Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels

I've seen reviews that call the resort a bit tired, whilst it has a certain retro design c.1970's it is well maintained, clean and well serviced everything in the room worked as it should the restaurants and bars were open and well staffed as advertised. Staff in general were very pleasant attentive and there were plenty of them around to help. Food was good, maybe not spectacular but plenty of variety in the main, pleasant semi outdoors, restaurant with the menu changing each day. Only tried the Italian al-a-carte of the other two restaurants and that was excellent. Beach is beautiful, plenty of loungers, towels, drinks etc here and around the pool. Only slightly strange thing is sporadically you will be asked to sign a "bill" in the restaurant (but not always) even thought it is zero. Obviously this is to allow you to tip if you wish, but nobody really explained this and I saw several bewildered faces. Personally I prefer to tip individuals in cash so just signed and left gratuities blank nothing was added to the bill so all good. Watersports are going to be limited as the sea is too rough, although there is always swimming behind a couple of breakwaters with lifeguards. But, on good days they do have all the non-powered kit you'd expect. Overall a good experience Read less

Having enjoyed Turtle beach last December, we decided to repeat the adventure this year. Last year our stay was interwoven with the cricket but this time the headline was 'R&R' but with a view to seeing more of the island. with the latter in mind we toured the island (Cheyenne was our guide...he told us his dad liked westerns, hence his name!). Just beautiful. The Reggae Reggae bus is a must do. Unforgettable experience which you'll appreciate when you ride one. Catamaran day with lunch and swimming hoping to sight turtles etc is also a must. Recommend the Cat and Fiddle with captain Jose.... In some reviews read, it almost appears as though people are actively looking for fault rather than focusing on the positives this hotel and location have to offer. Our first impression last year was that the hotel projects a vibe almost of old colonialism. The beachfront location is superb offering a large expanse of white sand and clear water, plenty of sunbeds. On this side of the island, the Atlantic waves can sometimes be challenging but the sight of the surf, interspersed with sightings of turtles is just wonderful. The food we found to be excellent , with the main buffet style restaurant offering a wide range of dishes, often with local themes. Both of the a la carte restaurants were first class and there was no suggestion of supplements for certain dishes, an annoying experience sometimes at other 'all inclusive' venues. All the drinks were branded and the fridge in your room was restocked daily. The bar staff worked tirelessly. We had a Deluxe Suite room, with the view to the extensive balcony similar to that in the photo on this site. The room was huge and the bed, I think super king, was so comfortable. The entertainment was very good with local singers each evening and I can only echo the praise extended on other reviews re the girl on the saxophone....she was tremendous. The main restaurant is covered but open at the front, which is lovely and yes the birds do join you for dining, particularly in the morning. Personally, we had no problem with this as it added to our Caribbean experience and when we lunched out at top restaurants such as Champers and Lonestar, birds were also present. It is a feature of the island, not just common to TB. The staff were generally great. We found them always keen to help and share a laugh or two. Special mention to Maradona for his sunny smile and beach drinks routine! With a refurb on the horizon and the employment uncertainty that might bring, you have to admire the positive disposition that the overwhelming majority of the staff display. With the hotel scheduled to close in Feb to facilitate an almost year long refurbishment program from new owners Marriott, there is little doubt that the infrastructure will benefit....some worn fitments in some of the rooms, more accessible plug points, welcome air-conditioning in the pool and table tennis space (where you could be forgiven you were playing in a sauna after 10 mins) , general cosmetic facelift etc. Some of the rooms have already benefited from an ongoing refurb program and they look terrific. But the most redeeming feature of Turtle Beach is its charm and the fact after only a day or so you feel completely at home, enjoying informal and comfortable surroundings that allow you to just slip gently into your holiday experience. We look forward to returning to TB following the refurb program and trust that Marriott will look after the excellent staff and work hard to retain the charm and charisma of this particular location that, in our view, make it quite unique. It will also be good too to see if Randall has improved his table tennis technique.....well overdue! Read less

Holiday | Couple We've just returned from 9 amazing days at The Turtle Beach Hotel & Spa. The location is just spectacular. Right on the beach, with amazing views, from all rooms, I understand. The 3 pools were very welcome in the heat. Very comfortable sun loungers all around the pools. There was never a problem getting a sunbed and fresh towels every day. Rooms: 4/5 | Service: 5/5 | Location: 5/5 Rooms Our room was very large, with a king-size bed, that was, possibly, one of the comfiest beds we've ever slept on. The pillows were wonderful. It was incredibly clean, the maids came in every day to re-make the bed and freshen everywhere up. We couldn't fault their hard work. Nearby activities We enjoyed our walks along the beautiful sandy beaches were you would often see tropical birds, pretty little crabs that dived into little holes before you could get anywhere near them. There were plenty of other activities, tennis, well equipped gym and the spa, although we didn't partake. We booked a trip to Bridgetown and to go on a catamaran to experience snorkelling for turtles and the many tropical fish. There were many other trips that the hotel could book for you. The famous fish fry at Oistins is just a short drive away too. Safety We found the hotel and surrounding areas extremely safe and friendly. A walk into Dover to experience the nightlife there caused us no worries whatsoever. The locals always ready to greet you. Food and drinks Our experience of the all inclusive food and drinks was very good. The two al a carte restaurants are brilliant. You need to book a table, but you could eat there as many times as you like. We particularly liked Asiagos. The main restaurant is open air, which we loved. The entertainment was mainly background solo soul or reggae singers. We found this enough and enjoyable whilst having dinner. The bar staff were excellent at keeping the drinks flowing and keeping us entertained. Bottled water and soft drinks were readily available all day and night. You could either help yourself, or the staff brought trays of drinks round to the sunbeds for you. We also loved that they had an ice cream parlour and a coffee shop with croissants, fruit, cakes and pastries included in the all inclusive package. Staff Beautiful, friendly, hardworking staff. Many took time to stand and chat and make us laugh. Always greeted us and asked us if we were OK or needed anything. Right through from management, bar staff, pool staff, caretakers and housemaids. Read less

I don't usually write reviews, but I felt compelled to share my experience on this occasion. The hotel is absolutely beautiful—the grounds, the pools, and the main area are stunning. I can only imagine how much more wonderful it will look once the renovations are completed. The rooms are spacious, clean, and equipped with everything we needed for a comfortable stay. Although the food selection is a bit more limited compared to other all-inclusive resorts we've visited, the quality was excellent, and we always found delicious options. We never struggled to find something we enjoyed. The coffee shop and ice cream were delightful additions that we loved. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our stay, and I’m so glad I stuck with my choice to book this hotel. After reading some negative reviews, I almost changed my reservation, but I’m so happy I didn’t. The true highlight of our stay was the staff. Their politeness, unique charm, and positive attitude created an amazing atmosphere. You can see how hard they work and how their efforts elevate the hotel to a whole new level. To the staff at Turtle Beach: from the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for hosting us and making our stay so special. Our daughters especially loved the attention and special treatment you gave them. We can’t wait to return! Read less