Earlier this year, Kevin Gaddes, Lusso’s National Sales Manager, travelled to Barbados with a group of agent partners and their guests for a week exploring the island’s hotels, landscapes and local culture.
From discovering a diverse collection of properties to sailing along the coast and sharing a meal with a local family, the trip offered a chance to look beyond Barbados’ celebrated beaches and experience the island’s distinctive character.
Here, Kevin shares his highlights and reflections from a week discovering a different side of Barbados.
One of the things that struck me about Barbados was the variety packed into such a small island. There is, of course, the unmistakable appeal of its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, but venture a little further and there is a different side to discover.
We visited a selection of hotels, including Apes Hill, Colony Club, Tamarind, Royalton and Blue Monkey, each offering its own take on a Barbados stay. With each couple based at a different property, it was particularly interesting to compare experiences and see how varied the island’s accommodation offering can be.
We also visited the recently refurbished Marriott Collection, which provided a closer look at some of the developments shaping the island’s hotel scene.
“For me, seeing these properties first-hand reinforced just how important it is to look beyond a hotel’s photographs and understand its individual atmosphere, setting and style.”
Kevin Gaddes, National Sales Manager, Lusso
No visit to Barbados would feel complete without time on the water. We set sail aboard the Cool Runnings catamaran, taking in the coastline from a different perspective and enjoying a slower pace for a few hours. It was one of those experiences that captures the easy-going rhythm of Caribbean life.
Our Jeep safari offered a contrast. Travelling inland gave us the chance to see more of the island’s landscape and explore beyond the resorts, a reminder that Barbados has plenty to offer those who like to get out and see a destination properly.
I came away feeling that these experiences are well worth building into an itinerary. They add variety to a beach holiday and give visitors a broader sense of the island.
Food was another memorable part of the week. At the Oistins Fish Fry, the atmosphere was everything I had hoped for: lively, welcoming and full of local character. With freshly cooked fish, music and plenty going on, it was a great way to spend an evening and experience a more informal side of Barbados.
One of my personal highlights, though, was dining with a local Bajan family. Sharing a meal gave us an insight into everyday life on the island and the warmth of its hospitality. It felt a world away from the usual hotel dining experience and was a lovely reminder that it is often the people you meet who make a destination memorable.
These are the moments I particularly enjoy when travelling. They offer a connection with a place that goes beyond simply seeing the sights.
We rounded off the week with a farewell dinner at Sandy Lane. It was a memorable setting for our final evening and a chance to reflect on everything we had experienced over the previous few days.
With sunshine throughout, a fantastic mix of activities and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the island’s food and culture, it was a week that gave me a real appreciation for Barbados’ many different sides.
If there is one thing I took away from the trip, it is that Barbados deserves to be explored beyond the beach. Its hotels offer a great variety of experiences, but it is the combination of the coastline, the landscapes, the food and the warmth of the people that gives the island its character.
My advice would be to leave some room in the itinerary for the unexpected. Spend a day on the water, head inland, try the local food and take the opportunity to meet the people who call the island home.
The beaches may bring you to Barbados, but there is so much more waiting to be discovered once you arrive. Get in touch with the Lusso team to start planning your clients’ next Barbados escape.
