I had read the reviews, and knew that it was not a 4 or 5* hotel, and so kind of expected the worse but was pleasantly surprised. (I think if you go with delusions of grandeur you are going to be bitterly disappointed!! It is, what it is a 3* hotel)

The rooms are clean and well furnished, the air conditioning worked great, the only down side to the rooms was the water pressure or lack of hot water, but we found ways round it by having showers at varied times. You don’t get used to the cockerels calling at all times, but about 8am you can see the monkeys running along the hotel wall and in the field in the back.

The hotel staff makes this hotel they can not do enough for you, always smiling and friendly even though they seem to work long hours. Our fellow Guests were a great bunch all like minded and friendly. They even came down to the beach to watch us get married.

The food was lovely and did not disappoint, at Breakfast there is a varied choice, cooked, cereal fruit, yoghurts and cakes. Lunch is a choice of salads, hot dogs, fish, something hot cooked and lots of varieties of rice, (if you don’t like rice you soon will!) and puddings. At 4:30pm afternoon tea is served, Cucumber sandwiches and biscuits we did not bother with this as we were normally still full from lunch. 3 nights Al a carte (A Smart Dress Code is in place and although the British always adhered to this some other nationalities didn't) 3 Buffet and 1 Bar-b-que, & wine served with evening meals.

The Blue Monkey bar across the road has a lovely day and evening menu, if you want a change of scenery, some people said it was expensive, but we found it to be about the same as an evening out in the UK. (The Herby Chunky Potato Wedges with Chilli Mayo Gorgeous afternoon snack to share)

The road can get busy but the cars stop for you to cross, and we never had any trouble.

When we arrived we were greeted with a strong rum cocktail, these were also served at the managers cocktail party, these were ok but local sellers set up stalls and sell their wares, personally if I want to buy something I will go out to get it rather than it be kind of pushed upon you.

The beach was lovely, although very busy at times when the cruise ships are in. But sun loungers, parasols, snorkels and fruit drinks are free to hotel guests. You are provided with Beach towels which you can exchange for clean ones daily.

There is a lot of development in the area and building sites everywhere and could spoil it for you if you let it.

If you just walk round the beach to the right you come to the exclusive Sandy Lane Hotel which is a lot of money per night which makes you think were paying a lot less for the same sand/sea!

Our beach was where the day trips to see the turtles came, so we thought it made more sense to hire a local boat to go out for an hour or two rather that a day trip which was more money to come back to where we were! (Organized by Jerry on the beach) The Turtles were amazing. The Beach vendors try to sell you gifts, jewellery and rides on Jet Ski's and their are some loud characters, 'Dog' for one! But a polite no thank you if you don't want anything is all that is needed.

You can catch a bus/Reggie bus for a small amount into Bridgetown, Bentleys Bar by the Harbour entrance is great for a value pub lunch style meal. Or down the road to Holetown where there are shops, banks and restaurants.

The main reason we were in Barbados was that we were getting married, it was a last minute thing as we were meant to be going to Kenya but were unable to due to the policical unrest, and so we had to change at short notice, and we are so glad that we did. We did not know the actual date of our wedding until we arrived, Tanya our wedding co-
ordinator had everything in control, and it was prefect for us, No hassles we just turned up, after a morning on the beach and cocktails, and got married, from beginning to end First Choice made it Simple.
The Photographer we had provided by the Hotel was Fantastic; we had a DVD as well, it was extra money but well worth it.

The Hotel provided us with witnesses, Leo the Security Guard was ace and even took some photos for us.

A big Thank you goes to all the staff and hotel guests, who made our Wedding Moon a memorable time for us.

oh what a wonderful experience!!!! there is nothing i can say i didnt like!!!!! well ok when we first went inside our faces dropped, it looked and is very basic, but the welcome you get far outways any top hotels we have been to. from the porters to cleaners ,housemaids. kitchen. restaurant, bar staff, we knew them all by name and they knew us by name , dont lets forget the reception staff, and the beach staff, they all contributed to making our holiday one we will always be looking for to match, a very hard act to follow.we hired a car, broke down, but even that turned into wonderful memories for us.ive read reports that you get what you pay for, yes that is true, the food was quite repetitive ,but the service impeccible,we were lucky with the other guests too,most of them all mucked in and had a good laugh, those of which we will never forget, we did all the trips, and recommend them all.and the drinks at this all inclusive hotel,were real drinks, in other words when you had a drink you knew you had had one, rooms were basic but clean. we never had cause to complain.just one thing that other guests complainend about was that everything closed down by 11.30.pm.didnt bother us though,most carribbean hotels are the same.leaves plenty of time tovisit other bars if tou want to.just have to say this though as well,the beach really is paradise,no need for sea shoes here,the sea pure luxury,and the beach boys are fab too,, very helpful with all you want to do.

went to t/e last year for the fourth time i love that hotel all the staff really friendly, the food was outof this world wanted to bring the chef back with me only for his cooking i hasten to add, still keep in touch with some members of staff, by email, room was comfortable,and kept very clean, the hotel was big enough by the end of your stay you felt like family and not guests, was sorry to leave each time, can,t wait to go back , but not if it,s going to be room only,

My partner and I returned from the TE earlier this month and found it different from last Summer.

The hotel remains great value for money, is still clean, the food is great, the staff are lovely. The big difference is how guests now overlap. Last year we had a fantastic time with the same people for 2 weeks. This time there was a distinct divide between people who had been there for a week and people who had just arrived.

Our holiday was tainted during our second week due to a party from Birmingham. All I can say is that they put me in mind of the Jonny Vegas series 'Benidorm' (say no more). My bottom was grabbed by a drunken male member of this party, much to my disgust and to the infuriation of my partner.

I was also very offended by a female guest from the hotel who sunbathed topless on the beach. The Bajan people request that visitors maintain their modesty. (Not really much to ask). I was ashamed that Brits really let the side down whilst abroad by blatantly disregarding the wishes and requests of local people.

On a more positive note, Paynes Bay remains a place of staggering natural beauty and remains a very special place in my heart.

Although TE is exceptional value for money we are prepared to pay for a more upmarket hotel next time, where, hopefully, there will be a better class of guest.