I went with a freind for her family wedding, there was 21 of us in total. Rooms were clean, only downside was there wasnt not a great deal of wadrobe space so we lived out of our suitcases. You set our of your room and onto the beach, that was fantastic! The food in the bar/restaurant is very tasty if a little overpriced and it took at least half an hour to arrive! free afternoon tea was served by the pool each day and there was a room with a couple of computers to access the internet.

In the second week we went to stay with friends at a villa, but kept our room on and one of the younger members of the group who had been staying with his parents stayed in the room. He didnt have much stuff in it but the night before we were due to check out the room was cleaned as if it was ready for another guest and his cap and some change went missing. On complaining at the front desk, they realised a mistake had been made and the cleaners had thought that we were checking out that day, He didnt get his cap back and we were given many excuses - it was at the laundry etc.

Despite this i would recommend this hotel, all in all it was a good place to stay! Go to Oistins on a Friday evening for a street party, its a 5 minite taxi ride away and it was brilliant!!!

Please note before we start - This is a 3+ star hotel in most of the brochures. If you want 5 star opulence - pay the extra money and go somewhere else! I am a bit of a snob and I thought it excelled itself and was fabulous value for money.
The rooms are all in the process of being refurbished. The first room we got having paid for an Ocean View was a bit dark due to its location and on the ground floor. As such my veiw was obstructed by bushes. Ask for a room on the St Lawrence side of the Hotel. We asked to change and were re located here and it was much nicer and the room was re-furbished. My view was to die for and as I opened the curtains every morning the turquoise sea was breaking against the white sand, with the odd turtle bobbing about. I wouldn't pay the extra again as all the rooms have primarily ocean views. The sea is quite noisy and we thought there was a storm one night, but you get used to it!

In the room we had an iron and board, hairdryer and plenty of hanging space. We had a small hob, a toaster and kettle and everything we needed. The room was spotlessly clean and everything was changed daily. The air conditioning was on a remote control and worked well. The beds were a bit hard though - probably because they were new.

The hotel grounds are lovely. There were fish ponds with terrapins in and coco the parrot was allways willing to amuse the kids. We played crazy golf every day - my 8 year old son loved this. You can borrow snorkels, masks, boogie boards, lilos and balls as well. Towels are also provided and can be changed any time for fresh ones. We never had to worry about getting a sunbed. I judge a hotel on whether you have to get up at 6am to get a place by the pool - get up at lunchtine if you want!

The beach is spotless. Plenty of shade under the palm trees if you want it . The sea is very rough and I would suggest not suitable for children but not as bad further up the beach infront of the Escape at the Gap Hotel. The beach is public and there are Hawkers but they are very friendly and will not nag you. A friendly No Thanks and they tell you to enjoy your day and leave you alone. We did buy Aloe from "Ice" and it does work well if you burn. It cost 7 dollars.

The atmosphere at night in the hotel was a bit lacking and I found some of the staff too laid back! I also thought the hotel was expensive and although sandwiches in the bar were okay, the resteraunt was allways empty. I would suggest this was because of the quality of the food, everything we got was cold, and the price. the Sunday buffet appeared popular but we didn't risk it.

We were a 10 minute walk from the Gap, and allways felt safe. I had some of the best food I have ever eaten in my life. I recommend Pisces and Harlequin. Saying this, I found it expensive. We allayed the cost by eating in now and again. We got a chinese take away from across the road from the hotel. 9 Bajan dollars for a meal and we only needed two between three and still had some to spare. It was excellent quality.

If you ever hit the happy hour an Jumbies, watch your change. The bar maid pulled ours out of her pocket when we challenged the discrepency! We never experienced this anywhere else, the people were great. We also tried the food carts at the side of the road. Flying fish and macaroni pie - wonderful. The tap water is also renouned for it's purity, you dont need to buy bottled. The best supermarket is if you walk out of the hotel and turn right.

We had a really good time and would definately recommend it. One thing to note for families - some of the larger rooms are duplex and as such the children were downstairs and the adults upstairs - ensure you would be happy with this before you accept the room.

Stayed here over New Year 2005/6 and Christmas and New Year 2007/8.

Would willingly go back because of the location...and there is nothing wrong with the hotel. On beautiful Dover beach, a short walk into the hotspots of the St lawrence Gap.

Go room only. Breakfast is expensive for what is available and you can get better cheaper outside. Similarly, evening food is ok but there are plenty of other options close by.

Hotel is pleasant. An older colonial style building with an additional modern block. Two swimming pools, bar by the beach and complimentary afternoon tea. Rooms are fine without being special. Service is fine and staff are nice.

Lots of cats and kittens on site to give TLC to.

Dover beach is visited naturally by sea turtles - including Christamas afternoon 2007.

Location, location, location!
My girlfriend and I stayed at the southern palms in March. We had a great week in the sun here. The hotel is basic but clean, welcoming and ideally situated. The staff are pleasant and attentive. The beach is beautiful and was never too busy. We never tired of turtle spotting and saw loads during our week.
We stayed in ocean view room. Waking up to see the Carribean really sets you up for a good day!
We ate breakfast at the hotel and lunch on some days. All meals were of a good standard. The hotel is a 5 min stroll to the gap. We had an amazing meal in Josefs at a cliff side table. Pisces and cafe sol are also worth a visit.
We took a catamaran trip up the west coast on "good times" this was a really good trip and we would definitely recommend this boat as there were only 10 other people on it. We got to swim with some big turtles on this day trip. Say hi to Frank the turtle if you see him!