Barbados - Come, See, Believe

I was very lucky to get invited to spend five nights in Barbados with a group of Travel Counsellors recently. I flew from Gatwick with British Airways in economy the flight was nine hours on the outbound flight.

For the first two nights we were staying in Turtle Beach which is an all-inclusive hotel situated on the South coast. Approaching the hotel it is clear to see you have a lot of places to venture outside the hotel. On entering the hotel it has a very relaxing vibe. Our first evening was a hosted meal in the hotel. The service and food standards were really good in the hotel and the Bajan music was an excellent way to unwind after a long flight. It was a great relaxing first evening and nice welcome to the island. The hotel is situated right on a sandy beach where the sea turtles go to lay their eggs. From our room you could clearly see the turquoise waters and hear the gentle sound of the ocean.

After breakfast we were going on an excursion to Harrison's cave which is a cave home to crystallized limestone it is really breathtaking. The tour we did was a great way to explore the cave confidently inside a tram with an informative guide. A nice way to cool down and have a memorable experience.

We then visited St Nicholas Abbey which is located in the parish of St Peter for a tour and lunch. It is a great trip and the mansion is very well preserved and has beautiful landscaped gardens - it really is very pretty. We were able to take in all the building features, furniture and admire the abbey before lunch and rum tasting. They still grind the sugar cane as they did 300 years ago and the rum is available to sample and purchase if you are looking for that extra special purchase.

On the afternoon I did a site inspection of Turtle Beach then headed to Sea Breeze for a hosted dinner, for more excellent food.

The following day we headed to Sandpiper which is one of the most exclusive small hotels in the West Indies. Walking into this hotel is incredible - the relaxed atmosphere is very tranquil and it instantly makes you feel you are in paradise. The beach is truly beautiful and the hotel offers lots of charm. This hotel was one of my personal favourites out of all the hotels we visited and if I was to return I would want to stay here. It is paradise and you can see the staff really go all out for every guest to make everyone have a memorable stay. The excellent sun loungers looked very inviting and rooms all looked lovely, it is safe to say I did not want to leave.

We then headed to the Coral Reef for site inspections. It is safe to say this is also a true five star hotel with classic Caribbean charm. Spectacular gardens and very nice comfortable rooms. The afternoon tea is a hot topic here.

We then travelled to the Fairmont for a site inspection and lunch. The first thing that wows you is the sea view as soon as you enter the hotel it is magnificent. Every room at this hotel has the ocean view. The fishcakes were to die for very tasty food.

Later that day we checked in at our next hotel Waves which was our home for the next three nights. Waves has recently been refurbished and is all-inclusive. Our sea view room was stunning and the hotel is very trendy, modern and again has a relaxing feel on entering and you are greeted with a gorgeous ocean view. We were able to sample the spa and I opted for a massage which did not disappoint.

The following day included a site inspection of Waves and Crystal Cove. Crystal Cove has the best pool bar and cave I have ever seen in a hotel. A lovely family atmosphere in this hotel.

We then headed into Bridgetown for a catamaran cruise. We were able to relax while the catamaran sailed to a couple of spots to snorkel and have the chance to swim with the turtles. I cannot express how brilliant the catamaran cruise was, it really was great fun. The Bajan music and food really gave you a taste of Barbados the local Bajan's looking after us on the catamaran were so friendly and the catamaran was spotless super clean.

Another day in paradise included the Atlantis submarine dive to see and explore the underwater world. We even saw another glimpse of the turtles. We later headed to Mount Gay for a tour and chance to sample the rum I opted for a rum punch which is more my drink and did not disappoint.

We later visited Colony club for a site inspection a great retreat on the west coast. Sadly we did not get to sample the jazz and lobster evenings but I know they are a big hit with the guests. The location is superb very close to Holetown.

Next was the Tamarind hotel for a site inspection. The atmosphere was more bustling than any other hotel we visited and had an all-round appeal for couples and families.

We then visited The House where we had a hosted dinner. It was very chic and for adults only. This was another favourite of mine. The hotel was very elegant and the service was superb. With only 34 rooms it is perfect for a very special holiday.

The last day is finally here so just a few hours to relax before heading to the airport. I decided to stay at the hotel and appreciate the ocean and beautiful beach and relax.

From the trip I got to see first-hand why the island is so popular with everyone, it really does offer something for everyone. Lots of water sports are on offer and for food lovers it is excellent. If you want to explore the nightlife, St Lawrence Gap is the place to go but as it is a tiny island it is easy to get around no matter where you stay. Some of the Elegant hotels I visited offered a little boat transfer between the hotels on the west coast.

Barbados is a luxury destination with many hotels to choose from. I hope from my photos you get a little taste of the island and if you have any questions or are planning a trip to Barbados please get in touch as I would love to help you. With Sandals as another option and big names such as beaches and Hyatt coming in 2018 this is a destination that is a safe choice to get that very special luxury holiday.