excellent service which we really appreciated My husband enjoyed the water skiing and we went out on the Hobie Cat which was fabulous There are a couple of things we would like to suggest Please put the Vista Bar back to the way it was before the Renovations It used to be so much more comfortable and cosy and everybody used to gather there Could we please have afternoon tea back at High Tides We always loved it there by the sea and once again it used to be a very sociable area Crystal Cove is such a Beautiful unique hotel Beautiful gardens and lovely seating on Sunset point A little more shade there would be good for the daytime Evening is just fabulous sitting there with a cocktail We will definitely be returning