Barbados will steal your heart. Using its sunshine-filled days, beautiful beaches, friendly atmosphere and delicious, fresh food, maui has everything you could want for that perfect exotic break. If you’re looking for somewhere fantastic to stay on the West Coast of Barbados, then it’s about time you discovered Coral Reef Club:
Coral Reef Club: The Lowdown
Coral Reef Club is really a piece of island paradise. The hotel would be a passion project of Budge and Cynthia O’Hara, who found its way to Barbados from England in the 1950s. The hotel has been lovingly restored and renovated through the years by their kids – who now run your accommodation – and grandchildren, who all grew up enjoying the beautiful property. Their two sons, Patrick and Mark, now run the hotel, and therefore are constantly trying to improve its beauty and facilities, whilst maintaining the family atmosphere.
The location of 5* Coral Reef Club is simply amazing; the hotel is set amidst twelve acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, on the West Coast from the island. Family-owned and operated, this is a hotel with real soul, and every little detail continues to be put in the center from the hotel, to provide a real West Indian feel. The rooms are traditional in feel, with wooden balustrades, local touches and also the most sensational views from the coast. Whether it’s a healthy breakfast overlooking the ocean, or a day spent relaxing around the beach having a cocktail in hand, this is a hotel where you’ll make memories for a lifetime.
Coral Reef Club: Accommodation
The accommodation ranges from the Garden Cottage towards the Luxury Plantation Suite, and there is really something for everyone. Your garden Cottage, for two people, is really a room or cottage having a king sized bed, private bathroom and balcony – the rooms have a beautiful design, with classic Caribbean charm. The posh Junior Suites are lovely – on the front from the property, only moments from the beach – many of which face the pool. If you’re searching for something special, the posh Cottage sleeps three people, and features a dressing room, en-suite bathroom, large patio and plunge pool. Heavenly.
At the top end from the accommodations, there’s the non-public villas, that are great for families, with 4 double rooms, private lawn and shared swimming pool. We were lucky enough to get notice a Luxury Plantation Suite, which is beauty defined. The five Luxury Plantation Suites really are a real highlight at Coral Reef Club; the beautiful bedrooms features a four-posted bed, spacious living room, dressing area along with a large bathroom with a walk-in shower and separate tub.
What’s more, the beautiful ocean-facing suites possess a large terrace, overlooking the ocean, with a complimentary bar and open sundeck having a plunge pool. This suite has every amenity you can would like, and I’d be surprised should you left your living space whatsoever! The Plantation Suites all have views from the sea, and there’s truly no finer way to awaken compared to views from the ocean out of this stunning room.
Coral Reef Club: The Food
If you’re a foodie, you’ll totally love Coral Reef Club. They have a wonderful restaurant overlooking the ocean, with a great range of al fresco dining and a bar that whips up some delicious tropical cocktails, and probably the best rum punch on the islands. Each morning, expect an attractive breakfast spread in true Caribbean style. There’s everything from warm waffles and pancakes with chocolate sauce, to made-to-order omelettes, fresh fruit, homemade pastries and also the most delicious local juices. Is there anything better in life than having a big stack of banana pancakes with maple syrup overlooking the sea? I think not.
During the day, Coral Reef Club’s restaurant has regularly-changing a la carte menus, with lots of fresh fish, seafood and dishes that combine classical cuisine with Caribbean flavour. We loved their fresh salads, enjoyed by the beach – the seared local tuna salad with french beans, rocket and beetroot is completely divine, perfect washed down with a pi~na colada. At night Executive Chef Hance Bannister cooks up bad weather, taking Caribbean classics and giving them a twist.
The dinner menu features delights such as tuna carpaccio with pickled cucumber and green mango, baked filet of Mahi Mahi with spinach and dark chocolate ganache tart. The food is all fresh and totally delicious, and achieving such an amazing view doesn’t hurt, either. There’s also live entertainment every evening throughout the winter, such as calypso, steel band, jazz, piano and reggae. Happy times.
Coral Reef Club: The Spa
If you’re looking for a bit of pampering, you’re fortunate. The Coral Reef Club has a lovely destination spa, housed inside an old colonial-inspired building, encompassed by tropical gardens. The rooms are really rather special, as exotic plants and flowers weave through the treatment rooms, giving you a real back-to-nature experience. For true beauty and tranquility, you need to consider using a treatment – they provide a huge selection of natural and holistic treatments, including manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, wraps and scrubs. Fancy something? Experience a Natura Bissé Vitamin C facial, a signature Lemongrass and Ginger Rub or even the Caribbean Calm Massage.
The spa has four multi-purpose treatment rooms, each with its own private patio and garden, and there’s a backyard pavilion for couples. An ideal place for unparalleled natural beauty and tranquility – this is one place you’ll really feel relaxed. The facilities from the spa are amazing, including a luxurious ‘open sided’ relaxation room, a backyard hydro-pool with shaded cabanas for post treatment leisure, a thermal suite, experience shower and spa lounge for relaxation. Yes, please.
Coral Reef Club: The Activities
Once you’re done pampering and relaxing, you may fancy getting active. The hotel includes a huge range of activities on offer, including complimentary non-motorized watersports including Hobie Cat sailing, laser and Sunfish sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkelling. There’s additionally a scuba diving school on property, with Full Naui and Padi certification available.
If that’s insufficient, they likewise have two tennis courts with complimentary tennis coaching, along with a nearby golf course at Sandy Lane. But when you’re just looking for some holiday relaxation, the hotel’s two pools are absolutely lovely, and a good way to while away each day, book in a single hand, cocktail within the other. Perfection.
Coral Reef Club: Our Verdict
If you haven’t already noticed, I totally fell deeply in love with Coral Reef Club. The family-feel of the hotel does indeed run throughout it, and the suites here are some of the nicest you’ll find in all Barbados. Most abundant in perfection location around the beach, a tasty restaurant serving in the best local cuisine and a excellent vibe, this really is one resort you’ll wish to return to, again and again. For a vacation you’ll always remember, this is one resort you don’t wish to miss.
