Unveiling the Best Places to Stay in Barbados: A Local's Guide to Island Hospitality
View from the window at the Atlantis Historic Inn
Barbados boasts a great climate year round, pristine beaches, and a warm, friendly culture; you really can’t go wrong when opting for a vacation in this fantastic Caribbean island. As a proud Bajan local, I have had the privilege of witnessing the growth and transformation of the island's hospitality scene. I'm excited to share with you my personal list of favourite places to stay in Barbados. From luxury resorts to cozy boutique hotels, these accommodations capture the essence of our island paradise.
Unlike many other countries, most people in Barbados do not live in the capital, Bridgetown. Barbados has a number of neighbourhoods and suburbs dotted across the island, each of them vastly different from the next so I know just how daunting choosing where to stay in Barbados can be.
TIPS FROM A LOCAL EXPERT
As a local, born and raised in Barbados, with a family history in the local hotel industry that dates back to the 1950’s, I have a good handle on the hotel and tourism industry in Barbados. (You read more about me here) I am based in Barbados, and I try to do a few staycations per year to support the local economy. I am also a certified Travel Advisor and do site visits often on behalf of my clients. With that in mind, I’ve compiled this list of hotels (Many of which I myself have been to and stayed at) and accommodations that I personally recommend for one reason or another.
What I find quite unique to Barbados, is that visitors and expats often end up mingling in the same bars, restaurants, events and beaches as the locals. The ‘resort tourism’ isn’t as prominent here as it is in other Caribbean islands, and visitors tend to spend a lot of time outside of their hotels exploring, enjoy the local culture and eating at local restaurants outside of their hotel or accommodation.
When looking for somewhere to stay in Barbados, there are a few important factors to consider:
Prices vary greatly depending on the season. Barbados “peak season'“ runs from November - April and prices are higher during this time. The “Slow season” runs from April - October and that’s when you’ll find the cheaper rates and deals.
A number of hotels and restaurants close during the ‘slow season’ months, especially September and October. This is generally when they will do renovations and staff will take their vacations. If you’re set on staying at a certain hotel or visiting certain restaurants, keep this in mind.
Though Barbados is a small island, the areas listed below vary greatly in price, ambiance and accessibility. I personally recommend focusing on the southern and western coasts of the island. The West coast has lots of things to do, but the South Coast has more of a buzz, in my opinion. Here you’ll find more busy social centers, particularly in the south, which is a big area for nightlife and boasts a more local vibe.
NOTE: When it comes to food at these accommodations, I try my best to stay up to date on the menus, but these change often with new chefs and quality can ebb and flow, etc. Therefore, I won’t mention food quality, unless the hotel features a particular restaurant or I am invited to give a full review. I highly encourage you to check out local restaurants and eateries near to where you are staying. I also have a guide on the best eateries in Barbados: Taste the Flavours of Barbados: A Local Foodie's Guide to the Best Eateries on the Island.
In the end, it all comes down to your personal preferences so I’ve carefully curated this list to help you choose the perfect place for you, hopefully making booking your ideal accommodation in Barbados much easier.
Included are accommodations for every budget type, ranging from budget rooms to luxurious accommodations and boutique hotels.
The following accommodations have been arrange according to location: South Coast, West Coast and East Coast.
South Gap Hotel
SOUTH COAST
Bridgetown is the cultural and financial capital of Barbados, and though there are residential areas dotted in and around Bridgetown, the majority of accommodation is available on the outskirts of Bridgetown, and further along the South Coast, all the way to the southern tip. In this list, I will start with the southernmost tip of the island and work up to the greater Bridgetown area:
OISTINS/MAXWELL
Oistins is a bustling area that has grown from a fishing village and famous fish market. The surrounding neighbourhoods of Miami Beach and Atlantic Shores are both excellent areas to stay in, as they are within walking distance of the beach (Miami Beach) and a favourite local surf spot, Freights.
This area is quite relaxed, and there isn’t much to do other than hit the beach, surf or play golf at Durants nearby. At night, you can visit some of the local rum shops, bars and the Oistins fish fry. From Oistins, you can easily catch a bus or van to St.Lawrence Gap (listed below) where are there are number of bars and restaurants that are open until the early hours of the morning. Here are a few of my favourite hotels in the Oistins/Maxwell area:
Little Arches - Locally owned, boutique hotel with a romantic, sustainably focussed restaurant.
Sea Breeze Beach House - Locally owned, great for families, with a large footprint.
Butterfly Beach Hotel - Locally owned, great spot on the beach.
Bougainvillea - All inclusive, locally owned hotel with a sister property, Sugar Bay.
ST.LAWRENCE GAP
My family grew up in “The Gap” and I’m sad to report that this area does not have a quarter of the charm that it used to; it feels very tired. However, there are a number of good restaurants and bars which we visit often. The location is quite convenient as you are within walking distance of a number of beaches, with easy public transportation along the South Coast. Dover beach is beautiful! Here a few hotels and accommodations that I can recommend in St.Lawrence Gap:
O2 Beach Club & Spa - Locally owned, all inclusive.
Maresol Barbados Apartments - Self catered, very basic, but beautiful location right on the water, great for families as there is also a shaded garden area.
Sapphire Beach Condominiums - Self catered, right on the beach, with a nice pool.
Southern Palms Beach Club & Resort - Old school but iconic, beautiful location on a gorgeous beach.
South Gap Hotel - Newly renovated, modern vibe, beautiful location on the water, but no beach.
WORTHING/HASTINGS
You can walk along the Worthing and Hastings areas and you'll find lots of bars, cafes, beach bars and the famous South Coast boardwalk which is awesome for exercise. You may need to walk a bit farther to get to certain places, but it's a relatively walkable area. There are a number of low key and upscale restaurants, but also super casual spots such as Worthing Square (Food trucks) and our famous fast food, Chefette.
You'll have direct access to buses and transport as well which will take you up and down the South Coast. Here are some of my favourite places to stay in the Worthing and Hastings area:
WORTHING:
Airbnbs along Worthing Beach - There are a number of beautiful, spacious Bajan homes right on the water. Perfect for groups and families, and conveniently located within walking distance of supermarkets and amenities. Here is an Example.
Leith Court Apartments - Beautifully located apartments, perfect for small groups and families, pool and garden area overlooking the beach.
HASTINGS
Magic Isle Beach Apartments - Locally owned, self catered. The apartments are very basic, but you can’t beat this price for the location on Accra beach and on the boardwalk.
Sugar Bay Hotel - All Inclusive, locally owned boutique hotel.
Radisson Aquatica - Great location overlooking Carlisle Bay. Beautiful views, conveniently located.
Island Inn (Locally owned)
Coconut Court Hotel (Locally owned)
Rockley Resort - Self catered apartments on a golf course, with shared pools. Walking distance to South coast beaches, supermarkets and restaurants.
Fairmont Royal Pavillion
WEST COAST
Though the West coast is nicknamed “The Platinum Coast” due to the luxury hotels dotting the coast line, you can find a wide range of accommodations to suit various budgets.
In a nutshell: The further you are from the beach, the cheaper the accommodation.
Most hotels on the West Coast have been around for decades, and can seem quite dated, though some find this very charming. There’s an old school, Britishness to the west coast, with tree lined streets and golf courses scattered along the coast.
I grew up in Sunset Crest, which is an established neighbourhood in Holetown, so I know the West Coast very well. I would say that the West coast has less of a buzz than the South coast, with fewer entertainment options, but some of the most beautiful beaches, lovely cafes and restaurants.
Things are a bit more spread out along the West coast, though there is a direct bus route, so you can hop on a bus and go up and down the West Coast (beautiful beaches and beach bars) and also into Bridgetown.
Holetown and Speightstown are the main towns along the West coast, and both feature a supermarket and bank, as well as a number of restaurants, bars and beaches.
Holetown caters to visitors (though locals live there as well), so you'll find a bit of everything there, including the luxury mall, Limegrove Lifestyle Centre. If you’re staying in or near to Holetown, you can usually walk around quite easily and safely.
Speightstown is less developed than Holetown, though the main street is being gentrified quite rapidly. It's quite a compact area so you can get everywhere quite quickly.
Everything is more expensive on the West coast; including the bars, restaurants and accommodations, though the quality can vary considerably from ultra luxury to simply overpriced.
WEST COAST + HOLETOWN
All Seasons Resort Sunset Crest
Treasure Beach (All inclusive, part of the Marriott group of hotels) Adults only.
Sunset Crest: Sunset Crest itself has a nice vibe, lots of trees and it's safe to walk around (Though I don't recommend walking through the parks at night on your own) It's within walking distance of supermarket, banks, Limegrove Lifestyle Centre (which has a co working pop up), as well as a number of restaurants, bars and beaches.
The beautiful Cobbler’s Cove
SPEIGHTSTOWN + SURROUNDING AREA
ECO Lifestyle and Lodge
EAST COAST
There’s a peaceful charm to staying on the East coast of the island, especially as you are “far” removed (about 45 minutes) from the activities on the South and West coasts, the East coast is where many Bajans themselves go to unwind and breath in the fresh, salty breeze. Surf enthusiasts can get their fill at Bathsheba, hikers have no shortage of trails and bookworms can find lots of shady spots to relax in. There are a few casual restaurants and eateries dotted along this coast, though I recommend renting a car to get around. Here are my favourite accomodations on the East coast:
ECO Lifestyle and Lodge - Hands down, one of my favourite hotels in the entire island, this place is magical. Eco Lodge is the most sustainable hotel option in Barbados, and their ethos runs through everything on site. This is a great option for anyone looking for a secluded, relaxing getaway.
Atlantis Historic Inn - This charming hotel is just down the street from Eco Lodge, tucked away in a sleepy fishing village. Atlantis has the added bonus of being right on the water, and this is the sister hotel to Little Good Harbour .
CONCLUSION
Relaxing at Sugar Bay, Barbados
Barbados welcomes you with open arms and a wide array of accommodation options that cater to every preference. There are so many amazing things to see here and I really hope this post helped you decide where to stay in Barbados and which hotel to book. You can’t go wrong with any of these hotels or accommodations.
There are many unique places to stay in the Barbados but here are my top two favorite ones:
No matter where you choose to stay, let these recommendations be your guide to experiencing the warm embrace of Bajan hospitality and creating unforgettable memories on our beloved island. Enjoy your holiday in my home!
For further ideas on what to do while you’re here, check out these posts:
Feel free to get in touch with me directly if you need any further tips or information on Barbados.
Safe travels
Malou
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