Beautiful Barbados
We were met and driven to CORAL REEF HOTEL in St James Parish and WOW, myself and a colleague was given a 3 bedroom villa set amongst the gardens and a swimming pool which was shared by the other 2 villas next door. The hotel has 88 rooms, cottages and suites & is family owned. It is also part of the Small Luxury hotels of the World. Once settled in we started the evening with rum punch and a bbq by the sea which was fantastic. Just as I was about to call it a night 140 baby turtles were running all over the restaurant & staff was catching them to place them back on the beach. DID YOU KNOW – WHEN A TURTLE IS BORN AND SWIMS OFF INTO THE SEA, 30 YEARS LATER (IF IT SURVIVIES) COMES BACK TO THE SAME BEACH & HATCHES ITS CHILDREN…
Next morning off to visit the CORAL BEACH AND TREASURE BEACH HOTELS in St James Parish. Coral Beach was great, excellent facilities and a fantastic spa. We then moved to the Treasure Beach which is a small boutique hotel in need of a little upgrade.This hotel even though slightly tired does have repeat customers. That evening we were off to visit and dine at the amazing Sandy Lane. SANDY LANE St James Parish WAS ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS (didn’t get to see any celebrities though!!) The hotel was perfect nothing out of place and the service was outstanding. The spa was world class and nothing was too much trouble and everyone was so happy. We dined in the Bajan Blue Restaurant and the food was out of this world… DID YOU KNOW IF YOU PASS A GREEN GRASSHOPPER IT MEANS YOU HAVE WISDOM AND LUCK AND IF YOU PASS A BROWN GRASSHOPPER SOMEONES PREGNANT….
HOTEL SANDPIPER (sister hotel to the Coral Reef) nice stroll along the road to the Sandpiper. Lovely little hotel, 46 rooms and at present renovating the bathrooms in each room. You can dine between the 2 hotels. That afternoon we were picked up and taken to COBBLERS COVE for a visit and lunch. The chef is Irish and makes everything himself. The hotel is designed like an English Country House (the owner lives in England). This hotel is a member of the Prestigious Relais & Chateaux.
TAMARIND COVE AND THE HOUSE (St James Parish). The Tamarind Cove was nice and has been recently renovated and it has a big programme for children & you can interconnect up to 4 rooms. The HOUSE is very different and is Adult Only. With 33 rooms, their staff are called Amassadors who do everything from waitressing to concierge. That evening we ate at the FAMOUS DAPHNES which is situated between the Tamarind Cove and The House & famous for feeding Wayne Rooney and Mariah Carey back in the summer. For a 3 course meal you were looking at around £100 and £6 for a coke so not cheap but an experience!!! DID YOU KNOW SPEIGHTOWN IS THE TWIN TO BRISTOL UK AND THEY NOW CALL IT LITTLE BRISTOL – back in 1635.
FAIRMONT ROYAL PAVILLION in St James Parish is an American style hotel that has undergone a total refurbishment is Adult Only and a 5 minute drive from the Colony Club. The 72 rooms are excellent and my room was a suite on the front with your own veranda onto beach. The Evening meal we had was excellent and the chef is French and originally from the Plaza in New York.
COLONY CLUB (St Peters Parish) and met by the General Manager. The hospitality was exceptional and you could see it wasn’t just for us but the guests were treated the same. The one bedroom suites were excellent and they also had a seasonal childrens programme (no children allowed here in February.) This hotel is part of the Elegant Group.
Last day and travelled to the East Coast where not many visitors venture, 45 minutes from St James to St Philips and visited THE CRANE. The crane is well known for its spacious rooms and the property that has the most pools. The hotel also deals with lots of Timeshare properties where you can collect points and convert into room nights.
DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE 11 PARISHES IN BARBADOS AND 987 RUM SHOPS.
If you are interested in visiting Barbados or want any more information on the hotels mentioned please don’t hesitate to call.