One of our favourite places to eat in Barbados is the legendary Sandy Lane, the grandest and most famous of the island’s resorts, which celebrated its 60th birthday in 2021 following extensive renovation work inside and outside its iconic pink Palladian-style buildings. Set on an ancient waterfront mahogany grove on the island’s Platinum Coast, it’s a glamorous celebrity magnet yet retains a laidback Caribbean charm, with super-friendly staff dispensing impeccable service.

Food is one of the highlights of any stay here, especially Bajan Blue’s popular weekly West Indies buffets, romantic L’Acajou with its French and Mediterranean fine dining on the beachfront, and The Country Club with its civilised golfer’s cream teas. As well as spacious rooms and suites with up to four bedrooms, there’s a five-bedroom villa, making Sandy Lane perfect for reunions with family or friends, including multigenerational holidays.

This family-run boutique hideaway opened in the 1970s and is now part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio. Its gorgeous restaurant is open on three sides to torchlit tropical gardens and surrounded by koi ponds. Expect eclectic food with a Caribbean flair from menus that change five times a week. Guests of The Sandpiper or its sister hotel The Coral Reef Club can exchange-dine. The latter’s ocean-view restaurant offers contemporary daily menus inspired by organic local produce, freshly caught fish and superb meats.

You can also enjoy a conservation-themed visit to the neighbouring Barbados Sea Turtle Project and head out on a deep-sea fishing expedition.

Old-school in feel, the Coral Reef Club is for those who love a country-house vibe and heartfelt hospitality. Rooms without TVs (except by request) set the tone and leave you free to enjoy the recuperative atmosphere and amenities, which include a divine colonial-inspired spa surrounded by waterfalls and greenery.

The elegant Coral Reef restaurant features daily changing à la carte menus, bringing a selection of fresh seafood and Caribbean-inspired dishes. Executive Chef, Hance Bannister, heads a team with experience in some of the finest European and Caribbean restaurants. Highlights of the menu include the ceviche of lobster starter which comes accompanied by compressed watermelon and a chili orange vinaigrette, and the filet mignon accompanied by béarnaise sauce.

In lush tropical gardens on one of the most gorgeous beaches on the island’s Platinum (west) Coast, this highly intimate, adult-only boutique hotel with its breezy suites – some with private plunge pool – encourages guests to engage with Bajan art, culture, cuisine and communities.

The hotel’s Taste of Elegance dine-around program allows you to expand your culinary horizons beyond its own excellent restaurant and sample more than 15 restaurants and bars at some of its sister hotels, to which there is a free water-taxi service. The on-site wine cellar welcomes you to join the expert sommelier to sample an extensive collection of wines from around the world, in an intimate setting.

If you’re looking to mark a special occasion in Barbados with a fitting meal, look no further than The Cliff. This water’s edge-island institution serves up two or three-course fine dining experiences created by Michelin Star chef Matt Worswick, toa soundtrack of the gently rolling waves of the Caribbean Sea.

À la carte options include chicken and foie gras terrine, beef tournedos Rossini, and red snapper bouillabaisse, while the sushi options include classics such as spicy tune rolls, chirashi maki rolls, and salmon sashimi. Post-dinner cocktails are brought to you by Delano Small and his expert team of mixologists, utilising premium spirits from around the globe.