The three faces of Barbados, the beautiful easternmost island in the Caribbean, offers more diversity than vacation spots much larger than the country’s 14 by 21 miles. “Relaxed” and “great value” characterize the island’s second side: Barbados’ south coast, where white-sand beaches abound, nightlife is active, and vacation rentals are reasonably priced. Part 2 of a 3 part series.
South Coast of Barbados:
Price wise, closer to land than the west coast of Barbados is the island’s south coast, which offers a “real” Barbados holiday with lots of locals, friendly hip hawkers, and plenty of accommodation offering good value for money.
Take notes:
However, be careful before you book your South Coast hotel or vacation rental. Be aware of:
– South Coast accommodations range from casual luxuries with incredible ocean views to hotel rooms in need of a face lift. Before you book anywhere, check the TripAdvisor site to see what past guests have to say about the vacation rental you’re interested in. Seductive as they are, don’t rely on reservations only in the photos of the beautiful sea.
– the south coast is a wonderful mix of calm waters of the Caribbean Sea and active waters of the Atlantic Ocean; the further you are from the east coast, the higher the waves and the stronger the swell. Find out about the surf conditions of the place you book.
– Restaurants and shops are located in the area of the south shore called St. Lawrence Gap. If you have rental accommodation outside of “Gap”, you’ll need a rented car or taxi (or, if you’re adventurous, the Barbados bus system) to get to restaurants, shops and nightlife. Unless you want a very quiet vacation, you’ll want to stay in or very close to the Gap. However, also remember that where there’s nightlife there’s nighttime noise, so ask about any provisions vacation rentals have made for soundproofing. Again, check TripAdvisor reviews to read what past guests have to say.
Barbados South Coast Vacation Rental Recommendations:
Many visitors from the south coast are drawn to the area because the beaches are even whiter and larger than those on the island’s west coast. They are also plentiful. The following vacation rentals are worth a look because they offer amazing ocean views and generally offer good value for money in casual luxury surroundings:
* Silver Point Hotel (in Silver Sands Beach): Gorgeous white drapes surround large open-air four-poster beds at this boutique-style getaway that’s some distance from the South Shore action. An open-air restaurant and on-site bar complement the place’s casual-chic vibe and the young crowd it attracts. The sea is more Atlantic Ocean than Caribbean Sea. This means that it is ideal for windsurfers, but a bit difficult for casual swimmers and children. Windy, the beach offers ideal conditions for kite flying. You will need a car to get around the island. Some rooms have kitchenettes.
* small bows (in Enterprise Beach aka Miami Beach) – An absolutely adorable, intimate and elegant hotel with the acclaimed multi-cuisine restaurant, Café Luna, on-site. Only for adults. A car is recommended. The sea is calmer here than at Silver Point.
* ocean 1 (Maxwell Beach) – Modern and new, offering two and three bedroom apartment homes with kitchens and ocean view balconies. Privately owned, different apartments offer different tastes and qualities of furnishings. Located right on a large beach, each unit offers beautiful views of the calm sea. You may want to rent a car or take a quick cab ride to the Gap for dinner.
* St Lawrence Beach Condos (St Lawrence Beach, between Dover and Sandy Beaches) – New two and three bedroom vacation rentals with full kitchens in the heart of St. Lawrence Gap. All units offer expansive ocean views and immediate access to a small beach. Step out the back door and commune with the tranquility of the aqua blue sea or lounge around the pool; walking out the front door, you are just steps from numerous restaurants and clubs. The sea here is more Caribbean than the Atlantic Ocean, which means that the waves are gentle. Find out about the soundproofing of the rooms facing the Gap; the seaside rooms are not disturbed by the music from the clubs. Car is not required. Small supermarkets, shops and many restaurants very close.
* Hilton Hotel (on Hilton Beach in Needham’s Point): A less imaginative option, perhaps, but the Barbados Hilton’s location, in beautiful Needham’s Point, earns the Hilton a spot on this list. The rooms are what you’d expect and there’s a bit too much concrete in the common areas for my liking, but the food in the various restaurants is good, the service is top notch, and the beach is one of the nicest on the island and ideal for sunbathers. very young children play in the surf.
Next, we will visit the third side of Barbados: the undeveloped east coast, with stunning views of a wild Atlantic Ocean.