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When we entered the lobby of Tamarind Cove, one of the five hotels scattered along Barbados’ west and south coasts that make up the Elegant Hotels Group, General Manager R. Leroy Browne greeted us, saying, “Welcome to the best hotel in the group.” He laughed as he said it, half-jokingly, but there was a twinkle in his eye that let us know he thought there was some truth in the sentiment.
The funny thing is, we found that sentiment at each of the Elegant Hotels properties on the island—and what’s more, as we looked around each hotel, we discovered the truth in all of them. That’s because, unlike the cookie-cutter properties that some chains are building throughout the Caribbean, each of the Elegant Hotels boasts its own unique atmosphere and appeal. From the 164-room family playground that is Turtle Beach, to The House, an intimate subdued getaway, no two resorts are alike. So it’s true: each is undeniably the best hotel in the group—for couples, or for families on a budget, or for upscale family travelers.
The House
Or even high-end honeymoons, perhaps. Big-time luxury meets low-key serenity at The House, a boutique property which, at 33 suites, is the smallest of the Elegant Hotels. But there are plenty of upscale amenities packed into each square foot of space, from the plunge pools attached to the fanciest suites to the hotel’s signature scented candles placed as a gift in every room. Those are amenities anyone can enjoy, not just couples, but romance comes into play in the early evening on the ocean-facing deck, where clients can enjoy what we think is the best sunset view in the group (though with four of the five hotels on Barbados’ west coast, visitors have plenty of sunset locales to choose from). What’s more, they can enjoy it with a bottle of champagne, table service and selection of hors d’oeuvres—at a property as small and well-staffed as The House, all vacationers have to do is ask an “ambassador,” any of the white-clad hotel staff who make your wishes their commands.
It’s from the ambassadors that guests can book a variety of ocean adventures, from scuba diving to deep-sea fishing. Ambassadors also have information on in-room spa treatments—while there’s no spa on site, vacationers can enjoy massages, reflexology, manicures, pedicures and facials—as well as the two restaurants within walking distance, one appropriately named The Deck, where guests can dine as they look out to the ocean; and Daphne’s Restaurant, which isn’t technically affiliated with The House but sits right next door.
Couples will have the chance to see that great sunset firsthand when they book The House’s Honeymoon package, which includes dinner for two at The Deck, a photo of that romantic moment, and a bottle of chilled sparkling wine and an orchid or anthurium flower wrap on arrival. The special services will cost visitors $540 per couple in addition to regular room rates, which start at $900.
Colony Club
Just a short five minutes up the coast from The House, Colony Club is another of the group’s upscale properties. In fact, it’s where the owners of the Elegant Hotels Group chose to stay when their visit to Barbados coincided with ours. But rather than an ultra- intimate secluded escape, Colony Club exudes more of a traditional resort feel, with two lagoon-style swimming pools, a watersports center, and a swim-up bar. The romance that fills the air at The House is in slightly shorter supply here, but in its place is a more active ambiance that makes Colony Club the ideal resort for families with big vacation budgets.
Not surprisingly, Colony Club’s exterior is all about colonial-style charm, with white arches and an open-air lobby and lounge that houses one of the resort’s two bars, where vacationers can indulge in a fresh fruit daiquiri (recommend the banana flavor—it’s a hotel specialty). Inside, the resort’s suites have undergone a complete refurbishment, adding such high-end features as flat-screen TVs, a marble bar area flanking the minibar, and the ultimate luxury: an expansive bathroom housing a huge step-down jacuzzi bathtub and shower area, complete with plenty of counter space for a bottle of champagne or wine. Once immersed in the bubbles with
a bubbly drink to match, it’ll be difficult for vacationers to remember what’s so great about the outside world, anyway.
Maybe that’s why the resort’s swim-up suites, lining the edges of the swimming pool farthest from the beach, are the only rooms on property without the drop-dead bathroom space. Rather than whiling away the hours in a jacuzzi tub, vacationers staying here can enjoy their own private access to the stone-bordered pool, as well as an outdoor patio area with an umbrella-covered table for family gatherings. These patios also serve as great meet-up spots for cocktails in a more secluded setting than the swim-up bar.
Colony Club is also the only hotel in the Elegant Hotels Group with an onsite spa. While not as upscale as you’d expect from the rest of the resort, it’s still a haven for parents to enjoy traditional treatments while the kids spend a few hours in the kids’ club just across the way. Rates start at $700.
Tamarind Cove
It’s not the most upscale of the Elegant Hotels, but for families and couples who want a little added luxury in their vacation, it’s worth a second look. Tamarind Cove combines the serenity of a beach front setting with the sophistication of stone and marble architecture, all at a price point below The House and Colony Club. Located on the beach right next door to The House, Tamarind Cove holds its own with 110 rooms and suites, most of which look out across the backyard lawn to the sea. The ocean is the biggest draw here, with sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and snorkeling offered on a complimentary basis and water skiing and jet skiing also available. But the large, inviting hammocks sprinkled across the lawn also beckon vacationers to recline with a book, just for a few minutes—minutes that can turn into hours, which themselves can turn into whole afternoons.
Tamarind Cove is also the place to be if you’re a foodie, with three very recommendable restaurants within reach. Two of them are located within the hotel itself: Tangiers, where vacationers can fill up on island-tinged cuisine, and Sasso, a more upscale dining room with a sunset view and seafood specialties. And right next door is Daphne’s Barbados, that looks like an unassuming beach shack from the outside, but houses high-class seafood dishes and South Beach-style decor indoors. There are enough items on the menu to satisfy just about anyone’s hunger, but for a truly rare treat, make sure your vacationers try the barracuda. Because of the low toxicity in its surrounding waters, Barbados is one of the only places in the Caribbean that travelers from North America can eat the toothy fish without fear of food poisoning. Rates start at $544 per night.
Crystal Cove and Turtle Beach
Elegant Hotels’ other two properties, Crystal Cove and Turtle Beach, which are both all inclusive, target an entirely different crowd: family travelers who don’t want to be saddled with wallets or worry about budgeting during their stay. Of course, any traveler can see the appeal in the all-inclusive concept, but these resorts are specifically outfitted to accommodate guests both young and old, with well-developed kids’ clubs running from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. At Turtle Beach, kids have a separate play park area, as well as organized activities, while Crystal Cove offers activities, plus a movie every night. Lunch and dinner are served to the kids at both resorts, ensuring that they’ll be as well fed as they are entertained while mom and dad enjoy some time to themselves. At Crystal Cove, that time is best spent soaking up the sun poolside; or rather, waterfall-side, as the property’s swimming pool is designed in a rustic cascading lagoon style lined with brown stones. There’s also the bar that reflects Crystal Cove’s name, located inside a cave-like niche with both dry and swim-up access. And Elegant Hotels’ standard roster of water sports are available here, too. Rates at Crystal Cove start at $627; at Turtle Beach, $664.
An Elegant Island
The hotels themselves are enough to keep vacationers entertained, but there’s a whole island outside their gates to explore. The easiest way to see the sights is on a Jeep tour, which vacationers can book at any of the properties to take them to Barbados’ beaches, architectural sights, and local crafts market. The tour guides behind the wheel are part of the fun, local Barbadians who explain every windmill, statue and mural with witty humor. And because they’re in a Jeep, vacationers can expect some off-roading adventures, including a trip through a sugarcane field on a dirt road.
Foodies should also plan to explore Barbados for the variety of cuisine scattered along its coasts. A necessary stop is at The Fish Pot, an informal hut looking out to the water that serves island cuisine alongside a selection of wine hand picked by its Australian owners. And there’s always the Mount Gay Rum distillery, where vacationers can learn the brand’s history and see how the liquor is produced.
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