Marriott Is Opening a New Barbados Luxury Resort With a Prime Stretch of Beach and Swim-Up Rooms 

It’s not a secret that Marriott has been deepening its all-inclusive footprint across the Caribbean in the last few years. One of the centerpieces of this push has been Barbados, a destination where Marriott actually kicked off its all-inclusive foray back in 2019 and where it’s been quietly revamping a host of luxury boutique resorts as all-inclusives. 

But the newest addition in Barbados is not actually an all-inclusive: it’s Colony Club, the most elegant of the former Elegant Hotels portfolio and one that will be reopening soon as the newest member of Marriott’s Luxury Collection. 

The new-look, EP plan (not all-inclusive) Colony Club, which is already taking bookings for Sept. 1, is a huge addition to the brand’s local portfolio and has always been one of my favorite places to stay in Barbados. 

The reimagined resort has gotten a makeover, from the rooms and suites to new dining concepts and a transformed spa. 

What You Need to Know about the New-Look Colony Club 

It’s always been a signature place to stay in Barbados, from the torch-lit beachfront dining to the absolutely lovely lobby bar. 

The food and beverage program is also great, including a very cool rum bar called the Rum Vault, with almost 200 different expressions and, unsurprisingly, a focus on local rums from Barbados like Mount Gay, St Nicholas Abbey and Foursquare. (For what it’s worth, I always recommend a trip to go see St Nicholas Abbey, which is one of the most memorable attractions in Barbados). 

What hasn’t changed? The prime stretch of Platinum Coast beachfront, the warm service and some of the best swim-up rooms on the whole island. 

What Rooms Cost at Colony Club 

Even better? The rates, which start at $419 per night, according to Marriott’s website. That gets yo a pool garden view with a king bed and a balcony. For a swim-up room, prices go up to $515 per night, a decidedly good value for some very cool, leafy, lazy-river style swim-up rooms with patios. I’d actually suggest booking these over one of the ocean-view rooms — they’re centrally located in the hotel and really just beautiful rooms where you walk right out both to the pool and to the wider resort.

It’s the “newest” Marriott in Barbados, but the only one now that’s not all-inclusive, joining a network of hotels that includes properties like The Waves and Treasure Beach (the latter a standout adults-only all-inclusive option.)

How to Get to Barbados 

Barbados has been increasingly popular with American travelers, and that’s thanks in part to growing airlift from the mainland to the Caribbean island. You can find cheap flight options here at Google Flights, including $489 on American Airlines from Miami in mid-September in time for the reopening.