Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados

Aquatic Gap, Garrison, St. Michael, Barbados
https://www.facebook.com/RadissonBarbados/

Why We Like It

The hotel is convenient to Bridgetown and Garrison Historic Area sites—and on a beautiful beach. Watching the racehorses swim each morning is a bonus!

Fodor's Expert Review

The Radisson Aquatica is a high-rise hotel overlooking magnificent Browne’s Beach, which stretches around Carlisle Bay. Vacationers love the beachfront location, as well as the hotel’s proximity to the Garrison Historic Area and other activities. At the same time, business travelers find the hotel (and its meeting space) convenient to Bridgetown. A long pier juts into the bay, which is nice for a stroll in the evening—or during the day for that matter.

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Room

Rooms are modern and sleek, with espresso-color furniture, sparkling white linens, desk with an ergonomic chair, comfortable chair and ottoman, and up-to-speed technology. All rooms have a private balcony with a panoramic view of the beach and ocean—beautiful during the day and stunning at sunset. Deluxe rooms and suites have two balconies. “Accessible” rooms, available upon request, have wide doorways, roll-in showers, and easily reachable controls and amenities.

You Should Know Room air-conditioning here is noisy! And only deluxe rooms and suites have a fridge.

Bathroom

Bathrooms are small, as the hotel building has been around for awhile; but each has a granite-topped vanity with double sinks and a tub/shower combination. Water pressure is good, even on the upper floors—good to know in a high-rise hotel!

Lobby

Crisp, clean, and similar to most chain hotel lobbies, there’s a reception desk with seating nearby. A pair of elevators takes guests to their rooms; a hallway leads to the Victorian Pier, which stretches out over the sea.

Tip The hotel entrance, lobby, and public restrooms are all wheelchair-accessible; a wheelchair is available upon request.

Pool

A small pool, just a few steps from the lobby, overlooks the beach. A deck surrounds the pool and has some (but not enough) sun loungers and umbrella tables.

Gym

The fitness center is adjacent to the pool; the machines face picture windows for an ocean view.

Dining

The Aquatic Club Restaurant consists of tables set up along the Victorian Pier, so each table has a beach/ocean view for the buffet breakfast (complimentary) or the à la carte lunch or dinner. The casual Neptune's Grill, next to the pool, serves lunch, snacks, and beverages during the day.

Drinking

The Aquatic Club Restaurant has a small bar. Neptune's Grill serves beverages during the day, with poolside and beachside bar service.

Beach

Browne’s Beach has crystal clear water and gentle waves—great for swimming. The beach in front of the hotel is fairly small, but duck under the pier to a long stretch of beautiful white sand. On either side, you’ll see lots of small boats anchored offshore, as the shipwrecks in Carlisle Bay attract divers and snorkelers.

Tip Even the racehorses from Garrison Savannah love this beach. If you’re up really early (about 5:30 a.m.), you’ll see trainers taking the horses for their daily swim in the sea.

What's Nearby

Getting Around

There’s a lot to do within walking distance, but buses to Bridgetown or Oistins pass frequently along Bay Street ($1 per trip)—a block from the hotel. Taxis are always available for short trips or a day of touring. The hotel will arrange a rental car, if you haven’t already secured one yourself at the airport; there’s free parking at the hotel.

Restaurants

Brown Sugar (5-minute walk), also on Aquatic Gap, serves a full Bajan buffet (dozens of courses) at lunchtime and a full menu for dinner. If you’d like a good steak for dinner, head next door to The Grille at the Hilton Barbados (5-minute walk). In Bridgetown, on The Careenage, Waterfront Café (10-minute drive or 20-minute walk) is a great place for alfresco dining at lunch or for dinner accompanied (some nights) by live jazz.

On the waterfront in Rockley, Champers (5-minute drive) is a classy but comfortable place to enjoy lunch or dinner. Farther east at St. Lawrence Gap, try Primo Bar & Bistro (10-minute drive) for delicious seafood and an excellent view or Café Sol (5-minute drive) for Tex-Mex (or Gringo) cuisine and extraordinary margaritas

The Oistins Fish Fry (5-minute drive) is a must-do event on Friday evenings. All along the waterfront in this south coast fishing village, local folks grill fresh fish (and chicken for landlubbers), served with traditional Bajan sides. Seating is at communal picnic tables, servings are huge, prices are low, and music adds to the fun—for the whole family.

Bars

A stroll along Bay Street toward Bridgetown—or along the beachfront in front of the hotel—will take you to The Boatyard (10-minute walk), a lively beach bar that’s open from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. You may even hear the revelry from your balcony.

Bubba’s Sports Bar (5-minute drive) in Rockley has three video screens and a dozen TVs, along with bar food and, of course, drinks. A little farther east, St. Lawrence Gap has a lot of nighttime activity. Try The Old Jamm Inn or Scoopie's Jazz (10-minute drive) for drinks, music, and dancing.

Quick Facts

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 246-426–6000; 800-333-3333 in U.S.