Fairmont Royal Pavilion

We changed to the Fairmont at the last minute because of building work at another hotel. I have to say that we were totally pleased with our decision. The Fairmont, was also undergoing some refurbishment whilst we were there, this meant that the beach bar and restaurant were closed, however, we were very well looked after at the hotel’s immaculate and refurbished Palm Terrace. We weren’t affected by the beach bar being closed either as the colleagues delivering beach service were exemplary, including Shane and Kobe. The beach stands out as one of the main attractions of this hotel. Amazing views and also we witnessed turtles as well! In fact quite a few! I noticed some unfavourable reviews regarding the rooms, however, our signature top floor room was absolutely lovely, super comfy bed, lovely daybed on the balcony, and a decent bathroom, everything was top notch. Our meals were taken in the Palm Terrace. We selected the all inclusive package which was good value, with Moët champagne included! As we were there for our anniversary, we were looked after by Executive Chef Robert, and he and his team served our absolute favourite meal, totally delicious! The colleagues at this hotel were all very happy and delightful. If we had any comments or issues, they were acted upon very promptly and professionally. Our standout colleagues in the restaurant were Kerli and her team, Sheerece, Jalisa and Sabrina. We were at this hotel right at the beginning of September, a very quiet time, the weather was stunning, just a bit of rain at night. It would seem that the hotel ( as with quite a few others) are gradually being refurbished, this was good to see and we were told that the beach club area was also due for renovation. Forgot to mention that there is a decent lounge and bar area in the Palm Terrace and also a TV showing football etc and the US Open tennis was on which was pleasing, but it wasn’t interrupting the restaurant ambience, I guess this would usually be in the beach bar. Some would say that some of the entrance areas might appear dated, however, they were immaculately clean and had the Caribbean charm.

I had the most amazing holiday in Barbados with friends. This was made all the better by our regular visits to this beautiful beach club. Ryan welcomed us each time and positioned our sun beds to get optimal sun or shade. His friendly smile and lovely demeanour represented fabulous customer service. The food and drinks were lovely too and kept bringing us back. The beach is fabulous as well. Thanks Ryan and hope to be back to see you soon!

I haven’t stayed at the hotel however we have annual beach club passes which, as frequent visitors to the island, have been a great investment. It means we always have a comfortable sunbed along a stunning stretch of beach. It always makes our day when we arrive and see the ever accommodating Ryan waiting to show us to our beds and position them to our liking. He’s a real gem and one of the reasons we renew every year. It’s good to know we’re in his trustworthy hands while we’re there and it makes us feel safe. Derek and Kerry are also there to greet with a smile and make our day a little bit brighter too. All in all I’d highly recommend the beach club for good food and drinks, stunning location and wonderful staff

Our family recently returned from a 5-day stay at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion. It appears that for every pro we experienced with this resort there was also a con. Overall, I would not say the Fairmont meets true 5-star expectations. The property's location on the beach does trump many of the resort's imperfections. If your priority is being steps from the stunning beach then the Fairmont could be a good match. However, if you're expecting consistent quality service then prepare to be somewhat disappointed. Pros - 1. Renico and Lorenzo, the two most attentive, cheerful butlers on the property. If only every staff member could have the same friendly, accommodating demeanor! They made sure every one of our needs was met and always had a huge smile every time we crossed their paths. 2. Our oceanfront suite (the reason we booked the Fairmont over other resorts) was a dream. I had coffee brought to our deck every morning and barely let the beach all day. The butlers kept our deck pristine, swapping out towels and sweeping the sand. It felt like a 5 star experience. 3. I enjoyed the general vibe of the Fairmont - everything was open air and felt very private and quiet. Even the children appeared to be generally very well behaved. Cons - 1. We had a hiccup at check-in because one of our children is 14 and needed to be added on to our bill as an "adult." Check-in staff insisted on keeping us waiting for an exorbitant amount of time while they waited for a manager to confirm the additional fees. We had been traveling for almost 12 hours and ended up waiting in the lobby exhausted and starving while they "figured things out". Considering I repeated over and over again that whatever the additional charge was would be fine with us I found it both inconvenient and borderline rude to be kept waiting. Total lack of service and unacceptable for the amount we paid per night for the room. 2. There was a general lack of lushness on the property, almost as if the landscapers hadn't shown up for a while. There were massive planters everywhere...with either dead plants or a lone dwarf plant in each of them. 3. The property needs a facelift badly. Mold, cracked and peeling paint, scratched up and damaged floors, a general smell of mildew in our room...I say the bathroom was supremely clean but otherwise the room felt dated and much in need of some TLC. Overall I would consider staying here again but would first check out Cobbler’s Cove or Sandy Lane.

Our stay at the Fairmont has been absolutely fantastic from start to finish. From the moment we arrived, every member of the team made us feel genuinely welcome and valued, creating such a warm and friendly atmosphere throughout our holiday. A special mention has to go to the way everyone treated our daughter, Gracie. They made her feel like part of the Fairmont family, taking the time to chat with her, involve her, and make every day memorable. Those little touches meant the world to us and are something we'll never forget. A huge thank you to Renico, who truly went above and beyond. His kindness, humour and outstanding service made such a difference to our stay. We honestly wish we could bring him home with us! We'd also like to say a heartfelt thank you to Shontelle, Alison and Shane. Each of you played a part in making our stay extra special, and your care, professionalism and genuine friendliness did not go unnoticed. Thank you all for making this a holiday full of wonderful memories. We can't wait to return. With love, The Harlands