Barefoot Cay Resort

I was concerned that our cottage did not have air-conditioning when I booked the Grand Villa. I was assured that the air conditioning was sufficient and that the upstairs bedroom would be comfortable at night because of the cool breeze. Nothing could be further from the truth. The whole house (which was laid out beautifully) stayed hot and humid all day and all night. The master bedroom had a wall unit but it didn’t decrease the temperature or humidity. Our bedding and especially the pillows smelled like mildew and the beddding was always damp when it was time for bed. The upstairs bedroom was stifling hot and our kids ended up staying with friends at another resort because they weren’t able to sleep in the sweltering heat. We couldn’t really use the house like we planned because it was so hot and humid all the time. All our food would get soggy unless we kept it in the refrigerator. The television would not keep a signal and the power and WiFi kept going out. We couldn’t use our beach because the sand fleas were so bad and we even avoided sitting outside at the pool because of the “no-see-ums” ate us up. Given the chance, I would stay in West Bay at the more populated resorts. Most of the sights and restaurants are on that side of the island and we wouldn’t have to pay $50 in cab fare for the round trip from Barefoot to West Bay/West End. All in all, I thought the service was top notch but the accommodations came up short.

I was feeling stressed about work, my birthday was approaching and I needed a peaceful trip away from the bustle of NYC. I decided to go for PADI scuba certification and began searching for somewhere that offered relaxation and diving. Roatan was listed as a great destination for beginners; the Barefoot Divers website was informative and it sealed the deal. I called ahead and spoke to Stephanie who advised me to complete the online modules so that I could spend my time diving. That tip was invaluable! Everyone was so friendly and I instantly felt like part of the family. Traveling as a single female, I felt safe and there was always a security guard on site. The resort was magical. Hammocks everywhere, clear water, good food, great drinks! The snorkeling and various activities were great. Edwin and Jose from reception were amazing! I requested Cristian as my dive instructor; he is absolutely remarkable. He has a genuine love for the sea and his calming presence helped me get over my initial fears. Boat captain Willy kept me laughing and hydrated! The dive sites were phenomenal. I encountered stingrays, jellyfish, barracuda, sea horses, pufferfish etc. If you want a serene, safe trip with lots to see and do – this is the place for you. I prefer to visit new places or stay in a different city if I'm in the same country, but I'm planning to visit Barefoot again next year; It was that perfect.