Barbados has a reputation for being one of the world’s most exclusive holiday destinations. A playground for the rich and famous; Simon Cowell, Hugh Grant, Royal couple Prince Harry and Meghan plus Rhianna all own homes in Barbados (Rhianna was born on this island!). It’s also a holiday getaway for celebrities such as Mark Wahlberg, Mariah Carey and Mark Zuckerberg.
This paradise island is a popular Caribbean cruise destination, which is how we first encountered Barbados. Famed for its luxury resorts, if you’re travelling to Barbados and are looking for a home-from home, or for somewhere to hold a private island event, why not stay in a villa?
Booking a villa has many benefits, but what exactly should you be looking for? Feet Do Travel discuss the best that Barbados has to offer.
This paradise island is a popular Caribbean cruise destination, which is how we first encountered Barbados. Famed for its luxury resorts, if you’re travelling to Barbados and are looking for a home-from home, or for somewhere to hold a private island event, why not stay in a villa?
Booking a villa has many benefits, but what exactly should you be looking for? Feet Do Travel discuss the best that Barbados has to offer.
Location, location, location
When it comes to finding a luxury villa in Barbados, you’ll soon discover that the most exclusive destinations are all located on the island’s west coast, predominantly around St James Parish. Dubbed the ‘Platinum Coast, the west coast is the most beautiful part of the island with some of the best beaches. Property here is much sought-after and real estate values have always been at a premium.
This naturally stunning stretch of coastline overlooks the Caribbean and features picturesque coves, many paradise beaches and calm, clear, aquamarine waters. As a result, not only are the best resorts located here; so too are the crème de la crème of the island’s amenities - its premier restaurants, spas, bars, shopping centres etc. are all here.
When it comes to finding a luxury villa in Barbados, you’ll soon discover that the most exclusive destinations are all located on the island’s west coast, predominantly around St James Parish. Dubbed the ‘Platinum Coast, the west coast is the most beautiful part of the island with some of the best beaches. Property here is much sought-after and real estate values have always been at a premium.
This naturally stunning stretch of coastline overlooks the Caribbean and features picturesque coves, many paradise beaches and calm, clear, aquamarine waters. As a result, not only are the best resorts located here; so too are the crème de la crème of the island’s amenities - its premier restaurants, spas, bars, shopping centres etc. are all here.
Open-plan living
When it comes to finding a villa, the first thing you should look for are properties offering open-plan living. While this is fashionable everywhere today, it is essential in a warm climate like Barbados, as open-plan villas allow the cooling breeze of the Caribbean to bring refreshing air right through your Barbados holiday home. They also allow light to filter through the entire space, making it bright and airy.
Open-plan villas, especially those where there is seamless movement between interior and exterior spaces, make your stay more comfortable. Everywhere is easy to access, everyone can stay connected, and the accommodation feels bigger and more spacious.
When it comes to finding a villa, the first thing you should look for are properties offering open-plan living. While this is fashionable everywhere today, it is essential in a warm climate like Barbados, as open-plan villas allow the cooling breeze of the Caribbean to bring refreshing air right through your Barbados holiday home. They also allow light to filter through the entire space, making it bright and airy.
Open-plan villas, especially those where there is seamless movement between interior and exterior spaces, make your stay more comfortable. Everywhere is easy to access, everyone can stay connected, and the accommodation feels bigger and more spacious.
Private pool and terrace
The best villas in Barbados allow you to step out of the house and straight onto a private terrace. This will be equipped with a dining table, BBQ and sun loungers, so you can bask in the sun and eat alfresco with your fellow travellers.
Just as important in a luxury villa, a private pool. Today, you’ll see Barbadian villas featuring infinity pools overlooking manicured gardens which are sizable enough not just to cool off or float on a lilo, but are also good for exercising. Some of the newest villas even feature pools with a shallow section, specially designed to place your sun lounger, making sunbathing a degree or two cooler and a lot less sticky.
The best villas in Barbados allow you to step out of the house and straight onto a private terrace. This will be equipped with a dining table, BBQ and sun loungers, so you can bask in the sun and eat alfresco with your fellow travellers.
Just as important in a luxury villa, a private pool. Today, you’ll see Barbadian villas featuring infinity pools overlooking manicured gardens which are sizable enough not just to cool off or float on a lilo, but are also good for exercising. Some of the newest villas even feature pools with a shallow section, specially designed to place your sun lounger, making sunbathing a degree or two cooler and a lot less sticky.
Interior design
When looking for a luxury villa, the quality of the décor should match the standard of architecture. While you’ll want the villa itself to be eye-catching, the interior design needs to match. It should be tastefully decorated, furnished and finished to a high standard, right down to the little details.
You should also expect all the mod cons. En-suite bathrooms are a must, air -conditioning if you don’t want to sleep with windows open for lovely fresh air, and in today’s age, a reliable wi-fi connection. As it’s a villa, you’ll also want a fully equipped designer kitchen. The best villas around today feature open-plan kitchen diners, large islands, Miele appliances and drink chillers.
Privacy, exclusivity and security
While Barbados is a safe and friendly island to visit, most guests at luxury resorts expect privacy, exclusivity and security. The top resorts on the west coast provide all three. Privacy starts with having large resorts with fewer properties. For example, there are villas within a 750-acre estate which only have 250 properties. Prestigious resorts of this kind are gated and come with round-the-clock security, ensuring that the estate’s guests are kept safe and amenities remain exclusive.
When looking for a luxury villa, the quality of the décor should match the standard of architecture. While you’ll want the villa itself to be eye-catching, the interior design needs to match. It should be tastefully decorated, furnished and finished to a high standard, right down to the little details.
You should also expect all the mod cons. En-suite bathrooms are a must, air -conditioning if you don’t want to sleep with windows open for lovely fresh air, and in today’s age, a reliable wi-fi connection. As it’s a villa, you’ll also want a fully equipped designer kitchen. The best villas around today feature open-plan kitchen diners, large islands, Miele appliances and drink chillers.
Privacy, exclusivity and security
While Barbados is a safe and friendly island to visit, most guests at luxury resorts expect privacy, exclusivity and security. The top resorts on the west coast provide all three. Privacy starts with having large resorts with fewer properties. For example, there are villas within a 750-acre estate which only have 250 properties. Prestigious resorts of this kind are gated and come with round-the-clock security, ensuring that the estate’s guests are kept safe and amenities remain exclusive.
Resort amenities
Anyone looking for a luxury villa in Barbados should consider both the quality and breadth of amenities provided and make sure that they offer what you want, after all, everyone is different and will have their own requirements.
Some of the fabulous amenities available at the top west coast resorts include floodlit tennis courts, saltwater pools, fully equipped modern gyms, on-site bars, restaurants and clubhouses. In some exceptional cases, such as Royal Westmoreland which has a prestigious reputation, include a private members’ Beach Club at the stunning Mullins Beach and a championship-class, Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed, 72-par golf course.
Services which guests should expect as part of their package include a housekeeper, so you don’t have to worry about keeping the villa tidy when you want to relax, and a concierge who will take care of reservations, bookings and transport. Additional luxury services can include a private chef service for days when you don’t want to cook or you want a professionally prepared picnic for an extra special day out.
Anyone looking for a luxury villa in Barbados should consider both the quality and breadth of amenities provided and make sure that they offer what you want, after all, everyone is different and will have their own requirements.
Some of the fabulous amenities available at the top west coast resorts include floodlit tennis courts, saltwater pools, fully equipped modern gyms, on-site bars, restaurants and clubhouses. In some exceptional cases, such as Royal Westmoreland which has a prestigious reputation, include a private members’ Beach Club at the stunning Mullins Beach and a championship-class, Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed, 72-par golf course.
Services which guests should expect as part of their package include a housekeeper, so you don’t have to worry about keeping the villa tidy when you want to relax, and a concierge who will take care of reservations, bookings and transport. Additional luxury services can include a private chef service for days when you don’t want to cook or you want a professionally prepared picnic for an extra special day out.
