Part of the distinguished collection of properties within Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Coral Reef Club on Barbados invites visitors to leave icy sidewalks and snow shoveling behind. Set on 12 acres of landscaped, beachfront grounds along the island’s west coast, this family-owned resort provides a peaceful escape with 88 rooms, cottages and suites, each offering a patio or balcony to enjoy the scent of frangipani and the vibrant crotons and bougainvillea in the tropical gardens.
A well-rounded winter escape includes time at The Spa, where each treatment room opens to a private garden. Therapies are performed using the luxury brand Natura Bissé alongside a bespoke line of locally sourced botanical products created specifically for the resort. Recommended treatments include the 80-minute Caribbean Calm full-body massage, which features targeted foot work and an eye therapy, or the 50-minute Pineapple and Coconut Crème Brûlée treatment that exfoliates and deeply rehydrates skin.
The resort also offers a wide range of activities to suit many interests. Onsite options include scuba diving, horseback riding, sailing, swimming, tennis and a variety of water sports, while a championship 18-hole golf course lies less than a mile away. Nearby attractions such as Andromeda Botanical Gardens and Flower Forest, Barbados Wildlife Reserve and Folkstone Marine Park and Museum are easy day trips from the property. After a day of exploration, guests can dine while overlooking the shifting blues and greens of the Caribbean Sea. Head chef Hance Bannister highlights the best local ingredients in a menu that changes daily.
Evening entertainment is part of the Coral Reef Club experience: live performances are featured nightly during the winter months and five nights a week in summer. Special theme nights bring additional variety, including a West Indian and international buffet on Mondays and a Thursday barbecue followed by a vibrant floor show with folk dancing and fire-eating performances.