Escape at the Gap Hotel

2 readers found this review helpful

Had to write, went October 2009 and will be returning. Most people thought the same as me, great value, wonderful people, paradise setting. How can anyone complain? What do they want, Virgin are brilliant, have used them for years and cannot speak to highly of them.
Stayed a week then went on the Carnival cruise, never again, fancy leaving Barbados for that!
Cynthia
ps Didn't see a single hot dog or any other fast food although the cook was so obliging at breakfast that you could probably have requested this.

3 readers found this review helpful

My partner Malcolm and I returned to Escape at the Gap once again after staying here last September. We had enjoyed it that much that we chose to return here. The location is fantastic and safe to walk about to other bars etc. at night. Hotel rooms are large with king-size beds and very clean (cleaned everyday). Air conditioning great and a must. Food is fantastic and something there for everyone's palate. Their are 2 types of dining A La Carte or Menu choice - both excellent There are 2 pools, one small one and larger one at Pirates side. We only used the pool twice as the hotel is right on the beach and prefer the beach and the beautiful sea. Evening entertainment was great and did not go on too late. All staff are fantastic and go out of their way to assist you, nothing is too much trouble for them. Water sports i.e. kayaks, boogie boards etc. are free and the staff are willing to help as always.
When we were arrived there were quite a few families, couples who were stranded due to the Iceland Volcano palaver. Because the hotel was fantastic they were more than happy to stay longer. Virgin were superb allowing them to stay and still received all meals and drinks at no extra cost. I can't imagine anyone complaining as the staff really are brilliant.
Everyone we met on holiday were lovely especially a special couple we met - Kevin and Anne - we will be keeping in touch!
Bajan people are also the most friendly welcoming we have ever met. If you are just having a walk they will always be greet you and are very pleasant.
We will definitely be back here again!!
Kirsten and Malcolm, Aberdeen 28 April 2010

4 readers found this review helpful

Wow, what a fantastic place. Geoffrey and his team have done a brilliant job in making you feel like part of Barbados. The rooms are well cleaned, the staff treat you with good manners ALL the time, especially Jeff on the beach and Vanessa in the restaurant, Chris behind the bar. The food is a blend of European and Caribbean and I can't remember the name of our lady chef, but she was a star.
This really is a hidden gem in Virgins brochure and I hope it doesn't become a victim of it's own success. Well done all of you for making our holiday that little bit special.

8 readers found this review helpful

Me, my husband and 2 children (aged 5 and 9) had the most fantastic 10 night holiday here. I can't fault a thing! Booked online with Virgin, checked in online (which saved a lot of time at Gatwick) and did the check in chill out for our return (only at Grantley Adam's for an hour before boarding the return flight). All Virgin staff were extremely friendly and helpful including the rep at the hotel who was there for a few hours each morning.
Our room was on the Pirates side, large, had a balcony overlooking the family pool and views of the Dover cricket ground where there was more going on than just cricket!!! The door to the balcony was lacking a security pin which was reported that evening and fixed the following day. We were even given a bottle of champagne as an apology for the inconvenience!! Kids had twin beds in the living area and we had our own (lockable!) room!! Towels and linen were changed daily and the floor and balcony mopped clean of stray sand!
All staff were so friendly and would bend over backwards to accomodate any needs. Food was fantastic. Fresh fish aplenty! Always something that the kids liked and they never resorted to the kids menu (nuggets, pizzas, chips etc...). The chaps on the beach were sometimes difficult to locate (!) but there were always fresh towels available for the beach.
Talking of the beach, it was beautiful! No fighting for sun beds. Life guards on duty everyday. Kayaks, boogie boards and other water activities available with life jackets provided. Fairly long stretch of beach so never felt crowded and always felt safe. There are a few recurrent pedlars but if you decline their sale, they remember and don't bother you again.
Took a mini moke out for a couple of days (booked through Virgin rep - around £60 a day with Barbadian driving permit costing BDS$10). Went round the coast and then to centre of island. Everywhere we went, people were helpful and friendly (especially when getting lost in the smaller villages!). No road rage and the only time someone beeps at you is to say Hi! MC Turtle Man runs trips out daily but as the kids don't swim well, we went on the Atlantis submarine trip which was fantastic! Not cheap but well worth it. If you are going out for the day and not sure where you'll end up, order a packed lunch the day before with no hassle.
Get up early one morning (6ish) and wander along to Divi Mart where you can see wild green monkeys grabbing an early breakfast in the grounds!

6 readers found this review helpful

One Tip: Always book a Virgin Holiday!
This was the first time we had gone through Virgin and the holiday was the best we have ever had. From start to finish the staff, food, room and customer service was 2nd to none.
Upon arrival we were shown our beach view room and it was spotless and large with a huge bathroom, the power shower was fit for 4 people! Our ground floor balcony looked through the garden, pool and bar area and out to the ocean beyond. We went straight out to the beach where we were issued interchangable towels and free beds. There was jet ski if wanted and an array of free water sports. There are 2 restaurants -'Pirates' a la carte for 4/5 evenings and did a lunch too or the beachside one which was mainly buffet service. The food was extremely varied and always a mass of choices. Breakfast was extensive and you could ask the chef to cater for whatever eggs you liked on the day with a choice of fillings. Drinks were strong! Rum punch is a must as is their wine and banks beer. The staff were always helpful and offered advice on the day we wanted to book a taxi around the island to see the sights. Having been before I knew what Mark would like to see and we went via a map circled with areas of interest. Totally lovely day! Go to Bathsheba and The Round House (lunch) and Cherry Tree Hill for the views. Then cut across country and through Andromeda Park. The ents at the hotel were good and on the 2nd week busier than the 1st week due to the Easter break where more kids had come to the hotel (most well behaved though) Go to Oistins Fish Market on a Friday night and catch the bus there it is 1.50 (50p) bajan dollars to get around the island and you can hop on and off the bus when you like, the buses even stop and ask you where you are going!
If you are intending on drinking out the drinks vary in price. A Banks is normally 3 to 5 Bajan depending on if you are going out or to a local place. restaurants tend to be dear though, but Oistins a must for the fresh fish and at less than a tenner for a full meal.
The locals are friendly and we got on like a house on fire. Everyone stops to speak and nod good mornings!
This hotel is rated a 3 star but is far in excess of that in our minds.
All in all a really wonderful holiday and great to also revisit Mullins Bay where I stayed 12 years ago. We intend on going back to this resort and hotel in the future.

1 reader found this review helpful

I stayed at this hotel with my Daughter Claire, for 2 weeks, we, on the hole had a really good time became friendly with a lot of people still text Ryan and Shirley a year on.
One problem i had was the locals on the beach, my daughter is a very good looking girl and thats not being biast they would not leave her alone a lot of the hotel staff where after her aswell, so if you are a young blonde with a good figure be prepared to be bothered by the locals, the rooms are kept spotlessly clean and as others have said waitresses where not to friendly wouldn't go back there we have stayed on the east coast and west coast aswell as here, west coast is brilliant but of coarse a lot more pricey. Hello to V-Jay one of the barmen and Helen one of the barmaids can't remember anyone elses name sorry

1 reader found this review helpful

WICKED!!! I will definitely be returning to The Gap!
I found the staff extremely helpful and the room really clean. The aircon was cool and nice - you felt as if you walked into an icebox, which was a refreshing change after coming in from the heat.
Met some lovely locals who took care of us by taking us dancing at night and relaxed on the beach in the day. I didn't mind the vendors as everybody has to eat!
Woah! I'm going to BARBADOS!!!
Jx

1 reader found this review helpful

I can't understand all the negative comments I read on this site. We went to St Lawrence Gap for a family wedding at a nearby hotel. So there were 11 of us at Escape at the Gap.( I hope we weren't too noisy) We had a great time and found the staff very helpful and friendly, especially the boys on the beach, always on hand to get us a sunbed and sunshade. Food was lovely , especially in Pirates restuarant, where we were looked after very well , especially when one of our group had been fishing and caught a kingfish and the chef cooked it for us, it looked too good to eat but we did and it was delicious.
The only criticism I have is that the beach towel exchange could be better, they seemed to run out of clean towels before everyone had got one.

1 reader found this review helpful

My friend and I went to the Escape Hotel November/December (my third time) we met some great people who we were going to keep in touch with sadly I have lost one of the e-mail addresses, so Joycie and Eddy hi if you read this. Anyway back to the hotel I found it warm friendly and for the price excellent value. ( I even put on a few pounds). My friend loved it, but before we went on the holiday she thought it was expensive, compared to the Bargins!!! she had had. Firstly she was impressed with how well we were looked after flying Virgin for the first time, then at the hotel with the food being on most of the day. Breakfast, Lunch afternoon sandwiches, then Dinner all of which were very good some excellent. The only thing I would change is the bar it needs to be bigger with more choice but having said that we only used it just before we went out, and a sneaky one at lunch (or 2). The hardent drinker would not have been impressed. I noticed a lot of the same people come back year after year so that to me is a good recomendation for any place.

1 reader found this review helpful

We have just returned from an absolutely fabulous stay. We were warmly welcomed and looked after from day one. The food was fine, everything you expect for a three star hotel. The rooms were clean and adequate with fully functioning air conditioning. The staff were amazing - nothing was too much trouble. So much so that with the incredible help of Alison we were able to arrange our Wedding in a day. We were thoroughly spoilt by staff and guests alike all of which made our special, if not spontaneous day complete.
Saving up now in the hope of spending our anniversary there next year
Special thanks to Alison and Reverend Anderson Kelman.