Barbados is easily reached by weekly flights from Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Split time between the tranquil, upscale Platinum Coast and the party-happy south coast. Rent some wheels for a trip into the cool, hilly Scotland District and an afternoon along the wild Atlantic beaches near the town of Bathsheba.
SWEETFIELD MANOR
STYLE: Historic bed-and-breakfast in a former plantation house
LOCATION: On a hill overlooking
ACCOMMODATIONS: Seven rooms, air-conditioned and antique-laden
RATES: From $175 in low season ($235 high)
AMENITIES: Grotto pool with waterfall, monkey observation deck, veranda bar, free Internet access, gourmet breakfast
CONTACT: 246-429-8356; sweetfieldmanor.com
COBBLERS COVE
STYLE: English-country-style estate house right on the beach
LOCATION: Walking distance of Speights-town
ACCOMMODATIONS: 40 air-conditioned suites with garden and ocean views
RATES: From $465 in low season ($770 high)
AMENITIES: Swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, fitness center and spa, lovely gardens, easy beach access
CONTACT: 800-890-6060 or 246-422-2291; cobblerscove.com
FAIRMONT ROYAL PAVILION
STYLE: Five-star British resort modeled on the classic Bajan plantation house
LOCATION: On the island's prettiest beach, a half-mile from Holetown
ACCOMMODATIONS: 72 air-conditioned rooms, each with ocean-view balcony or private terrace
RATES: From $289 in low season ($579 high)
AMENITIES: Swimming pool, two restaurants, in-room massage, fitness room
CONTACT: 888-257-7544; fairmont.com
THE CRANE
STYLE: Large resort with classic West Indian
DNA LOCATION: On a headland east of the airport, overlooking Crane Beach
ACCOMMODATIONS: A mix of apartment residences with private pools and a historic hotel with 18 suites furnished with 19th-century antiques
RATES: From $152 in low season ($268 high)
AMENITIES: Three restaurants, two swimming pools, elevator to the beach, shopping mall
CONTACT: 246-423-6220; thecrane.com
SILVER POINT
STYLE: Intimate boutique hotel with modern flair
LOCATION: On the quiet southeastern corner of the island
ACCOMMODATIONS: 58 air-conditioned studios and one- and two-bedroom suites
RATES : From $128 in low season ($266 high)
AMENITIES: Flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, swimming pool, daybeds, open-air bar and restaurant, beach access
CONTACT: 246-420-4416; silverpointhotel.com
THE CLIFF
SETTING: Overlooking the Platinum Coast at St. James
CUISINE: Eclectic international
RECOMMENDATIONS: The creamy pumpkin soup appetizer and chargrilled tuna on garlic mashed potatoes
PRICES: Prix fixe $123 for a two-course meal (starter or dessert, plus main course) or $147 for three courses
CONTACT: 246-432-1922; thecliffbarbados.com
L'AZURE RESTAURANT
SETTING: Perched on a cliff above Crane Beach
CUISINE: Seafood and traditional Bajan cuisine
RECOMMENDATIONS: Caribbean lobster is a favorite, but don't miss the Sunday Gospel Brunch followed by a generous Bajan buffet
PRICES: Two courses for $103
CONTACT: 246-432-6220; thecrane.com
WHAT TO DO
Bridgetown has plenty of restaurants and shopping
, but head south to the Sunbury Plantation House (246-423-6270; barbadosgreathouse.com) to get a sense of the island's history. The 300-year-old great house has been restored to its original grandeur and serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner by candlelight.
Hunte's Gardens (246-433-3333; huntesgardensbarbados.com) is a private botanical garden with whimsical statues and winding paths. At the Hilton hotel complex south of Bridgetown, Barbados Blue (246-434-5764; divebarbadosblue.com) is the only dive shop with two marine biologists on staff.
The jewel of the dive scene is the sunken Stavronikita, a 365-foot Greek freighter in the Carlisle Bay Marine Park. For a little Bajan buzz, indulge yourself in a Mount Gay Rum Tour (246-425-8757; mountgay.com) and see how the island's oldest distillery makes its famous spirits. Not surprisingly, the 45-minute tour ($7; free for children) ends with a tasting session. On Tuesdays and Thursdays you can join a noon Bajan buffet lunch ($40; $20 for children), and on Wednesday there's a cocktail tour ($30; no children allowed).
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
TOURIST INFORMATION: 866-566-0956; visitbarbados.org
DOCUMENTS: U.S. and Canadian citizens need passports.
GETTING THERE: Barbados' Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) receives flights from American Eagle, Delta and USAirways; departure tax ($27.50) is included with airfare
DIALING IN: 1 + 246 + seven-digit number
CURRENCY: Barbados dollar (US$1 = 2 BBD); all businesses accept U.S. dollars
GETTING AROUND: Buses and taxis are readily available around Bridgetown, but service is limited in the far corners of the island. Your best bet is to hire a rental car at the airport or have one delivered to your hotel. With narrow roads and plenty of pedestrian traffic, Barbados demands defensive driving. Drivers licenses cost $5 and are available at all car-rental counters.
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