Travel: Oceans of opulence in Caribbean paradise of Barbados

Powder-white beaches fringing glistening turquoise waters, brochure-cover sunrises and sunsets, mouth-watering Bajan food and endless rum sours.

You don’t have to be a genius to work out why Barbados is the UK’s favourite Caribbean destination.

That said, life on the island has changed a fair bit since my previous visit 18 months ago.

Back then, the country was at the tail end of the Covid lockdown and lucrative cruise ships unable to dock in Bridgetown.

Thankfully, holidaymakers are now back in their droves, enjoying everything that the relatively new republic offers.

However, the biggest difference I noticed this time around was at my hotel. On my last visit, I had a short tour of O2 Beach Club and Spa during its renovation.

© STEVEN GRAFFHAM

The results are nothing short of spectacular, and as a residential guest at Barbados’ coolest five-star resort, I soon drifted into life as a VIP. As well as a complimentary mini-bar stacked with drinks in my Luxury Collection Suite, and a personalised concierge service, I enjoyed credit at Acqua Spa (the highest on the island) and access to the O2’s sister hotel Sea Breeze Beach House.

However, it’s the O2’s food-and-beverage programme that elevates it above any other five-star property I’ve visited in the Caribbean. The casual Elements buffet has fabulous feasts, morning, noon and night, while Blue Fin is the place to be for relaxed beachside dining. But best of all is Oro, the fine-dining destination up on the ninth floor. With jaw-dropping 270-degree views of the south coast, I was spoilt for choice browsing the menu, eventually opting for the delicious lamb rack with Dijon mustard and rosemary.

During the long hot days at O2, there is a trio of stunning pools with two swim-up bars to laze around. Another advantage of staying at the O2 is the hotel’s close proximity to the bustling St Lawrence Gap, famous for its rum shops, street food and lively nightlife.

Joe and I, along with our other pal Steve, made a beeline for Cocktail Kitchen to sample its roast breadfruit and lobster, before stepping next door to The Dive Bar for some live music.

Barbados is just 21 miles long and 14 miles wide and I had plenty of time to explore the island. I was booked in for a round of golf with former Walker Cup winner Roddy Carr at the all-new Apes Hill Golf Club.

Sitting on an old sugar plantation 1,000ft above sea level, the lush par-72 course has panoramic views that span the Atlantic to the east and Caribbean Sea to the west. Among the highlights of legendary course architect Ron Kirby’s Caribbean Masterpiece is the signature hole at 16 which has a coral rock cave hugging the hole behind the green.

The next day, our driver Shawn took the three of us on a tour of the escapist east and north coasts, before criss-crossing to the slightly more built-up west.

We started out on the hillside of surfing hub of Bathsheba, before munching on a tasty brunch at the Atlantis Historic Inn in St Joseph. There was even time to spend a few hours on Mullins Beach, at the ultra chic Sea Shed, which comes alive with DJs and fireworks at the weekends, before ending in Holetown.

© Kristopher Streek

The highlight of our week was a lunch cruise aboard one of Cool Runnings’ catamarans. We made three stops – to swim with sea turtles and rays, snorkel above a shipwreck, and enjoy lunch close to a beach on Sandy Lane. One of the things that have stayed the same in Barbados is Oistins Fish Fry, the legendary Friday-night market where hundreds of islanders and tourists wash down meaty marlin and other grilled fish with cold beers and rum punches. All with a side of hot sauce, of course.

This safe and homely hospitality, along with picture-postcard perfection at places like O2 Beach Club and Apes Hill, continues to raise the bar in this Caribbean paradise.

Factfile

Seven nights all-inclusive in Barbados with Virgin Atlantic Holidays from £3,143 per person. To book: virginholidays.co.uk or call 0344 557 3859. o2beachclubbarbados.com

P.S. The name Barbados comes from either the Portuguese term ‘os barbudos’ or the Spanish equivalent ‘los barbados’, both meaning ‘the bearded ones’. This could refer to refer the hanging roots of the bearded fig-tree, the beards of the indigenous inhabitants of the island, or the sea froth created when waves crash against the coral reefs.