Janine Kelso gets the latest on Barbados, including details of a refurbished Sandy Lane, some new hotels and tips on attractions and events
Almost half of all holidaymakers to Barbados are return visitors – a bigger proportion than any other destination. The island is a big hit with Brits thanks to its year-round sunshine, stunning beaches and wide choice of accommodation.
Efforts are under way to develop the island’s choice of luxurious bed-and-breakfast properties to cater for guests searching for an authentic experience.
Barbados minister of tourism Richard Sealy said: “We offer a number of sporting activities, such as polo, horse racing, swimming, tennis, football and cricket. The east coast is more rugged and is a world-recognised surfing hotspot.”
The revamped cricket ground Kensington Oval will play host to the third Test of the series – England v the West Indies – which begins on February 26 2009.
What’s new?
Celebrity favourite Sandy Lane has reopened following a multi-million pound five-week facelift. All guestrooms, public areas, spa and the Bajan Blue restaurant have been updated using top quality fabrics and furnishings.
The resort’s TVs have been replaced with 52” to 70” flat-screens. In guestrooms, the hi-tech NEOS system has been installed, featuring IT programmes, music and DVD libraries and internet via the TV screen.
Sandy Lane general manager Robert Logan said: “We are delighted to welcome guests back to Sandy Lane and are confident they will be thoroughly wowed by the improvements.”
Barbados’s newest hotel is the Almond Casuarina Beach Resort, which opened in May 2008. Set in 10 acres of tropical gardens and with 267 rooms, the four-star hotel can be found in the south of the island, near the nightlife hub, St Lawrence Gap.
High-end resorts by Banyan Tree and Four Seasons are in development.
Hotels and resorts
For serious wow-factor, stay in one of the palatial suites with private pools at upmarket resort The Crane. Set on the beautiful Crane Beach, this 220-room hideaway offers seclusion and romance. Its sushi restaurant Zen offers sweeping ocean views and has already received rave reviews.
Stay at the plush Colony Club, set on the island’s exclusive west coast. The suites have beds on the balcony, whirlpool baths, showers made for two and in-room DVD players. Lagoon-style swimming pools curve through the resort’s seven acres of tropical palm-fringed gardens.
A former sugar plantation, Almond Beach Village is an attractive resort with winding paths, palm trees and tropical flowers. It still has its original sugar mill, a popular setting for weddings, which are free of charge. Aside from its white sandy beach, the resort has 10 swimming pools, two freshwater hot tubs, two squash courts and two tennis courts.
Sights and attractions
Visitors to Barbados can take to the sea and splash alongside turtles. Enjoy breakfast or lunch on board a catamaran as it goes in search of hawksbill and leatherback turtles. Catamarans normally make a stop at a secluded beach where passengers can laze on the beach and swim.
Pay a visit to the Mount Gay Rum factory, which has been producing the tipple since 1703.
Hire a car and drive through Barbados’s lush interior, rich sugar cane fields and forests of mahogany. Along the way, stop at St Nicholas Abbey, where you can learn about the gorgeous former plantation house’s history, before heading to the rugged and unspoilt east coast, renowned for its surfing beaches.
The island is easy to find your way around, but if you do get lost, the friendly locals will be happy to steer you in the right direction.
Festivals and events
- Big-name stars such as James Blunt and Angie Stone will perform at the Barbados Jazz Festival, in various venues around the island, from January 12-18 2009
- Holetown Festival is a celebration of the anniversary of the first settlement of Barbados in 1627. Taking place from February 15-22 2009, highlights include street parades, a tattoo show, exhibitions and an antique car parade
- Oistins Fish Festival takes place on the island’s lively south coast during Easter and gives local fishermen the chance to show off their expertise in competitions such as fish boning, crab racing and cook-offs
- Crop-Over is a five-week summer extravaganza, which takes place every July and August. The event began in the 1780s when Barbados was the world’s biggest producer of sugar and slaves used to harvest sugar cane by hand. At the end of the crop there was a huge party. Look out for the spectacular calypso shows
