Stay Here: Coral Reef Club, BarbadosBy Angelica Malin
Barbados will steal your heart. With its sunshine-filled days, beautiful beaches, friendly atmosphere and delicious, fresh food, this island has everything you could want for the 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 is truly a piece of island paradise. The hotel was a passion project of Budge and Cynthia O’Hara, who arrived in Barbados from England in the 1950s. The hotel has been lovingly restored and renovated over the years by their children – who now run the hotel – and grandchildren, who all grew up enjoying the beautiful property. Their two sons, Patrick and Mark, now run the hotel, and are constantly working 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 of the island. Family-owned and operated, this is a hotel with real soul, and every little detail has been put into the heart of the hotel, to give a real West Indian feel. The rooms are traditional in feel, with wooden balustrades, local touches and the most sensational views of the coast. Whether it’s a healthy breakfast overlooking the ocean, or a day spent relaxing on the beach with a cocktail in hand, this is a hotel where you’ll make memories for life.
Coral Reef Club: Accommodation
The accommodation ranges from a Garden Cottage to the Luxury Plantation Suite, and there really is something for everyone. The Garden Cottage, for two people, is a room or cottage with a king sized bed, private bathroom and balcony – the rooms have a beautiful design, with classic Caribbean charm. The Luxury Junior Suites are lovely – on the front of the property, only moments from the beach – most of which face the pool. If you’re looking for something special, the Luxury Cottage sleeps three people, and features a dressing room, en-suite bathroom, large patio and private plunge pool. Heavenly.
At the top end of the accommodation options, there’s the private villas, which are great for families, with 4 double rooms, private lawn and shared swimming pool. We were lucky enough to experience a Luxury Plantation Suite, which is beauty defined. The five Luxury Plantation Suites are a real highlight at Coral Reef Club; the beautiful bedrooms features a four-posted bed, spacious living room, dressing area and a large bathroom with a walk-in shower and separate tub.
What’s more, the beautiful ocean-facing suites have a large terrace, overlooking the sea, with a complimentary bar and private open sundeck with a plunge pool. This suite has every amenity you could want and need, and I’d be surprised if you left your room at all! The Plantation Suites all have views of the sea, and there’s truly no finer way to wake up than the views of the ocean from this stunning room.
If you’re a foodie, you’ll totally love Coral Reef Club. They have a wonderful restaurant overlooking the sea, 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. In the morning, expect a beautiful 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 the most delicious local juices. Is there anything better in life than enjoying 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 utterly divine, perfect washed down with a piña colada. In the evening Executive Chef Hance Bannister cooks up a storm, 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 having such an amazing view doesn’t hurt, either. There’s also live entertainment every evening during the winter, such as calypso, steel band, jazz, piano and reggae. Good times.
If you’re looking for a bit of pampering, you’re in luck. The Coral Reef Club boasts a lovely destination spa, housed inside an old colonial-inspired building, surrounded by tropical gardens. The rooms are really rather special, as exotic plants and flowers weave throughout the treatment rooms, giving you a real back-to-nature experience. For true beauty and tranquility, you need to try a treatment – they offer a huge range of natural and holistic treatments, including manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, wraps and scrubs. Fancy something special? Experience a Natura Bissé Vitamin C facial, a signature Lemongrass and Ginger Rub or the Caribbean Calm Massage.
The spa has four multi-purpose treatment rooms, each with its own private patio and garden, and there’s an outdoor pavilion for couples. The perfect place for unparalleled natural beauty and tranquility – this is one place you’ll feel totally relaxed. The facilities of the spa are amazing, including a luxurious ‘open sided’ relaxation room, an outdoor 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 might fancy getting active. The hotel has 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 also a scuba diving school on property, with Full Naui and Padi certification available.
If that’s not enough, they also have two tennis courts with complimentary tennis coaching, and a nearby golf course at Sandy Lane. But if you’re just looking for some holiday relaxation, the hotel’s two pools are absolutely lovely, and a great place to while away a day, book in one hand, cocktail in the other. Perfection.
If you haven’t already noticed, I totally fell in love with Coral Reef Club. The family-feel of the hotel really does run throughout it, and the suites here are some of the nicest you’ll find in all of Barbados. With the most perfection location on the beach, a delicious restaurant serving up the best local cuisine and a really great vibe, this is one resort you’ll want to come back to, time and time again. For a holiday you’ll never forget, this is one resort you don’t want to miss.
British Airways flies from the UK to Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) twelve times a week. Flights start at £478 – visit here to book. Prices at Coral Reef Club start from £370 per night based on double occupancy in a Garden Room with breakfast included. For reservations, please call 001 246 422 2372 or visit here.
