Reminiscent of the Beverly Hills Hotel, the “prettiest pink hotel in Barbados” peeps out from tropical fronds and frangipani trees on the island’s calm west coast. Cobblers Cove balances down-to-earth luxury with home comforts and impeccable hospitality that brings the same guests back year after year.
Exclusivity at this storied resort starts with the prime beachfront location. Forty deluxe suites form a neat crescent through a three-acre garden overlooking a quarter-mile slither of white sand beach, almost creating the illusion of a private island retreat. The millennial pink palette is a running theme from the lobby to the poolside where vintage candy-stripe parasols bear the brunt of the fierce Caribbean sun.
Note the pterodactyl-like birds swooping over the bay as you sip Planters Punch. These frigate birds inspired the hotel’s name and are considered lucky by Bajan sailors. You’ll certainly feel like you’ve hit the jackpot after checking in at Cobblers Cove.
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Colleton at the Great House, the top residence at this boutique resort, is the reason the credit card was invented. A four-poster bed dressed in Egyptian cotton sprigged linens and goose-down pillows is angled to catch the sea breeze. Spend leisurely afternoons drifting between your private plunge pool and the elegant drawing room stocked with books and board games.
Its sister, Camelot at the Great House, claims the other two floors of the mansion and culminates in a panoramic roof terrace. These signature suites were refreshed by Lulu Lytle’s design team at Soane Britain without compromising the vintage charms of this 1940s seaside home.
The remaining 38 suites are housed in 10 separate cottages that fan out around the Great House. Entry-level suites come with a sizable private patio and the choice of a garden or sea view. Those closest to the beach and pool come at a premium although you’re never far from the water at this compact resort. All units are beautifully turned out with rattan furnishings, paisley fabrics, and pastel hues. A television is the one amenity you’ll not find in any suite at Cobblers Cove but the green monkeys and tree frogs make up for the lack of HBO.
Basic kitchenettes add convenience while interconnecting rooms and two-bedroom suites are available for families and friend groups. Children aged 12 and over are welcome at Cobblers Cove although the atmosphere and activity program is geared towards young honeymooners, seniors, and the occasional aristocrat.
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When in the Caribbean, life orbits around sun, sea, and sand. Jet skiing, kayaking, scuba diving, fishing, and riding horses along the shore are just some of the ways to experience the water at this luxury beach resort in the West Indies.
Snorkel gear is provided for independent exploration of the reef. Plan a visit between May and October to catch the nesting season for hawksbill turtles. An assortment of boat trips is a phone call away ranging from heart-pumping speed boat rides to romantic catamaran cruises. The gym is nicely attired for keeping on top of your usual regime although Latin dance classes are far more fun while on vacation.
Whether you go all out on activities or opt to lay low, the Sea Moon Salon has a comprehensive menu of massages, wraps, and facials delivered with plant-based products. In-suite hair appointments are also available.
Repurposed railway steel and coral stone were used to lay the foundations of the Great House. Since taking over the property in 1968, the Godsal family has continued to collaborate with Bajan carpenters, metalworkers, and craftspeople on all furniture and fittings. Bottled drinking water for guests is collected and distilled on the island while the toiletries are produced down the road in the parish of Saint James. Around 95% of the ingredients are sourced from Bajan farmers and fishermen: if it’s not local, it’s not on the menu.
Modern Bajan cuisine with a British twist
Marking it out from larger resorts, Cobblers Cove maintains intimacy by only having one restaurant. Start your day with a mug of Caribbean cocoa tea before diving into a sweet, savory, or health-forward breakfast plate of your choosing. All reservations include breakfast so you’ll have ample opportunity to find out why the food at Camelot is so highly regarded.
Lunch and dinner revolve around local catches plated up as salads, curries, and cutters accompanied with organic veggies and freshly plucked herbs. Chase this down with seasonal ice cream and a coffee spiked with rum. Not forgetting that complimentary afternoon tea – a traditional medley of finger sandwiches, pastries, and cakes alongside seasonal fruit – is served daily at 4 p.m. sharp.
The sea-view terrace is casual but you’ll need to ditch the shorts to order dinner at the restaurant. The smart casual dress code also applies to the bi-weekly barbecues held on the seafront with live music and entertainment. On-site store Salt Whistle carries a line of linen shirts and dresses perfect for the occasion (and your inevitable second vacation at Cobblers Cove).
