Plainly, Barbados is one of the most complete destinations in the Caribbean.
Whether you’re in the lap of luxury on the Platinum Coast, enjoying the energy in the St Lawrence Gap or exploring the delights of the island’s charming northwestern coast, Barbados has a rich tapestry of experiences and vacations for every kind of travelers — unique but with a universal quality.
But the key to planning a great Barbados getaway is finding the right resort.
You want to ensure that you have the right place to stay in the right corner of the island, one designed for what you like as a traveler and where you want to be.
Thankfully, Barbados is filled with an exciting portfolio of terrific resorts, from the ultra-luxe to the all-inclusive to some great beach-club style hotspots, some for active-minded travelers, others for those in search of pure serenity.
We’ve gathered six of our favorite resorts in Barbados right now, a mix of the newest and hottest places to stay along with some Barbados signatures, too.
Here are six Barbados resorts to check in to right now.
Port Ferdinand This just might be the best-kept secret in Barbados right now. The spectacularly designed Port Ferdinand is Barbados’ premier residential resort, meaning it combines the ease and comfort of residential properties with the luxury and amenities of a full-service resort. Set just outside Speightstown in the wonderful northwestern corridor of the island, Port Ferdinand features a collection of 46 opulently appointed units, some with private plunge pools, all set around a gorgeous marina setting. It’s just across the road from a privileged perch of beach, and while the dining, both in the overwater pool and the Dockside eatery, is terrific, Port Ferdinand has a party piece: it’s home to the only Nikki Beach in the English-speaking Caribbean. It’s the new luxury epicentre of the island.
Sandy Lane If you’re looking for the traditional, grand luxury of the Old Caribbean, this is arguably the premier spot in the whole Caribbean. Sandy Lane is an homage to our romantic notions of luxury and splendor, a marbled wonder that offers a very special kind of Barbados vacation. And while we love the Monkey Bar and the outstanding food, for us, there’s a bigger story here: the golf. Sandy Lane boasts three top courses, all exquisitely manicured and managed, making it one of the Caribbean’s ultimate golfing getaways, all year round. And the course’s expert caddies will help you shave a few strokes off your score, too.
Saint Peter’s Bay Barbados doesn’t lack for great beaches, and this venerable resort is your own private beach club in Barbados. It’s a serene, tranquil environment with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom “villas,” beachfront properties with private spa pools and the kind of copious space that makes you feel like you’ve got an entire home to yourself. And then there’s the beach, a secluded stretch of turquoise whose intoxicating sound will immediately transport you to another state of mind entirely — along with all of the watersports you can dream of.
Sea Breeze Beach House The southern coast of Barbados is a different destination entirely, one that marries sandy charm with an indisputable energy. There’s always something happening here: the Oistins Fish Fry, the bar hopping on the St Lawrence Gap, the busy beach bars of Dover Beach. And at the center of it all is the South Coast’s new hotspot: the Sea Breeze Beach House, the crisply transformed all-inclusive that’s managed to combine Barbados’ gentility with a new level of cool.
The Club, Barbados Looking for an adults-only getaway? This 161-room standout is the spot, set in the heart of the tony West Coast (just a short stroll from Sandy Lane, in fact), with a beautiful, lushly landscape campus and one of the best spas on the island (home to a spectacular rooftop spa pool to boot). This is easily the most complete all-inclusive in Barbados, with six restaurants and bars, a host of watersports on offer and even a broad slate of classes from Caribbean dance lessons to cocktail seminars.
Treasure Beach, Barbados The newest transformation by Barbados’ Elegant Hotels is the company’s specialty: a boutique, intimate retreat that’s cozy but beautifully appointed, private but all about local engagement. This adults-only getaway has just 35 suites set on the beautiful Paynes Bay, with marvelously appointed units with all of the little touches like local art and Nespresso machines. And as with all Elegant properties, the story is in the experience, from evening wine tastings to a chef’s dinner. Our recommendation? Splurge for the ocean-view suites.