Something that we are really proud of in the Tropic Breeze office is our in-depth knowledge of the destinations that we sell. One of Jo’s favourite islands is Barbados and she recently spent some time there checking in on some of our hotels. Luckily she also managed to squeeze in some time to enjoy some of the local beaches and markets as well as making sure the rum punch was still up to scratch in some of her favourite bars. Here she has put together a few of her top tips for places to visit, eat and enjoy the sunset on your holiday to Barbados.
Combine a minimum of 4 nights’ stay at Secret Bay in Dominica with any hotel in Barbados, Antigua or St Lucia and receive a complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability on arrival) at Secret Bay, along with a Spa Credit of US$200 per couple per stay.
Anguilla is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, from long stretches of white sand to picture perfect crescent bays and secluded coves. The island is also a fantastic choice for those looking for a gastronomic getaway, with exceptional cuisine served across the island in tiny beach bars as well as exclusive restaurants. It has been a while since any of the Tropic Breeze team have visited Anguilla, so in November 2023 Jo went out to re-discover this unique Caribbean destination.
Travel Specialists Jessie and Kate have recently been on an island hopping trip that took them to Barbados and The Grenadines. It is easy to combine these two contrasting Caribbean destinations, allowing visitors to experience both the lively atmosphere of Barbados and the slow pace of life in the Grenadines. Once in The Grenadines, those wanting to experience more than one island can make use of an excellent local ferry service to explore further. We’ll hand you over to Kate to share the highlights of their trip and the hotels they visited…
Travel Specialist Jessica has recently visited Dominica, an unspoilt Caribbean gem. Located between Guadeloupe and Martinique, Dominica is a nature lover’s paradise. From towering mountain peaks and waterfalls to enchanting rivers and secluded beaches, the island’s scenery is varied and stunning. Despite being a fairly large island, Dominica is relatively untouched by tourism and is perfect for those looking to explore off the beaten track.
Travel Specialist Jessie travelled to St Kitts and Nevis in October and spent some time exploring both islands, as well as visiting a selection of hotels. Separated by a 2km channel of water, St Kitts and Nevis work well as a twin centre destination, and either island can be easily combined with Antigua as part of an island hopping itinerary. Jessie was excited to visit these two intimate islands, both of which are an ideal choice for the Caribbean traveller looking to go a little off the beaten track.
Calabash Hotel is a five star hotel in Grenada set within eight acres of lush tropical gardens beside the famous L’Anse Aux Epines beach. This family owned and managed hotel is a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux group and offers the highest standards of service. Calabash Hotel is delighted to have been named Grenada’s Leading Boutique Hotel in the recent World Travel Awards, and they have also been named #2 Hotel in the Caribbean and Central America by Condé Nast Traveller’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.
O2 Beach Club & Spa and Sea Breeze Beach House offer luxurious all inclusive stays on the vibrant South Coast of Barbados. Both resorts are perfect for foodies, providing a different take to the traditional all inclusive with an excellent choice of a la carte restaurants. O2 Beach Club & Spa is a contemporary resort with a grown up beach club feel, where guests can enjoy premium drinks and gourmet menus with no additional supplements. Sea Breeze Beach House meanwhile is an intimate resort that offers laidback luxury, infused with traditional Bajan charm.
A Postcard from O2 Beach Club & Spa
Start your day in style! Enjoy a delicious breakfast at Elements Restaurant, accompanied by mimosas and stunning views of the ocean. After breakfast, you could take an hour or so to unwind on the beach on one of the memory foam sun loungers, before taking part in one of the resort’s ‘how to’ experiences. These unique classes include a variety of activities from making authentic Bajan fishcakes to learning how to wind-surf.
Guests have plenty of options when it comes to lunch, but we would highly recommend the shrimp tacos at Bluefin Beachside Grill. Guests can spend the afternoon relaxing by one of the resort’s two swimming pools, and perhaps also enjoy a cocktail from one of the swim-up bars. Or why not indulge in a spa treatment at the award winning Acqua Spa? The spa is the highest on the island, and boasts panoramic views over the ocean from its floor to ceiling windows.
Why not start your evening with a glass of bubbles on Brisa Roof Deck, before heading up to Oro Restaurant. Oro serves a fine dining menu that fuses Caribbean and European cuisine, accompanied by stunning views from the 9th floor. After a luxurious dining experience, you will be ready to retire to the comfort of your suite. Guests can chose from Luxury Collection Suites in the adults only section of the hotel, or spacious Concierge Collection Suites.
A Postcard from Sea Breeze Beach House
A sumptuous buffet breakfast at Mahogany Lounge will set you up for a day of sun, sea and adventure at Sea Breeze Beach House. The resort boasts access to three pools and two beaches, but for those keen to do more than simply relax, there is varied activity schedule on offer. For example, on Friday morning you could take a stroll to Oistins’ Fish Market – famous for it’s fish fry on a Friday evening. Other popular morning pastimes include yoga and aqua aerobics.
With a choice of several dining experiences, guests are spoiled for choice. Why not head to De Rum Shop at lunchtime for a Bajan cutter – the island’s unique take on a sandwich! In the afternoon, try your hand at the complimentary non-motorised watersports offered, which includes paddleboarding and Hobie Cat sailing. For some relaxation, take a dip in one of the adults only whirlpool tubs, whilst enjoying the poolside drink service. And don’t forget to try the daily afternoon tea!
Tipsy on the Beach is the perfect spot for a beachside sundowner. For dinner, you might chose the elegantly casual Aqua Terra Restaurant, which serves particularly excellent seafood in an al fresco setting. Or you could try the romantic Cerulean Restaurant – the resort’s fine dining option. Finally, take some time to relax in your room or suite! From the colourful Classic Collection to the stunning Luxury Suites, there are options perfect for both families and couples.
At Tropic Breeze we specialise in using our personal knowledge of each hotel to offer the best recommendations based on our extensive experience of the Caribbean. If you would like further information on holidays to Barbados, please call us on 01752 880 880 or email [email protected]
Our travel specialist, Jessica, has just returned from St Lucia, a magical island renowned for its iconic volcanic peaks, The Pitons, its lush rainforests and blue-green waters teeming with sea life. During her trip, Jessica visited some of the beautiful resorts we offer but she also had a chance to take part in some of the activities offered on the island. She visited the sulphur springs with their mud baths, ‘flew’ through the rainforest canopy on a zipwire, took a speedboat trip down the coast, and took a Segway tour along a nature trail where the guides shared their knowledge of the surrounding flora and fauna.
