Waves Resort & Spa, Barbados, An Autograph Collection® All-Inclusive Resort

The people here made our stay feel special, and our girls got so much affection from the staff they didn't want to leave. Everyone was welcoming, including Jacqui, Ryan, Tammy, Ashani, Marsha, Devon, Ebony, Antwoine, and Ether, whose meals were divine. There were other staff whose names we can't recall, but the whole team's service was five-star. We're definitely coming back. The room was spacious, though we didn't get a sea view. We did spot a monkey right outside our window. For a better view, try for a sea-facing room. A detachable shower head or bathtub would help families, and more accessible outlets in the room would be useful. Some of the food could be hotter. We loved the private beach and its sunsets, the cocktails and tasty meals, and the breakfast variety, especially the Bajan choices like salt cod and Bajan soup. There's live music, independent shop vendors, good watersports, and a lovely spa with nice facilities. The lobby also has a stunning Seaview. The hotel is on a quieter part of the island, and Carlisle Bay is about a 10-minute taxi ride away.

Our kids loved the free watersports, especially tubing, which they did several times a day. There were also water skiing, catamarans, paddle boards, and more. The beach is small, but there were always plenty of loungers, and the beach and pool staff regularly checked in to offer help or drinks. We stayed in a spacious Junior Suite on the second floor, room 7209, after the split room we'd booked for our family wasn't available. The upgrade had a big bed, two comfortable sofa beds for the kids, a large bathroom with a separate shower, a fridge, kettle, tea and coffee, and good toiletries. The AC worked well, and there was an iron and board, plus a balcony with a sofa, chairs, table, and drying rack. The hair dryer was great and the water pressure strong, which I appreciated with long hair. The hotel is only three floors, and most rooms have lovely ocean views. Fresh water was easy to find in the room, at the bar, and on the beach. They kept adding lemon, cucumber, watermelon, or other fruit, which was refreshing in the heat. You could also ask for bonus drinks during the day or late at night. We enjoyed the coffee shop's tuna wrap, desserts, and coffee. There's yoga, a small but nice gym, occasional live music and other entertainment, and local women sometimes come by with handmade souvenirs. There was quite a lot of glass in the water. The pieces didn't cut deeply, but you could feel them. Locals told me heavy rain or flooding washes street debris, including bottles, into the ocean. There was also plenty of rubbish along the public beach, with bottles and plastic scattered around. This didn't seem to be the hotel's fault, but it does reflect the island's struggle to keep public beaches clean, so don't expect a pristine shoreline. Around the hotel, the area behind the watersports center could be cleaner, and a few more rubbish bins would help. The buffet was small and repetitive, and we would have liked more seafood. We also enjoyed DOSA, the Indian restaurant across the street in the adults-only section. Despite those drawbacks, our family really enjoyed the ocean views, attentive staff, relaxed wellness feel, coffee shop, and especially the free activities on the water.

My daughter and I became very sick a few hours after eating at Seascapes, the hotel restaurant. We had vomiting and diarrhea, couldn't leave our room for a couple of days, and the diarrhea and cramps continued for several days after we got home. Other people were sick too, yet management took no responsibility or offered compensation. As someone loyal to Marriott for almost 30 years, I found that shocking. We'd chosen the Waves because it describes itself as a health and wellness resort and belongs to the Autograph Collection, so we expected more. None of the restaurants served healthy food, and the snack bar had only soda and pastries, with no water or protein snacks. Staff were also very slow and reluctant to make lattes. We thought we'd be able to do yoga and pilates daily, but classes run only three times a week and there's no dedicated studio. The beach is extremely narrow and small as well. Our stay was disastrous. I wouldn't spend the money or take the risk of getting sick.

I spent six days at the Waves recently and had an amazing time. It's a gorgeous resort, and the service really stood out. I work in the hotel industry, so I notice attentive customer service, and this was next level. I got to relax, have fun, and eat good food. Astrid and Ashani at the front desk were a huge help throughout my stay, and their service inspired me. Valery in the restaurant made me feel welcome and appreciated, and I'm grateful I got to meet her. Everyone at the hotel was friendly and the service was great. I'll definitely return. 10s across the board.