Mango Bay

We actually visited this hotel two years ago when staying somewhere else in Barbados and loved the location ,so when an offer came up on Kenwood travel in January 2006 we booked it, we had seen the mixed reviews and new the Royalton would be open by then but because of the location we decided it was worth a try. We booked a superior room but when we arrived it wasn't ready so they gave us upgrad us to a beach front room ,it was actually a lovely room if not a little tired/tattie but unfortunately after 2 days we had a water leak coming from the bathroom above so we reported it to reception who said they'd get maintenance to look at it, it was repaired but it failed again after two days so on day 6 of our holiday when it started leaking again they decided to move us and upgrade us again, this time to the penthouse whitch was a really lovely room/suit but still very tired and in need of some TLC ,and that pretty much sums up much of Mango bay actually in need of some TLC. We didn't use the pool area( because we'd rather be on a beach) it was quite small and again a bit tattie/tired but the garden areas were very well looked after.

Breakfast was always excellent but lunch and evening meals were a little hit and miss, sometimes some of the best we've had in the caribbean and sometimes quite poor. There were a couple of bbq/buffet nights that were a nice change but definitely not a 4 star standard . Most of the waiters and waitresses were fabulous one or two perhaps in need of a bit of retraining. Bar staff we'er excellent ,we never had a problem with any of them but a special mention for Ronald, Dale and Brittany who were fabulous also special mention has go to the lads that look after the sun beds and umbrellas and organise the water sports they work so hard . The beach that Mango bay is on has changed dramatically with the opening of the Royalton next door since our last visit to Barbados(it's absolutely massive)it was once so peaceful but not anymore you can hear the entertainment staff shouting through there microphones and there music banging out from the Royalton it has attracted lots of jet ski's and party boats all playing different music and it just ends up being a big noise,we spent most of our days on different beaches trying to find some peace and quiet but I'm sure the youger set would enjoy it.

Just back from 10 days at Mango Bay, and having just read Happyhammer10’s review I could almost do a cut and paste with a few additions. We stayed last year at The Club just down the road, so invariably comparison were made.

We started the holiday in room 111 which was great, straight out of the varandah onto the beach. It was very clean, had a comfortable bed and had a modern shower. The were some odd bits, a single Uk pattern electric socket next to where the kettle was (with a us pattern plug)! So the only option to boil the kettle was to put it on the floor and plug into a low us socket. There were also a couple of spurious light switches which we never found out what they were for. Then just over half way through the holiday we woke up to water gushing through the bathroom ceiling (same issue as someone else commented on for room 106 a few days before), so seems that preventive maintenance of the rooms is lacking. It took until nearly 5pm that day to get a resolution and a move to room 314 and this was only achieved by us constantly badgering people on reception to get something done. This was supposed to be the same grade (ocean view) that we had booked, but the shower in the new room was more dated with a shower curtain and a low bath as the tray. But overall the rooms were satisfactory.

The biggest issue we had was, as in the previous review the food and drink service. The food was variable with some days being ok ish, but other days being woeful. The low point was arriving for lunch one day and being told the “theme” for that day was build your own sandwich 🤯. I actually have that same theme everyday at home while I am working, so expected something much better from a 3/4 star hotel.

Drinks were the same, on our first day I asked the barman for one of their signature rum cocktails and was told they did not have one but that we could do me a rum and coke (well thanks!!!). I subsequently found they did actually have a Mango Bay special, which was contained in a single copy of a cocktail menu that was always kept behind the bar. In comparison to The Club where they have extensive cocktail menus always shown in multiple places on each of their bars, and were happy to give you something different if you couldn’t find something you wanted, and premium spirits were always used.

The staff in general just seemed completely disinterested in engaging with the guests at any level. On arrival we were only provided with information about trips we could purchase, and nothing about what the hotel was offering.

It really just feels like everyone is completely unmotivated now that the Royalton has opened next door (although it seems the Royalton also has it’s issues). I am sure in years past, this has been a great place to visit, it certainly has a beautiful location. It needs investment in the infrastructure to bring it up to 3/4 star, and staff training to remind them what the hospitality industry is all about.

I know there are many people that return here year after year, but I wonder if the management strategy going forward is to wait for a big offer from one of the large brands to buy the plot and completely redevelop.

Sadly I don’t think we will be revisiting.

Ok, so visited Sugar Bay last year which is a similar comparable hotel on a similar budget so during my stay was mentally comparing Mango Bay to the Sugar Bay. Firstly, the location of Mango Bay is absolutely stunning, the beach, the sea, the proximity to Holetown are all head and shoulders above Sugar Bay and is a major attraction. But that’s pretty much the only factor where Mango Bay rates higher than Sugar Bay.

Room: We paid for a superior pool view room and I have to say, we have no complaints with the room. The bed was big and comfy, the pillows really suited, the A/C was excellent and there is loads of storage which is refreshing. There is also a fridge in the room with soft drinks & water in. There is a kettle, with tea and coffee etc supplied, an iron and ironing board and dressing gowns ( but no slippers?) The shower, despite being a dated over the bath type with an old school shower curtain, had really good water pressure and was always piping hot, with shower gel, shampoo etc all supplied.

Food/Restaurant: Very hit or miss, some nights good, some night not so. Choice limited to 3 starters, 3 mains and 3 desserts. Buffet nights were pretty uninspiring. Breakfast was probably the best meal of the day. Service at the restaurant wasn’t particularly friendly from most of the staff with the exception of 1 or 2, the majority looked like they really didn’t want to be there and there was very little engagement from most of the staff. Completely the opposite to Sugar Bay where the food, choice and service was excellent. Apparently there was snack food like burgers, hot dogs etc which could be ordered from the bar but we only found that out in the last day as we were not told this at check in, nothing about it in the ‘pack’ given to us at check in and nothing on or around the bar to advertise this? Almost as if they don’t really want you to know about it! No Ice cream provided or offered other than at meal times and a minimal afternoon tea served at 16:00 which really was basic.

Bar/Drinks: Once again, majority of bar staff lacked enthusiasm and engagement, cocktail quality quite poor, often over sweet, pre mixed cocktails, cheap spirits used even when guests asked for branded spirits, often without the guests knowing, I saw somebody order a branded spirit and saw the barman pouring cheaper spirit under the counter. Never had to wait too long to get served to be honest though. One major issue for me was no beach waiter service! Apparently Mango Bay have done away with this as part of cut backs it seems. So you have to traipse in to the bar from the beach after drying yourself thoroughly as you cannot go into the bar wet. Also, no coffee machine by the bar, only a jug of black coffee like you get on a work place lunch buffet. Not great.

Sports/Entertainment/Pool: Nothing explained to you about the water sports that are available at check in and nothing on information in the ‘pack’ Once again, seems like the hotel wants to keep it a secret that you get free water skiing etc. Catamaran trip was good, found out this was a free to book experience by reading previous trip advisor reviews, certainly wasn’t offered at check in. Majority of the Beach guys were pretty unapproachable bar one who was quite friendly to be fair. Staff didn’t like changing towels late in the day, was point blank refused to have fresh towels at the end of the day 3 times so we could be all ready for the next day, when I asked why, the guy just said you can have them in the morning, I asked is it because you have run out and all I got back was you can have them in the morning not now! Only 1 day out of 7 was Padding put on the sun beds by the beach staff, 6 days out of the 7 we had to go and get our own from the hut and lug them to the beds in full view of the staff and nobody offered to do it for us.

Entertainment: Didn’t see any during the day, no organised sports or games and a singer in the evenings until 22:30, some better than others but all very similar.

All in all for an All Inclusive hotel, you really are getting bare minimum offerings. Now that The Royalton next door is open, I can imagine Mango Bay may take a bit of a hit unless they up their game. The Royalton was only about 40% full but seems quite noisy and attracts a lot of beach sellers, Jet ski & boat operators which does spoil the tranquility of the fantastic beach, I can’t begin to imagine what the noise will be when The Royalton is full.

All in all, we did enjoy our stay but that was mainly due to the hotel location and the social side of regular engagement with other guests in the hotel, which is one nice thing about saying in a smaller hotel.

Mango Bay could be an absolute brilliant hotel with a few tweaks and improvements but they seem to have cut back on a fair few things and with competition on their doorstep, I feel they could start to lose custom.