Top 6 Hotels in Barbados for a Wonderful Experience

• Driving Time from Airport: 20 minutes
• Meal Plan: All-Inclusive
• Best For: Luxury travelers and couples

If you’re a luxury traveler, look no further! We stayed at this resort as our “host hotel” and I cannot emphasize enough the 5-star experience we had at this resort. The beach was beautiful, so if you enjoy relaxing and swimming on the beach, this resort is for you! The staff was very welcoming and hospitable, and always remember your name and what you enjoy after the first encounter. The room was very spacious, and the complimentary minibar was restocked every day. All rooms come with either 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed. Adjoining rooms are possible upon request.

The resort features 4 luxurious dining experiences. Honeymooners and/or couples celebrating an occasion can enjoy private beachside dining at an additional fee, or the elegant Oro Restaurant (formal dress code). The restaurant will arrange the tables for special occasions such as an anniversary, birthday or anything. There’s no fee, but it must be pre-booked well in advance because it fills up fast. You can pre-book this restaurant as soon as you have a confirmed booking at this resort. Couples can also enjoy the Acqua Spa, which is the only high-level spa on the island with an ocean view. The spa also offers Turkish Baths for groups up to 6 people. 

Travelers staying at O2 Beach Resort and Spa have unlimited access to the nearby Sea Breeze Beach House. The resorts are a 25-minute walk apart, but a taxi ride is 5 minutes and costs $10 USD.

• Distance from Airport: 20 minutes
• Meal Plan: European Plan (no meals)
• Best For: Big groups and families

If you’re traveling in a big group, especially 2-3 families traveling together, and are looking for a more authentic experience rather than all-inclusive, look no further! Located on the south coast, on the same beach as O2 Beach Resort and Spa, White Sands Beach Condos and Villas is more of a condo-style hotel, offering suites with 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms, complete with a full kitchenette and living room stocked with games for families to play. Most of the apartments are Oceanfront. The only thing to keep in mind is, there is no entertainment or other amenities that you may be used to from all-inclusive resorts. White Sands Beach Condos offers you the experience of living like a local, whether that may be going to the store and cooking in your condo, or experiencing the local restaurants along the St. Lawrence Gap. They do, however, have an outdoor swimming pool and free Wi-Fi.

• Driving Time from Airport: 20 minutes
• Meal Plan: Breakfast
• Best For: Travelers looking for a local experience

This 4-star property is located across the street from Rockley Beach, a beach frequented by locals. With affordable rates, South Beach Hotel is also a good option for those looking to immerse themselves in the local life and culture rather than opting for the usual all-inclusive concept. The nightly rates include Continental Breakfast, and the hotel also has a restaurant open for lunch along with an elevated fine dining restaurant which serves dinner. Travelers can also opt to walk around and enjoy the local restaurants near the hotel, including a Tiki Bar on the beach.

The room categories include a Junior Suite, 1 or 2-Bedroom Suites and a One Bedroom Penthouse Suite. For travelers who enjoy cooking in their place of residence, all rooms at this hotel come with a kitchenette.

• Driving Time from Airport: 20 minutes
• Meal Plan: All-Inclusive
• Best For: Midscale and Luxury Travelers

The Sands Barbados provides visitors with a retreat alongside stunning ocean views on a pristine beach. Modern and spacious rooms and suites await travelers who enjoy the all-inclusive experience, from affordable to luxury. The hotel has only 87 suites, so if you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort which is not a huge property, this is the resort for you! The resort has one restaurant, On The Water, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Noir Restaurant for an a la carte dinner. Room service is offered between 07:00-22:00 for an extra fee.

The hotel offers a variety of room categories, from a Supersaver Room to a 3-Bedroom Suite, from Garden View to Oceanfront. If you enjoy waking up to the view of the ocean, opt for an Oceanfront Room. The view from an Oceanview Room faces towards the pool with the ocean in the distance.

• Driving Time from Airport: 30 minutes
• Meal Plan: All-Inclusive
• Best For: Midscale to high-end travelers

Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, Waves Hotel and Spa used to be part of the Elegant Hotels brand before it was acquired by Marriott. Today, guests arriving at this hotel will be greeted by the hospitable staff, and then feel the ocean in the distance before even checking in. The ocean can be seen from the lobby, at which point you know you’ve arrived in beautiful Barbados! There is a lounge with a bar overlooking the ocean right next to the lobby, where guests can grab a drink and enjoy the beautiful ocean views. The beach is right below the lobby, after going down a few stairs. The resort features a spacious pool and beautiful spa, located across the street.

The room categories include a Standard Room, Pool View Room, Pool View 1 Bedroom Suite, and the highest category with the best views is a Junior Suite Oceanfront which has a balcony.

Colony Club is also part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. This beachfront resort is best for high end travelers who are not looking for an all-inclusive experience. Guests can opt for a rate that includes a full buffet breakfast, or go half-board which includes breakfast and dinner, or full board which includes all 3 meals. However, going full board does not mean all-inclusive. Other than the meals you select, snacks and alcoholic drinks are always an extra cost. Guests who enjoy sports will appreciate the hotel’s tennis courts as well as motorized and non-motorized water sports such as water skiing, tubing and banana boat rides. The resort has a boutique spa for travelers looking for a rejuvenating experience. The hotel is located on a beautiful beach on the west coast, so if you enjoy sunsets, you’ve come to the right hotel!

Honeymooners will certainly enjoy the hotel’s Luxury Swim Up room category of this hotel, situated next to the meandering lagoon pools. A mini-patio with a table is located next to the meandering lagoon pool entrance, providing the ambiance for a private dinner with champagne outside your room. Other room categories include Pool Garden View, Luxury Poolside View, and Ocean View rooms. All rooms feature delightfully luxe amenities including espresso machines, REN bath products, yoga mats and more.