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 resorts and resorts. We lucked out thanks to some contacts I made via my years at IMM and the New York Occasions 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 frolicked on a number of of the properties’ seashores and of their swimming pools. Let’s have a look.
02 Seaside Membership & Spa
Ocean Resorts in Barbados have three properties situated on the South Coast. Though they’re a brief drive from one another, they couldn’t be extra totally different. We beloved our expertise at 02 Seaside Membership & Spa, which presents an all-inclusive expertise the place you keep in conventional rooms or one or two-bedroom suites. Under is likely one of the important swimming pools that winds round among the rooms in addition to a swim-up bar, which was fairly enjoyable. On the finish of the pool, you’ve got sweeping views of the seaside and ocean past.
On the next stage, there’s a smaller pool that’s fairly unique and for adults solely. There’s a bar on this stage and a contented hour interval which is all the time a enjoyable expertise.
Under is a view of the seaside 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 effectively?
The property has 1,000 ft of a powder-white seaside, 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 gymnasium.
Under, youngsters participate in an arts and crafts class outdoors dealing with the seaside.
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 situated 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 corresponding to spa remedies, personalised grocery service and unique Masterclasses for these involved in studying. Under is one among their extra elaborate choices.
Under is one other room type on the property . . . a little bit 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 package deal, entry to eating at any of their eating places and non-motorized watersports. In addition they have a complimentary shuttle at their Sea Breeze Seaside Home property and golf. We sampled meals and drinks at two of their eating places. The alternatives embrace Components, which presents 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 ground, Bluefin (the place we had lunch), which presents 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 a tremendous 270 diploma view.
Lastly, Oasis within the poolside lounge has specialty coffees, spiked mochas (YUM) and sweets. In addition they provide a novel personalised expertise at their Chef’s Desk with rum or wine paring for {couples} or teams of as much as 12 for an unbelievable gastronomic occasion.
For extra data on the property together with learn how to e book, go to their web site. Remember to additionally learn our Barbados for Foodies article.
The Crane Resort
Because the oldest constantly working lodge 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 Seaside, which we had been advised is slated to be some of the stunning seashores on the planet.
That is the infamous seaside we famous above and I’ve to confess, it was spectacular. We didn’t need to go away.
They boast 5 swimming pools, one among 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 when you like, with extra privateness.
They’ve personal swimming pools as effectively, 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?
Non-public 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 traditional 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 outdoors 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 lavatory with double vainness.
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 absorb (or ought to I say, breathe in?)
Two thumbs up. For extra data, together with learn how to e book, make sure you go to their web site.
Sea Breeze Seaside Home
Additionally a part of the Ocean Resorts is the Sea Breeze Seaside Home on the South Coast. The lodge is located on a fantastic seaside and has a beautiful pool, sundecks, and jacuzzis. We didn’t keep on the property, however we did spend time right here, together with a protracted, leisurely dinner at their most interesting outside eating restaurant adopted by dancing to dwell music, cocktails and occasional.
Photograph courtesy of Sea Breeze Seaside Home.
The primary seaside 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 Seaside Home.
Providing over 1,000 ft of white, sandy seaside which is nice for swimming, it’s located on the south coast. You may 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 once you’d wish to get some relaxation or learn a e book.
View of the property from the water. Photograph courtesy of Sea Breeze Seaside Home
Like its sister property 02B Seaside Membership & Spa, Breeze Seaside Home is an all-inclusive resort, however extra boutique in type. You may lounge about at one among 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 effectively with completely fabulous cocktail choices.
View of the pool and ocean past. Photograph courtesy of Sea Breeze Seaside Home
Right here, there are 122 rooms in two classes: 78 Basic Assortment rooms and 44 luxurious suites, all adorned in a up to date 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 totally different room classes. All Basic Assortment rooms have air con, ceiling followers, coated personal balconies, flatscreen TVs, massive loos that includes a soothing 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 Seaside Home.
The rooms provide upgraded furnishings and facilities, luxurious loos, and complimentary privilege inclusions corresponding to a pre-stocked mini bar, nightly turndown service on request, complimentary seaside bag, upgraded in-room espresso service, and a customized 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 lavatory and are nice for households wishing to remain collectively. There are two spacious furnished balconies as effectively . . . nice for sipping your morning espresso over a spectacular view of the ocean beneath.
A two-bedroom suite. Photograph courtesy of Sea Breeze Seaside Home
There’s additionally a vibrant youngsters and teenage program, watersports, health room, seaside actions program, separate assembly room, a customized concierge service for specialised teams, weddings and occasions.
The property is taken into account a perfect location since it’s close to a bunch of South Coast points of interest together with St. Lawrence Hole (nice for nightlife), Oistins Fish Fry (meant to be wonderful though we didn’t have an opportunity to attempt it), Barbados Golf Membership, the Concorde expertise and extra. For extra data, together with learn how to e book, go to their web site.
South Seaside Lodge
We stayed at a boutique property referred to as South Seaside Lodge, which is an all-suite lodge nestled alongside Barbados‘ South Coast. BTW, it’s also a part of the Ocean Resorts group. We love how handy the situation was — solely a stone’s throw from Rockley Seaside, which is famous to be one of many nicest seashores on the island. There are three totally 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 12 months, you’ll be seeing new type adjustments to the property, in and out.
Retro Stylish Design. Courtesy of South Seaside Barbados.
Breakfast is included along with your keep and there’s additionally a full suite of concierge providers that will help you throughout your keep. There’s a pool in entrance of the lodge dealing with the road however it has a lot of cushioned loungers, poolside foods and drinks service.
Strolling via the property. Courtesy of South Seaside Barbados.
Let’s check out the type of among the rooms.
The bed room space. Courtesy of South Seaside Barbados.
The suite space. Keep in mind, all choices are suites right here. Courtesy of South Seaside Barbados.
Loos. Courtesy of South Seaside Barbados.
Outdoors by the pool space. Our room wasn’t prepared after we first arrived, so we frolicked across the pool swimming and consuming Pina Coladas.
The lounge chairs across the pool. Above and beneath, photographs courtesy of South Seaside Barbados.
The pool space. Courtesy of South Seaside 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 Seaside Barbados.
The beneath photographs offer you an thought of the entrance of the lodge.
Entrance of the lodge. Courtesy of South Seaside Barbados.
The pool dealing with the pool. Courtesy of South Seaside Barbados.
There’s additionally complimentary WiFi, a health room, and onsite spa providers. All rooms have kitchen services as effectively as coated balconies overlooking the pool deck and restaurant lounge, lots of which have ocean views as effectively. Close by is the South Coast boardwalk the place there’s quite a lot of bars and eating places to select from on any given day or evening. And as famous above, Rockley Seaside is throughout the road, the place you possibly can go for lengthy walks and swim, which we did thrice throughout our keep.
For extra data, together with learn how to e book, go to their web site.
ECO Life-style & Lodge
Lastly, for one thing a little bit totally different, there’s an excellent choice for many 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 evaluate it on a future journey. Situated in Tent Bay, Bathsheba, this place is tucked away and really a lot off the crushed path.
One in all 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 referred to 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 performed.
For extra data together with learn how to e book an choice with them, go to their website.
Different Sources
Renee Blodgett is the founding father of We Weblog 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 the 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 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 available in the market. Recognized for her world and natural method to product and company launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an lively consumer of social media, she helps shoppers navigate digital waters from world wide. Renee has been running a blog for over 16 years and frequently 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 numerous websites and books on the brand new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed because the sixth most influential lady in social media by Forbes Journal on a Prime 20 Checklist.
Her ardour for artwork, storytelling and pictures led to the launch of Magic Sauce Images, 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.
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