If you’ve been to Barbados lately, you’ve seen just how much the island’s South Coast has been changing, a place we’ve dubbed its “capital of cool.” New resorts, fresh cafes, hip bars and a palpable sense of energy. 

The South Coast got another big boost with the launch of Ocean Hotel’s new O2 Beach Club, the hottest place to stay in the area, and now Ocean Hotels is at it again with a marvelous, colorful reimagining of the former South Beach Hotel. 

It’s called The Rockley, and the island’s newest boutique resort just opened its doors this week. 

The 49-room property is set in the Rockley Beach area, putting travelers right near the epicenter of Barbados’ entertainment headquarters, the nearby St Lawrence Gap. 

Patricia Affonso-Dass, CEO of Ocean Hotels, says the company “reimagined” the property as a “culture-rich hotel connecting our guests with the vibrant surrounding community.”

The hotel’s relaunch was led by Michelle Leotard of Barbados-based design firm Apple & Iron, with an aesthetic that’s all about local Bajan touches, from the island’s iconic “Bus Stop” signs to playful Bajan sayings on throw pillows in the rooms. 

The idea is a “trendy beach club vibe,” with a price point — rates starting at $250 — that’s instantly one of the island’s best values. 

The hotel has also launched a rather clever program called “Dine and Sign”; that lets guests at the hotel venture out to local restaurants – and sign their dinner charges right to their hotel bill. 

It’s another exciting property from Ocean Hotels (whose portfolio also includes the lovely Sea Breeze Beach House), and a big new boost for the Barbados hotel landscape. 

For more, visit The Rockley.