Stay Here: Sandals Royal, BarbadosBy Alicia Grimshaw
When it comes to having a love affair with a country, Barbados is a keeper. The island, although small in size, is a treasure trove of everything you could want from a holiday destination. The clear waters, the weather, the rum punch on tap, the food, and luxury hotels are just a few notable things that spring to mind. With a tropical year-round temperature and daily flights from London Gatwick, Barbados is a sun-sprinkled winner.
If you’re looking for a place to sip free-flowing cocktails by your own private pool, or take in the rays on a secluded stretch of beach, book a stay at Sandals Royal, the all-new, all-inclusive, suite only resort from the Sandals group. As with all Sandals resort in the Caribbean, this place is first class. Spend a few days/a long weekend/or a week here and you’ll feel like holiday royalty.
Sandals Royal, Barbados: The Lowdown
There’s a mantra here: ‘Stay at one, but play at both.’ This is due to the fact that the Sandals Royal resort sits next to the existing Sandals Barbados. You can have the best of both worlds, all within walking distance. Spread across the two properties are swim-up bars, several pools, health and fitness facilities, and numerous world-class restaurants (we could go on but we don’t have the word count to mention it all). The hotel sits on the edge of Maxwell Beach, a happiness inducing, Insta-worthy stretch of soft sand and gentle rolling blue waves. And it’s only a short drive from the airport (15 minutes if you’re counting).
Sandals Royal, Barbados: The Accommodation
Sandals Royal is unlike any other Sandals resort, as this place strictly operates in suites only. No stuffy hotel rooms or drab decor, but instead state-of-the-art, showroom fresh suites that offer sea views, their own private swim-up pools, soaking tubs on the balcony and a butler service. Casual.
The rooms are contemporary, each with their own style and personality. Think botanical art work, white quartz vanities with backlit mirrors, hues of ocean blues blended with bang-on-trend style features like natural stone flooring, coral accents and lavish fabrics.
The Club Level rooms are your ticket to tranquility. The rooms, housed in the Mediterranean influenced buildings with chic terracotta roof tiles, have a large private patio with circular soaking tub for two and direct, zero-entry access into a Crystal Lagoon pool. Inside, enjoy the fully stocked mini bar with top-shelf libations as well as the big, nay, ginormous, king-sized bed with an en-suite featuring two basins and a walk-in shower.
Sandals Royal, Barbados: The Food
The choice of food and drink is excellent. Exceptional, even. Between the two properties, there’s 17 restaurants and 12 bars, with an ample choice of cuisine. Note-worthy restaurants include rooftop French bistro, La Parisienne for modern European dishes and attentive service, the Sandals staple (and named after the founder), Butch’s Steakhouse for meat that is a cut above the rest, Soy for sushi (the prawn tempura rolls are God-like), and Spices for a curry banquet.
At breakfast, mountains of fresh fruit, local sauces, freshly made omelettes and pastries at the buffet await. Blue Mountain coffee is served like water (it’s the world’s finest for a reason), and Dinos opens at 11am for wood-fired pizzas which could give any local Italian joint a run for its money.
Sandals Royal, Barbados: The Amenities
Amenities here at stellar, and you can take part in as little or as much as you want. There’s a few Sandals firsts at the resort: a 4-lane bowling alley, featuring a swish cocktail lounge, and colourful neon lights, along with a rooftop pool and bar. For more night-time fun, there’s daily live music and a new craft beer bar which serves 19 different beers from around the world. Water-based activities are also taken care of, with every sort of water sport imaginable along with top-of-the-line equipment and professional instruction available.
The Red Lane Spa is simply divine. Entering into this tranquil utopia will rid you of the perils of the London tube, and 9-5 rat race. The majestic natural backdrop of the Caribbean teamed with the alfresco treatment rooms makes for a calming few hours. Go for the Deep Relief Massage, which uses Red Lane Island Remedy blend to soothe sore muscles, paired with the signature Tension Relief Aloe Gel to targets muscle tightness and fatigue: pure heaven.
Sandals Royal, Barbados: The Verdict
Sandals have done it again with their latest smash-hit. Here you have the vibe of Miami teamed with the laid-back lifestyle of the Caribbean, along with the five star service, food and accommodation, there’s real reason why there’s ‘royal’ in the name. Get booking, stat.
Seven nights at Sandals Barbados, in a Crystal Lagoon One Bedroom Butler Honeymoon Suite with Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub from £3,399 per person:
A seven-night stay at Sandals Barbados, staying in a Crystal Lagoon One Bedroom Butler Honeymoon Suite with Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub costs from £3,399 per person. Price includes Luxury Included® (all-inclusive) accommodation, return economy flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick and resort transfers. Price is valid for travel on select dates between 5th May – 30th June 2019. Prices are date specific and subject to availability at the time of booking and may change.
Seven nights at Sandals Royal Barbados, in a South Seas Crystal Lagoon Club Level Barbados Suite with Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub from £2,085 per person:
A seven-night stay at Sandals Royal Barbados in Barbados, staying in a South Seas Crystal Lagoon Club Level Barbados Suite with Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub costs from £2,085 per person. Price includes Luxury Included (all-inclusive) accommodation, return economy flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick and resort transfers. Price is valid for travel on select dates between 5th May – 30th June 2019. Prices are date specific and subject to availability at the time of booking and may change.
To book or for more information on Sandals Resorts visit here, call 0800 597 0002 or pop down to the Sandals Luxury Travel Store at 135 Fulham Road, London.
