6 All-inclusive Resorts in Barbados: Sunsets, Sea, and Snorkeling

Sitting just a few feet from the gentle turquoise waters of the Caribbean sea, Mango Bay Resort is a water sports lover’s paradise. Hop in a kayak or learn how to water-ski or sail in a small Hobie Cat catamaran – lessons are included in your stay. If you’d rather someone else took the ropes, sign up for a two-hour boat trip along the island’s west coast and swim or snorkel with Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles (a real voyage of discovery for the kids). Alternatively, survey the underwater world without even having to get your feet wet on board the hotel’s glass bottom boat.

Of course, there’s plenty to satisfy relaxation-seekers, too. Head to the hotel’s pool area where cushioned wooden sun beds sit among the verdant palms and native plants. For an afternoon of serious pampering, book a treatment at the Elements Spa: they provide energy-boosting aromatherapy massages, as well as revitalizing body scrubs and refreshing wraps that exfoliate and revive your skin.

Back in your room, take a snooze on your large king-sized bed among fresh cream linens and rich wooden furnishings, or admire the view over lush gardens from your balcony. If you’ve chosen an Ocean Front Room, your patio doors will open directly onto a terrace with a sweeping vista across the sparkling sea – a private spot for sipping on a cup of coffee each morning, wrapped in a fluffy bathrobe.

Throughout the day, the hotel’s beachfront restaurant serves a range of fusion dishes combining international favorites with local Caribbean flavors. Dinner is a special occasion accompanied by live music – and on some nights, the hotel holds sizzling barbecues on the beach. Make your way to the airy bar for a refreshing post-dinner drink, made for you by Mango Bay’s resident mixologist. Drink in hand, pick out a comfy wicker armchair and settle into a good book or conversation.

For a break from the hustle and bustle of family life, book a stay at The Club: one of the island’s few adult-only hotels. This four-star Barbados resort has 158 rooms and suites, all decorated in traditional Bajan style with dark wood furniture and cool blue tones. Some have sweeping ocean views, while others have quaint balconies furnished with wicker chairs that look out over the gardens, pool or sea.

When cocktail-o’clock rolls around, stroll into the beach bar for a refreshing G&T and watch sailboats bob calmly on the water. Alternatively, dress up, take a seat in the Piano Bar and sip on a dark ‘n’ stormy while being serenaded with live music. A range of international dishes is served throughout the day in the Sunset Restaurant – which benefits from both a pool and oceanfront location. Come here for a full cooked breakfast – think bacon, grilled vegetables, made-to-order omelet, tropical fruit, and pastries. Or, make the most of the lunch buffet (soups, salads, hot dishes, and desserts) after an active morning of snorkeling. When the sun sets, the resort comes to life with music – take your pick from performances in the restaurant, Sunset Bar or at the weekly poolside cocktail party.

Whether you’re here to explore or exfoliate, the Club has facilities to suit. Indulge at the Spa & Salon, where signature treatments include revitalizing aromatherapy salt scrubs and something they call Gentlemen’s Corner: a deep tissue massage package for men. For a romantic experience, book a couple’s treatment and unwind with massages and manicures, side by side. As well as three freshwater outdoor pools, the hotel has its own Jacuzzi, where you can while away the afternoon releasing tension in the water jets. For a more high-octane activity, try your hand at a new water sport: strike out on a paddleboard or even learn the ropes on a skippered catamaran.

Learn to water-ski, sail or kayak on your Caribbean holiday with a stay at the Hotel Crystal Cove by Elegant Hotels. All water sports – including lessons in catamaran sailing with professional Aqua School instructors – are complimentary, while snorkeling and paddleboarding equipment is kept on-hand for guests. Skip across the surface of the azure waves on a banana or tube boat ride, or search the shallows for colorful tropical fish – you might even spy a sea turtle.

The resort sits within its own charming village on the island’s west coast, just steps away from a soft sandy beach and the inviting waters of the Caribbean Sea. Settle into your spacious room that’s decorated to reflect the island’s vibrancy, with splashes of bright hues alongside rich wooden furnishings. Slip into your double bed for a snooze under the cooling ceiling fans, or step onto your room’s balcony for views over the luscious gardens and glittering waves. Savor a glass of cold white wine – perhaps a crisp Sancerre – in a cushioned wicker armchair on your private terrace and watch the sun sink amid a haze of warm colours.

In the morning, wander down to the hotel’s beachfront restaurant for a buffet of fresh produce – then return at dinner for an à-la-carte menu featuring classic Caribbean dishes. Each Saturday, the hotel hosts a casual beach barbecue where local delicacies – such as Bajan fish cakes and jerk pork chops – are flame-grilled alongside meaty ribs and chicken. Mid-morning coffees – or mid-afternoon aperitifs – are served at the Vista Coffee & Wine Bar, which also has sweeping ocean views. Alternatively, make your way through a waterfall to reach the pool’s swim-up bar – said to be one of the top ten in the world.

Experience part of Barbados’ rich heritage at the quaint boutique-style, Island Inn. This 24-room hotel is housed in a historic rum storage facility that was originally built for the British Regiment in 1804. Since then, it has been designated as a national treasure and is part of the Historic Garrison Area of Barbados.

In your room, large French windows open out onto verdant gardens, the quaint courtyard or the serene pool patio area. The décor combines both modern and rustic styles, with crisp linens and plush gold cushions contrasting against the building’s original exposed brickwork and dark wooden furnishings. Unwind with a soak in your spacious bathtub set in a calming white and beige-toned bathroom.

At mealtimes, take a wander to the Boardwalk Restaurant and dine on a range of international and local Caribbean dishes. Want to explore the island? Let the hotel know and the kitchen will prepare a picnic basket of treats for you to take. If you fancy something between meals, satisfy a sweet tooth with traditional afternoon tea and nibble on pastries and sandwiches while sitting in the sunshine. Dinner is a refined affair with its own dress code, and some nights you’ll even be serenaded with live music.

Only a short stroll from Island Inn you’ll find the soft sands of Carlisle Beach, where calm waves lap gently against the shoreline. The serene waters make the bay a safe spot to swim and a particular favourite with families. Skim over the aqua surface in a kayak or on a paddleboard, or make your way to the bay’s six underwater shipwreck sites. Don your snorkelling gear to view them from the surface, or get a little closer with a scuba diving lesson – you never know, there may still be buried treasures.

Nestled within tropical gardens of just under a square kilometre that stretch along the lush south coast of Barbados, the Sea Breeze Beach resort is an all-inclusive oasis. With so much garden and beach space – around 300m of idyllic palm-bordered white sand, in fact – it’s easy to find a secluded spot all to yourself. Soak up the Caribbean sun, swim in the sparkling waters or spot colourful fish with a snorkelling mask in this tranquil bay.

The hotel has three pools (including one that’s adults only) all surrounded by plush loungers. Poolside waiters will tend to your every need as you lie back in comfort and survey the glittering ocean with a cool drink in hand – rum sour, anyone? Near the adults’ pool, you’ll also find the peaceful adults-only Jacuzzis. Take a seat in a spa bath with your partner to watch the sunset and have a glass of fizz brought over to your tub.

In the hotel’s spacious suites, traditional Bajan rustic furniture meets modern-day influences, with silver finishes and bright, patterned cushions. King-sized beds set with plush pillows beckon after fun-filled days spent in the pool or sea – or there’s always time for one more nightcap on your private balcony. For a romantic treat, book a spa treatment for two in the comfort of your own room and unwind together with a couple’s massage.

The hotel has six restaurants to choose from with à la carte menus featuring fresh local seafood and grilled steaks. Stroll down to the open-air Cerulean Restaurant for an intimate meal on a wooden deck overlooking the beach. Alternatively, take a seat in the Chef’s tasting room where you’ll be served five courses of creative dishes paired with complementing wines.

At the luxurious Turtle Beach Resort, you won’t have to lift a finger for relaxing refreshments. The resort’s traditional Bajan hospitality has efficient hotel ambassadors within calling distance, ready to serve up fresh rum punch as you lie back on cushioned loungers by the tranquil pool.

For exotic and familiar flavours from across the globe, head to one of the hotel’s three restaurants and bars. Pick a table at Asiago’s to try Italian cuisine in a tropical setting, or make your way to Chelonia – the hotel’s main venue – which offers buffet breakfasts and a mixed international menu. Cool off with a sundae from the ice cream parlour, perhaps a rum ‘n’ raisin, or savour a slice of pizza while looking out to sea from the Waterfront Café.

After dining, take a stroll back to your elegant suite and relax on the spacious balcony. Junior suites come with cosy queen-sized beds and plush coaches, and rooms are decorated in a cool palette of cerulean and teal hues as well as cosy textiles. To maximise on the hotel’s location, book accommodation with far-reaching views across the ocean and settle on your private patio or terrace to watch the colourful sunsets. They’re also an ideal setting for a peaceful morning coffee.

Located on the island’s south coast, the resort borders a pristine 450m white-sand beach. Take to the waters and learn to sail a Hobie cat with the hotel’s Aqua School staff, or take out a kayak to explore the area. If you prefer to stay on dry land, hit the PGA sanctioned Barbados Golf Club – both seasoned players and complete beginners are welcome to take a swing at this par-72 course. What’s more, daily rounds of golf are included in your stay, so you have plenty of time to master your technique.