The Best Boutique Hotels To Book In Barbados

Barbados is something of a boutique island – it’s all about understated elegance and rustic charm but with an international food scene and world-class spas that’ll impress even the fussiest of visitors. From a cosy guesthouse in Speightstown to an adults-only Spanish villa in Oistins, here are the best places to stay in Barbados – bookable on Culture Trip – for an intimate vacation.

1. The Soco Hotel, for a Barbados beach hotel in Bridgetown

Boutique Hotel

The beachfront Soco Hotel with an outdoor pool fringed by loungers and a dining area

Looking for an all-inclusive hotel that’s gorgeous and quiet? Try this adults-only boutique pad on the beach, 10 minutes from Bridgetown and the cruise port. Unlimited meals and drinks, afternoon tea and live music are available 24/7, while the rooms and suites, all with sea views, have plush beds and fresh minimalist decor for a peaceful and fully sated holiday experience.

2. Sweetfield Manor, for unparalleled views in Bridgetown

Boutique Hotel

A covered wooden deck with seating, sheer curtains and a hanging daybed at the Sweetfield Manor

This boutique hotel on the south coast of Barbados is top in more ways than one – the elevated position of the early-20th-century plantation house ensures fantastic sea views. Add stylish and characterful decor, an excellent local restaurant with an ambitious menu of Bajan cuisine, a secluded foliage-fringed pool and a hot tub – not to mention an exotic ostentation of peacocks that roam the extensive grounds – and you have a seriously classy stay. It’s just a 15-minute taxi hop from the cruise terminal, so it’s a good choice for would-be island-hoppers too.

3. Little Good Harbour, for a homely stay in St Lucy

Hotel, Cottages

An ocean-facing terrace with a dining set and loungers, part of a two-bedroom suite at the Little Good Harbour

Escape to Little Good Harbour on the quiet north coast of Barbados, just five minutes from Speightstown. This family-run hotel feels more like a friend’s house than a hotel. Choose from a one-, two- or three-bedroom weatherboarded cottage with four-poster beds, French-style quilts and shuttered windows. Also, it has two palm-tree-flanked pools and direct access to the beach. The on-site Fish Pot restaurant is a favourite – make sure you try the grilled market fish drizzled with lemon butter.

5. The Sandpiper, for active travellers in Holetown

Hotel

A guest enjoying the lush pool area at the Sandpiper

On the edge of Holetown, this multi-award-winning, 50-room hotel in Barbados is surrounded by a pretty, sandy bay, two swimming pools and two floodlit tennis courts – with daily complimentary clinics from a tennis pro. Take full advantage of the on-site water activities, including waterskiing, paddleboarding, sailing and kayaking. You can even help out at the neighbouring Barbados Sea Turtle Project. Back inside the hotel, book a Tree Top suite for panoramic views over the gardens towards the sea.

6. The Atlantis Historic Inn, for an off-the-beaten-track stay in St Joseph

Hotel

Beachfront restaurant with blue-cushioned rattan chairs overlooking the rocky sea at the Atlantis Historic Inn

On the quiet east coast and with uninterrupted views of the rugged Atlantic, this charming, European-style property is blissfully peaceful, especially at night when little more than the ocean can be heard. Rooms feature polished wood floors and four-poster beds, positioned by the French windows so you can make the most of the views. Don’t miss the legendary West Indian Sunday buffet lunch – make a booking as it’s a favourite.

7. Sugar Cane Club Hotel and Spa, for a romantic break in Maynards

Suite Hotel, Hotel

Mediterranean-style pool area at Sugar Cane Club Hotel and Spa

Leave the kids at home and book this 44-suite, adults-only hotel outside Speightstown. Impress your other half by reserving the poolside Ginger Lily suite, which offers treetop views towards the ocean. Enjoy a couples massage in the spa, followed by a tour around the island with friendly guide Damian. There’s also a free shuttle bus to take you to the nearest beach, where sun loungers are available for your use. Finish the day with lobster thermidor, followed by a nightcap in the poolside bar.

8. Coral Reef Club, for old-school charm in Folkestone

Hotel

Elegant pool area surrounded by greenery at Coral Reef Club

The Coral Reef Club is a beautiful country house set in 5ha (12 acres) of tropical gardens north of Holetown. It’s close to its sister hotel, the Sandpiper. Large traditionally decorated suites sleep between two and four people depending on the size, plus there is a range of villas that can sleep between six and eight guests. Bask on the sandy beach or grab a snorkel mask to explore the reef teeming with tropical fish just off-shore. The spa is one of the finest in Barbados, so make sure you book a Caribbean Calm massage, followed by a session in the crystal steam room.

9. Cobblers Cove, for rustic luxury in Speightstown

Hotel

Candy-striped parasols and loungers reflect in the water of the pool at Cobblers Cove

Understated luxury characterises the tone of this former plantation owner’s holiday home. Expect high ceilings, bay windows with shutters and a striking pastel pink exterior. With just 40 suites, it has an intimate feel, complemented by access to two beaches and an immaculate garden. Toast your vacation with a Cobblers Cooler (made with Barbados rum, grenadine, fresh banana, orange and pineapple) on the deck before having dinner at the on-site restaurant, arguably one of the best on the island.

Sarah Warwick contributed additional reporting to this article.

If you’d like to get even closer to the action, discover our guide to the best beach hotels in Barbados, or opt for your own holiday villa. Spare no luxury with a stay at one of the best all-inclusive hotels in Barbados, or these romantic resorts. For a different way to stay read our rundown of the best places to stay in Barbados like a local, or these budget-friendly options, now bookable on Culture Trip.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.