There's an entire thread dedicated to his property, including lounge access. Search using Advanced Search, threads only, keyword Barbados in titles only...

Follow JDiver's excellent suggestion.

Not all of the information in this thread is accurate. Alcohol is no longer free in the lounge. Also, current HHonors rules do not automatically give Gold's access to the Exec Lounge's. As I Diamond, I've always received access. The thread JDiver references may give current access information for Gold's.

Just got back from a week at the Hilton Barbados. The hotel actually exceeded my expectations, but things may have been different if I was actually paying for the whole week as I only paid for one night combined with a 6 night reward that I had randomly booked before the point devaluation of last winter.

I strategically booked my first night as the paid night and paid extra to have access to the executive lounge, hoping that they would keep me in the same room for the entire week given that I got demoted to silver this yr as a result of my change to SPG. Lo and behold, the friendly and helpful girl in the exec lounge made it happen. Although there's no free booze in the lounge anymore, I thought the food was good for a continental breakfast and some snacks at the dinner hour. Not having access would have added a significant cost to the trip as breakfasts were fairly pricey at the hotel.

The hotel didn't seem very busy at all until the US Thanksgiving wknd whether it be at the pool, beach or exec lounge. The pool bar has a good happy hour every day between 5-6 where some of the drinks are half price ($4-5). We only at the Grille after the beach bbq was cancelled due to 'volatile weather?' even though it didn't even come close to raining. The Grille was a huge disappointment. There was probably one five tables taken in the entire restaurant. We didn't even get our drinks until after our appetizers had been eaten. I tried ordering 3 different bottle of wines only to have the waiter come back 10 minutes after ordering each one to tell me that they didn't have that one, but yet, couldn't suggest another one that they did have so the same thing kept on happening over and over again. The food was ok, but when you are paying $40+ for entrees, you expect the main courses to be a little more inspired.

As for other recommendations on the island, Lobsters Alive is a great place right on the beach between the hotel and Bridgetown. It was a little pricey, but worth it. We went to Bert's bar twice to watch hockey and had a great time. The food and drink was very reasonable. We also did the sunset dinner cruise with Cool Runnings which was also worthwhile. As for an island tour, we did a private tour with Sarah at Glory Tours and I would also highly recommend going with her.

Overall, we had a great time on the island. A lot of people complain about everything being very pricey, but we didn't find it that bad. That being said, if you have the kids along for the trip, I could see how meals and entertainment could add up.

True. You can find everything about the hotel in JDivers thread. I'm here in the lounge right now and will write a new review in 2 weeks.

However, the lounge is not great, well...rather the lounge is nice but the people aren't. It opened at 6pm and by the time I arrived at 6.20 every scrap of food was gone (and it's not replenished), yet the place was only half full and people had piles stacked on their plate. Why do people do that? It was the same last night.

Tor correct an above post, the soft drinks are complimentary but alcohol is an honours bar - take what you want, but fill in a slip for the charges. $10 for a beer for example.

But head to the other thread.....

now 7pm and with the food run out the place has all but emptied....

First of all, most prices quoted here are BBD and the USD-price is half of that.
I had the feeling that the prices are quite fair at the hotel. Between 5 and 6 there is happy hour at the beach bar (including free sunset view ;-) and from 7 to 8 at the bar inside. During happy hour beer is around 3 USD per pint (local beer: Banks), but not all cocktails are happy-hour-drinks.
We had a seafood buffet for 110 BBD / person, which was worth it.

This hotel has been very nice, with a great beach. Not far from the hotel (15 min. walk) is a great bay with shipwrecks, sea turtles etc., ideal for snorkeling or diving.

Kurtisane, do you know the name of the bay? Is it on the left or right side of hotel when you face the sea? Did you see the shipwecks under while you were snorkeling or diving?

Carlisle Bay Marine Park - <link> to Barbados Blue page (Hilton snorkel operator). Link to Google Maps overview, reference to Hilton (marked and on point just south of Carlisle Bay).

i didn't think the beach was that great. first of all it's man-made, then it's quite small for such a big hotel. and the way it's designed the surf is coming in very strong with waves too big for a lot of people to go bathing.
they don't put up the beach umbrellas, when the wind is blowing too strong and since sunbathing without one is just not advisable, going to the small pool area (for such a large hotel) is also not such a great option, the sunbeds are so close together, just not comfortable.

It appears that Hotwire has rates for US265 vs Hilton at US499 or executive rooms for US580. Would booking the first night with a paid (executive) or using points be a fairly good way of ensuring a similar or same room with the Hotwire rez for the following 4 nights?

Or would there be some recognition (unofficially of course) of Diamond status with the Hotwire room alone. Anyone have any experience with receiving benefits when using PL or Hotwire bookings?

As you pointed out, officially if you book through "opaque" channels you are not eligible for status recognition. There have been reports that some hilton properties recognize your status even with "opaque" bookings, although that does not guarantee they will continue to do so or do it upon your checkin.

"opaque" channels
Stays booked via "opaque" channels where the brand is unknown at the time of purchase are not Eligible Stays for the purpose of earning points, miles or stay credit toward Elite tier status, or the receipt of Elite tier benefits such as upgraded accommodations / amenities or access to health clubs.

Thank you JDiver! looks like I don't need to join Barbados Blue and can fin there from the beach in few mins. Thanks once again!

Does anyone know how far (time or miles) this Hilton is from the new Courtyard Marriott that just opened?

I am going in Jan to the Hilton, and friend is lookig at redeeming for Marriott.

The addresses from both hotels websites do not really pull up any information when I plug into Bing Maps.

Thanks

Tasnam

just down the road, 5-10 mins drive depending on traffic. Although only a Courtyard, I have a feeling it will take quite a bit of Hilton's business custom. Has shops and bars near by as well.

Looks to be about a mile using Google Maps.

After a recent stay, here's my new review!

We stayed here for two weeks with my wife and 10 month old infant. It was my second stay, my first back in 2008. On arrival there was only one person ahead of us at the reception and we were quickly seen. I am an HH Gold and although wasn't expecting it as I thought this would be a busy hotel, was upgraded to the executive floor and free internet in the room. That said, I have mixed feelings about the executive lounge and will add that later.

Location:

I have to say that I like the south coast, I think the West Coast is greatly overrated and the beaches have been rapidly eroded over the years, although the hotels themselves tend to be much better. The big beaches of the south coast like Carlisle Bay are a hidden gem - well from tourists anyway. The Hilton beach is also very nice although not great for swimming as the sea tends to be quite rough. Equally the location is not great if you want restaurants or bars nearby, although in truth the West Coast isn't much better and you can get a cab down the road only a mile or so to find quite a few choices. I've never been a fan of Bridgetown - it's always been run down, but you are certainly within walking distance or again a quick cab. But if walking beware the complete lack of sidewalks/pavement.

Pools:

3 pools: one main pool, one small toddlers' pool, and one infinity pool. Plenty for everyone and rarely gets busy in the pool (bearing in mind we went in Nov/Dec and outside of school holidays), although the poolside itself can get very busy. I was a bit annoyed that the children's pool was surrounded by people who gave dirty looks when the children made noise - why sit there then??! Never understood this. I'd also say that by taking up all the chairs around the children's pool it also meant that some families couldn't sit there - there are two OTHER pools.....otherwise the pools are fantastic and my little boy loved it. If you want a quiet swim head up to the gorgeous infinity pool and deck.

Service/Staff:

On the whole by far they were absolutely brilliant (a few exceptions coming up). A change from our stay 2 years ago where they were all pretty miserable. Staff in the executive lounge and the poolside restaurant/bar were especially friendly. They were all so wonderful to my family and especially my little boy that I couldn't have enough praise for Hazel, Gillian, 'Hightower' and the others. They certainly made the visit. That said a couple of one-offs: one of the beach attendants refused to put up a parasol for my baby to play under as he said there was a spare chair already. I explained that it was right next to a couple who might not appreciate it and there were some spare slots still available. He still refused which made me annoyed, so I just walked off. Similarly, in the Lighthouse restaurant the staff were very slow and surly, didn't like us taking a baby in and even stood by (the maitre d and a waitress) and watched my wife struggle to get the pram up a small set of stairs at the entrance without helping (they weren't busy either). If only they could be like the others...

Rooms:

The room was very nice, quiet, high ceiling, sizeable bathroom and immaculately clean every day. We had a fantastic view over the ocean. Air con worked a treat, and we were allowed to use the minibar to store the baby's medicine and milk. The door key was often a pain and we always had to try several times to get them to work, but we got used to it. Again, all the cleaning staff and turn down staff were fantasticly friendly. Never a problem with water bottles, linen, towels etc. Must say though that one of the beds was very hard and left me with a bit of a bad back some mornings.

Food/Restaurants:

Awful, and in fact is worse than when I stayed 2 years ago. Amazing when this is such an easy fix for management - makes me wonder whether they really care......

Price-wise it isn't actually bad for a hotel or restaurant, but the quality is very very poor. I tried all three restaurants and they were all equally bad. It's a shame there's nothing else nearby as you are rather stuck. If you fancy a good meal, head down the road to Mama Mia's, 39 Steps, or one of the bars like Bubba's. Alternatively, there's a great shack just outside the gates that serves awesome flying fish burgers. In fact we almost took one in to show them the difference with their own flat, meatless, dry, boney, overcooked version. It would make such a difference if the hotel improved this one thing.

Executive Lounge:

Not convinced at all and although nice to be upgraded (I paid the previous stay), I don't think the extra cost is worth it. This is also very much a business hotel and having a baby got us lots of dirty looks - even though he was good as gold. Why can't people get over it? The lounge was also taken over many afternoons by large groups of business men that left little space to sit and have a tea. Clearly, this is one of those areas where families and tourists and business men are never going to make ideal companions. Not sure what the answer is here. The EL staff themselves though were brilliant, loved them. Drinks are no longer free at the honour bar, and the nibbles are gone almost immediately as greedy guests stack their plates as if it's a buffet - very rude and annoying. I arrived 20 minutes after opening one evening and there was nothing left, yet one couple had 5 empty plates and one stacked with food still on their table...this was quite typical.

Overall:

Hmmm, on reading back I think it reads a little negative but I think one tends to concentrate on the things you didn't like. In truth, we had a great holiday and would go again tomorrow, there is so much to like and a big thumbs up for (the vast majority of) the staff, the cleanliness, the family friendliness, great beach and pool. Sort out the food (please please) and the exec lounge and this would be an incredible hotel. Alternatively to the exec lounge, perhaps offer families some other kind of packages/area?