With Rihanna’s birthday tomorrow, we have the 26-year-old Barbados Tourism ambassador and singer’s homeland Barbados in our sights. The island of sea, sun, sand and of course sultry songtresses, Barbados has plenty on offer, and top luxury resorts are part of its island charm. Let’s have a look at the top five Rihanna worthy resorts on the island.
Sandy Lane Hotel
If you’re looking for an idyllic island escape, it doesn’t get better than the Sandy Lane resort. Dating back to when it first opened its doors to guests in 1961, Sandy lane hotel has been considered the premier address in the Caribbean.
In 2012 Rihanna treated five lucky fans to an all expenses paid holiday at Sandy Lane. And, for an extra treat, RiRi reportedly invited the fivesome over to her private home for tea and homemade dinner.
Rihanna is not the only celeb guest though, as music mogul Simon Cowell, Gwyneth Paltrow, Claudia Schiffer, David and Victoria Beckham, Hugh Grant are just a few of the stellar guests who choose the resort for a spot of r&r due to its sheer opulence and their absolute discretion.
Located on the western coast of the island, known as the Platinum Coast, Sandy Lane sits on 1,000 feet of white, coral-sand beach beside the warm, sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Set in an ancient mahogany grove, the seven-star luxury resort boasts 112 luxury rooms and suites and one exquisite five-bedroom villa with its own secluded grounds and butler service.
For the ultimate in pop star-perfect pampering, The Spa at Sandy Lane is second to none. Blending traditional cultural therapies from around the world, from the Caribbean and North America to the Far East and Europe, and the 47,000-square-foot spa offers the latest state-of-the-art facilities.
www.sandylane.com
The House
It doesn’t get any more private and romantic in Barbados than at the adults-only super-exclusive The House at Paynes Bay on the world-renowned platinum West coast of Barbados.
With only 34 suites, The House is the ultimate intimate retreat built for relaxation and romance. You can spend the time in a private suite complete with a plunge pools, or you can rejuvenate yourself with a massage or spa treatment, or enjoy a private beach dinner and cruise, horseback riding and picnic getaways.
A hotel with no front desk? Personalised gets much more bespoke at The House where each guest is welcomed with an in-room message and a personal “ambassador” – butler-concierge – to take care of everything so you do not have to worry yourself about anything other than each other’s company.
www.thehousebarbados.com
The Crane
When a resort is set on what is named as "one of the Ten Best Beaches in the World" by Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, you know you are in for a treat, so the Caribbean’s first resort hotel The Crane Residential Resort located on Barbados’s world-famous Crane Beach on the East Coast is as good as it gets.
First opened in 1887 and now fully restored and expanded to mark its 125th anniversary, The Crane combines old-world charm and incredible natural beauty with a romantic sense of seclusion. On offer are private pools, gardens, rooftop terraces, and award-winning restaurants offering a variety of cuisines including Thai, Japanese, Italian and Contemporary Caribbean.
As you’d expect from an island resort, The Crane also has on offer world-class spa services. And if you’d like to start the day with some positive enery, you can watch the sun rise over the ocean during morning yoga sessions on the beach.
For the ultimate in luxury and lavish relaxation in Barbados, The Crane is the ideal tropical paradise resort.
www.thecrane.com
Tamarind Cove
Mediterranean design and Caribbean charm blend seamlessly at the Tamarind Cove on the platinum West Coast creating the ultimate tranquil resort perfect of rest and relaxation.
With 110 contemporary guest rooms and suites, landscaped gardens, three freshwater pools and a prime 750-foot stretch of serene beach, Tamarind Cove is the perfect setting for a Bajan beach holiday, whether you lounge on the beach, plunge into the pool, try your hand at a range of complimentary water sports or indulge with a spa treatment.
The family-friendly resort also makes sure the kids have plenty to do at the Flying Fish Kids Club and in Club Tamarind teen lounge, letting you experience a carefree Caribbean getaway.
www.tamarindbarbados.com
Cobblers Cove
Another intimate resort comes in the shape of Cobblers Cove, a quiet boutique hotel, nestled on the island's west coast, which offers only 40 luxury suites. A classic Barbados luxury hotel, rich with British elegance and Caribbean character, Cobblers Cove is set in its own lush tropical gardens.
Each of the 40 luxury suites is individually using natural palettes and stylish rattan furniture. With their own private plunge pools offering uninterrupted views of the ocean, the Colleton and Camelot suites are perfect for ultimate privacy.
The Camelot, hotel’s restaurant, located on a terrace overlooking the Caribbean sea offers some of the best food on the island with Executive Chef Michael Harrison having trained under Michel Roux Jr.
For those seeking total relaxation, an indulgent massage at the Well Being Centre is a must, while the more active guests can opt for a range of complimentary water activities from waterskiing to snorkeling and diving to windsurfing.
www.cobblerscove.com
Cove Springs
While technically not a hotel, Cove Springs is one of the most exclusive addresses in Barbados. A coveted rental mansion in the Caribbean and the pinnacle property of Barbados, Cove Springs is a majestic mansion atop a coral cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The mansion. Hugging the cliff at its base is a secluded beach with private access only from the Cove Spring mansion.
The entire property is surrounded by lush greenery, offering exclusive privacy and pristine beauty, and to enjoy the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity, the elite travel the world to stay at Cove Springs. Despite this promise of privacy, Cove Springs made headlines back in 2013 when Rihanna got papped naked through one of its windows.
The main house boasts 7 generous-sized bedroom suites. The separate guest house boasts 3 equally impressive bedroom suites. All its suites are exquisitely designed with haute-couture furnishings, expansive verandahs, custom-made walk-in closets and Italian marble en-suites.
www.covespringhouse.com
And if these luxury resorts have not yet convinced you Barbados is the place to be, perhaps Barbados Tourism’s 2013 ad starring Rihanna just might.
