Divi Southwinds Beach Resort

Hwy. 7, St. Lawrence Gap, Dover, Christ Church BB15017, Barbados
https://www.facebook.com/divisouthwinds/

Why We Like It

Divi Southwinds is a big resort with a great location on Dover Beach and, more broadly, St. Lawrence Gap. It’s a good choice for families with small children, as it’s self-catering and there’s room for kids to run around, a playground, miniature golf…plus the beach and pools.

Fodor's Expert Review

Divi Southwinds, an all-suites resort, sprawls over 20 acres of lawn and gardens that are bisected by St. Lawrence Gap. The property south of the Gap faces a half-mile of stunning Dover Beach. Guests can swim in three pools or at the beach and play tennis, basketball, and miniature golf. This is really a family-oriented resort, with lots for children to do with or without their parents. A complimentary kids’ club offers age-appropriate adventures and activities, and there’s an inviting playground with lots of climbing and swinging features. All this is within walking distance of the Gap’s shops, restaurants, and nightspots

You Should Know On a 20-acre property, there’s plenty of room for activities and simply to roam around; but all that roaming requires a lot of walking—to the beach and restaurant, for example.

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Room

The bulk of the suites are north of the Gap on the upper three floors of a large building. Guests in those rooms have garden or pool views. Kids 12 and under stay free. South of the Gap, just steps from the sand, 16 beach villas offer an intimate setting. All suites have one or two separate bedrooms, sofa beds in the sitting room, and fully equipped kitchens.

You Should Know The rooms could use a facelift, particularly those in the main building north of the Gap.

Bathroom

Bathrooms are quite small and rather ordinary.

Lobby

The lobby and reception desk—front desk and seating area—are in a vast atrium, studded with tropical plants and a central water feature, in the section of the hotel that’s north of the Gap. Interior hallways on the upper three floors in this part of the hotel surround the atrium, providing an overhead view of the lobby and a sense of space and openness.

Tip There is elevator access to the upper floors surrounding the lobby.

Pool

The resort has two large pools and a spa pool on the north side of the property and a small pool at the beach.

Spa

A small spa offers a massage and aesthetic services. The spa is open to the public, as well as to resort guests.

Tip The spa has a sauna, if the outside temp isn’t hot enough for you!

Gym

Guests are welcome to use the gym, which is very small but has weights and a few machines.

Tip The front desk will arrange a bike rental for you if you want more exercise.

Dining

Pureocean, the resort’s beachside restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a “lite lunch” menu in the afternoon—virtually, all-day alfresco dining. Bright and casual during the day, mood lighting adds a little romance in the evening. Since all suites have a full kitchen, guests stock up at a nearby supermarket for items to whip up their own meals.

Tip An onsite minimart sells snacks, drinks, and basic grocery items.

Drinking

Pureocean has a beachside bar that serves drinks all day long and into the evening at the bar itself, in the restaurant, or at tables and cabanas that are right on the sand.

Beach

Divi Southwinds sits on a half-mile of stunning Dover Beach, one of the most popular south coast beaches. The sea is fairly calm, with small to medium waves; the beach itself is broad, with brilliant white sand.

You Should Know The resort will arrange kayaking, snorkeling, jet skis, parasailing, waterskiing, sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, and fishing—but all water sports cost extra.

What's Nearby

Getting Around

You can easily walk to shops, restaurants, and nightspots in St. Lawrence Gap. Buses travel frequently along Hwy. 7, the main south coast road (about a two-minute walk from the hotel lobby); you can catch a bus west to Bridgetown or east to Oistins. Taxis are on call 24 hours a day. Tours can be arranged if you want to explore the island. If you prefer to get around on your own, several car rental agencies are located on the south coast at or near St. Lawrence Gap.

Restaurants

The Oistins Fish Fry (5-minute drive) is a must-do event on Friday evenings. All along the waterfront in this south coast fishing village, local folks grill fresh fish (and chicken for landlubbers), served with traditional Bajan sides. Seating is at communal picnic tables, servings are huge, prices are low, and music adds to the fun.

At St. Lawrence Gap, try Primo Bar & Bistro (10-minute walk) for delicious seafood and an excellent view or Café Sol (10-minute walk) for reasonably priced Tex-Mex food, tasty margaritas, and a lively atmosphere.

Farther west, Champers (10-minute drive), just off the main road in Rockley, is a snazzy seaside restaurant in an old Bajan home—great ocean view at lunchtime, classy atmosphere in the evening. But if you want to go local, head for Shaker’s Bar & Grill (10-minute drive)—at Browne’s Gap, also in Rockley—which has a rum shop vibe and finger-lickin’ BBQ.

Bars

St. Lawrence Gap has a lot of nighttime activity. Try The Old Jamm Inn or Scoopie's Jazz (5-minute walk) for drinks, music, dancing, and a convivial crowd. Farther west, Bubba’s Sports Bar(10-minute drive) on the main road in Rockley, is exactly that: a sports bar. The resort offers babysitting (extra charge) for parents who want a night out.

Quick Facts

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 246-428–7181; 800-367–3484