Having just returned today from Settlers Beach resort after a 10 day stay, we actually felt compelled for the first time in a long time to take the time to write a review of our experiences on the basis that others can benefit too! We have been to Barbados a couple of times before but have always stayed in St Lawrence Gap, on the basis that there would be more variety there in terms of "eateries" and bars. This time we wanted to share the Caribbean with my parents so thought the West Coast would be more suitable and after research decided on Settlers Beach as it appeared to offer the location and facilities we wanted. The research paid off! Settlers offers great value for money, the location is great! Only five minutes walk brings you to 1st/2nd Street in Holetown with a respectable selection of bars to suit all ages. The Sunday night karaoke is an experience you must try out, and Friday night was busy at Mews (mojitos to die for) & Lexys the piano bar offers good later night entertainment, in-fact the nightlife was as good as the Gap but with a more relaxed vibe - perfect!!! There are some great restaurants such as Cocomos, Tides and The Beach House all within five/ten minutes walk. Super Center (mall with a supermarket) is only a five minute walk from the resort and the food selection is great! The resort itself is made up of one and two-storey villa accommodation which were nicely done, comfortable and clean and with wonderful landscaping that really makes you believe you are in your own resort, privacy was never an issue! The staff are wonderful, always smiling with a keen sense of humour and more than happy to help with any requests you may have. Yes the beach is not so wide at the front of the resort, but still plenty of room for sun-beds that were never crowded and if one was not available all you had to do was ask! However there are so many beautiful beaches within easy walking & driving distance it didn't impact our holiday at all. We stayed in Villa 2, which was lovely not only did we have a beautiful sea view, but were five steps away from the pool, which was never overcrowded and at times felt like your own! Spago, the resort restaurant, is a new addition and I have to say the three times we ate there evening and night the food was wonderful and service was on Barbados time, i.e. take your time and enjoy the wonderful beach side setting! Vanessa the new General Manager is really passionate about getting Settlers to be the "home from home" and I think she is on the way to realising this 100% very soon. A special mention to Celia on reception who is so friendly, and finally a fond farewell to the green monkey who loved my lime green bikini so much he decided to steal it from my balcony! All in all a great experience for all ages, families and couples - my only question is - how quickly can we return. Ian & Cara Woods, Biggin Hill, UK

Booked a 2-bed villa for 2ad & 2ch through expedia.co.uk for 6 nights and paid ?228/night and you? This hotel is a delight with excellent, long serving staff led by a committed manager, Vanessa. Villas are either on one or two levels. We were in Villa 15 (1-storey) which was well equipped, well furnished and incredibly spacious. However, I'm afraid it was too close to the busy and noisy main road for our liking. We did ask to move after the first night but it was not possible. To be honest, we did get used to the traffic noise which was unusual for us, as we do value peace and quiet very highly. So, just bear this in mind when booking to specify a villa 'away from the road' if this is important to you. The complex is set in lovely gardens and there is an onsite pool which is a good size and warm and an area for sunbathing with shaded areas too. Each villa has their own sunbeds too. There is also a TV room with a computer for free internet access, which doubled up as an entertainment venue for kids. During the week we were there, there was a kids movie night for ages 4-12 and an arts/crafts morning for a nominal charge. We never received croissants in the mornings, but did get the choccies at bedtime! Breakfast is provided but must be ordered the night before. We were self catering, so made our own arrangements for meals. The inhouse restaurant, now named Spago (which is run independently of the villa hotel) has the most wonderful setting. But we never used it, so can't comment. In the whole time we were there, we saw only 3 tables utilised and this no doubt, added to the lack of ambience etc. Some rest. tips include Daphne's (happy hour 5-7pm). Tides was very good, as was Sunday Brunch at Sandy Lane Bajan Blue - but a pricey ?50 a head! We ate lunch at Cocomos a couple of times which we also enjoyed. We also recommend Ragamuffins for a basic, tasty meal. We had a great buffet lunch at Coral Reef hotel (10min walk away along the beach) too. We had a lovely day at Mullins Bay and at the rest. there - can't remember it's name. We used the local buses a lot and the longest we ever had to wait was 5mins, 25p per trip, anywhere on the island. Highly recommend their use. The beach outside the C Reef hotel (and Colony Club next door) was quite nice. Which brings me to the only other disappointing thing about Settlers - there is no beach in front of the hotel. Over the last few years it has and is being washed away - as are many of the beaches along the west coast and apparently the islanders are trying to keep this quiet! There is an area of beach a little along from the villa hotel but it is only about 10ft deep by 30ft wide. However, all beaches in Barbados are public, so you can use any. Next door is the Sandpiper Hotel which has a little beach area too but also offers watersports to non residents. Waterskiing ?15/15mins. Catamaran hire ?40/hour. We found Settlers to be ideally situated to lots of restaurants and there were banks, shops and supermarket all within a 10min walk away. We didn't extensively tour the island I'm afraid to say, our main priority was R&R but this was a two-centre holiday and we had stayed the first week at a hotel on the south coast. We much preferred staying on the west coast and the more relaxed, laid back attitude (or was that purely just us de-stressed!) Settlers helped to provide. I thought the accommodation represented good value for money but did note that the week before our arrival, rates were double........ The clientele was mainly British consisting of families with 2 or 3 kids. There were a few couples too. All in all, a great place, great location, wonderfully run/operated (all villas are privately owned) by Vanessa and her team and would definately return and highly recommend.