Fan favourite: The enduring appeal of Barbados

Hotel hotspots

There’s no denying that part of the appeal of Barbados lies in its sought-after collection of high-end resorts, many of which are nestled on the island’s west coast. It is here, among platinum sands and palms whispering in the gentle breeze, that our home for the next three days can be found. Colony Club, a Luxury Collection Resort, Barbados has recently undergone a series of renovations that saw it reopen in July last year as the first Luxury Collection property from Marriott International on the island.

With 96 rooms and suites, the resort effortlessly weaves elegant design touches with authentic Bajan hospitality, offering garden-to-table dinners and beachfront rum tastings, as well as four pools and a swim-up bar, all cocooned by expansive shrouds of tropical greenery.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts also has an enviable stake in the island, namely with its Royal Pavilion property, which has stood proudly on a half-mile stretch of the soft white sands of Alleynes Bay for more than three decades. It’s here we spend our first evening, the resort’s Palm Terrace providing the perfect backdrop for a sumptuous four-course dinner accompanied by the sound of softly lapping waves just steps away.

Elsewhere, landscapes don’t get more lush than at Apes Hill. A vast expanse of greenery that houses everything from acres of fruit trees to a championship golf course; what this inland property lacks in beach access it makes up for in experiences. Guests are invited to join nature walks, yoga classes and padel sessions, or simply to relax in one of the fully serviced villas – the most lavish of which are the four-bedroom Hilltop Villas that opened last year. 

Setting sail

Change is also afoot on the island’s cruise scene, after a $2 million facelift for its Bridgetown port was completed in April last year. Following the renovation, which hopes to showcase a “more luxury feel” for passengers, the terminal is expected to welcome more than 400 ships in 2026, including Four Seasons I, the first vessel from Four Seasons Yachts, which will homeport on the island.

Aquatic adventures aren’t limited to cruise holidays either – there is a wealth of day trips available. We take to the water with Cool Runnings Catamaran Cruises for a leisurely few hours of snorkelling, sunbathing and indulging in jerk chicken and grilled kingfish freshly prepared by one of the crew’s mum and aunt, before the rum punches begin flowing and the five-man crew give us a Bajan dancing masterclass – the boat was truly rocking. 

Changing tides

From the water, we’re offered a whole new perspective of the island – much like what we’re treated to with our visit to farm-to-table restaurant Local & Co. Here, chef Sophie Michell tells us how most Barbadian restaurants import more than 70% of their food, but Local & Co aims to reverse these figures and source the majority of its produce from local suppliers. She is also passionate about getting more women into culinary careers and strives to employ as many in the kitchen as possible.

This heightened support for local communities and a growing focus on opportunities for women can be traced back to the first female prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley. Since taking office in 2018, Mottley has expressed her support for empowering local workers and women, creating opportunities for both groups to thrive. We’re lucky to be addressed by the prime minister during our time on the island, and it’s clear her passion for people and tourism go hand in hand to help build the warm spirit that, as we have discovered, permeates all parts of Bajan life.

Book it: Pure Luxury offers seven nights at Colony Club, a Luxury Collection Resort, Barbados, staying in a Pool Garden View room from £1,999 per person. The price includes breakfast, direct economy class flights from Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic and private transfers.
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