Oceanfront rooms with balconies overlooking the Caribbean
On-site restaurant with daily happy hour specials
Walking distance to the restaurants, bars, and night clubs
of St. Lawrence Gap
Spacious rooms with kitchenettes, some with separate living
areas
Huge oceanfront terrace and pool with lots of cushy lounge
chairs
Free water aerobics classes on certain days
Free Wi-Fi
Parking on-site
No direct access from the hotel to the beach
Some rooms receive late-night noise from the nearby bars and
nightclubs
Rooms on the ground floor lack natural light
The lobby is small, noisy, and dark
No elevator
No fitness center or spa on site
Guests must leave a deposit for beach towels
The South Gap Hotel is a small, budget-friendly hotel set in
the heart of St. Lawrence Gap, a one-mile stretch of bars, restaurants, and
night clubs that collectively form the island's entertainment center. All of
the 34 rooms have spacious balconies or terraces that face the Caribbean and full
kitchens or kitchenettes stocked with the equipment for self-catering. A huge terra-cotta terrace with a pool, open-air restaurant, and bar stretches across the back of
the property, extending over the crashing waves, but the hotel does not offer
direct access to the beach. Those seeking to be on the beach for a similar rate might
enjoy the Coral Mist Hotel, while those wanting to be away from the noise but
still within walking distance to the action of St. Lawrence Gap might consider
the Dover Beach Hotel.
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.
Scene
A laid-back budget-friendly hotel on the ocean with a friendly, intimate vibe that encourages guests to mingle
While an array of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs are
accessible just a few steps from the South Gap's front door, the hotel's main
attraction is hidden from the noise and bustle of St. Lawrence Gap. A huge terra-cotta
tile terrace extends from the open-air restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel,
jetting out over the crashing waves of the Caribbean. The terrace encompasses a
rectangular pool surrounded by potted palms, a row of umbrella-topped tables
close to the sea, and neat rows of lounge chairs with orange cushions. There is plenty of room for guests to find their own
space, but many opt to congregate and socialize, especially during the late
afternoon happy hour. Despite the hotel's location in heart of the island's
entertainment district, the vibe at the hotel is decidedly calm. Most guests spend their
time lounging poolside, floating on foam noodles, lingering over lunch at the hotel's
restaurant, striking up conversation with the bartender, or opting to try an afternoon water aerobics class. For those needing their own space, the balconies
of the rooms offer more privacy and better views (from the upper levels) of the sea. There's also a
large terrace at the front of the hotel, an ideal perch for people watching and
taking in the lively scene of St. Lawrence Gap.
Location
Set on the ocean in the heart of the bustling St. Lawrence Gap on the southern coast of Barbados, a 15-minute drive to the Grantley Adams International Airport
The hotel's location, aptly incorporated into its name, is
set along the one-mile, one-way stretch called "The Gap," known for
its vibrant nightlife. The hotel faces the Caribbean and is an easy walk or
drive to nearby beaches.- Five-minute walk to Dover Beach
Rooms
Spacious studios and suites with no-frills Caribbean style, separate bedroom and living areas, kitchenettes, and balconies with views of the Caribbean
The South Gap's 34 rooms fall into three
distinct categories set on four levels, all with balconies or terraces facing
the ocean. Studios offer the coziest footprint with one queen
or two twin beds and a kitchenette sharing the same space. The layout of this
room type allows guests to take in the views of the ocean from the bed or the
balcony. The larger Junior Suites are tucked away on the ground floor of the
hotel, offering direct access to the pool and restaurant from cabana-like
terraces. These rooms offer the greatest buffer from the late-night noise of
the Gap. They are furnished with one queen bed and a separate kitchen and
living area with sofa bed. The spacious One Bedroom Suites offer separate
living rooms with a queen-size sofa beds, full kitchens, and separate bedrooms with
one king, two queens, or two twin beds.All of the rooms are styled in basic, but bright, Caribbean colors (purples, blues, yellows, and greens) contrasted by white tile floors and white wicker-style furniture. Accent walls are painted soft hues of blue and green, reflecting the seaside location. The beds are finished with the usual basic
hotel sheets and standard pillows and topped with throws and bedskirts that
coordinate with the soothing color palette and framed
sea-inspired artwork. Kitchenettes are clean and bright, finished with white
cabinetry, white appliances, and white tile backsplashes with colorful accent tiles. Small refrigerators, microwaves, two-burner stovetops or
full ranges, coffeemakers, toasters, and all of the necessary equipment for
cooking are neatly stored within the drawers and cabinets. Large closets are
stocked with extra blankets, ironing boards and irons, and safes. Flat-screen
TVs and free Wi-Fi are additional perks.
The bathrooms are spacious and no-frills, finished
from floor to ceiling in white with tub/showers, single vanities, and a white ceramic
shells filled with toiletries. One of the greatest assets of the rooms are the
large terraces and balconies. Furnished with tables and chairs, they offer
dead-on views of the variegated blue Caribbean.
Features
A large terrace overlooking the Caribbean with a pool, open-air restaurant, and a bar with twice-daily happy hours
While there are plenty of restaurants and bars within
walking distance of the hotel, the South Gap's Tropical Mist Bar and Restaurant lets
guests mingle poolside, within easy reach of their rooms. The small restaurant
is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving a variety of staple foods
such as burgers and omelets as well as island specialities that include flying fish
and barbecue chicken. The small bar offers regular happy hour specials, but
closes early, well before the bars along the Gap reach their prime. Also located on the ground floor, at the back of the open-air
space that holds the restaurant, is a day lounge with lockers, bathrooms, a
computer station, and room to store luggage.
