The 9 Best Beachfront Hotels in Barbados
The south coast of Barbados has broad, white-sand beaches lapped by surf that ranges from calm and swimmable to windswept and exciting. Many of the hotels on the island’s west coast—the Platinum Coast—face very narrow beaches that shrink to nearly nothing after autumn storms. The sand generally comes back as the weather improves, but these beaches are rarely as broad and beautiful as those on the south coast. These are the best beachfront hotels and resorts in Barbados.
Silver Point Hotel
Why it made the list
Silver Rock Beach, a broad windswept beach with pure white sand, spreads out in front of this hotel on the eastern edge of the south coast. And while the water here can be rough and not so good for casual swimming, it’s the best place to be for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
The Crane
Why it made the list
All by itself on the island’s southwestern coast, the resort surrounds magnificent Crane Beach—a crescent of pink sand facing a multihued blue sea. To access the beach, guests either negotiate 98 steps down a steep cliff or take the resort’s glass-walled elevator.
Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados
Why it made the list
Walk out on the resort’s pier for a long view of the magnificent white-sand beaches adjacent to the resort. Then find your spot in the sand at Browne’s Beach, a broad beach lapped by gentle waves. If you’re up at 5:30 a.m., look out your window; you’ll see racehorses swimming in the ocean—getting their morning exercise.
Turtle Beach Resort
Why it made the list
Besides being a great place to sun and swim, the long swath of beach in front of the resort is a nesting place for sea turtles. If your timing is right (evenings, mid-July to mid-October), you’ll see hundreds of tiny, just-hatched turtles zigzag across the sand to the sea.
Sandals Barbados
Why it made the list
Sandals Barbados (and Sandals Royal Barbados, next door), on the south coast at the eastern end of St. Lawrence Gap, has beachfront dining options and countless water sports activities. The beach itself is excellent for swimming, sunbathing, and strolling along the sand in either direction.
Ocean Two
Why it made the list
Dover Beach stretches along the St. Lawrence Gap waterfront, including in front of Ocean Two. The sea here is fairly calm, with small to medium waves, and the sand is broad, pure white, and brilliant. It’s a gorgeous beach—one of the best on the south coast.
Sugar Bay Barbados
Why it made the list
The postcard-pretty beach in front of the resort has soft white sand studded with palm trees and a reef-protected lagoon where guests (of all ages) can use the snorkels, boogie boards, kayaks, or just take a swim.
Sandy Lane Hotel and Golf Club
Why it made the list
For some reason, annual west-coast beach erosion always skips Sandy Lane’s beach. It’s not huge, but it is lovely. Guests can lounge on comfortable chaises with attendants eager to provide a cold drink, frosty treat, delicious snack, or fresh towel. Heck, they’ll even clean your sunglasses!
Fairmont Royal Pavilion
Why it made the list
The beach in front of the Fairmont erodes less than most neighboring west-coast beaches. All guestrooms either overlook the beach or have direct walkout access to the sand.
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