So many places to visit, so little time. Where should a motivated, intrepid traveler go?
At 21 miles long and 14 miles wide Barbados offers luxury and cultural experiences throughout the Island. Gorgeous beaches and lush vegetation. Bajan hospitality and superb food. Rum shops everywhere. From historic places to contemporary luxury, Barbados is a discerning traveler’s dream destination. Here are five reasons why.
World-Class Golf
Stay at casually elegant Apes Hill in one of the sumptuous private rental villas – it’s the only way to play all four of Barbados’ “trophy courses.” The club and boutique resort are exclusive to members and guests renting the resort’s excellent lodging units.
The club’s 18 championship holes, re-imagined in 2022 by Ron Kirby, have received significant acclaim. Apes Hill garnered the No. 72 ranking in Golfweek’s “Top 100 International Courses, 2024”— out of more than 25,000 courses worldwide. Apes Hill also includes a 9-hole short course, Little Apes, that is debuting before year’s end, and a 19th hole inspired by the famous island green at TPC Sawgrass.
Nearby, Royal Westmoreland and Sandy Lane, two other top-rated golf resorts, offer distinct but complementary experiences. With four 18-hole courses and a short course between them, these golf resorts combine elite play with outstanding service. To give you an idea of how exclusive the properties are, Tiger Woods married Elin Nordegren at Sandy Lane. You cannot buy logoed Green Monkey apparel in the pro shop unless you play the Tom Fazio-designed course by the same name.
Barbados’ golf courses are first class featuring award-winning, strategic designs that challenge players to display grit, resilience, and poise. Or, as the Bajans would say, “If greedy wait, hot will cool,” meaning patience will be rewarded.
Apes Hill
Perched atop one of the island’s highest points, Apes Hill Barbados is a blossoming luxury resort and residential destination that blends concierge-style service with exquisite amenities. The 475-acre eco-conscious sanctuary offers panoramic views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and its prime location features lush forests and 12.5 km of tropical hiking trails.
Sustainability is a core foundation at Apes Hill and its 18-hole golf course is certified by Audubon International for its eco-friendly best practices. The property’s reservoir can hold up to 58 million gallons of rainwater. This water is used to irrigate the golf course and other areas, ensuring that no water is taken from the local desalination plant or community resources.
Apes Hill farms its own fresh herbs, edible flowers, and banana trees to make the food and drinks sustainable at its two restaurants – the Noisy Cricket and the 20th Hole. Renowned Chef Javon Cummings ensures that the freshest items are used in his delectable creations.
Guests and homeowners can enjoy a range of amenities, including a Performance Centre (dial in your swing or putting stroke with its state-of-the-art technology), Padel courts, fitness center, and wellness programs like yoga and spa treatments. The private rental villas offer chic, modern accommodations with plunge pools and access to a private chef, catering, and more. Whether arriving by flight into Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) or via luxury cruise ship, Apes Hill awaits with an elevated Caribbean experience.
Cultural Heritage
Barbados has a rich cultural heritage as the “brightest jewel in the British crown – the richest colony in the empire,” as it was once heralded. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Barbados was one of three major British transshipment points alongside Boston (MA) and Bristol (England). Its African and European heritage and deep history include being the place where sugar cultivation was perfected before being spread across the region. This legacy is evident in the island’s architecture and cultural DNA.
The people of Barbados are the friendliest in the world. The island has a high rate of returning visitors, and the primary reason they come back is the warmth, safe environment, and hospitality of the Barbadian people. Visitors are welcomed into local communities and homes, allowing them to experience the essence of the destination by eating, living, and traveling like a Bajan.
Birthplace of Rum and Rum Shops
Barbados was the first country to produce and bottle rum, with the Mount Gay Rum Distillery dating back to 1703. The uniqueness of Barbadian rum traces back to the high-quality molasses produced on the island, known as liquid gold, due to the coral limestone formation of the island’s water, which enhances sugarcane cultivation. There are award-winning rum distilleries that offer tours, and boutique rums produced by an old sugar plantation still grinding cane during the season. Depending on how you define them, Barbados is home to between 1,000 and 12,000 rum shops, ranging from village shops that sell groceries, bread, provisions, and drinks, to those that focus solely on food and beverages.
Festival Island
In late November, the Barbados Food and Rum Festival continues its annual celebration of Caribbean cuisine. Critics have judged Barbados as the epicenter of Caribbean culinary excellence, drawing foodies and rum lovers from around the world. For those who enjoy dancing in the sunlight with a drink in hand and vibrant feathers in their hair, the Crop Over Festival is an experience not to be missed. Though the island celebrates festivals year-round, Crop Over in the summer is the grandest of them all. The Holetown Festival in February and the Oistins Fish Festival on the South Coast are other must-visit events for food lovers. While small, Barbados has much to celebrate.
