Welcomed with palms and smiles, our first port of call in Barbados was Tamarind by Elegant Hotels. It was our first taste of Barbados, and we were cordially greeted with fresh, fruity rum punch complemented by the sea air that came in from the beach through the open foyer. The most rewarding element of our stay at Tamarind was its ability to feel like not only a hotel, but a hub; a place that both allowed us to connect with each other, and find connections to the vivid local culture. It was our intention to gather as much information as possible about the best places from which you can enjoy this beautiful island, and Tamarind was the ideal starting point for such an endeavour. Here is why Tamarind is right for you:
I was really impressed with all the amenities at Tamarind, especially the facilities for children! They have a family lounge and a kids’ den to keep children happy, and all the children we saw seemed to be having a wonderful time! The rooms are bright and airy, and I had an ocean view room which I would definitely recommend for the amazing sunrises alone – just beautiful! The staff were really friendly and even joined in during the evening entertainment! I also loved the fact it was so close to town and I would recommend a trip to Sprinkles across the road from the hotel for a delicious ice cream treat!
I have always loved Tamarind. It’s so inviting and friendly and I would happily go there as a couple or as a family – it just has everything! There is a great selection at breakfast to suit everyone, whether you’re on a health kick or an indulgent escape. I love food and to have a hotel that prepares quality meals just enhances what is already a beautiful holiday location. Tamarind has a stunning beach perfect for walks, and a calm sea ideally suited to snorkelling, swimming, and a variety of water sports. They even create a lovely, clean, fresh feel, and having pod chairs scattered around the property with hammocks really nurtures a truly relaxed feeling.
Each night is different at this hotel as it runs a 14 night entertainment programme which offers themes such as a family cinema in the evening on the lawn, and there are exciting destinations such as Holetown and Bridgetown just a short bus ride away if you fancy exploring the local offerings, making an amazing evening out a wonderfully simple possibility. My top tip for couples is to take a day at Tamarind’s sister resort Colony Club, another gorgeous property from the Elegant group. You can take a free water taxi there and back, and you can even charge the drinks and meals to your Tamarind room account. You can make your holiday how you like it with this hotel, with huge scope for a peaceful, sociable break.
The smiling staff are second to none at Tamarind. It is one of the friendliest hotels I’ve ever stayed in and I was made to feel very welcome. The hotel, its facilities, and the surroundings are lovely and totally charming, in particular the stunning beach walks that you can find right on your doorstep, which could extend for miles if the fancy took you. The beach staff at Tamarind would often surprise us with free ice-pops, fruit, and frozen eucalyptus towels, all welcome treats after a hot afternoon enjoying the sun!
I had the pleasure of staying in an ocean view room with a balcony, an absolute dream to wake up to each morning. A bus stop right outside the hotel means you can get to Holetown in just a few minutes or travel further around the island, and a trip on the local bus is a great experience in itself!
To top it all off, here’s a whistle-stop tour of our time at Tamarind in photographic form:
