Barbados has always
been a primary Caribbean island for upscale tourists from England
and Canada, including a long line of celebrities and royal family
members. While many Americans are intent on experiencing this legacy
of luxury, Barbados offers another important selling point. Namely,
there are very few American brands and large hi-rise hotels. Rather,
the emphasis is on family-owned accommodations. There are also no
casinos or chain restaurants, resulting in what locals like to say
is a more authentic Caribbean experience.
Hotels for All Budgets
Barbados is often
considered expensive because of the island’s famous coterie of
repeat guests, including international pop superstars and government
dignitaries. However, there is a property to suit every budget and
taste.
The western shores of
Barbados running north from Bridgetown are home to the majority of
the island’s well-known upscale resorts. The beaches are magnificent
with standouts including Mullins Beach and Paynes Bay, although many
guests visiting the "Platinum Coast" tend to stay close to the
lushly landscaped pools at the various hotels. Evenings are similar
in that most visitors stay close to their properties because there
isn’t a lot in the way of nightlife in the region. Instead, the
hotel restaurants offer what is considered the best lineup of
executive chefs in the entire southern Antilles.
Some of the landmark
resorts are renowned for great golfing, with world-class fairways
and exquisite clubhouses featuring comprehensive pro shops and
fine-dining restaurants.
Heading east from
Bridgetown, a slate of smaller, less expensive resorts are situated
around more postcard-perfect beaches near the communities of Rockley
and Worthings. The liveliest dining and nightclub scenes can be
found at St. Lawrence Gap, while a great place to hang out with
locals and experience an authentic fish fry is at Oistins Bay.
History & Charm
Barbados really comes
into its own for day trips to a luminous selection of historic
"great houses" and vivid gardens. St. Nicholas Abbey was built in
1650 and it’s one of only three existing houses in the western
hemisphere belonging to the Jacobean school of architecture. The
medieval design incorporates distinctive Dutch gables and, oddly
enough, fireplaces. No one knows why fireplaces were built on a
tropical island and it’s also unclear about the Abbey appellation.
Equally intriguing is
attractive Francia Plantation built in 1913 on a wooded hillside
with terraced gardens. The venerable home features a sweeping stone
staircase, Brazilian paneling and a superb collection of antique
maps. Other important historic homes include the 300-year-old
Sunbury Plantation House & Museum, the Villa Nova country home, Drax
Hall, Brighton Great House, and Tyrol Cot Heritage House.
For garden lovers, no
trip to Barbados is complete without visiting Andromeda Botanical
Gardens near the town of Bathsheba on the ruggedly beautiful east
coast. The sprawling grounds were created by famed botanist and
aptly named Iris Bannochie in 1954. Look for the miniature
hummingbirds frequenting the Hibiscus Garden, a wealth of palm trees
in the Palm Garden, the centerpiece bearded fig tree, and a
bizarrely shaped "beafsteak" heliconia.
General Sales
Information
Marriage requirements:
$75 cash and $12.50 Barbados postage stamps for wedding; $10 gift
certificate. Letter from marriage officer; license from Ministry of
Home Affairs; and proof of divorce/death. No waiting period.
Golf: 7
Gaming: No
casinos
Destination Information
Official language:
English
Government:
British Commonwealth member with Parliamentary Democracy
Temperature:
Averages 80ºF
Rainfall:
40 inches; 90 interior, annually
Official currency:
Barbados Dollar (BDS), converted at the rate of $1.98 BDS to US$1
Entry requirements:
Valid passport
Departure tax:
$12.50
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Contact:
One of our Dream Excursions Vacation Specialist at 1-888-898-3628 or
email us at
request@dreamexcursions.com for
fast, friendly assistance.
