There are so many things that attract people to the island of Barbados. The white sandy beaches, the clear blue water, the friendly vibes, the food, the pace of life and for visitors there are so many different accommodation options from apartments and self catering to the five star well known properties that attract high earners and celebrities like the Royal Pavillion and Sandy Lane. I’ve visited both for drinks and dinner but never stayed.
The first time I went to Barbados it was to Tropical Escape, a hotel Ì don’t think exists anymore, situated in St James between the prestigious Sandy Lane and the hotel Ì now return to when I can, Treasure Beach at the opposite end of the stretch of million dollar beach front properties.
It’s a smaller property, about 35 rooms on three levels, a beautiful indoor outdoor restaurant pool and small salon spa for massage and treatments and the thing Ì absolutely love about it is not the flashy sunloungers, swanky rooms, or luxury free toiletries but the staff that have been there for years, decades in fact that welcome you like an old friend even if you haven’t made it back for 5 years. I am sure they don’t really remember you, they see so many faces, but I always feel like they do, maybe because it is they that are actually so memorable.
If you are looking for pampering to the nth degree and to be wrapped in luxury linens and fluffy towelling robes this might not be the place for you. This place is more special than that, more like home where the touches like daily fruit kebabs and ice cold towels while you sunbath are the comforts Ì enjoy. Delivered slowly by a towel guy who feels more like an old friend than a hotel employee.
Access to the water is less than 20 paces and whatever you need in the way of water sports, skiing, jets skis, fishing, paragliding is right there. All the arrangements are casual, reliable, see you on the beach at whatever time for whatever you have booked. It’s all chilled and relaxed. Everything you need someone will sort it for you with a smile.
Of course there are chauffeurs and cars available to take you wherever you need to go and the restaurants nearby are incredible and too many to mention individually but I love to take the bus that circles the island, back and forth to Bridgetown and the smart mall close by stopping right outside the hotel.
It is memorable experience sharing this mode of transport with the local people, hanging out the doors, reggae music playing when there are not enough seats to accommodate all the passengers. And inexpensive too.
The fruit stands are part of daily life, the supermarket is close by if you like to have provisions in your room, it’s the kind of hotel where everything is provided but no one bats an eyelid if you like to go your own way and do your own thing.
I’ve been here on Christmas Day and because we didn’t want to get dressed up and eat in the restaurant, hotel staff delivered our whole Christmas lunch course by course in our room. Nothing was too much trouble.
My favourite part of staying at Treasure Beach is the evening beach walk all the way to Sandy Lane for an evening cocktail or lunchtime reservation. It takes around 20 minutes each way and you have to time it correctly so you can navigate the tide but this stretch of beach is possibly the most beautiful in the world. Why visitors return for extended stays especially in the winter.
If you haven’t visited Barbados and enjoy a very relaxed friendly small boutique totally unpretentious hotel take a look into what Treasure Beach has to offer. It’s a place you can disappear for a while and somewhere the famous retreat to to be normal for a while.
The last time I went it was privately owned and has been sold twice since then. The recent acquisition was by the Marriott group, I’ve read it under went a massive renovation and reopened as an all inclusive resort under its autograph brand banner in 2024. It will be interesting to see if it has lost its original charm or has maintained its appeal for original customers.