Day 1 of our stay for my birthday vacation started off well. Check-in was quick, and the staff at arrival were friendly and welcoming. After traveling all day from North Carolina to Atlanta and finally arriving at the Hilton Resort Barbados, we were excited to relax and enjoy food and drinks by the pool. Unfortunately, the dining experience was disappointing. We ordered the fish sandwich with truffle fries and the steak sandwich with truffle fries, but our meals initially arrived cold. After sending them back, we later noticed the tray with our food sitting on the bar area until we had to ask if it was ours and request that it be brought over before it became cold again. The service throughout the meal was subpar. We repeatedly tried to get our server’s attention for very basic requests, including another straw and more ketchup. After waiting for assistance, I eventually just got up and retrieved a straw from the bar myself. Another staff member ultimately brought the ketchup over. At the same time, our server appeared much more attentive and engaged with the group of men seated at the table next to us, which did not go unnoticed. When she later returned and asked if the meal was “much better,” I honestly responded that it was “better, but not much better.” The food was slightly warmer, but by that point we had been traveling all day, were hungry, and decided to simply eat without making further complaints. Her response was, “Don’t let it steal your joy.” While she may have apologized, the overall experience had already left a negative impression. I travel often and always come financially prepared, understanding that resort pricing comes with the expectation of quality food, attentive service, and an elevated overall experience. I’m also typically a generous tipper, but in this case I did not feel comfortable leaving an additional tip beyond the included service charge. The most disappointing part is that we still have three more days at the resort and had planned to fully enjoy the convenience of dining poolside and on property. Instead, we’ll likely search for meals away from the resort, which is not how I normally approach a resort vacation. Hopefully the remainder of our stay improves, but Day 1 was not a good experience when it came to food and service.