Barbados, also known as the birthplace of rum, measures 167 square-miles and is located east of Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines making it the most eastern island in the Caribbean.
White sandy beaches, a calming azure sea, and a plethora of beaches for all sorts of activities will warm your spirit, but the views may leave you speechless.
Below are our picks of the 10 Best on beautiful Barbados.
Sandals Royal Barbados, St. Lawrence Gap
Award winning Check PricesSandals Royal Barbados is a resort of firsts from their new rooftop pool with restaurant and bar to their new 4-lane bowling alley, Lovers Lane, equipped with a cocktail lounge.
There are several luxurious suite categories, however, the one-bedroom Royal Seaside Crystal Lagoon Swim-up with a soaking tub called out to me. These are located on the ground level and feature a Tranquility Soaking Tub on the private patio and zero-entry access into the Crystal Lagoon river pool.
There are six restaurants and 5 bars and if you hop over (literally, it’s next door!) to their sister property, Check PricesSandals Barbados, you’ll experience even more restaurants (11 more), bars and pools. Unlimited activities include paddle boarding, kayaks/canoes, PADI-certified scuba diving, fitness center and more. If you’re seeking a more ‘zen’ experience you can enjoy yoga and spa time at the Red Lane Spa.
Tip: Be sure to start your spa journey with a Red Lane Rejuvenation Specialist to help you plan your personalized experience. Check out the ‘In Good Spirits’ Massage, too.
Sandals Barbados, St. Lawrence Gap
Romance awaits couples at award-winning Check PricesSandals Barbados and it begins when you walk in to their stunning open-air lobby with fire and water features. This resort includes unlimited dining at 11 restaurants, including the Bombay Club (Sandals first Indian restaurant), along with 7 bars (including swim-up bars!), water-sports galore, and exchange privileges with Check PricesSandals Royal Barbados (with a few firsts of their own).
Getting married? Check PricesSandals offers free weddings with stays of 3-nights or more.
Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels, St. James
Check PricesWaves Hotel & Spa, a spa-wellness themed resort from Elegant Hotels, is the newer kid on the island. In addition to their eco-inspired guest rooms, there are also Spa Rooms in their adults-only spa building. These have been recently renovated and also include two spa treatments per adult per stay. Other amenities in the Spa Rooms include Yoga mats and Tea making.To compliment the Spa & Wellness theme there are a number of activities including Sunrise Walks On The Beach, a Meditation Garden, Pilates, Zumba classes and a fitness center. Waves Hotel & Spa sets themselves apart with their yoga offerings, which include Restorative Yoga, Salute to The Sun Vinyasa Flow, Power Yoga and Sunset Yoga & Meditation (Hatha & Guided Meditation).
Tip: Relax on the beach with their locally designed Waves Colouring Book. Reconnect with your creative side!
Turtle Beach By Elegant Hotels, Christ Church
No worries, just happy! Family-friendly Check PricesTurtle Beach has it all including a splash pool for the kids and the complimentary Flying Fish Kids Club with all kinds of activities. And there’s adult fun, too, with mixology classes, complimentary lessons for water activities including newly added surfing lessons, yoga and spa services.
There are five restaurants and bars with international and island cuisine plus all-day dining by the beach! Daily rounds of golf are now included at nearby Barbados Golf Club (transfers and clubs are included, too!). This family-friendly resort has a lot to offer and their spacious one-bedrooms suites keep it comfortable for a family of 4-5 with a bedroom and living space with a pullout sofa bed and king bed.
Note: You can also visit sister property, Check PricesCrystal Cove by Elegant Hotels, and experience the “dine around” program.
Sugar Bay Barbados, Christ Church
Family-friendly Check PricesSugar Bay Barbados offers a colorful and serene environment for a memorable vacation. This 138-room resort is set on 5.5 acres of beachfront property with over 400 feet of white, sandy beach overlooking the ocean, and Sugar Bay Beach is one of Barbados’ main turtle nesting beaches.
There are four restaurants, five bars, a supervised Kids Club, Teen Clubhouse, an abundance of water sports including kayaking and snorkeling, a fitness center and the Karma Spa. You can explore off-property too since Sugar Bay is close to Bridgetown.
Noteworthy: Sugar Bay is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Historic Garrison, and minutes from the capital, Bridgetown.
Mango Bay Barbados, St. James
Check PricesMango Bay Barbados is a small, intimate resort that reflects old world elegance and charm along with the warmth of the Caribbean.Julian Restaurant, located along the beachfront, offers dining options ranging from a buffet to a-la-carte options to Caribbean-International fusion. You can also venture off-property to nearby Holetown for other restaurants, bars and boutiques.
In addition to the included water-sports, you could also explore more of Barbados on the complimentary 2-hour tour along the West Coast. This also includes snorkeling and swimming with the Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles. There’s also a complimentary trip aboard a glass bottom boat.
If you’re looking to unwind even more, Elements Spa at Mango Bay Barbados offers a number of services at reasonable rates, including the Aromatherapy Massage (70-minutes) for under $100.
Sea Breeze Beach House, Christ Church
Check PricesSea Breeze Beach House, recently renovated, offers a relaxing escape at their 2.5 acre resort. At Sea Breeze you’ll find two beaches along their expansive 1000-foot beachfront, watersports, two adults-only hot tubs, two pools (one for adults and one family friendly), a kids club and teens club and a private floating sundeck.Rooms offer wooden floors and an ocean-colored theme and if you opt for the luxury collection you’ll also receive additional amenities including a daily pre-stocked mini bar, complimentary beach bag, upgraded in-room coffee service, daily in room Canape selection, and nightly turn down service (on request).
Explore more of Barbados with the off-site Harrison’s Cave Tour – an underground experience at this limestone cave surrounded by water.
The SoCo Hotel, Christ Church
The Check PricesSoCo Hotel is a modern, chic and intimate hotel on the south coast of Barbados. You can leave the crowds behind as there are 24-rooms with ocean views at this adults-only boutique hotel.
SoCo’s waterfront restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is a fusion of Caribbean and international cuisine. Afternoon tea is also offered. There’s a beachside bar and they offer a beach barbecue once per week.
Less is more and while there’s much to do at the SoCo, you can also relax and rejuvenate at their pool or with a spa treatment in your room or on the beach.
The Island Inn Hotel, St. Michael
The Check PricesIsland Inn Hotel is located near Bridgetown and the Garrison Historic Area (UNESCO World Heritage site). With 24 recently refurbished rooms, this hotel offers old world Caribbean charm and decor with darker woods and a tropical vibe.
The Boardwalk Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and a traditional Afternoon Tea along with a full service bar. There’s a pool on property and they’re a short walk away from the beach at Carlisle Bay. The Island Inn Hotel is in a great location if you like to explore outside the property and immerse yourself in the Bajan experience with Bridgetown only 10-minutes away.
Noteworthy: The building was originally constructed in 1804 as a Rum Storage facility for the British Regiment and the Island Inn Hotel is now part of the Historic Garrison Area of Barbados. The building was designated a national treasure of Barbados.
Bougainvillea Barbados, Christ Church
The all-inclusive package at Check PricesBougainvillea Barbados includes a buffet breakfast, two course lunch, afternoon tea, three course dinner at Calabash Cafe or three course dinner at Siam Restaurant, premium brand alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beverages.
In addition to relaxing at their pool, there’s also a lap pool, waterfall pool and swim-up pool bar. If you head over to their beach there are a number of water-sports (non-motorized included) including paddle boarding, kayaks, snorkeling, and windsurfing. A Kids Club is on site and their onsite Karma Spa & Salon offers treatments to enhance a relaxing exotic getaway.
Noteworthy: Bougainvillea Barbados is a member of Pack for a Purpose and supporter of Variety the Children’s Charity of Barbados. They encourage guests to save some space while packing for a few items for children in need.
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