Long popular with travellers from across the globe, Barbados is one of the Caribbean’s most famous islands. Featuring a fascinating history and culture, as well as a strong British influence, the island boasts a wide array of fabulous hotels and resorts fit for a whole host of tastes and budgets. Many of the best places to stay in Barbados are set right on the beach — perfect for long, laid-back days of sea swims and sunbathing on striking white sands.
Bridgetown, the island’s capital, brims with colonial charm and has a lively, cosmopolitan vibe. Stroll the historic streets of the UNESCO-listed downtown area on foot to spot heritage buildings, nip into the boutiques of Broad St and Swan St for fantastic shopping, or kick back in a relaxed bar for a rum punch or three. Highlights for culture aficionados include the Parliament Buildings, the Mount Gay Rum Distillery and the Sunbury Plantation House, just 20 minutes from town. Catch a cricket match at the Kensington Oval if you can — this is a seriously special way to experience Caribbean culture! The island’s other major centre is the fishing town of Oistins, where you can savour superb pepper pot and flying fish at the vibrant Fish-Fry on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Most of our top hotel recommendations sit along Barbados' western side. Known as the Platinum Coast, this is the heart of the social scene, with chic restaurants, bars and cafés aplenty. There are some lavish beach resorts in the area, as well as more low-key options, which tend to be slightly inland. The island's gorgeous beaches are public, however, so there are always stacks of opportunities for reef diving, snorkelling, sailing and water sports. Trendy Paynes Bay is a particular favourite with snorkellers, whilst St James — at the bay’s southern end — boasts a great fish market and some excellent restaurants.
The island’s interior, on the other hand, is a lush wilderness of jungles, caves and waterfalls, wonderful for hiking, wildlife-spotting and heritage explorations. If it’s tranquility and seclusion that you’re after, head east to the friendly fishing village of Bathsheba, where there are more remote seaside hideaways. Whether you’re into world-class golf, beautiful beaches or terrific cricket, this is one of the Caribbean’s top destinations. Book your trip well in advance to guarantee a room at one of the best places to stay in Barbados!
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Barbados
This charming guesthouse is located on the Platinum West Coast of Barbados. Choose from a range of cosy, self-contained accommodation with homely soft furnishings and self-catering facilities; book the cottage for family-sized living space. Unwind by the pool before a barbecue; a chic island stay.
Barbados
Charming boutique hotel set in a late 19th-century colonial manor. White-washed rooms, with mahogany furniture and colourful contemporary touches, are spread over the main house, courtyard & cottage villa. The lagoon pool, leafy gardens & courtyard restaurant create a wonderful homely ambience.
Barbados (Bathsheba)
An intimate eco-boutique hotel located on the idyllic East Coast of Barbados. 10 rooms designed in a modern bohemian style with up-cycled antique furnishings and local Barbidan artworks. Enjoy organic and sustainable plant-based fare. Relax in the saltwater hot-tubs with a cocktail. Sustainable chic
Barbados (Oistins)
Romantic hotel just across from the beach. The rooms feature wrought-iron furniture, lovely bathrooms and terracotta floors. Some with private plunge pools. Outdoor pool, spa and quick walk to the beach. Great Caribbean and Asian cuisine. Tropical, quiet, enchanting and affordable!
Barbados (Saint Joseph)
Gorgeous oceanfront hotel. The rooms are filled with driftwood furniture, antiques and nautical-chic finishes. Most with ocean views. Outdoor pool and flower-filled gardens. Excellent Bajan cuisine and elegant dark wood bar. Peaceful, quirky and with sensational views of the surf.
Barbados (Westmoreland)
Stunning apartments and villas on the golf course. Bedrooms are elegant with mahogany furniture, coral stone features and some with private pools. Outdoor infinity pool, manicured gardens, beach shuttles and spa. Excellent restaurant in the complex. Traditional, luxurious and peaceful.
Barbados (Paynes Bay)
Chic hotel with direct beach access. The rooms are elegant with sloping exposed beam ceilings, dark wood floors and original artworks. Outdoor pool, gym and spa. Excellent international cuisine, lively bar area. Sumptuous, grown up and peaceful.
Barbados (Saint Lucy)
Cool family-run hotel on the beach. The villas feature bamboo furniture, shuttered windows, and large terraces for spectacular sunsets, as well as kitchens and living areas. Two outdoor pools, a small spa and beach access. Outstanding Barbadian cuisine in the famous Fish Pot restaurant.
Barbados (Paynes Bay)
Colourful hotel on a white sand beach. Charming rooms have stone floors, artworks and large terraces. Three outdoor pools, spa, gym and direct beach access. Great international cuisine at extensive restaurant. Romantic and great value for the location.
Barbados (St James)
Stunning hotel in seven acres of lush gardens. Elegant rooms have cream furniture, four posters and large terraces. Four lagoon-style outdoor pools, complimentary watersports, gym and spa treatments. Excellent Italian and seafood cuisine in restaurants. Understated style and superb service.
Barbados (Speightstown)
Enchanting 5* beachfront resort. The rooms feature white furniture, four posters, enormous bathrooms and balconies facing the sea or lush gardens. Outdoor pool, private beach, tennis courts and spa. Outstanding Barbadian and international cuisine at the restaurant. Elegant, exquisite and relaxed.
Barbados
A stunning restaurant with rooms on Barbados's west coast, overlooking a pristine sandy beach. With just six rooms this is an intimate, luxurious stay where the ethos is pampering to the max! The excellent restaurant has reputation as "The Ivy of the Caribbean". Unmissable!
Barbados (St James)
Elegant beachfront resort. Large rooms have dark wood floors, large bathrooms and terraces, some with direct beach access. Outdoor pool, gardens, tennis courts, gym and spa treatments available. Excellent locally sourced cuisine. Laid back, charming and pretty.
Barbados (Holetown)
Chic beach front hotel. Rooms feature contemporary furniture, sensational bathrooms and large terraces; suites with kitchens. Outdoor pool, gardens, jogging track, spa and gym. Fantastic eclectic Caribbean cuisine. A perfect stay for families.
Barbados
An elegant hotel set amid acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, spilling onto white sands. Colonial-chic plantation cottages or suites in creams, whites, and pale wooden hues that ooze luxury. A honeymooner's paradise with fantastic spa, cuisine, and beach.
Barbados (Dover)
Elegant all inclusive family-friendly hotel on beachfront. Spacious rooms feature nautical artworks, sofa beds and large bathrooms. Three outdoor pools and whirlpool, gym, tennis courts and kids club. Excellent Italian cuisine. Great value and plenty to do.
Barbados (Appleby)
Characterful beach front, family friendly, all inclusive hotel. Colourful rooms feature artworks, large bathrooms and terraces with hammocks. Three outdoor lagoon pools with waterfall bar, gym, tennis courts and spa treatments. Fantastic cuisine in both restaurants. Spacious, buzzy and idyllic.
Barbados (St Peter)
Family friendly beach resort on Barbados's Platinum Coast. One, two or three bed villas are spacious and luxurious, done in a traditionally Caribbean style, all with private terrace and hot tub! Superb onsite facilities: water sports, choice of restaurants and spa. A Caribbean crowd pleaser!
Barbados
Contemporary adults-only hotel. Elegant rooms have large beds, white linen curtains and marble bathrooms. Outdoor pool, chic terrace, direct beach access, gym and spa. Sensational modern Italian cuisine. Private, beautiful and luxurious.
Barbados (St James)
Opulent 5* hotel on the beach. Romantic bedrooms feature marble bathrooms, chandeliers and extensive technology systems. Outdoor pool with waterfall, palatial spa, three golf courses, tennis courts and manicured gardens. Sublime cuisine in the restaurants. Luxurious, spacious and slick.
