Read about Janey’s visit to Barbados for some winter sunshine. See her recommendations on where to stay and eat, and of course what to do.
When you Leave the UK on a grey November morning with zero temperatures wearing winter clothes, it can feel quite startling when you land. You emerge from the aircraft, temporarily blinded by the bright light to cheery Bajan greetings and you are instantly cocooned in a balmy 30 degrees heat.
Our plans had changed 3 days before and at very short notice we were lucky to find 4 rooms at The House, a boutique adult only hotel. It sits on a gorgeous stretch of sandy beach on the West Coast. The staff of which were the most welcoming, warm and friendly team, where nothing was too much trouble and every request was met with a massive grin and quite a bit of banter.
We started the day as we meant to go on – drinking and eating way too much. The complimentary champagne breakfast was particularly popular with several of our party.
To counter balance the calorie intake we found a little oasis of calm in Singitta Wellness. 20 minutes taxi drive up the road, we found a white limed floor yoga & pilates studio windows draped in white muslin. There was a very friendly class instructors and world class masseuses, one of the party vowed she had the best sports massage ever – and she has had a lot of massages. Feeling virtuous we picked up green detox juices freshly made that morning to continue the day.
The best food
My week’s holiday actually became a culinary tour of the Islands amazing restaurants. Gourmet visitors to Barbados are spoilt for choice with multiple high end or highly entertaining dining choices.
La Cabane. A very casual beach bar with great food. It has become a Sunday institution for a late lunch. It is proper feet-in-sand dining. Local girls twerking to the DJ, Cool sounds and the best chips ever. The menu painted on a full size surf board and added a lovely touch to the relaxed beach side dining experience.
We visited Tides for an elegant top end dining experience. The food was sophisticated and mouth watering. The chef worked his magic for the four vegan eaters who were in raptures over his signature Barbados dishes. Fab cocktails too. We would recommend to go early, be entertained by the very engaging bar staff and watch sky as it get darks on the board walk and be prepared to be wowed by the sunset.
At the Lone star we were greeted by waiters in pristine white boiler suits homage to its petrol pump station origins. Pause at the top of the stairs and take in the picture framed view of turquoise sea, white sand beach and palm trees curving elegantly down into the sand.
This is how you would have your dream Beach house. White wood shutters, deep sofas piped in navy cord and inviting soft bar stools. This is a fun buzzy restaurant, filled every night and has a great atmosphere for a fun night out.
Seaduced Catamaran – taking in the best of the Barbados winter escape by the sea
We watched this beautiful white catamaran drop some fellow hotel guests right to our beach after a day out. Having established that yes it absolutely should be booked for the day we were booked in two days later just the 8 of us. This was the best day of our holiday, from the moment we stepped on board we had the most attentive, thoughtful and humorous service. Drinks were never ending. Including even when we were in the sea, their little speed boat came out with 8 individual cocktails delivered to each of us whilst bobbing around.
We Swam with turtles and it was incredible to see them in their natural habitat. One tiny one was named Prince William, for reasons we never found out but it was lovely to see how the island looked after and supported the turtles. 6 hours passed in a flash, spent basking in the sun. We also danced to great tunes, ate an unbelievable lunch which included 6 different delicious salads, grilled chicken, and even a Vegan cheesecake. All made by the onboard chef. The day finished with strawberry daiquiris and vodka sours.
Sea Shed. A relaxed beach restaurant with high quality food.
We arrived in time for sunset. We sipped on minty mojitos and homemade crisps to nibble on. The restaurant opened in October 2019 5 weeks before we arrived. Coincidently the owners of the catamaran Seaduced also own this new restaurant.
The very patient manageress followed us girls around, as we picked the perfect sundowner position – there were a few. Flames lit up the palm trees and reflected on the sea. Some of our group had met the chef a few days before. Who, on hearing 4 vegans were coming to eat at the restaurant, hastened to include an additional page to his menu of vegan and healthy bites . Our vegan diners gave a big thumbs up to the quality of their
meals and their choices. It is rumoured that he left The Cliff Beach Club Restaurant to come to the Sea Shed. Lucky us!
Kite Surfing – or not!
Beach clean up while enjoying the Barbados winter sunshine
One of our party was a keen kite surfer and so we decided to all go with him to watch him for a couple of hours. We travelled about an hour across the island and down to the South Coast, to the Silver Sands Beach where the wind should be. Sadly although it felt pretty windy to the uninitiated, there wasn’t enough or the right type of wind. It didn’t matter, we had two jobs to do, one planned and one not. We soon discovered the dunes and the inlets had a lot of rubbish left on them or washed up by the sea.
We spent an hour filling bag after bag of plastics, glass, barrels, fishing nets, straws and all manner of strange items. All of which could have done some pretty nasty damage to the wildlife both on land and in the sea. I didn’t like the idea of having the majestic turtles we had seen earlier swimming amongst all this debris. Interestingly there was a local project near the beach set up to take in all of what we had collected. So it was a very satisfying experience although upsetting that there was so much to collect.
Picnic on the beach
After that, we could settle down to our other job. Eating a delicious picnic, chilled rose and beers, that the hotel had very kindly packed us off with. Peek into The Cliff and gaze at the crisp white table cloths, the flames reflecting on the sea. Visit the buzzing Cliff Beach Club We Hit by the live music cools sounds hint of reggae. Infinity bar merged with the sea Galactic lights sparkling off the sparkly ceiling. There were crashing waves flickering candles.
Make sure you go to the bathroom. Toad of Toad Hall is read to you by a very posh English man (via hidden speakers – he’s not in there with you). It’s an odd experience but one I would recommend.
There is a really nice ladies clothing boutique to visit pre-dinner too. Shopping is so so much more fun when you’ve had a cocktail or two!
Barbados is a perfect winter get away. It’s a really chilled out place with a great mix of hotels and amazing restaurants. If I want to get away and don’t know where to go but want it to be really easy. This is where I will be heading back to.
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