Sugar Bay Barbados - All Inclusive

Customer ratings & reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

2349 reviews

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  Has the potential to be so much better

  I believe Sugar Bay has great potential to be a very good resort with just a little effort. The setting is beautiful, great protected beach with super snorkeling just feet from the shore, a good pool and a nice outdoor eating space for all your meals. The easiest fix is communications. The front desk staff and concierge (rarely was this desk manned) offer no tidbits of information. They'll answer all your questions if you know the right questions to ask. After our 4th day we found a small sign posted about 25 feet from the front desk on the taxi pickup side of the hotel. Why not post this on the opposite side by the main restaurant where everyone can find it easily? Why not have the front desk staff tell us about it? The food was subpar. It wasn't bad, you can always find something you like, but in general it was a notch or two below other resorts we've stayed at. In general, all their meats and fish were overcooked. It was too bad because the sauces and recipes seemed good, but the main ingredient (meat or fish) was always overcooked. The resort overall was a little tired. It could use some up minor upkeep. Broken floor tiles in the halls, some fresh paint, etc. Nothing that puts you in harm's way, but with just a little effort it could look and feel much better. The game room was in very poor shape. The 3 video games (Pac Man, etc) all had "out of order" signs on them that looked as though they been there a long time. The air hockey table which dominated the room was out of order and the pool table had seen much better days. It left me wondering if they'd be better off closing it altogether than having advertising it on walkways to only go in and find that 90% of it was out of order. Kind of embarrassing really. Our room was good, clean, nice balcony, comfortable bed, etc. In summary, it wouldn't take too much money or effort to move the needle from Average to Good or even higher. Sugar Bay has the perfect location and setting. They just need to give it some TLC and improve their communications.

  Apr 22, 2025
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  Sugar Bay - Wonderful Resort!

  My wife and I stayed at Sugar Bay from April 11-16, 2025. Since I tend to write lengthy reviews, I shall address by category. RECEPTION DESK Check-in was seamless. We booked through Expedia and were entitled to a few amenities. Front desk staff was aware of each and made sure we knew of and had them. Made reservations at Umi and Sizzle - no issues. Had lunch. Received an email when our room was ready. One of the best check-in experiences, which is important after a long travel day. Oh, the welcome rum punch isn’t weak. Day before departure, asked when we should arrange for taxi to airport. They took care of it for us. Check out took one minute. We weren’t given the dreaded red wrist bands because we were leaving then. ROOM We booked a standard room and expected a garden view. For a reason unknown to me, we were upgraded to an oceanfront room - 211. Room was in a fantastic location. A postcard view of the beach and ocean. The room isn’t large, but we don’t need large. Don’t expect a Four Seasons room - you aren’t paying Four Seasons prices. You will get a clean room steps from a world class beach with plenty of hangers and adequate storage space. BEACH I am a beach snob. I compare every beach to the beaches of Anguilla or Grace Bay on Provo. The beach at Sugar Bay will not disappoint even the beach snob. The colors of the water. Soft sand. The calm surf due to the rock barriers. Warm calm water one can enjoy or just admire. No beach vendors. When we stayed there, we had no issue finding chaises with umbrellas. The resort does an excellent job providing adequate chaises - something most resorts don’t do. Yes, some chaises are reserved in the early AM. But, the nice folks at water sports will hook you up with an umbrella or whatever you need. Drink service provided on the beach, but there are also two bars within a minute of the beach. Most people come to Sugar Bay for a great beach experience. You will not be disappointed. We had zero sargassum. Mother Nature dictates that. Beach was kept clean. That doesn’t happen by accident - the beach attendants work very hard. POOL We enjoyed the main pool every day to cool off from the beach. Never had an issue finding two consecutive chaises. Pool temperature was warm - 83-85. It was clean. Swim-up bar was very nice. Hardly a wait for a drink. Beach. Pool. Beach. Pool. Rinse and repeat. Recipe for a nice relaxing day. FOOD With a caveat that everyone has different tastes and expectations, here goes. Prior to arrival, I read the reviews about the food. The reviews were overwhelmingly positive. The reviews were spot on. The food at Sugar Bay exceeds the quality at nearly all resorts I have been to. And I have been to dozens of nice resorts throughout the Caribbean. The food didn’t taste mass produced. High quality offerings that tasted cooked to order. The Reef buffet had the standard breakfast offerings. Omelet station. Pancakes. Waffles. Croissants. Smoked salmon. Bacon. Potatoes. Fruit. No issue with breakfast. Dinner was a real joy. It was something to anticipate. Lots of seafood offerings. Carved meats. Several tasty dessert options. We enjoyed everything we had at the Reef. Service was very attentive. We lacked for nothing. Collins Grill was a great spot for lunch. Ate there three times. No wait. Prompt service. The French fries and slaw there are so good. Their burgers are delicious. Had fried marlin once - very tasty. And a nice cold Banks to wash it down. Loved Collins. Perfect spot for a beach grill. Great menu. Not a long wait like at so many other beach grills. Sit down. Eat. Back to chaise! Had dinners at Umi and Sizzle. Warm, professional service at both places. Really enjoyed the teriyaki snapper at Umi. Breathtaking views of the ocean. I wasn’t sure what to expect of Sizzle. But, given the food quality at the rest of the resort, we weren’t disappointed. I had the filet mignon. Cooked and seasoned perfectly. Oh, the cheesecake could have been served in New York City and people would have been happy. Rich and creamy and sweet. The food at Sugar Bay is a huge drawing point. I have already recommended the resort to friends and have spoken glowingly about the food. HOSPITALITY We are so busy in our lives at home. Vacation is a place to slow down and savor time in a beautiful destination with loved ones. The folks who work at Sugar Bay are unfailingly polite, helpful and interested. You will get five star warmth and attentiveness at Sugar Bay. VIBE The word “vibe” appears to have invaded our lexicon in recent years. Well, the vibe at Sugar Bay is decidedly Caribbean. Nothing corporate about this place. Just a nice, relaxing, quiet place to … chill. At some of the larger resorts, you feel as if you’re at a mass produced vacation. Here, I sat away from my usual beach spot one morning and the water sports gentleman said - oh - you’re over here today! That simple gesture made an impression. GRATUITIES Very personal topic. I won’t suggest what others should do. However, since it is a popular topic, I will say what we did. We left $5 after every breakfast and lunch. Left $20 after every dinner. Left $5 for housekeeping. And tipped $1 to $1.50 per drink. I don’t think the service I received had anything to do with tipping. Yes, I come from a tipping culture. If I can spend $$$$ on a vacation, I can spend $ showing some gratitude. I tipped happily - not because I felt it was expected. I don’t often return to the same resort multiple times, but I do see myself doing so with Sugar Bay. There is just so much to like about it. Management clearly has a vision about this resort and it has executed quite well.

  Apr 19, 2025
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  Can't Wait To Go Back!

  I absolutely recommend Sugar Bay, and I hope to return soon. The restaurant staff, the bar staff, the beach staff, the grounds staff, the cleaning staff, the maintenance staff, the staff that welcomes you the moment you arrive and check in are smiling and friendly. They are all helpful and recognize the "deer caught in headlights" look when you don't know what you are doing. All of the staff at this resort make you fall in love with Sugar Bay and, more importantly, the people of Barbados. The food is delicious, the spa is worth it, and don't forget to make reservations at the restaurants.  Now, I agree that there are some small updates/upgrades that could be made around the resort, but you don't notice things like that unless you are looking for them.  My best friend and I had a maintenance issue with our room, and that was handled. It wasn't due to an upgrade that we could see that was needed. :)  My biggest tip is to remember that you are hopefully there to relax and have a wonderful time away from your daily grind. Please remember that your kindness matters. Sadly, we witnessed a couple of unkind patrons, only a couple, who forgot this but I will say that the Sugar Bay staff handled these patrons' unkindness with grace and an over abundance of kindness in return.  As a whole, you will find yourself surrounded by happy people, staff, and fellow vacationers at this resort, and you will leave refreshed.

  Apr 18, 2025
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  Superb staff

  This is a lovely hotel, nice beachfront location and v good food. Best of all were the staff who were exceptionally helpful and friendly unusually so for an all inclusive. Really Impressed. We enjoyed a very relaxing holiday. Thank you to all the staff. You guys make the hotel and the experience special.

  Apr 17, 2025
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  My bucket list come true!

  I loved everything about Sugar Bay! The people were so kind, polite, friendly, engaging, and helpful. If course I had my favorites!! The food was excellent! We probably used the buffet the most, but the grill was great too! The drinks were great too. My favorite thing was the beach! Clean, beautiful, and I loved being able to use the water sports equipment, again my favorite was the snorkeling!! The room was comfortable and they cleaned and gave us fresh towels. Again all those people were so kind! Thank You Sugar Bay for allowing me to spend my 70th there! A dream come true!! Anita

  Apr 15, 2025