The Best Boutique Hotels to Book in Barbados

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.

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.

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.

You’d be forgiven for thinking this Mediterranean villa-style hotel – with Moorish arches and a terracotta roof – was in Spain rather than the Caribbean. It’s arguably one of the best boutique hotels in Barbados – and it has one of the best restaurants on the island, Cafe Luna. Dine on pan-tropical dishes whipped up by chef and co-owner Mark de Gruchy; the grilled spice-rubbed shrimp with champagne hollandaise is a favourite. Upstairs, the 10 romantic bedrooms range from a garden room with an oversized hot tub to an ocean-view suite with a private plunge pool.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.