From a Caribbean Princess cruise out of San Juan, instead of returning, we disembarked at our last stop, Barbados, and spent a few nites beachfront at Coral Reef Club. This was my 6th stay on the island over the years, and it remains my favorite for having lovely people, a wide range of sightseeing, beaches, hotels, restaurants, entertainment.
But this is about the resort Coral Reef Club. 2012 will be the 60th year that the O'Hara family has owned this gem on a beachfront 12 acres. Coral Reef was built and expanded using coral stone to create a series of plantation-style cottages and low rise buildings, never skimping on room and balcony space, never jamming too much onto the grounds (only 88 rooms), never sacrificing quality. Even the least expensive rooms have a roomy bath, sitting area, ceiling fans, balcony or patio with 2 loungers, table+chairs. The lobby area is spacious and adjoins the roofed but open air restaurant right at ocean's edge. One of the most elegant and charming settings anywhere. The grounds are a profusion of trees, shrubbery, flowering things, the likes of which I have never seen, even in official gardens. Beach is long enough and wide enough, and shaded in places, and doesn't get crowded. Owners are always on the property, staff are smiling and efficient. Their principal chef was trained in Europe, and the ever-changing menu extensive and varied. This is the class act of class acts. It was very difficult to tear ourselves away to leave. Oh, and the tree frogs serenade you all night--their mating call is a crystal clear sound which is prettier than 90% of the birds.
See www.coralreefbarbados.com www.barbados.org www.insandoutsofbarbados.com