5 Great Barbados Hotels
I was going to call this article the “Five Best Barbados Hotels”, but then decided that “best” is subjective, and there are many great hotels in Barbados. So I decided on “Five Great Barbados Hotels.”
Each hotel is unique and if you stay in any one of them I’m sure you’ll be more than satisfied.
1 Crane Beach Hotel
After landing at Grantley Adams airport take the road less traveled and drive east, you will come to a place that just may be paradise. At the end of a long drive, and sitting above the famous Crane Beach, a beach that Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous recognizes as one of the ten best beaches in the world, is the first hotel I ever stayed at in Barbados.
The Crane Beach Hotel is a grand coral mansion, with the main villa dating from 1790 and the resort itself, the oldest continuously operating resort in the Caribbean, dating back to 1887!
Luxurious, but laid-back, the Crane’s rooms and suites feature four poster mahogany beds, marble bathrooms, coral walls, and balconies overlooking the Atlantic ocean. If you can drag yourself away from the luxury of your room, just a few steps away you’ll find L’Azure. White tablecloths, candlelight and a soft guitar complement culinary delights prepared by its Michelin starred chef.
If you prefer something a little more exotic, head over to Zen, where the Thai and Japanese chefs serve Sushi, while you sit in front of a wall of glass and watch the sea pounding against the rocks 50 feet below. Or, if you just can’t pull yourself away from your room, you can order breakfast served on your own private balcony.
If you don’t ever want to leave, and you certainly won’t be the first, you can now take ownership of the recently developed residences. Own a week, a month, or outright and with less than seven residences per acre, and more than half a mile of beautiful oceanfront, you may never leave this tropical oasis again.
2 The Bougainvillea Beach Resort
The Bougainvillea Beach Resort is the second Barbados hotel I ever stayed at. It is a luxurious, oceanfront all-suite resort, with 138 spacious suites, featuring studios, one and two-bedroom deluxe suites and penthouse apartments. It sits in a stunning location on one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, landscaped with lagoon pools, cascading waterfalls and lush gardens.
3 Fairmont Royal Pavilion
The Fairmont Royal Pavilion is one of my favorite Barbados hotels. Fairmont always manage to create hotels that are elegant but still friendly. The hotel is primarily a couples resort during the high season (November 1 to April 30). Children are welcome May 1 to October 31. Each of the 72 oceanfront rooms are decorated in a relaxed Caribbean style, with private patios or terraces. There is also a three-bedroom villa hidden in the lush gardens.
Sitting on a beautiful beach, the hotel feels like a luxurious estate home, blending old world charm with modern conveniences, you won’t be disappointed if you stay here.
4 The Barbados Hilton Hotel
A five star resort with 350 ocean-view rooms. All rooms have private balconies, separate shower units, high-speed Internet access, and cable TV. The hotel is built on the Needham’s Point peninsula and has two great beaches. A large swimming pool and whirlpool complex, fitness centre, three tennis courts, and a ‘Kidz’ paradise club make this a great place for families. The resort has a number of restaurants and bars, ranging from beach bar to gourmet restaurant.
I stayed in the old hotel, which has been demolished. The old hotel left a lot to be desired but the beaches were spectacular. The beaches remain the same, and now the hotel is as impressive as the beaches.
5 Little Arches
I can’t think of a better place for a romantic getaway than Little Arches. This privately owned ten-room boutique hotel is an adult-only hideaway just steps from Miami Beach. King-size beds and air-conditioning is standard, and the oceanfront suites feature private oversized whirlpool spas and terracotta terraces.
Meals are served in-room, poolside or alfresco in the rooftop restaurant. The hotel’s Cafe Luna is the top rated Zagat choice for best hotel dining experience, number one rated Mediterranean food and number 3 pick for best food overall in Barbados for 2006/7.