Barbados

Situated on the west coast, south of Holetown, the hotel is set on a magnificent arc of golden sand, with plenty of shade from the old redwood trees. Although the beach is public (they are all public in Barbados), Sandy Lane’s is actually very private, as access is not easy for non-residents.

Acres of gleaming marble and coral rock characterise the grandeur of Sandy Lane.

The service here is excellent. The staff are very well trained and efficient. Fast track at the airport is included, as is a packing and unpacking service. Guests on the sun loungers are regularly offered refreshments such as sorbets, and the staff will offer wet towels and sunglasses polishing.

If you are on the beach loungers and want service, raise a small flag. Most notable among the many amenities are three golf courses (golf carts are equipped with GPS systems) and a first-class spa complex. All 11 treatment rooms have their own gardens or outdoor pools, and there’s also a sauna, steam room (sometimes used for rhassoul treatments), and a large communal hydrotherapy pool.

Other amenities include a colossal multi-level pool, beautifully set among coral rock walls and equipped with underwater speakers; water sports; a lavish gym; and nine floodlit tennis courts.

The 112 plantation-style rooms range from grand to palatial. High-tech gadgets abound: a bedside panel lets you do everything from control the lights and curtains to signify ‘do not disturb’. Rooms also feature spacious furnished terraces and beautiful marble bathrooms with a large sunken bath and separate shower.

The two main restaurants have excellent reputations. Pillared L’Ajacou is for fine dining, while the more informal Bajan Blue is renowned for its exquisite buffets, including breakfast. The hotel has seven bars, ranging from an ice cream bar to the sophisticated Monkey Bar, artfully decorated with monkey-themed murals and a bar shaped like a monkey’s tail.

Situated on the west coast, north of Holetown – a 10-15 minute walk along the promenade behind the beach or along the road. Peace is assured as most of the property is set back from the road. The beach is short and narrow, beautifully framed by casuarinas.

With towering redwoods and palms, frangipani, bougainvillea, ponds and much more to enjoy, the extensive grounds are the most beautiful of any hotel in Barbados.)

The bedrooms and public areas are, for the most part, the epitome of understated elegance. Many guests are repeat guests and stay in the same room each year.

The hotel is owned by the O’Hara family, who have lived here since the 1950s. They also own the highly recommended Sandpiper, located nearby. The service is charming and polite, with members of the O’Hara family often present and the staff wearing black bow ties during meals.

In terms of amenities, the spa is something special. It fits perfectly into the garden setting. Surrounded by greenery, it has four treatment rooms, a spa pool and a steam room; yoga classes are held twice a week. There are also two large and attractive swimming pools, located in a quiet spot on the grounds, a water sports centre (with diving facilities), two tennis courts and a gym.

The 88 rooms are spread across a dozen buildings scattered around the grounds. They are individually and elegantly decorated, typically with white tiled floors, colonial-era prints on coral rock walls, pretty floral cushions and wicker chairs. The Plantation Suites (very dramatic) and the Luxury Cottage Suites (more discreet) both have their own plunge pools.

The much more affordable Garden Rooms offer more than enough space and comfort for most guests (they are as big as suites in most hotels), and have lovely private terraces or balconies with sun loungers and smart bathrooms with large walk-in showers.

The only restaurant is an elegant, rather formal outdoor space behind the promenade. Dinners are pleasant, candlelit, and the food is hearty and plentiful. There is a buffet and a barbecue once a week. Breakfasts are an extensive buffet with local fresh juices, pastries and breads baked on site, plus anything you want cooked to order.

The hotel’s buildings line Alleynes Bay, a quiet stretch of beach on Barbados’s upscale west coast. You won’t find a hotel closer to the sand than this – it was built decades ago, before regulations restricted hotels from being built so close to the beach. The narrow but picturesque strip of soft white sand stretches for more than half a mile, with water that’s usually gentle and perfect for swimming. It’s the only hotel on the beach; a five-minute walk takes you to the Lone Star, a trendy restaurant with rooms, and a couple of other unassuming beach bars. Sunsets can be spectacular.

The hotel sits on a large, rather grand site, with a driveway lined with tall palm trees and acres of manicured lawns setting the tone.

The hotel is part of a chain (Fairmont), so service may not be as personal as some other independent hotels on the west coast. Still, the staff is very helpful, and you can expect luxuries like turndown service at night and a beach cleaning service every morning. All guests automatically receive express check-in at the airport, and guests staying in the Signature Oceanfront Suites and Rooms also receive airport transfers and butler service included in the price.

As for amenities, there’s a lovely large rectangular pool with a spacious hot tub next to it, as well as non-motorized water sports (kayaks, sailboats, paddleboards), two tennis courts, and a good gym. Every day, the water sports guy takes guests out to where the turtles congregate by the beach – a nice (free) touch. Somewhat surprisingly for a hotel of this class, there’s no spa, although in-room treatments are available.

There are 72 rooms in total, all of which are right behind the beach and overlook the sea. All rooms are decorated in a fresh, stylish and calming palette of cream, grey and beige, with examples of modern barbarian art and elegant marble bathrooms with walk-in showers and bathtubs. Bathrobes and tea and coffee making facilities are standard. Upper-floor rooms have large balconies with a circular daybed, while ground-floor suites have spacious wooden terraces with sun loungers just steps from the sand. There are two beachfront restaurants. Palm Terrace, a grandiose affair with pink marble floors, vaulted ceilings and sea views through high arches, is usually only open in high season. Taboras, with its columns and open walls, is more casual (though white tablecloths are still on the tables during dinner).

Situated on the outskirts of Holetown on the west coast, it is best suited to those who like to go out for the occasional meal, drink and shop.

Good if you want to be close to the action. The hotel is located on the northern edge of Holetown, the centre of tourism on Barbados’ upmarket west coast. It is about a five-minute walk from Limegrove, a chic shopping centre, while the surrounding side streets offer a wide choice of restaurants and bars.

The promenade here is quite lively, with lots of people strolling along the interconnected beaches and boardwalks on either side of the property, and the sea filled with boats and water sports.

The Sandpiper is a smaller, more informal sister hotel to the Coral Reef Club, a 10-minute walk along the coast. It is set around compact tropical gardens, palms, bamboo, ferns and bougainvillea, which are teeming with flowers and birds. Highlights include an open-air restaurant bordered by koi ponds, a cosy beach bar and a sunbathing deck beyond the sand. The current owners opened the hotel in 1970 and many guests are repeat customers. The clientele is largely British and younger than some other upscale West Coast hotels.

It’s a very well-run place, with personal, friendly service at the forefront. The Sandpiper is owned by the O’Hara and Capaldi families. Some staff, like Harold Shepherd, who can be found at his eponymous bar, have been with the hotel for decades.

Amenities include two swimming pools – one a sleek designer lap pool with sun loungers half submerged in the water – as well as a water sports centre, a gym and two tennis courts. Guests can make use of the very tempting spa at the Coral Reef Club (free transfers are provided).

There are 50 rooms in two-story blocks. The cheapest are the Garden View rooms: decorated in understated elegance with pretty Caribbean prints, they have spacious terraces or balconies that provide plenty of privacy and attractive limestone bathrooms with separate baths and showers. More than half of the rooms are suites, and most have a separate living area and kitchenette.

For a more upscale experience, ask about the two Beach House suites and the Tree Top Suite Curlew – thoroughly luxurious, contemporary accommodations with expansive beachfront terraces, impressive bathrooms and ‘media hubs’ in the living areas. Most rooms do not have TVs or tea trays, but these can be provided on request.

Sandpiper’s Restaurant is set in the gardens in an open wooden structure with lanterns hanging from the rafters; there’s a romantic atmosphere in the evenings, with live music most nights. The food is excellent – some of the best you’ll find at any hotel on the island.

During the day, the focus shifts to Harold’s Beach Bar and its adjacent terrace, where you can sample local dishes such as flying fish sandwiches, as well as salads, pasta and pizza. You can also pick up a coconut, take it to the bar and have them open it.

The hotel overlooks the (sometimes crashing) surf on the island’s south coast. A two-minute walk west is the much more sheltered Dover Beach, whose sandy expanse overlooks a bay with invitingly calm sapphire waters where sea turtles swim. The beach road behind offers street food and artisan stalls. A little further afield (and still within easy walking distance, about seven minutes) are the restaurants and nightlife of St Lawrence Gap. The island’s capital, Bridgetown, is a 20-minute drive away, and the airport is 15 minutes by car.

There’s a significant difference between the two O2 Beach Club buildings: the older block is more traditional, while the new adults-only tower has a more chic, contemporary feel. Colourful paintings by local artists dot the hallways throughout. Although it’s marketed as a luxury property, the atmosphere is relaxed and Caribbean, setting it apart from the more established luxury hotels on the island’s west coast. Hummingbirds buzz among the flowers by the pool, adding to the relaxed atmosphere; and don’t be surprised to see turtles floating among the waves.

Service is friendly, relaxed and professional, and the personalities of the staff shine through.

Water sports are available (wave permitting) on ​​the beach, which stretches for almost 300m. Other activities might include a painting lesson under a tree on the shore, or, for a real treat, a massage in the bright and airy Acqua SPA (on the seventh floor of the tower). Its four treatment rooms look out onto the endless Caribbean blue.

The original building houses standard Club rooms and suites, all of which have at least partial sea views and are decorated in dark wood and bright accents, with sliding doors leading to bathrooms equipped with walk-in rain showers. Fully equipped open-plan kitchens can be pre-stocked with products as part of the all-inclusive offer.

It’s worth upgrading to one of the 42 Luxury Collection rooms, which feature sea-view balconies, large bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs and an interior aesthetic that embraces marble, light wood, rattan and fabrics with coral, leaf and texture motifs that bring in a sense of the outdoors.

Four restaurants offer a choice from themed buffets to fine dining. The main venue, the indoor/outdoor Elements, features a traditional breakfast. Lunch buffets are also served before Elements transforms into an à la carte menu in the evening with changing themes. For variety, poolside Bluefin offers burgers, salads and pizzas during the day, and dinners feature curries and Caribbean dishes. Tapas and cocktails at rooftop Brisa and Oro’s European/Caribbean fusion complete the offering. The bars serve quality drinks including Bajan rum, Provencal rosé and Italian prosecco, all included in the price.

Maxwell Beach is one of the soft, powdery stretches of sand on the south coast, a picturesque setting for two Sandals resorts. Transfers from the airport take no more than 15 minutes. For guests looking to soak up the local culture, colorful Oistins and its weekly Fish Fry are less than 10 minutes away, and the bars and clubs of St. Lawrence Gap are a 10-minute walk away.

Sandals caters exclusively to couples. Unlike its older, more uniform sibling, Sandals Royal has a varied design. Miami-style mid-rise buildings, Mediterranean tiled roofs, ancient Greek temples, and South Seas thatched cottages are some of the rambling architectural influences. There’s a wide range of room types (there are 17 different room options).

The amenities are excellent. Land and water sports on offer include tennis, yoga, stand-up paddleboarding, and trips to a nearby marine park for diving and snorkeling. Sandals’ various new features include a rooftop pool and a glass-fronted infinity pool overlooking the ocean, as well as a men’s barber shop and a four-lane bowling alley. Coconut, ginger, and coffee add a Caribbean twist to treatments at the Red Lane Spa (for an extra fee). All rooms come with a concierge or butler service.

Entry-level rooms (in the tiled-roof units) are spacious and surprisingly stylish. Decorated with nautical artwork and modern shades of white, gray, and ocean blue, they feature king-size beds and sitting areas with complimentary minibars. Full-height windows open onto balconies or patios where soaking tubs for two sit behind billowing curtains. Bathrooms feature double vanities and oversized walk-in showers.

Upgrades include pool-access suites with ocean views or the downright charming rondoval safari-style cottages with private plunge pools.

There’s an almost endless choice of dining options at 20 restaurants and 12 bars spread across the two hotels. Breakfast at Sandals Royal is à la carte or buffet-style (with local delicacies), while Mediterranean lunches are served at oceanfront Neptune’s. Evening options include Chi (Asian fusion), La Parisienne (French), and American Tavern. All are good, though far more memorable are the three offerings at Sandals Barbados and the authentic Caribbean cuisine at Spices. One bar specializes in craft beer.

Enjoy relaxation during your stay, as well as eco-friendly and sustainable practices throughout the hotel. The 422 spacious guest rooms and suites boast picturesque views, expansive balconies that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living, 24-hour room service, and essentials like complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, stocked minibars, and flat-screen HDTVs.

Enjoy a number of fantastic restaurants with farm-to-table cuisine and thoughtfully placed bars serving handcrafted cocktails and irresistible appetizers. You can stroll the beach, park by one of four sparkling outdoor pools (with cabanas and swim-up bars), or exercise on the tennis courts and pickleball courts. The hotel also offers a soothing spa and a carefully curated programme of daily activities and nightly entertainment, as well as a children’s pool, babysitting and activities for children.

For a meeting, wedding or celebration for up to 800 guests, you’ll love Barbados’ largest ballroom. Flexible, contemporary meeting space features indoor and outdoor areas to suit any occasion.

Situated 9.5 km from Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI), this expansive, non-smoking resort offers easy access to local history exhibits at the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, horse racing at Garrison Savannah and cricket matches at Kensington Oval. Their knowledgeable tour desk can arrange excursions into the surrounding area, whether you’re looking to snorkel among shipwrecks or see Barbados green monkeys at the island’s wildlife sanctuary.

Отель расположен на низких скалах над пляжем Крейн. До него можно добраться на лифте или по ступенькам, это широкая полоса розового песка, окруженная пальмовой рощей, возможно, кстати, это самый фотогеничный пляж на Барбадосе. Он частично защищен прибрежным рифом, но волны все равно могут быть большими, и купание не всегда безопасно (тут дежурят спасатели). Саргассум (водоросли) в последнее время время от времени становится проблемой, хотя отель приложил немало усилий, чтобы бороться с этой проблемой.

Отель находится вдали от цивилизации в юго-восточном углу острова, где часто дует ветер. Рядом есть дикие пляжи (некоторые из них хороши для водных видов спорта, например, кайтсерфинга). До оживленных туристических районов южного побережья можно доехать за 20 минут, а до спокойных пляжей и элитных ресторанов западного побережья — примерно за 40 минут.

Отель датируется 1887 годом и претендует на звание старейшего постоянно действующего отеля в Карибском регионе. Однако большая часть того, что вы видите, современна. На его территории разбросаны 252 номера (большинство в бежевых и башенчатых пятиэтажных блоках), шесть ресторанов, кафе и баров, привлекательная искусственная деревня, ее коралловые скалы и деревянные здания в неоколониальном стиле, и многое другое.

Извилистые тропы, обилие тропической растительности и великолепные виды на пляж Крейн и море — все это очень заманчиво.

В деревне вы найдете магазины, в том числе гастроном, художественную галерею и аутлет самого известного универмага Барбадоса. Другие удобства включают небольшой SPA-салон (только процедурные кабинеты), тренажерный зал и теннисные корты.

Номера, обозначенные как люксы, представляют собой большие или очень большие апартаменты. В них есть ставни из кедра, мебель из красного дерева и кровати с балдахином. Во всех номерах есть терраса или балкон, а также просторная мраморная ванная комната с джакузи и душевой кабиной. В самых дешевых номерах — полулюксах с видом на сад — есть мини-кухня, а в остальных — полноценные кухни с большим холодильником, посудомоечной машиной и стиральной машиной с сушкой.

Во многих номерах есть вид на океан, спальни отделены от гостиной, а в некоторых также есть собственные небольшие бассейны.

Варианты питания включают: Zen, высоко оцененный, элитный японский/тайский ресторан с видом на пляж Крейн через стеклянную стену; L’Azure для международной/карибской кухни и завтрака в элегантной обстановке на открытом воздухе с колоннами, снова эффектно расположенной на вершине скалы над пляжем; и D’Onofrio’s Trattoria, неформальный итальянский ресторан в деревне. Имейте в виду, что не все рестораны открыты каждый вечер.

В некоторые дни завтраки представляют собой полный шведский стол; в другие дни à la carte. В деревне также есть атмосферный коктейль-бар в колониальном стиле и бар/гриль в прекрасном месте в пальмовой роще за пляжем.