Dover Beach Hotel is one of the south coast's easiest and most affordable stays: a 59-room, beachfront hotel in St Lawrence Gap, the strip of restaurants, rum bars and live music that makes up the island's best-known entertainment district. The hotel is low-key and unfussy, and its appeal is the location and the price. Dover Beach and Maxwell Beach are a short walk, there are two outdoor pools with loungers and a poolside bar and terrace, and the lively dining of the Gap is on the doorstep. Guests rate it as very good, praising clean rooms, friendly staff and the beach setting, while a few mention that the property shows its age and that corridors can be noisy. It suits couples, solo travelers and groups of friends who plan to spend their days at the beach and their evenings out, and want a comfortable base without a resort price tag.
The rooms
There are nine room types, mostly studios, a standard room with a king or twin beds, a one-bedroom garden-view unit and two penthouse options. All rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a safe, cable television, a patio and a refrigerator, and several have a kitchenette, which suits stays of a week or more.
Studios with ocean, pool or garden views are good value, and the penthouse with a king bed and a double sofa bed sleeps four. Family studios sleep three. If you are sensitive to noise, ask for a room away from the main corridor and the pool bar.
Food, drink and getting around
The on-site pool bar restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a full breakfast available for a surcharge, and within a few minutes' walk there are bars and restaurants ranging from pizza to Mediterranean seafood. The two outdoor pools are open through the day and into the early evening, a spa offers facials, hot stone massage and body wraps, and there is a library, laundry and a concierge.
Free parking and free Wi-Fi are included, and an airport shuttle can be booked for a fee. Barry's Surf Barbados surf school is a short walk away, and the airport is about a 16-minute drive, so arrival days are simple. Oistins Friday Night Fish Fry is a short taxi ride for local food and a crowd.
What to know before you book
This is a budget stay in a busy area, so expect bar noise at night, and request a quiet room when booking. Seaweed can collect on the beach in some seasons. Check-in runs from 4 PM until late evening, check-out is at noon, and early check-in or late check-out carry a fee and depend on availability.
Pets are not allowed. If you want a large resort with kids' activities, a big spa and several restaurants, look at the other south coast options in this guide, and if you want quiet luxury, the west coast is the better choice. Check the total price including taxes and any service charges when you book, and compare the cancellation terms across rates.
Why stay here
- ✓Beachfront in St Lawrence Gap
- ✓Two outdoor pools
- ✓Poolside bar and terrace
- ✓Restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
- ✓Spa treatments
- ✓Studios and some kitchenettes
- ✓Free parking and Wi-Fi
- ✓Walk to surf school and beaches
Good questions
Is the area noisy at night?+
St Lawrence Gap has bars and live music, so some noise is part of the setting. Ask for a room away from the pool bar and main corridor if you want a quieter night.
Can I surf nearby?+
Yes. A surf school is a short walk away, and the south coast is the island's main base for beginner surf lessons and windsurfing.
Are there rooms with kitchens?+
Some rooms have kitchenettes, including a standard room option and a penthouse studio. Check the room type when you book.
