The Rostrevor Hotel has somewhat of a spilt personality. The property consists of two distinct buildings, one modern and one trapped in a 1970s time warp. The older structure, built in 1977, has a collection of budget-rate rooms in need of updating and a major style makeover. They also lack air-conditioning (except for the Pool Deck Studios) , instead relying on ceiling fans, standing fans, and doors open to the ocean breezes to cool the rooms. Rooms in the newer, modern building include a modern cooling system.

The hotel’s location also displays two distinct sides. The ocean side of the hotel is fronted by a huge, perfectly coiffed terrace with neat patches of green grass, rows of blue and green lounge chairs, white Adirondack chairs tucked beneath tall palms, and a rectangular infinity-edge pool. Steps lead from the terrace to a small section of private beach bordered by rocky sea walls, offering just enough space for guests to take a dip in the waves before retreating to their lounge chairs. Reading, napping, staring at the shifting colors of the Caribbean, and lunching poolside on flying fish sandwiches (a Barbados favorite) at the cozy and casual Almond Tree restaurant are all popular ways to spend the day at the Rostrevor. 

When the sun sets, the focus turns to the hotel’s other, street-facing side. By day, “the Gap,” short for St. Lawrence Gap, is quiet with bars and nightclubs shuttered to the strong sun and few people wandering the one-way, one-mile stretch of road. When the sun sets, however, activity in the Gap stirs as visitors and locals alike fill the terraces of open-air restaurants, food truck proprietors fire up their grills, and the roads become thick with partygoers en-route to various bars to listen to live music or try their voices at karaoke. When dinner wraps up, the nightclubs take over and the thumping of house music reverberates along the Gap, easing under the doorways of nearby hotels. With room doors opening to the street, light sleepers beware -- the incessant noise will likely disturb your slumber, and that's something to consider before booking a hotel in the area.

Set on the island's southern coast, the Rostrevor faces the crashing waves of the Caribbean on its oceanfront side and the action of St. Lawrence Gap on its street side. Guests are close to many restaurants, bars, and nightclubs along the one-mile stretch of St. Lawrence Gap. While there is a small beach on-site, the longer stretches of Dover Beach can be reached via a short walk.

• Five-minute walk to Dover Beach
• Five-minute drive to Accra Beach
• Five-minute drive to Rockley Beach
• Eight-minute drive to Oistin's Fish Fry
• 10-minute walk to Worthing Beach
• 15-minute drive to Bridgetown
• 18-minute drive to Grantley Adams International Airport
• 20-minute drive to Foul Bay
• 25-minute drive to Holetown
• 25-minute drive to Hunte's Gardens
• 28-minute drive to Bottom Bay
• 40-minute drive to Barbados Wildlife Reserve
• 50-minute drive to Animal Flower Cave

The Rostrevor Hotel's 79 rooms are in three hotel wings, appealing to a variety of travelers and budgets. Traditional Wing studios and apartments are set in the original (1977) building and rely on ocean breezes and fans to keep guests cool, as they do not have air-conditioning, but they do have lower rates. They include white wicker furniture, ceramic-tile floors, closets with mirrored sliding doors, and king-size beds finished with basic linens, standard pillows, and older hotel bedspreads in varying shades of blue to coordinate with window treatments and beach-inspired framed artwork. The kitchenettes have white cabinets and blue countertops, and come with the tools for a self-catering vacation. Bathrooms in the non-air conditioned rooms are basic, offering single vanities with lots of counter space and walk-in stall showers. The Pool Deck Studios are the only rooms in the Traditional Wing that have air-conditioning. They offer direct access to the poolside terrace and a more refreshed design scheme.

Studios in the Superior Wing are more modern, with air-conditioning and a Caribbean-inspired design palette with blue bedding and window treatments and white-wood furniture. All the rooms include direct ocean views from their terraces. The Deluxe Wing, which is the newest part of the hotel, offers studios and apartments with ocean or garden views. Rooms feature natural woven sea grass style furnishings, kitchenettes and bathrooms with granite countertops, and king-size or two double beds finished with bedding in shades of turquoise or coral that coordinate with matching window treatments and modern artwork.

Most of the rooms at the Rostrevor include terraces with small tables and two chairs overlooking the Caribbean. Most of the rooms also have kitchenettes with microwaves, two-burner stovetops, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and all of the equipment needed to prepare and serve meals. Flat-screen TVs, closets with safes and iron/ironing boards, and basic toiletries are also standard.

The hotel’s largest room is an Oceanfront Penthouse Suite. Located on the top floor of the hotel, it features a large, private balcony with ocean views, a full kitchen, a spacious granite bathroom, a large living/dining area with a pullout sofa, and a bedroom suite with a king-size bed and custom artwork.

Harlequin's colorful outdoor terrace awash in repetitive shades of yellow, orange, green, and blue is a lovely spot to have dinner and watch the night of St. Lawrence Gap unfold. The restaurant is one of the most highly touted in the area, offering locally caught fish such as king fish and barracuda, along with thai curries. The Rostrevor also has a more casual poolside restaurant, Almond Tree, that serves breakfast and lunch, including the local favorite -- flying fish sandwiches.

The Rostrevor also has a small gym with a long rack of free weights, two treadmills, and an older elliptical machine. There's a small market a few doors down and other nearby hotels offer spa services.