Pros

  • Budget-friendly property just a two-minute walk to beach
  • Close to supermarket, restaurants, and nightlife
  • Clean rooms have fans and bath towels
  • Studio with kitchenette available
  • A cheerful shared kitchen with fridge space
  • Free Nescafe coffee and tea
  • A lounge area with a desktop computer and beer for sale
  • Upstairs balcony for socializing
  • Free Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Air-conditioning requires a fee
  • Showing age throughout
  • No pool or direct beach access
  • No restaurant or bar
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The nine-room, no-frills Rio Guest House is one of the most budget-friendly options in St. Lawrence Gap -- a touristy area on Barbados' south coast. Dated rooms are clean and have fans, however, expect to pay for air-conditioning; they either have shared or private bathrooms. The property sits on a residential street, but is just a two-minute walk to Dover Beach, as well as area bars, shops, and restaurants. Guests have access to a shared lounge, a fully equipped kitchen, and outdoor balcony, plus Wi-Fi is free. Solo travelers will likely appreciate Rio's hostel vibe, but couples may prefer the more modern rooms, pool, and free breakfast at the nearby Time Out Hotel.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet

Oyster Hotel Review

Rio Guest House

Scene

Hostel-like vibe that's popular with solo travelers

Guests enter the Rio's reception to find a small front desk and dated seating area with patterned couches, terra-cotta tiling, and a TV. Adjacent to this is a lounge area with wooden tables and a fridge where guests can purchase beer, plus a kitchen stocked with available cookware and free coffee and tea. Interiors are showing their age throughout, but the public spaces -- such as the popular balcony -- are comfortable and allow the many solo travelers to mingle. In addition to lone guests, the property's low rates attract budget-minded couples and friends. It's certainly not a party vibe on-site, but the atmosphere is friendly thanks to socializing guests and staff. 

See More Scene

Location

In a popular destination for tourists, just a two-minute walk to the beach

Rio Guest House is located on the south coast of Barbados, near the popular and touristy St. Lawrence Gap. It's about a 20-minute drive from Grantley Adams International Airport. This area has dozens of hotels along the strip, so there are plenty of mainstream restaurants and bars catering to out-of-towners, as well as shops, and ATM machines. Dover Beach -- one of the highest-rated beaches in Barbados -- is just a two-minute walk away.

A stop on the local bus system, nicknamed "reggae bus", is a five-minute walk away and only costs $1 to go north or south. It's a 20-minute ride to Bridgetown (the capital) or 30 minutes to Holetown, the spot where settlers first landed and claimed the island in the name of England. There travelers will find luxurious hotels and many more options for restaurants and shopping.

See More Location

Rooms

Three room types, with either private or shared bathrooms 

The two-story building has nine simply decorated rooms that show wear and tear, though in the right light they can appear bright and cheerful with an unintentional shabby chic quality that low-key travelers might find charming. Solo travelers can opt for the Single Rooms, which have a twin bed and shared bathroom that's cleaned daily. Double Rooms have two twin beds that can be pushed together for couples; these have private bathrooms with walk-in showers. The Studio unit on the bottom floor can sleep up to three people with one double bed and one twin bed. This more spacious unit comes with a small kitchenette equipped with an electric stove, kettle, and mini-fridge. 

All rooms have screened windows and fans to help keep the room cool. The majority of the Double Rooms (as well as the Studio) have air-conditioning units that are available for an extra fee, which may make guests feel nickel-and-dimed. Bathroom towels are provided, but guests should not expect to find anything more than liquid soap in the bathrooms.

See More Rooms

Features

A few common areas include shared kitchen

Though Rio does not have a pool or beach on-site, guests can take a two-minute walk to Dover Beach for swimming in beautiful aquamarine water. Beach chairs and umbrellas, as well as water sports, can be rented from local vendors. 

There is a small convenience store down the block for basic groceries, beer, and water, so guests can store items in the shared kitchen, which offers shelf and fridge space. In the kitchen are several sets of mismatched utensils, cutlery, and cookware that is free to use. Guests can also help themselves to Nescafe coffee and tea at no charge. The main lounge has a fridge that sells individual bottles of local beer at a low price. 

Seating in the lounge and lobby isn't the most inviting, so most guests make use of the upstairs balcony. It doesn't have much of a view, but there are lights strung up to help create some evening ambiance. It closes before too late (10 p.m. during our stay), so guests don't have to worry about noise while trying to sleep. The staff can help arrange airport transfers, tours, and activities. Wi-Fi is free throughout.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Rio Guest House

Scene

Hostel-like vibe that's popular with solo travelers

Guests enter the Rio's reception to find a small front desk and dated seating area with patterned couches, terra-cotta tiling, and a TV. Adjacent to this is a lounge area with wooden tables and a fridge where guests can purchase beer, plus a kitchen stocked with available cookware and free coffee and tea. Interiors are showing their age throughout, but the public spaces -- such as the popular balcony -- are comfortable and allow the many solo travelers to mingle. In addition to lone guests, the property's low rates attract budget-minded couples and friends. It's certainly not a party vibe on-site, but the atmosphere is friendly thanks to socializing guests and staff. 

See More Scene

Location

In a popular destination for tourists, just a two-minute walk to the beach

Rio Guest House is located on the south coast of Barbados, near the popular and touristy St. Lawrence Gap. It's about a 20-minute drive from Grantley Adams International Airport. This area has dozens of hotels along the strip, so there are plenty of mainstream restaurants and bars catering to out-of-towners, as well as shops, and ATM machines. Dover Beach -- one of the highest-rated beaches in Barbados -- is just a two-minute walk away.

A stop on the local bus system, nicknamed "reggae bus", is a five-minute walk away and only costs $1 to go north or south. It's a 20-minute ride to Bridgetown (the capital) or 30 minutes to Holetown, the spot where settlers first landed and claimed the island in the name of England. There travelers will find luxurious hotels and many more options for restaurants and shopping.

See More Location

Rooms

Three room types, with either private or shared bathrooms 

The two-story building has nine simply decorated rooms that show wear and tear, though in the right light they can appear bright and cheerful with an unintentional shabby chic quality that low-key travelers might find charming. Solo travelers can opt for the Single Rooms, which have a twin bed and shared bathroom that's cleaned daily. Double Rooms have two twin beds that can be pushed together for couples; these have private bathrooms with walk-in showers. The Studio unit on the bottom floor can sleep up to three people with one double bed and one twin bed. This more spacious unit comes with a small kitchenette equipped with an electric stove, kettle, and mini-fridge. 

All rooms have screened windows and fans to help keep the room cool. The majority of the Double Rooms (as well as the Studio) have air-conditioning units that are available for an extra fee, which may make guests feel nickel-and-dimed. Bathroom towels are provided, but guests should not expect to find anything more than liquid soap in the bathrooms.

See More Rooms

Features

A few common areas include shared kitchen

Though Rio does not have a pool or beach on-site, guests can take a two-minute walk to Dover Beach for swimming in beautiful aquamarine water. Beach chairs and umbrellas, as well as water sports, can be rented from local vendors. 

There is a small convenience store down the block for basic groceries, beer, and water, so guests can store items in the shared kitchen, which offers shelf and fridge space. In the kitchen are several sets of mismatched utensils, cutlery, and cookware that is free to use. Guests can also help themselves to Nescafe coffee and tea at no charge. The main lounge has a fridge that sells individual bottles of local beer at a low price. 

Seating in the lounge and lobby isn't the most inviting, so most guests make use of the upstairs balcony. It doesn't have much of a view, but there are lights strung up to help create some evening ambiance. It closes before too late (10 p.m. during our stay), so guests don't have to worry about noise while trying to sleep. The staff can help arrange airport transfers, tours, and activities. Wi-Fi is free throughout.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.