Thinking about a trip to the Caribbean this year? So you should. And there’s never been a better time to visit the eastern Caribbean island of Barbados, as it prepares to celebrate 60 years since gaining independence from the UK, and five years as a republic, on 30 November 2026. 

Throughout November, the island will come alive with celebrations in the national Barbadian colours of ultramarine and gold, culminating on Independence Day with an official parade at the Garrison Savannah in Bridgetown. Alongside military and cultural processions, calypso and soca performances, dance and theatrical showcases, traditional Bajan cuisine, community beach gatherings and spectacular fireworks displays, there’s never been a better time to soak up the island’s rich heritage and vibrant spirit. 

Beyond its signature white sand beaches, turquoise waters and swaying palms, Barbados blends centuries of British influence with a distinctly Bajan identity, expressed through its celebrated culinary scene, lively rum shacks and warm hospitality. Travellers can explore Bridgetown and its Historic Garrison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, swim alongside sea turtles and uncover secluded coves.

The timing is particularly perfect for UK travellers as, from October, new winter services from London Gatwick will complement British Airways’ existing year-round Heathrow departures, with the airline reporting a 46 per cent year-on-year increase in searches for holidays to Barbados. We’re always of the opinion that if you can’t beat them, you should certainly join them. Discover the best Barbados hotels to book now for a memorable winter sun holiday. 

Coral Reef Club, Holetown

Celebrating its own 75^th anniversary in 2027, Coral Reef Club dates back to 1952 when its founders Budge and Cynthia O’Hara emigrated to the Caribbean after they got married. The family-owned hotel is still under the stewardship of the O’Hara and Capaldi families, with the portfolio now also including The Sandpiper (see below), and recent refurbishments by Susie Atkinson have refreshed the island Grand Dame while preserving its distinctive Bajan character.

Set on a picturesque 12 acres just moments from Holetown, the hotel boasts 88 cottage garden-style rooms, with some suites situated in the lush forest that fringes the shores. Recent refurbishment saw the addition of luxury cottages and the Coral Terrace, as well as enhancements to the club’s five-star spa – complete with a Natura Bissé treatment menu – gym and tennis courts. The hotel’s flagship restaurant overlooks Barbados’ west coast and is helmed by chef Hance Bannister, whose menus spotlight local seafood in the form of cajun mahi mahi and lobster mac and cheese with mango and daikon slaw. 

From £799 per night.

The Sandpiper, Holetown

The Sandpiper, the cool, younger sister of the aforementioned Coral Reef Club, is the place to seee and be seen in Barbados. Tucked away among botanical and tropical gardens on the island’s West Coast, while boasting direct access to the sandy beach and azure waters, the hotel is still run by the O’Hara’s children, and promises a convivial atmosphere with a home-from-home feel – one of many reasons travellers come back year after year. 

Among its array of superb dining facilities and stylish accommodation, highlights include Curlew: The Sandpiper’s most sought-after suite, providing panoramic beach views from its expansive wraparound terrace and personal plunge pool. With exquisitely chic interiors and a patio well-equipped for group socialising and dining, including a wet bar, Curlew is hailed the best suite on the island. Al fresco dining and drinking is abundant across the formal Sandpiper Restaurant, known for its mix of dishes incorporating local ingredients and Caribbean flair, and the casual, quintessentially Caribbean Harold’s Bar, which serves delicious rum cocktails with a side of live music. Plus, you can enjoy the best of both worlds with access to the Coral Reef Club spa. 

From £799 per night. 

Sandals Barbados, St Lawrence Gap

An adults-only retreat on the pristine white sands of Maxwell Beach, this is the perfect escape for couples looking for the ultimate Caribbean R&R. Reopened in 2015 following a multi-million-pound renovation, Sandals Barbados is an all-inclusive resort designed to blend into its surroundings, with verdant green spaces fringing its slice of white sand beach, while being dotted with romantic fireplaces, indoor-outdoor dining spaces, and manicured gardens. 

Of the 280 rooms and suites, our top pick is the signature Crystal Lagoon swim-up suites with direct pool access. Complimentary watersports, such as snorkelling and scuba diving for certified divers, are bound to work up an appetite for sampling from one of the 11 on-site restaurants, which range from sizzling steaks at Butch’s Chophouse to authentic Indian cuisine at Bombay Club. Fancy exploring somewhere new? Thanks to Sandals Stay at One, Play at Two programme, you also have access to all of the amenities at the neighbouring Sandals Royal Barbados too. 

From £440 per night. 

Sandy Lane, Holetown

One of the biggest draws of this hotel is undoubtedly its golf courses. Home to three tees which span 45 championship holes, golfers can pick from the Green Monkey and Country Club courses, each designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio, as well as the Old Nine which opened in 1961, the same year as the hotel itself. Now in its sixth decade, the hotel remains just as impressive as it did when it first opened its doors, with an elegant Palladian structure housing 113 rooms and suites. 

Recharge after a day of watersports, relaxing on the hotel’s sandy beach, or at the massive Romanesque spa on the greens at one of the resort’s five restaurants. Our top picks include the Monkey Club, which is literally set beneath intricate monkey murals, and the Country Club which boasts stunning views over the Platinum Coastline. The resort also offers an array of fitness facilities, including eight floodlit tennis courts, two padel courts, a vast pool, and water sports facilities, while relaxation comes easy at The Spa at Sandy Lane, with its 14 lavish treatment suites, panoramic sauna and cold plunge pool.

From £1,140 per night. 

Sandals Royal Barbados, St Lawrence Gap

One of the largest resorts on the island, Sandals Royal Barbados opened on the island in 2017 as the brand’s second act. As a result, it boasts a number of Sandals ‘firsts’ – a rooftop infinity pool and sky bar, a four-lane bowling alley, and a craft beer bar, to name just a few. So if you’re looking for the royal treatment, and endless entertainment, this is the hotel for you. 

This 338 room all-suite, all-inclusive resort offers something for every traveller, from its signature Skypool suites with their own balcony and infinity pools, to the signature swim-up suites. While away the days at the plethora of pools – including one dedicated to scuba diving lessons, and another glass-fronted infinity pool overlooking the beach – indulge at one of the 10 restaurants, and make the most of the Red Lane Spa. The best bit? Guests staying at either Sandals Royal Barbados or Sandals Barbados can utilise the leisure and dining facilities at both hotels, offering a choice of up to 21 dining options. Now that’s what we call the best of both worlds. 

From £630 per night. 

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