4 Best Hotels in Barbados

This sustainable boutique hotel is inspired by its natural surroundings—a cliff overlooking the sea that's thick with palm trees and other tropical foliage. Each guest room faces the ocean and benefits from the sea breezes. The main house has four guest rooms on the ground floor, each with a kitchenette (no stove for cooking), patio, and ceiling fan. Two suites on the top floor, one with a full kitchen, can be combined as a two-bedroom apartment. A cottage next door has two air-conditioned studios, also with kitchenettes, that can be connected to become a large suite. All rooms are furnished in a "modern Bohemian" style that includes antiques, local arts and crafts, Bajan artwork, and pops of color. The property has a sauna, a babbling brook, and beautiful views of the East Coast. The ECO restaurant is one of the best on the island, with an authentic, farm-to-table, primarily plant-based and organic menu created by a Cordon Bleu--trained chef. Rugged terrain, stone paths, and rooms on varying levels make this property less than ideal for people with disabilities. In addition, no children under 12 years of age are allowed.

Perched on a ridge about a mile from downtown Bridgetown, this restored plantation house (circa 1900) was once the residence of the Dutch ambassador and is now a delightful bed-and-breakfast. The main living and dining rooms, guest rooms, and carriage-house suite are individually furnished with antiques and art. Each morning, the chef prepares a fabulous four-course breakfast—fresh-squeezed juices, tasty egg dishes, local fruit, and home-baked treats—and high tea is served daily in the large formal dining room. Lunch or dinner is available upon request. Tropical trees and plants surround a small natural-rock swimming pool tucked into the broad lawn. Sweetfield Manor is a great choice for solo travelers and couples—for a night or two or a week or two.

Renowned for its spectacular oceanfront location, this hotel has been a fixture on the rugged East Coast for more than a century. All units are luxuriously furnished with antiques as well as the latest technology; for example, guests can stream films directly to their room TV from the hotel's movie library. Oceanfront rooms have large windows that open to brisk sea breezes and amazing views of pounding surf, just a stone's throw away. Quieter rooms and suites in the back have views of the coast. Large bathrooms are splendid and modern. With its deck overlooking the ocean, the restaurant is a favorite, particularly for the West Indian buffet lunch on Wednesday and Sunday.

It's hard to tell which is more appealing: the view of the rugged coastline or the magnificent historic (1832) manse strategically perched on the cliff to take advantage of the view. Guest rooms are tastefully decorated in subdued colors and attractively furnished. Each room has a great view of the ocean, and some rooms look out onto the pretty courtyard. Room 3 opens to a large sundeck with a small plunge pool. Although few activities are offered on the property itself, snorkeling, diving, horseback riding, hiking, and surfing at nearby Bathsheba's Soup Bowl can be arranged.