Beautiful Barbados

Take relaxation to a new level at the Coral Reef Club

After working nine months without a holiday I had just three objectives for my week-long break in Barbados: to lie horizontally with nothing but a rum cocktail to distract me for at least 12 hours a day, to inject some colour into my sun-starved skin – and to see Simon Cowell parading down the beach in those special white shorts. Two out of three ain’t bad.

Words: Susannah Osborne

The place where I was to tick the ‘lie horizontally’ box was the Coral Reef Club on the St James Coast, near Holetown. A family hotel – the owner Cynthia O’Hara prowls the property checking her flowers are blooming on a daily basis and hosts a rum night for guests with her family every Monday – the Coral Reef Club has thrived for nearly 60 years thanks to repeat visitors. The result is an incredibly relaxed, barefoot style home from home, which sits right on the beach. Not that I’d be able to tell you much about it, because I spent most of my time in our Plantation Suite, one of those rooms where your shoulders drop three inches the second you walk into it. It was huge, with its own giant balcony complete with private outdoor bar, pool (OK, there was no swimming lengths involved, but it would fit around six people), sun loungers and a view across the whole pastel-coloured property. We loved it so much that we were at risk of getting agoraphobia, such was our reluctance to leave.

But leave we did. Mainly to get food from the hotel restaurant overlooking the sea, which served an incredible breakfast buffet – waffles, fresh fruit, omelette station, bakery – and ‘themed’ nights such as the fantastic Thursday barbecue which was accompanied by a steel band and brilliant Bajan dancers. We also managed to walk the 50 feet to the on-site spa: beautifully designed, utterly peaceful and with an array of really good treatments.

Why it's hot

Its celebrity fans certainly help. Footballers, popstars and the aforementioned Cowell all flock to the small Caribbean island in droves and consequently the whole vibe is geared towards tourists. Even the princes have both stayed at the Coral Reef Club – apparently Harry is on first name turns with Rita the concierge.

Food and drink

The food is great with a big emphasis on fresh fish packed with tonnes of flavour. You must book Champers before you arrive. It’s set on the west coast and is tipped by those in the know as the foodie must. Unfortunately it was fully booked when we were there (even on a Monday night) so we went to Bajan institution, the Cliff, instead. Its location, carved into a rock so you’re suspended over the sea, is breathtakingly beautiful (we watched a crab scuttle out of the sea while we tucked into our starters) and the food is amazing, but at $150 minimum per person it’s an expensive eat.

We also took a 40-minute drive to Oistins, which had been recommended by the locals. Much like the main medina in Marrakech, or Times Square in New York, it’s way too tourist heavy to feel ‘real’, but you can get delicious fried catfish with rice and peas – just head for the stall with the biggest queue.

Photo opportunity

Almost everywhere in Barbados is a photo opportunity thanks to the beautiful beaches and lush greenery, but I would recommend swimming with turtles (organised by the hotel for $50 each) for a real wow moment. Best of all, the captain pointed out where Simon Cowell stays when he’s in town – so while I may not have spotted his high waisters strutting across the sand, I did see where they lay their head at night.

Rates from US $490 (£315) per night; coralreefbarbados.com