The Best Beach Hotels to Book in Barbados

If you tire of the heavenly Colony Club Beach that hugs this lavish hotel, there are always 3ha (7 acres) of tropical gardens filled with palm trees and lagoon pools. However, you won’t tire of the beach, especially with the hotel beach ambassador team on hand to provide sorbets, fresh fruit and cooling towels throughout the day. And don’t miss the spa, with Swedish massages and Japanese baths. Rooms feature coral stone walls, polished four-poster beds and balmy outside space.

This lavish venue dates back to 1887. Rooms retain a grandiose charm, but for more mod cons, suites with rooftop pools and plunge pools are up for grabs. But as slick as the hotel is, the main draw will always be its location overlooking the pink sands of Crane Beach. Loungers, umbrellas and towels are provided, mirroring the full-on luxury when you return to the resort. Transport yourself back come nightfall with a Pink Sand martini (vodka, passion fruit purée, strawberry jam and cinnamon) at Bar 1887.

A more peaceful beach break awaits you at this serene spot hidden away on the quieter northeast coast of Barbados. You’ll avoid the hustle and bustle of the lower western coastline but still be on a fine stretch of beach with great ocean views. The hotel itself is a small, family-run boutique venue that reflects the relaxed feel of the fishing village location. Bright, spacious cottage-style accommodation adds to the homely vibe, as do well-spiced curries and flavoursome fish dishes.

The enticing poolside terrace of South Gap juts into the ocean, meaning you can’t get much closer to the water without being in it. Great beaches are minutes away – Dover Beach and Worthing Beach are a short stroll away – as are the many charms of lively St Lawrence Gap, where you’ll find clubs, cocktail bars and global restaurants galore. A nice bonus is that all rooms come with ocean views and have a clean, contemporary finish. Try the island specialities, including flying fish and barbecue chicken.

All that separates you from the beach at this high-end resort is a small but inviting trail of palm trees and other lush greenery. Accommodation is in spacious, luxurious villas – all with a beachfront element, of course – with a private spa pool. If you splurge on a penthouse, you’ll also get a private roof terrace and a private elevator leading directly to the hotel pool and beach. Enjoy a breakfast of cinnamon french toast and berry compote.

You’re guaranteed a first-rate ocean view at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion, as all rooms are set directly on the beach. You can admire the shimmering water and cloudless skies from your room or suite or take a few steps and have the sand between your toes. Even the hotel afternoon tea comes with a sea view in the beachfront restaurant, or you can briefly leave the beach behind by booking an in-room spa treatment.

Make your beach holiday even more hassle-free by going all-inclusive at this sleek hotel, on the edge of St Lawrence Gap, with beachside and poolside service. Aside from meals, water-sports equipment, such as kayaks, snorkelling kits and boogie boards, are complimentary – you can even learn to sail a small catamaran. Turtle Beach is also a good pick for families, as it offers children entertainment and other family-centred activities.

The lagoon-style pools and palms scattered around this laid-back south-coast hotel are inviting, but they can’t compete with the pristine beach. If you do need a break from the beach, nap in your room with cool tile floors and bright shades of orange and yellow, or visit the swim-up pool bar before finishing your day with a rum punch from the Sunset Bar, perfect for watching the sun melt into the ocean.

Hotel beaches don’t get much better than the one adjoining this family-run hotel, where landscaping runs alongside, giving the whole scene a wild feel. Homely and bright rooms are fine, but splash out for a suite with a plunge pool for a special occasion. If you need some serious pampering, visit the extensive spa for a full-on spa day. Fancy a beach adventure? The on-site scuba school offers certified training and dive trips to shipwrecks scattered along the nearby west coast.