When planning a Barbados getaway, many travelers begin their search on platforms such as Booking.com or Expedia. These online travel agencies — commonly called OTAs — make it easy to discover properties, view photographs and check availability.
They are useful tools, and we are glad to be found on them. But once you have found us, there is a difference in what booking direct gives you.
Why Rates Differ Between Booking Channels
Travel agencies charge a property a commission on every reservation made through their platform. Across the industry, those commissions commonly fall somewhere between 15% and 20% of the reservation value.
That commission forms part of the cost of selling a room through that channel, and it is reflected in the rate shown there. The room has not changed. The hospitality has not changed. What differs is the cost of the channel the reservation travels through.
What Booking Direct Means
An online travel site can show you a room. Booking direct lets us get to know you.
When you book with us directly:
- You speak with our team, not a call centre
- We can guide you between our 5 individually designed rooms — the character of the Moroccan, the calm of the Serenity or the timeless comfort of the Classic
- We know your preferences before you arrive
- You have personalized support before and during your stay
- You have access to our direct-booking offers when available
- There is no third party between us if your plans change or a question comes up
For a small, independently owned boutique hotel, every direct reservation matters. It supports our team, the upkeep of the property and the thoughtful details that make each stay personal.
What Every Direct Rate Includes
Every direct rate at Hidden Gem includes breakfast for two at The Patio Bar & Bites, our restaurant on the property. Rates start from US$275 per night, including that breakfast.
Inclusions, cancellation terms and availability are all shown clearly at the time of booking, so you know exactly what your stay includes before you confirm it.
An Intimate Boutique Hotel, Not a Reservation Number
Hidden Gem Barbados is an adults-only boutique hotel with just 5 individually designed rooms, tucked into the quiet residential community of Inch Marlow, Christ Church.
At that scale we are not managing a booking system. We are looking after a handful of guests at a time, personally.
Check availability and book directly with us.
Hidden Gem Barbados — More than a Stay!
Rates and availability vary according to room type, travel dates, inclusions and booking conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do rates differ between booking channels?
Travel agencies charge a commission on every reservation made through their platform. That commission is part of the cost of selling a room through that channel, and it is reflected in the rate shown there.
Do I lose anything by booking direct instead of through a travel site?
No. You have the same room and the same standards, and you gain a direct line to the people looking after your stay. Cancellation terms and inclusions are shown clearly at the time of booking.
Is breakfast included?
Yes. Breakfast for two at The Patio Bar & Bites is included with every direct rate, served on the property a few steps from your room.
