A prime location on beautiful Dover beach, along St. Lawrence Gap, a bountiful 20 acres of lawn and garden grounds, and a welcoming staff, combine to make this Bajan resort ideal for an enjoyable family vacation.
Room
Upon check-in, with proffered, cold, and delicious rum punch in hand, I head to my penthouse two-bedroom suite, set over two floors and connected by a small wooden staircase.
Like the one hundred and thirty spacious suites all fully equipped with kitchens (fully stocked with modern appliances and wares) that make up the bulk of the hotel, it instantly has the feel of a home. The living room and kitchen effortlessly act as the heart of the suite, with countertop bar stools, plush couch and ample chairs. In the large, tiled, full bathroom upstairs, a glass enclosed, waterfall shower is a nice touch of luxury, alongside two rectangular porcelain sinks, great for busy on-the-go families.
The air-conditioned suites offer two balconies, where, day-after-day, I sip a morning cup of coffee while listening to rose ringed parakeets chirp from the tops of palm trees. Some days, I spy fellow guests enjoying an early morning aquatics class in one of the three large pools.
Dining
A neat cobblestone pathway elegantly lit with tiki torches leads to the property’s signature oceanfront restaurant, PureOcean, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. I am greeted with a beaming smile from waitress, Fiona, who is accommodating, friendly and courteous with my dining requests.
The buffet breakfast mostly serves continental favourites, with a few local specialties (saltfish, johnny cakes). A concise lunch menu draws on American, English and Caribbean favourites like Bajan fish cakes, fish cutter sandwiches, burgers, ribs, and creamy macaroni pie with calorific dessert classics like caramel bread pudding, chocolate cake, and ice cream, at the al fresco restaurant. Take away can also be facilitated.
Overall
Located on the southern coast of Christ Church, Barbados in the busy and well-known Gap, it’s hard to believe that it is just ten minutes from the Grantley airport. Sightings of monkeys, hawksbill turtles bobbing in the water, alongside exotic breadfruit, tamarind, and Bajan cherry trees, make the property feel quiet, idyllic and teeming with life. The extensive grounds are also filled with flowers at every corner: the perfume of jasmine; pops of bright pink hibiscus, clutches of ixora.
There is an array of well-rounded activities to fill a day: a miniature golf course, a small, well stocked mini-mart, boutique, tennis courts and an on-site fitness centre. Tyrone, the exuberant and charming activities supervisor and long-time employee, is always around to attend to guests needs. A guest laundry facility is also available on site and a weekly manager’s reception is a fun evening that allows guests to mingle with staff.
Each morning, as couples walk along the shoreline, dark blue beach chairs are arranged in rows on the coral sand beach. The quiet beach is neatly lined with coconut trees and beach almonds and provides a relaxing spot where I spend many a day. At night, during nesting season, an employee tells me, it is here that turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.
A welcoming staff, beautiful grounds, lots of activities on-site, access to the beach and quiet calmness, make this resort a favourite to return again and again.
This original travel article first appeared in the Spring 2023 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.
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