I’ve been wanting to go to Barbados for years and when the chance got here up a few months in the past, I didn’t have time to analysis inns and resorts. We lucked out thanks to some contacts I made by means of my years at IMM and the New York Instances Journey Present who knew the lay of the land, so to talk, and really helpful just a few nice choices. We stayed at one of many Ocean Resorts properties and dined at others. We additionally hung out on a number of of the properties’ seashores and of their swimming pools. Let’s have a look.
02 Seashore Membership & Spa
Ocean Resorts in Barbados has three properties positioned on the South Coast. Though they’re a brief drive from one another, they couldn’t be extra completely different. We cherished our expertise at 02 Seashore Membership & Spa, which affords an all-inclusive expertise the place you keep in conventional rooms or one or two-bedroom suites. Under is among the important swimming pools that winds round a few of the rooms in addition to a swim-up bar, which was fairly enjoyable. On the finish of the pool, you’ve sweeping views of the seashore and ocean past.
On the next degree, there’s a smaller pool that’s fairly unique and for adults solely. There’s a bar on this degree and a contented hour interval which is at all times a enjoyable expertise.
Under is a view of the seashore in entrance of the property – we each walked and swam right here and did I point out that we additionally sipped on Pina Coladas all afternoon as properly?
The property has 1,000 ft of a powder-white seashore, 130 Luxurious Rooms and Suites together with swim-up rooms, three swimming pools, two of that are grownup solely, six eating choices (each indoor and outside), and 7 bars (two swim-ups, one on the roof deck (above) and one late-night one). There’s additionally a full-service spa which we tried, whirlpool tubs, and an Eighth-floor roof deck terrace (additionally above), a teen lounge, and a 24-hour fitness center.
Under, children participate in an arts and crafts class outdoors going through the seashore.
Of their Luxurious Assortment, there are trendy, spacious Junior Suites for adults solely, with beautiful ocean views, king mattress or double queen configurations, designer touches and candy facilities. These are positioned by the adult-only river pool and swim-up bar. Of their Concierge Assortment, there are one and two-bedroom suites with ocean-front views, and add-ons resembling spa remedies, personalised grocery service and unique Masterclasses for these concerned with studying. Under is certainly one of their extra elaborate choices.
Under is one other room type on the property . . . a bit of smaller however nonetheless pretty and an excellent choice for a pair.
Downstairs within the informal sitting space between eating places.
Drinks are a part of the bundle, entry to eating at any of their eating places and non-motorized watersports. Additionally they have a complimentary shuttle at their Sea Breeze Seashore Home property and golf. We sampled meals and drinks at two of their eating places. The alternatives embody Parts, which affords an excellent mimosa breakfast, in addition to themed menus from across the globe for lunch and dinner; Oro, which is their fine-dining expertise with a classic trendy type and beautiful views from the ninth flooring, Bluefin (the place we had lunch), which affords an off-the-cuff open-air beachside grill and pizza oven, and Brisa, which has a comfy, nautically themed rooftop tapas lounge with small bites and nice cocktails, superb rums and liqueurs, all with an incredible 270 diploma view.
Lastly, Oasis within the poolside lounge has specialty coffees, spiked mochas (YUM) and sweets. Additionally they supply a singular personalised expertise at their Chef’s Desk with rum or wine paring for {couples} or teams of as much as 12 for an unimaginable gastronomic occasion.
For extra info on the property together with methods to guide, visit their website. Remember to additionally learn our Barbados for Foodies article.
The Crane Resort
Because the oldest repeatedly working resort within the Caribbean, The Crane Resort is all about luxurious. Their facilities vary from cascading cliff-top swimming pools and award-winning eating places to a child’s membership and Crane Seashore, which we had been advised is slated to be one of the crucial lovely seashores on this planet.
That is the infamous seashore we famous above and I’ve to confess, it was spectacular. We didn’t need to depart.
They boast 5 swimming pools, certainly one of which is called the Cliff Pool Complicated, a 1.5-acre cascading pool space that features a youngsters’s wading pool, a waterfall pool, and an alfresco Jacuzzi spa pool. Different choices are extra hidden should you like, with extra privateness.
They’ve personal swimming pools as properly, nook tower plunge swimming pools; ground-floor swimming pools of as much as 28 ft, many with an infinity edge and breathtaking ocean views; or 12-foot swimming pools in penthouse suites with rooftop backyard decks. Wow, proper?
Personal Pool. Courtesy of The Crane.
There’s additionally the adult-only Historic Pool. This one is all about tranquility and rest and it’s framed by a row of basic Doric columns, and constructed proper on the cliff’s edge.
One other pool on the grounds beneath.
Here’s a bigger extra family-friendly pool.
And the way about this one? Breathtaking, proper?
We had been shifting round an excessive amount of so we didn’t have an opportunity to dine at this beautiful resort however they’ve each inside and out of doors seating choices. Romantic, decadent, elegant and stylish are all phrases to explain their eating places. There are eight choices in complete together with superb eating, cafes and bars.
They’ve rooms and suites. The type is way more conventional, as you’d count on from its historic previous. For instance, this 1,000-square-foot one-bedroom deluxe suite encompasses a spacious balcony overlooking lush tropical gardens, an artisan-crafted mahogany king mattress, outsized plush sofas, a fully-equipped granite kitchen, and a personal marble rest room with double self-importance.
One-bedroom suite. Photograph courtesy of The Crane.
As a result of there’s a lot historical past right here, it’s dramatic simply to stroll the grounds. Honestly, there’s a lot to soak up (or ought to I say, breathe in?)
Two thumbs up. For extra info, together with methods to guide, make sure to visit their website.
Sea Breeze Seashore Home
Additionally a part of the Ocean Resorts is the Sea Breeze Seashore Home on the South Coast. The resort is located on an attractive seashore and has a beautiful pool, sundecks, and jacuzzis. We didn’t keep on the property, however we did spend time right here, together with an extended, leisurely dinner at their best outside eating restaurant adopted by dancing to stay music, cocktails and occasional.
Photograph courtesy of Sea Breeze Seashore Home.
The principle seashore is spectacular. We walked alongside this white sand gem after which had cocktails within the afternoon earlier than dinner.
Pure luxurious proper? Photograph courtesy of Sea Breeze Seashore Home.
Providing over 1,000 ft of white, sandy seashore which is nice for swimming, it’s located on the south coast. You’ll be able to select from two seashores relying in your temper – one is nice for watersports and adjoins the household pool and the opposite one is a little more secluded whenever you’d prefer to get some relaxation or learn a guide.
View of the property from the water. Photograph courtesy of Sea Breeze Seashore Home
Like its sister property 02B Seashore Membership & Spa, Breeze Seashore Home is an all-inclusive resort, however extra boutique in type. You’ll be able to lounge about at certainly one of three swimming pools on the property, together with an adults-only pool and whirlpool tubs. Sure, please. There’s an all-inclusive poolside drink service as properly with completely fabulous cocktail choices.
View of the pool and ocean past. Photograph courtesy of Sea Breeze Seashore Home
Right here, there are 122 rooms in two classes: 78 Basic Assortment rooms and 44 luxurious suites, all embellished in a recent Caribbean type. They’ve hardwood flooring with a method that brings within the ocean vibe and the encompassing gardens. There are 4 bars, six eating experiences, 4 of which supply ocean views, weekly rum tastings, and nightly leisure with dancing below the celebrities, the latter of which we skilled one evening till fairly late.
Their Basic Assortment rooms are located in three places throughout the property and so they are available 4 completely different room classes. All Basic Assortment rooms have air con, ceiling followers, coated personal balconies, flatscreen TVs, massive loos that includes a calming rainfall bathe, premium linens, safes, iPod docking stations, and mini-fridges. Their Luxurious Assortment, additionally known as the Mahogany Suites, consists of very spacious choices with nice ocean views.
One of many room choices. Photograph courtesy of Sea Breeze Seashore Home.
The rooms supply upgraded furnishings and facilities, luxurious loos, and complimentary privilege inclusions resembling a pre-stocked mini bar, nightly turndown service on request, complimentary seashore bag, upgraded in-room espresso service, and a personalised concierge service.
Their 1,200-square-foot two-bedroom suite is made up of 2-interconnecting Oceanfront Junior Suites. They every have an en-suite rest room and are nice for households wishing to remain collectively. There are two spacious furnished balconies as properly . . . nice for sipping your morning espresso over a spectacular view of the ocean beneath.
A two-bedroom suite. Photograph courtesy of Sea Breeze Seashore Home
There’s additionally a vibrant children and teenage program, watersports, health room, seashore actions program, separate assembly room, a personalised concierge service for specialised teams, weddings and occasions.
The property is taken into account a really perfect location since it’s close to a bunch of South Coast sights together with St. Lawrence Hole (nice for nightlife), Oistins Fish Fry (meant to be superb though we didn’t have an opportunity to attempt it), Barbados Golf Membership, the Concorde expertise and extra. For extra info, together with methods to guide, visit their website.
South Seashore Resort
We stayed at a boutique property known as South Seashore Resort, which is an all-suite resort nestled alongside Barbados‘ South Coast. BTW, it is usually a part of the Ocean Resorts group. We love how handy the placement was — solely a stone’s throw from Rockley Seashore, which is famous to be one of many nicest seashores on the island. There are three completely different classes: Junior Suites and one or two-bed room Suite choices. This 4-star, 49-room property is oozing with a “retro stylish” décor and ambiance. That mentioned, it’s present process a renovation so later this yr, you’ll be seeing new type adjustments to the property, inside and outside.
Retro Stylish Design. Courtesy of South Seashore Barbados.
Breakfast is included together with your keep and there’s additionally a full suite of concierge providers that can assist you throughout your keep. There’s a pool in entrance of the resort going through the road but it surely has a number of cushioned loungers, poolside food and drinks service.
Strolling by means of the property. Courtesy of South Seashore Barbados.
Let’s check out the type of a few of the rooms.
The bed room space. Courtesy of South Seashore Barbados.
The suite space. Bear in mind, all choices are suites right here. Courtesy of South Seashore Barbados.
Bogs. Courtesy of South Seashore Barbados.
Outdoors by the pool space. Our room wasn’t prepared once we first arrived, so we hung out across the pool swimming and ingesting Pina Coladas.
The lounge chairs across the pool. Above and beneath, images courtesy of South Seashore Barbados.
The pool space. Courtesy of South Seashore Barbados.
The on-site restaurant features a continental breakfast buffet on a regular basis, with contemporary fruit, yogurt, sizzling or chilly cereals, candy and savory pastries, and an assortment of bread, cheese, jams, jellies, espresso, tea and juices.
Contained in the on-site restaurant. Courtesy of South Seashore Barbados.
The beneath photographs provide you with an thought of the entrance of the resort.
Entrance of the resort. Courtesy of South Seashore Barbados.
The pool going through the pool. Courtesy of South Seashore Barbados.
There’s additionally complimentary WiFi, a health room, and onsite spa providers. All rooms have kitchen services as properly as coated balconies overlooking the pool deck and restaurant lounge, lots of which have ocean views as properly. Close by is the South Coast boardwalk the place there’s a wide range of bars and eating places to select from on any given day or evening. And as famous above, Rockley Seashore is throughout the road, the place you may go for lengthy walks and swim, which we did 3 times throughout our keep.
For extra info, together with methods to guide, visit their website.
ECO Life-style & Lodge
Lastly, for one thing a bit of completely different, there’s an excellent choice for individuals who are into sustainability and eco-friendly properties. Meet the ECO Life-style & Lodge, which sadly we didn’t have an opportunity to go to throughout our keep. We’d like to assessment it on a future journey. Positioned in Tent Bay, Bathsheba, this place is tucked away and really a lot off the crushed path.
Certainly one of their suites (picture courtesy of the ECO Life-style & Lodge)
Overlooking the dramatic seascape of the East Coast, ECO Life-style & Lodge, which was as soon as known as Sea-U Visitor Home, was based by two New Yorkers. It’s extra rustic on the outside though their rooms and suites are tastefully and elegantly finished.
For extra info together with methods to guide an choice with them, visit their site.
Different Sources
Renee Blodgett is the founding father of We Blog the World. The positioning combines the magic of a web based tradition and journey journal with a world weblog community and has contributors from each continent on this planet. Having lived in 10 nations and explored almost 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural variety.
She can also be the CEO and founding father of Magic Sauce Media, a brand new media providers consultancy centered on viral advertising, social media, branding, occasions and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped firms from 12 nations get traction out there. Recognized for her international and natural method to product and company launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an energetic person of social media, she helps purchasers navigate digital waters from around the globe. Renee has been running a blog for over 16 years and commonly writes on her private weblog Down the Avenue, Huffington Submit, BlogHer, We Weblog the World and different websites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Journal and is listed as a brand new media influencer and recreation changer on varied websites and books on the brand new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed because the sixth most influential girl in social media by Forbes Journal on a Prime 20 Record.
Her ardour for artwork, storytelling and images led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visible extension of her writing, the results of which has led to producing six picture books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee can also be the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to different nations to share and study from friends, governments, firms, and most people with a purpose to educate, share, consider, and promote modern applied sciences.
