Seeking out the best luxury villa resorts in Barbados? There are plenty of resorts to choose from across the island. Whether you’re looking for a quiet beach-retreat or an adventure-packed week in the sun, there’s a place that will suit you perfectly. Read on to find out which resort is best for your vacation plans!
Christ Church
Paynes Bay
Sandy Lane
Sugar Hill Resort
Royal Westmoreland
Gibbs Beach
Mullins Beach
Christ Church
Located in the south of Barbados, Christ Church is a prime area for tourist attractions, restaurants, bars and accommodation. With some of the island’s best beaches and golf clubs, the parish offers a wide enough variety of activities to keep most holidaymakers happy.
What to see and do
There are plenty of tourist attractions in Christ Church including Oistins, the famous fishing village known for its Friday Night fish fry, where both locals and residents gather to enjoy rum and some delicious fried fish. You might also want to check out the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, whose gardens are perfect for an afternoon stroll.
Other activities in Christ Church include sunning it up on Miami Beach, snorkeling in the south coast’s crystal clear water and wind surfing at Silver Rock. Home to an Olympic-size pool, the Barbados Aquatic Center is great for a splash around, and the fairways at Rockley Golf and Country Club are perfect for practicing your swing. The latest movies draw cinemagoers to The Globe Drive In, a proper outside movie theater with snacks aplenty!
Eating and drinking
Christ Church’s main restaurant strip is the St. Lawrence Gap, otherwise known as ‘The Gap’. The busy street runs alongside a quiet bay with a blend of high-end restaurants, karaoke bars and rum shops. Cuisines on offer include Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Bajan and Jamaican, with live music providing a lively soundtrack most nights of the week. Top restaurant recommendations in this area include The Watering Hole and Cafe Sol.
Further afield
Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, is located within easy reach of the Christ Church area. Other points of interest include the Mallalieu Motor Collection, Garrison Savannah Racetrack and George Washington House. Nearby Carlisle Bay is an ideal place for snorkeling.
Where to stay
Thanks to its popularity among visitors, Christ Church offers a mix of condos, villas and townhouses, suitable for couples to family-size groups.
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Paynes Bay
The lively region of Paynes Bay is located on the west coast of Barbados in St. James parish.
What to see and do
The highlight of a trip to Paynes Bay is spending a lazy day (or several) on the splendid sandy beach. The calm waters make this the ideal spot for kayaking, sailing, snorkeling and jet skiing. Its beach is also a favorite for catamaran cruises as a stop-off area to search for sea turtles and marine life.
When you need a break from the beach, head over to Paynes Bay Fishing Complex. Strictly speaking this is a fish-processing hall used by west coast fishermen, but it doubles as a friendly meeting point for locals and visitors who are invited to try the freshly caught fish on offer.
Eating and drinking
Paynes Bay has no shortage of fun places to eat, including casual restaurants that do a great line in Caribbean and European food.
Further afield
Paynes Bay is within easy reach of Sandy Lane, Holetown, Fitts Village and Bridgetown, where the options for outdoor activities are endless. For a taste of history, spend the day exploring Holders House, a traditional Barbadian Plantation House dating back to the 17th century – it’s around a 30-minute walk east of the bay.
Where to stay
Paynes Bay has villas to suit groups of all sizes – from large multigenerational family villas to scenic group and couple-friendly condo rentals on the beach.
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Sandy Lane
Popular with celebrities, Sandy Lane is located in St. James, just south of the Holetown area. Set on the beachfront, Sandy Lane offers jaw-dropping views, a fabulous golf course scene and some of the island’s best villas.
What to see and do
With its glistening white sands and calm waters, Sandy Lane’s beach is an ideal spot for swimming. Jet ski hire and catamaran tours are also available if you want to explore the area.
Eating and drinking
Sandy Lane’s dining scene offers a wide range of different restaurants along the beachfront from curry houses to upscale restaurants serving champagne and multi-course dinners.
Things to do nearby
Holetown, a small town located just to the north of Sandy Lane, is home to some great restaurants. It’s especially popular at weekends. There are also several beachfront restaurants for those who prefer to be close to the water. Nearby Chattel Village offers shops for local crafts and fashion. The 2 malls in Holetown have lots of options for shopping and dining.
Where to stay
The Sandy Lane resort is renowned for its luxury properties and we offer a wide range of these villas.
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Sugar Hill Resort
Stretching across 50 acres of beautiful tropical gardens and overlooking Barbados’ west coast is Sugar Hill Resort.
What to see and do
Sugar Hill Resort has a lot in store. There are 2 large resort pools, along with 4 tennis courts and a gym. The entire resort is surrounded with tropical gardens, and there’s an excellent sandy beach.
Eating and drinking
There’s an exclusive, open-air restaurant at Sugar Hill Resort. Enjoy the cool breeze day or night while trying dishes from their unique menu.
Things to do nearby
Located close to Sugar Hill Resort are the resorts of Westmoreland, Porters and The Garden – each one has plenty of activities on offer. Play a round of golf at the Royal Westmoreland golf course or venture down to the beach and try out the top restaurants.
Where to stay
We offer a mix of villas and condos in Sugar Hill Resort.
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Royal Westmoreland
One of the world’s finest golf resorts, Royal Westmoreland offers first-class facilities and beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea from every green.
What to see and do
The golf resort features a 7,045-yard course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Test yourself on the par 72 course and work on your stroke play as you take in the scenery. There’s also a driving range, a pro shop and a clubhouse offering golf lessons.
The resort is also home to the largest fully equipped gym in Barbados – you can enjoy a great workout with their range of facilities and in-gym entertainment. If you want to improve your tennis skills, hit the courts which are open daily between 7am–9pm. Instructors are on hand for private or group coaching.
If you’d rather switch the sports for shopping, head to the Diamonds International Boutique, which sells jewelry for men and women.
Eating and drinking
The dining scene at Royal Westmoreland is extraordinary. In the resort, there’s a clubhouse restaurant and a bar, which serves killer cocktails and lunchtime specials. Alternatively, head to the lively rumshack, or request a private chef to prepare meals in your villa.
Things to do nearby
A short distance from Royal Westmoreland is Mullins Beach, one of the finest golden-sand landscapes on the island. Spend the day with the family at your own pace, whether that’s sunbathing, jet-skiing or taking a boat tour to enjoy snorkeling in the crystal waters.
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Gibbes Beach
Located on the northwest coast of Barbados, between parishes, St. Peter and St. James, Gibbes Beach is lined with some of the most glamorous accommodation on the island. Its powdery-white sands slope gently towards the water’s edge making Gibbes Beach one of the safest locations for swimming on the island.
What to see and do
Gibbes Beach is renowned for its quieter atmosphere and calmer waters, making it a favorite spot for local boaters on weekends and public holidays. Beach operators can offer water sports including banana boat rides, parasailing, jet ski rides and water skiing, however it’s more common on the other Barbados beaches. With one of the world’s best stretches of sand, Gibbes Beach is ideal for boat tours, swimming, snorkeling, long beach walks and watching the island’s sunset. Gibbes Beach is one of Barbados’ hidden gems, suited for families and those who prefer less-crowded beaches.
Eating and drinking
Gibbes Beach doesn’t offer anywhere for refreshments or meals but the neighbouring bay, Mullins Beach, will serve all your needs. It features a popular snack bar and a range of restaurants close by, serving everything from Italian food to traditional Caribbean cuisine.
Things to do nearby
Gibbes Beach is located near many historical attractions. Make a visit to Arlington House Interactive Museum, a well-preserved 17th-century building which used to belong to a prosperous merchant. St. Peters Church, one of the island’s original 6 parishes is close by with two art galleries, Gallery of Caribbean Art and Frangipani Art Gallery also in reach.
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Mullins Beach
One of the most popular beaches on the west coast, Mullins Beach is located in the parish of St. Peters. The busy paradise features water sports, beach bars and more for a relaxing break away in Barbados.
What to see and do
Whatever activity is your preference on a Barbados beach vacation, Mullins Beach has it all. Set up your sunbathing spot, make a splash into the warm waters and take the plunge with snorkeling at this location. Water-sports are massively popular on Mullins Beach; rent jet-skis, water skis, ride a banana boat and take a glass bottomless boat tour to watch the sea turtles below. Water trampolines and inflated icebergs are also a favorite with visitors to jump around on the water.
Eating and drinking
Mullins Beach offers a popular beach bar with locals and visitors onsite to cater for quick refreshments. In the surrounding area, there’s several restaurants and snack bars to dine after a long day at the beach from Caribbean style to American cuisine.
Things to do nearby
Mullins Beach is only a few minutes away from the old fishing village, Speightstown. This town has many historic buildings, dating back to the early settlement alongside modern buildings, the new shops and restaurants. With local sidewalk vendors at every turn, taste the fresh fruit, vegetables and fish as you walk by. Two marinas with luxury private residences, Ports Ferdinand and St. Charles lay a few minutes north and worth the visit. Other beaches including Gibbs Beach and Holetown Beach are nearby.
Where to stay
Discover your dream Mullins Beach vacation rental with our range of villas.
Stay with Top Villas
Whichever Top Villas Barbados resort you choose, you’re guaranteed a first-class service. For the ultimate indulgence, choose one of our fully staffed villas. You’ll find our Guest Experience team also on hand to help enhance your stay, with a plethora of amazing concierge services.
What’s more, we make payments a breeze. Our new Affirm credit payment options* mean you can spread the cost of your vacation rental over a 3, 6 or 12 month period. Simply look out for properties with the Affirm banner.
*Subject to meeting Affirm’s credit criteria. T’s & C’s apply.
Choosing our flex homes
Many of our Barbados villa rentals also benefit from our flexible cancellation policy. You’ll be free to cancel within the specified time for any reason, for a full refund. Alternatively, amend your travel dates for free.
To benefit from this extra peace-of-mind, reserve a vacation home with one of the following badges:
- Flex 30 – Cancel for a full refund or amend dates free of charge, up to 30 days before check in.*
*T’s & C’s apply.
Useful Info
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- Book 2-3 years in advance
