Barbados Break
So, as a Caribbean specialist and lover of all things surrounded by water, I thought I’d share with you some thoughts on one of my favourite Caribbean islands. This was my 4th visit to Barbados and as with most Caribbean islands, there are two distinctly different coastlines with the main concentration of hotels located on the west, which enjoys the calm waters of the Caribbean. The east coast is bordered by the Atlantic, which I will come to later.
March is a great time to travel as the Caribbean enjoys high temperatures year-round and it was warm and dry with very little rain. I have travelled to the Caribbean at various times of the year and whilst these are tropical islands, they do endure some rain at times although on every visit any rain has never bothered us as the sun soon comes out!
We were lucky enough to stay at the beautiful 5* Colony Club, located just north of Holetown on the west coast which is the island’s main tourist hotspot. Set in stunningly beautiful gardens and located directly on a white sandy beach bordered with turquoise waters, this lovely property offers very high standards, excellent dining choices and an array or water sports are included as well as a selection of motorised options. I took advantage of this and attempted to water ski which I can confirm is much harder than it looks!
There are number of hotels on the island that cater for all travellers, from family friendly to all inclusive, as well as self-catering options along with a great selection of private villas in case you’re planning a multi-generational trip. We had some meals included but not all and I would recommend this as there are some amazing world class restaurants available to enjoy across the island.
During our stay we hired a jeep as the locals drive on the left so it’s easy to get out and about and explore. I would certainly recommend this for at least a day as the contrast between the east and west coasts is dramatic. The stunning scenery that awaited us when we drove down Cherry Tree Hill was breath-taking, with amazing views out towards the much rougher coastline bordered by the Atlantic. It’s not possible to safely swim on the east coast due to the currents, although the famous ‘Soup Bowl’ is a fabulous spot near Bathsheba recommended for keen surfers. It was like stepping back in time when compared to the hotels and restaurants offered on the west coast, so well worth a visit to see a different side to the island.
We also enjoyed an amazing meal at chic restaurant Lonestar to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Whilst eating out on the island isn’t cheap, (similar to London prices) the standards and choice really are excellent, and due to the stunning location right on the water’s edge at Alleyne’s Bay with the sound of the waves in the background this will be a meal Neil and I will remember for many years to come!
Another popular excursion is a catamaran trip and we weren’t disappointed with our choice. We spent a day on Seaduced where we enjoyed amazing hospitality and a stunning cruise up the west coast, looking out for some of the luxury hotels and restaurants that can be spotted from the water. During our trip we stopped for a snorkel and were lucky enough to be joined by 3 friendly hawksbill turtles which was amazing and a real highlight of our trip.
Barbados has lots more to offer with plenty of place to visit including historic sights, stunning coastline, sunsets to die for and pretty gardens, so why not consider it for a special trip? Hopefully this has whetted your appetite but please do get in touch if you’d like to know more!