The ultimate guide to luxury travel in Barbados
With some of the best beaches anywhere in the world, extraordinary places to stay, and an abundance of incredible things to see and do, Barbados is one of the most popular luxury travel destinations in the Caribbean, regularly attracting A-list celebrities to its shores.
To help inspire your island itinerary we’ve created the ultimate guide to luxury travel in Barbados, including the best hotels and resorts, the most beautiful beaches, and stunning beachfront restaurants.
If you’re wondering when to go it’s generally accepted that the best time to visit Barbados is between December and April, when the weather is drier, a little less humid, and mostly warm and sunny, with temperatures averaging around 86 degrees Farenheit or 30 degrees Celcius.
Many of the best beaches, hotels, and resorts are to be found on the breathtaking west coast, otherwise known as the Platinum Coast, a pristine stretch of white sand beach often included in lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
That’s not to say the rest of the island isn’t equally spectacular, the east coast, on the Atlantic side of Barbados, is known for its dramatic seascapes, stunning cliffs, and rugged beauty.
Activities are seemingly endless, with caves, coves, rainforests, and glittering turquoise waters to be explored.
Exceptional fine dining can be found in some barely believable settings – make sure to browse the Instagram accounts of the restaurants featured below – and then there’s the rum. Known as the birthplace of rum, Barbados is home to Mount Gay, which was established on the island in 1703. You can tour the distillery, or simply sample some of its finest in a variety of formats wherever you’re staying. If you love rum you might also like to read our feature on the ultimate rum tasting hotels featuring some incredible places to stay and sip rum from all across the Caribbean.
For more Caribbean luxury travel inspiration take a look at the best resorts in Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, and browse our full collection of Caribbean luxury resorts.
Have you been to Barbados? Where did you stay? If you had the trip of a lifetime let us know so we can add your hotel to our ultimate guide to luxury travel in Barbados below. Tell us about your experiences and let’s raise the profile of the places that are truly unforgettable. Contact us and let us know.
Wild Bay Co is as much a celebration of the people who make these incredible experiences possible, as it is a celebration of the luxury resorts and hotels themselves. If you’ve stayed somewhere outstanding that deserves recognition for its exceptional attention to detail as well as its stunning setting then contact us and let us know.
Best luxury hotels in Barbados
The best luxury hotels and resorts in Barbados. Where to stay for ultimate luxury. For a more extensive list of luxury hotels purely along Barbados’ famous Platinum Coast here’s our pick of the best Barbados west coast hotels.
Discover Sandy Lane.
Sandy Lane Hotel
Sandy Lane Hotel is one of the best luxury hotels in Barbados and one of the most prestigious resorts in the world.
Legendary style
Sandy Lane is set in an ancient waterfront mahogany grove on the west coast of Barbados, famous for its pristine beaches. Coral sand and a lazy breeze follow you from the spacious balconies of each room, to the world-famous golf greens, to the superb restaurants, world-class spa, heavenly pools and bars within.
Elegant, exclusive, and ideally located to explore the island Sandy Lane Hotel is the epitome of luxury travel in Barbados.
Beautiful Barbados resort.
Fairmont Royal Pavilion
Fairmont Royal Pavilion. Luxury travel, dining, watersports and eco-cultural adventures.
Iconic luxury retreat
Set on sun-kissed cove Alleynes Bay on the white sands of the treasured west coast, Fairmont Royal Pavilion is one of the most luxurious hotels in Barbados.
All of the Fairmont Royal Pavilion’s 72 newly renovated Beachfront Suites and Oceanfront Rooms offer unobstructed views of the Caribbean Sea. Its Three Bedroom Villa is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and offers garden views from the bedrooms and ocean views from two terraces.
Luxury travel in Barbados at its finest.
Relaxed style and intimate charm.
Sandpiper Hotel
Located in the Holetown area of Barbados West Coast, the Sandpiper Hotel is an award-winning five-star luxury boutique hotel
Luxury beachfront boutique
The Sandpiper is discreetly one of the most awarded luxury hotels in Barbados. The hotel is situated on a beautiful sandy beach on the West Coast, gently lapped by turquoise waters and surrounded by lush tropical flora.
Much of the Sandpiper’s charm and style can be attributed to Wayne and Karen Capaldi who manage the property with a meticulous attention to detail without sacrificing the relaxed manner of the Caribbean. Combined with their staff’s enthusiasm for pampering their guests, The Sandpiper welcomes repeat guests year after year.
Best restaurants in Barbados
The best luxury restaurants in Barbados. Where to eat and drink for ultimate luxury.
Where the finest flavours of Italy meet paradise.
QP Bistro
QP Bistro, Barbados. Enjoy the delicate flavours of Italy while savouring the fresh air and beautiful blue of the Caribbean Sea.
The QP Bistro experience
QP Bistro offers a full a-la-carte menu featuring Italian cuisine with a hint of Mediterranean flare and decadent desserts.
The restaurant’s Culinary Director is highly experienced chef Matt Worswick, who has worked at the infamous Savoy Grill for Gordon Ramsay In London at the iconic The Savoy Hotel, and has earned a coveted Michelin twice in his own right at The Latymer Restaurant and Gelnapp Castle In Scotland at the age of just 26.
Renowned for its idyllic setting, celebrity clientele.
The Lone Star Restaurant
The Lone Star Restaurant. A culinary magnet for island residents, celebrities and gourmet travellers.
Beachfront restaurant
The Lone Star restaurant Barbados is located on the famed platinum coast and is renowned for its idyllic beach setting, celebrity clientele and buzzy yet laid back atmosphere.
The magnificent staircase leads you down into a relaxed dining area which is a hot-spot for people watching; a place where the discerning can enjoy the finest cuisine with a simple, delicious menu and wine list to match.
One of the most talked-about beachfront restaurants in Barbados, blending European and British cuisine with a Caribbean and Asian influence using the best available ingredients. Simply presented, precisely executed and flavour driven. Gourmet luxury travel in Barbados.
Stunning views of the Caribbean Sea.
The Tides Restaurant
The Tides Restaurant Barbados. One of Barbados’ top fine dining experiences.
On the water’s edge
Set in the magical backdrop of what was once a classic seaside Barbadian home built after the 2nd World War with coral stone and mahogany, The Tides Restaurant is now one of the leading restaurants located on the water’s edge of the West coast of Barbados.
Best beaches in Barbados
The most beautiful beaches in Barbados. Where to go to find the most spectacular stretches of sand.
Five star beach.
Sandy Lane Beach
Located on the west coast in the parish of St. James.
Sandy luxury
Everything about the famed Sandy Lane Beach on the platinum west coast of Barbados screams luxury. This beach is known as the watery playground for celebrities who stay at the 5 star Sandy Lane Hotel Resort’s villas and suites.
The beach is stunning, with beautiful soft fine golden sand and bright blue waters. Sandy Lane Beach is synonymous with luxury travel in Barbados.
Beautiful beach with a dramatic backdrop.
Crane Beach
Located in the south east of the island in the parish of St. Philip.
Picturesque paradise
Crane Beach is one of the most recognisable beaches in Barbados, and perhaps anywhere.
Famed for its pink-tinged sand and turquoise waters, plus the dramatic backdrop of palm trees and rugged cliffs overlooking the beach, Crane Beach is one of the most spectacular beaches in Barbados and in the Caribbean.
Unique and beautiful.
Bottom Bay Beach
Located in the south east of Barbados just along the coast from Crane Beach, Bottom Bay is in the parish of St. Philip.
Secluded and stunning
Coral cliffs, tall palm trees and amazing views all make Bottom Bay a standout beach in Barbados.
With the big waves crashing in from the turquoise waters on the Atlantic side Bottom Bay beach is a striking sight, and arguably even more impressive than its near neighbour Crane Beach.
Where Caribbean Sea meets white sand shores.
Carlisle Bay
Located in the parish of St. Michael Carlisle Bay is made up of some of the most beautiful beaches in Barbados.
Idyllic Caribbean
Carlisle Bay is a beautiful crescent shaped bay on the south west coast of Barbados made up of a handful of powder white sand beaches looking out onto the mesmerising turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, including Brownes Beach, Bayshore Beach and Pebble Beach.
The Hilton Barbados Resort is next to the bay, which can be admired from some of its rooms, and Bridgetown the nation’s capital is nearby too.
Carlisle Bay also has a protected marine area, with six shipwrecks laying in the sand close to shore.
If you enjoyed discovery luxury travel in Barbados you might also like to read about where to stay in Antigua and browse the best hotels in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
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