- Barbados Holidays
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- The Sandpiper
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The Sandpiper
Barbados, Caribbean
St James
The Sandpiper is discreetly one of the most awarded luxury hotels in Barbados, surrounded by lush gardens filled with tropical flora, creating an atmosphere of ultimate privacy. The hotel is situated on a beautiful sandy beach on the West Coast, gently lapped by turquoise waters and bordered by a tree shaded wooden deck. Much of the Sandpiper's charm and style are attributed to Wayne and Karen Capaldi who run it with meticulous attention to detail without sacrificing the relaxed manner of the Caribbean. Combined with their staff's enthusiasm for pampering their guests, this results in many guests returning year after year.
Due to the surrounding area and the number of steps around the hotel, it may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
The Local Area
Tripadvisor Reviews
4.5 Excellent530 reviews
Excellent
82%
Very Good
11%
Average
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Wonderful with one important but…
Let me start by saying that this is a lovely place to stay and that this was a repeat visit for us. The suites are superb with lots of space, comfortable bed, great bathroom. It is a small resort set in pretty gardens with two pools, one main restaurant and one more casual restaurant and bar. Perhaps most important of all, the staff are all lovely, helpful and a delight to be around. The resort sits in front of a very nice bit of beach (note that all beaches in Barbados are public) with some great snorkelling just a few metres from the shore. There are lots of water sports (although we did not try these). The resort is also a short walk into Holetown with its plentiful shops and restaurants.
Perfection? Very nearly but, for us, not quite - and here it is important to point out that what didn’t work for us might be exactly what others are after. The issue: it is not that there was a large number of school-age children but specifically that there was a large number of toddlers and babies. Lots of crying/screaming, pushchairs left in the gaps between tables, high chairs at tables and great family groups with baby paraphernalia all over the beach sometimes making it an obstacle course either to get between table and buffet or between sun lounger and the sea. This is not meant to sound grumpy but is designed, in the spirit of a review, to let people that might want something more adult-oriented (or perhaps only with school-age children) know that this might not be for them.
One final point. Over the past year or two guests (and no doubt management) have been aware of the large new hotel going up next door (which looks like a ghastly 1960s hospital). This was not yet open at the time of our visit but due to open in June 2026. Time will tell whether and how this affects the Sandpiper. I hope that the impact is minimal for this lovely place.
Review by Romulus66 London, United Kingdom
So disappointing!
We were recommended the Sandpiper from guests who to be fair, last stayed prior covid but we contacted Ken who assured me we were making the right choice to celebrate my husbands’ birthday - but his birthday was ignored by all staff and a logo t shirt was placed in our room - really upsetting and disappointing!
As several other reviews comment - it is a hotel based on repeated stays and very cliquey!
Service is totally transparent based on your room number!
Our room was dated, dirty and definitely not worth £1000 a night!
Ken asked to see us after seeing our feedback form and said all our points were valid and we had been let down - but no compensation - easy to say after we had paid and about to get in the taxi!
We tried but would never return!
Review by Paulineleat Spreyton, United Kingdom
Beautiful Resort on a Beautiful Beach
My wife and I just returned from a wonderful week at the Sandpiper to celebrate my 60th birthday! It is a beautiful resort, and the grounds were meticulously maintained. The food was excellent. They offer an outstanding breakfast buffet every morning. The beach area was very nice as well. There is a safe swimming area that has no rocks. Our room was very clean and offered a kitchenette which was convenient. We have travelled extensively in the Caribbean and there are many beautiful resorts out there. The one thing my wife and have always believed was it's the staff that always sets a resort apart from the others. The entire staff, from the gardeners and housekeeping, to the waitstaff, bartenders and beach attendants were polite and made us feel welcome all times. Bravo! We are certainly planning to visit again.
Our Stay at Sandpiper Hotel Barbados
This was our second stay at The SANDPIPER HOTEL in Barbados. After having spent a lifetime of staying in hotels around the world, this hotel never fails to impress. The welcome you feel is incredible with all the staff going out of their way to make you comfortable. It is truly a unique experience as evidenced by the fact that 85% of their clientele are repeat guests. We can’t wait to come back again. WH
A very special place indeed
This was our second visit to The Sandpiper - We thought it was very good last time but on this trip - wow - even better. All those old Covid related issues have gone .
We first chose The Sandpiper as we prefer smaller, boutique hotels with personal service. This hotel is amongst the very best.
The property ( seemingly refurbished and spotless) the restaurants / bars and staff are a wonderful credit to the Capaldi/ O'Hara families.
This is a very special place to visit and it is no surprise that so many return - We certainly will ! The quality of the food is as good as we are used to in London and the variety is such that after 8 nights you rather wish you had booked for 10!
The service - from room maids to management is exceptional, we were made to feel genuinely welcome.
So - yes - we will be back - The Sandpiper is right at the top of a very short list of our favourite hotels of the world
Our personal thanks to the General Manager Ken Flockhart who warmly greeted our return and made sure we were happy with our stay - Its takes a great team to make a hotel this good and Ken has certainly ensured that such a team is in place.
