Barbados - Recommended Hotels

This superstar hotel ranks amongst the most famous in the Caribbean. It's elegant Palladian-style architecture is beautifully complimented by its setting on a prime west coast beach, whilst is recreational facilities are the envy of the tropics - a lagoon-style swimming pool with waterfall, a 47,000 sq. ft. spa, first-class tennis facilities and Tom Fazio-designed golf courses. The guest rooms and suites feature contemporary interiors and state-of-the-art comforts (including wall-mounted plasma TV screens, of course!), whilst the exceptional dining experience includes gourmet cuisine at L'Acajou and truly spectacular buffets at Bajan Blue.

112 guest rooms & suites. Also a 5-bedroom villa. Breakfast is included in the room rate, so guests are free to dine at nearby restaurants. Children are welcome year-round, with their own club.  Phone (+1) 246 444 2000, Fax (+1) 246 444 2222.

Privately-owned by the O'Hara family, this sprawling luxury hotel showcases both the traditional charms and inherent glamour of Barbados. Located amidst spectacular gardens on a popular west coast beach, the coral stone main house at its hub is flanked by a collection of delightful junior suites, stylish stand-alone cottages and luxurious designer suites with their own private plunge pools. The oceanfront restaurant serves classic French dishes combined with West Indian flavours, whilst the two swimming pools, fitness room and complimentary water sports mean plenty of sporting options. Coral Reef is as tasteful as it is personal.

88 rooms, cottages & suites. Half-board is compulsory in the high-season winter months only. Children are accepted year-round, except February.
Phone (+1) 246 422 2372, Fax (+1) 246 422 1776, Email: coral@caribsurf.com

A complete contrast to Barbados's traditional beach resorts, Villa Nova is a 19th century country estate hidden 250-metres above sea level in the rural parish of St. John. Once owned by Sir Anthony Eden, it was converted into a five-star hotel a few years ago and now displays the impeccable taste and innovative interiors of Nina Campbell. And whilst you could be forgiven for never wishing to leave its confines - its elegant swimming pool is now complemented by a 36,000 sq. ft. spa, whilst its stylish dining terrace serves impeccable Caribbean fusion cuisine - the east coast beaches can be reached in just 10-minutes and the west coast in half-an-hour.

28 suites. No meals are included in the room rate and car hire is recommended. Only children over 12 years are accepted.  Phone (+1) 246 433 1524, Fax (+1) 246 433 6363,
Email: info@villanovabarbados.com

Treasure Beach is a 29-room beachfront hotel that just keeps getting better and better. And now that the inimitable Hamish Watson is at the helm, this trend can only continue! Not only does this intimate hotel overlook one of the island's most popular west coast beaches, but its gardens are lush and tropical and its award-winning restaurant ranks as one of the island's finest. The 28 one-bedroom suites have recently been restyled to reflect contemporary trends, whilst the oversized Hemingway Suite is 1,000 sq.ft. of pure self-indulgence. Conveniently located close to fashionable restaurants and bars.

28 garden, pool & ocean suites. Stays here are on a no-meals basis. Children accepted from Easter until the end of October.
Phone (+1) 246 432 1346, Fax (+1) 246 432 1094

A hacienda-style resort with 72 elegant guest rooms opening right out onto the Caribbean Sea. And whilst their breathtaking views tend to have a mesmerising effect upon their occupants, there's also plenty of recreational choices to tempt them outside. These include a stylish swimming pool area, complimentary water sports and tennis, not to mention golf on the nearby Royal Westmoreland 18-hole course. Evenings are spent in the Moorish-style and very refined Palm Terrace restaurant, the international classics going very well with the ocean breezes and low-key island rhythms.

72 oceanview rooms & 2 villas. Stays here are on a no-meals basis, with various meal plans available. Children only accepted June to September.
Phone (+1) 246 422 5555, Fax (+1) 246 422 0118,
Email: royalpavillion@fairmont.com

Sister hotel to The Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Glitter Bay is an elegant resort designed more with families in mind. Originally the winter retreat of Sir Edward Cunard, the original Great House and Beach House at its heart are now flanked by Andalusian-style buildings housing the 66 guest rooms and suites. Tully's Kid's Club ensures younger guests are kept well entertained, with the swimming pool, free watersports and tennis, not to mention the shuttle to Royal Westmoreland golf course satisfying most adult requirements. Meals at the alfresco Piperade restaurant are complimented by exciting floorshows and live music.

66 rooms & suites. Stays here are on a no-meals basis, with various meal plans available. Children are accepted year-round.   Phone (+1) 246 422 5555,
Fax (+1) 246 422 1367, Email: glitterbay@fairmont.com