We just returned from a wonderful stay in Barbados, where we were lucky enough to stay at three different hotels and tour many other resorts. Having the opportunity to actually experience the hotels, beaches and different areas of the island gives us so much more insight when helping our clients decide where they should stay.
Barbados is located in the West Indies and is known for its beautiful beaches, welcoming culture and, of course, rum! One of the things that stood out to us during this trip was just how different the resorts are from one another. Whether you’re looking for all-inclusive, adults-oriented, family-friendly, boutique, quiet and relaxing, or a resort that lets you experience more of the local culture, Barbados has an option.
While we visited many hotels during our time on the island, here are a few that stood out to us.
O2 Beach Club & Spa
Our first few nights were spent at O2 Beach Club & Spa, an all-inclusive resort with 116 rooms. O2 has an adults-only pool and building for guests ages 16 and older, while other areas of the resort welcome families. The building that welcomes families have kitchens in the rooms.
One thing we really liked about O2 is that all of the rooms face into the property toward the pools and/or ocean—there are no garden-view rooms. The rooms were beautiful, the food was great, and we really enjoyed the nightly entertainment. We also loved sitting on the beach and watching the sunset.
The staff was extremely friendly, and there are shops and restaurants within walking distance if you want to venture off property.
We think O2 is a great fit for someone who doesn’t want a huge, sprawling resort but also isn’t looking for an extremely small boutique property. It was easy to navigate, had plenty to do, and still felt relaxing.
Hilton Barbados Resort
We then stayed at the Hilton Barbados Resort, which is a family-friendly European Plan property, meaning food and drinks are not included.
This is a larger resort with 342 rooms, and every room has a water view overlooking either the ocean or the bay. There are two pools plus a children’s pool. The resort offers kids’ activities but does not have a dedicated kids club. Non-motorized water sports are included.
The hotel has been open since 2005 and has more of a familiar American-style resort feel. This could be a good option for travelers who like the amenities and familiarity of a larger hotel and want the flexibility to explore Barbados and its restaurants rather than stay at an all-inclusive.
Royalton Vessence Barbados
Another property with more of an American-style resort feel is Royalton Vessence Barbados, a newer resort that opened on June 1st.
The resort has 220 rooms and has a strong focus on wellness. It is adult-oriented rather than adults-only, so it caters primarily to an adult traveler while still allowing younger guests.
It’s a beautiful property with two pools, and non-motorized water sports are included. For travelers who prefer a newer, contemporary resort with a focus on wellness, this is one to consider.
The Rockley
Many of the resorts in Barbados are smaller boutique properties, and The Rockley is a great example.
With just 49 rooms, this property offers a very different experience from the larger resorts. If you want more of a Bajan experience, this could be the place for you.
We see The Rockley as a great fit for travelers who don’t plan to spend their entire vacation at their resort. Instead, they want a comfortable home base while getting out and experiencing the culture, restaurants, beaches and people of Barbados.
Island Inn Hotel
Island Inn Hotel is another small property with just 24 rooms. It’s all-inclusive and located a short walk from the beach.
The property also has an interesting history. One of the buildings dates back to 1804 and was originally used for rum storage before the property was eventually transformed into a hotel.
This is a resort we would recommend for travelers looking for peace, quiet and a smaller, more intimate experience.
Sugar Bay Barbados
For families looking for an all-inclusive experience, Sugar Bay Barbados is another option.
The beachfront resort opened in 2015 and has 139 rooms, four restaurants, five bars and even a late-night club. There are two pools, including one with a swim-up bar, and non-motorized water sports are included.
There is also a kids club, making this one of the properties we visited that could work particularly well for families who want the convenience of an all-inclusive vacation.
Mango Bay Resort
Mango Bay Resort has been welcoming guests since 1994 and has just 67 rooms. Located directly on the beach, it has one restaurant, one bar and live entertainment every night.
This is another property that we think works best for someone looking to relax rather than needing a huge list of restaurants, pools and activities.
What stood out to us here was the atmosphere. It had a family feel, and the managers seemed to really know their guests. For some travelers, that personal touch is exactly what they’re looking for.
Colony Club
Marriott also has several properties on the island, including Colony Club, a 96-room beachfront resort.
One of the things we loved most about Colony Club was how lush the property felt. The grounds were beautiful, and we especially loved the pools and the swim-out rooms.
The resort has two restaurants and is also home to The Rum Vault, where guests can book experiences for an additional fee, including rum tastings, private dinners and mixology classes.
If you love beautiful tropical landscaping and a resort that feels more intimate, Colony Club is definitely one we would consider.
Sandals Royal Barbados/Sandals Barbados
Unfortunately, due to weather at home, we had to cut our trip short and weren’t able to visit the Sandals properties as planned. However, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention them, as we’ve had many happy clients stay at both Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados over the years. While we weren’t able to tour them on this trip, they remain popular options for travelers looking for an adults-only, all-inclusive experience in Barbados.
There’s More to Barbados Than the Resorts
While these are just a handful of the resorts we visited, one of our biggest takeaways was that there really is a resort for every type of traveler in Barbados.
But we also think getting off the resort is an important part of experiencing this island.
We visited George Washington House, the only place George Washington ever stayed outside of what is now the United States. He traveled to Barbados when he was 19 years old and stayed on the island for seven weeks.
Another stop was Hunte’s Gardens, a beautiful and tranquil tropical garden tucked into the hills of St. Joseph. The gardens are the vision of horticulturist Anthony Hunte, who transformed a natural sinkhole into an incredible sanctuary filled with lush tropical plants. It was such a peaceful and unique place to visit.
We visited Harrison’s Cave, where a tram took us deep underground through an incredible crystallized limestone cave system. But there’s much more to do there than just the cave. The property also has a bird sanctuary, zip lining, a pool, shops and places to grab food, making it easy to spend several hours there.
We also toured the island and were able to see how different the various coasts and towns can be. Depending on where you stay, your experience of Barbados can feel completely different.
And, of course, no visit to Barbados would be complete without learning about rum! Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum, so we visited Mount Gay, which dates back to 1703 and is known as the world’s oldest continuously running rum distillery.
Our Takeaway From Barbados
What did we take away from our time in Barbados?
The people are incredibly welcoming. The island is beautiful. The resorts are diverse. And there truly is something for just about every type of traveler.
This is also exactly why we believe firsthand travel experience matters. Reading about a resort online can tell us how many rooms or restaurants it has, but being there allows us to experience the atmosphere, see the beach and rooms for ourselves, understand the location and get a much better feel for who would…and wouldn’t…be happy staying there.
That’s the knowledge we bring home with us and use when helping our clients plan their vacations.
Ready to start planning your Barbados vacation?
Schedule a complimentary consultation today and let’s create a vacation that’s perfectly tailored to you. ✈️💛
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