Coral Reef Club Barbados is a luxury resort that has earned its place as one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. This is one of my Dad’s all-time favorite beach hotels!.
By: Natalie Heintz
Editor's Note:
We are huge fans of this property and would love to send you there! Click Here to connect with your favorite Travel Advisor today!
This is a family owned hotel since the 1950’s and you can feel that when you walk in. In my opinion, this resort has it all! Coral Reef Club sits on 12 acres of tropical green gardens with a tree lined white sand beach. You can feel the character and history in its beautiful white colonial buildings
In the 1950’s, Budge O’Hara was commissioned as general manager of Coral Reef Club. Budge and his wife Cynthia packed their bags and set sail for Barbados from England, spending their honeymoon on a passenger cargo ship. They were only expected to stay for 3 years but fell in love with the island and it became their home. Budge also gave much of his time to the hotel industry, becoming President of the Hotel Association, and sat on the board for many years.
They had two sons and one daughter who grew up to join the family business. Budge O’Hara passed in 1995, leaving behind a wonderful legacy. His children have continued on to rebuild much of the hotel while preserving the personal service and family atmosphere it is known for.
Before we go any further, let’s address the elephant in the room: health & safety!
If you are traveling from the US, UK or Canada you can do your quarantine here. Refer to my article on the 12 Month Barbados Welcome Stamp for Barbados safety protocols and requirements. You can also have your second COVID test done on Coral Reef Club’s property at the cost of $175 or go to a public testing facility for free.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming!
Coral Reef Club is in a prime location on the West Coast of Barbados in St. James parish. It is just a 15-minute walk to historic Holetown where there are excellent restaurants and boutiques. Also just a short drive to popular beach bars and some other local attractions.
Coral Reef Club has 6 different types of rooms ranging from cottages to suites or villas. All the room types are very spacious. Each has newly updated bathrooms and a patio/balcony. Some rooms even have their own plunge pool! Keep in mind there are two luxury villas that are great for families or even for a small wedding. Overall, the word that comes to mind when describing the room product is luxurious!
The Coral Reef Restaurant overlooks the beautiful Caribbean sea. They offer choices of fresh seafood and dishes combining classical cuisine with Caribbean flavors. The a la carte menu changes daily. A very unique event happens every Monday. The owners have a cocktail party at their family home on property and then treat guests to a West Indian or international buffet.
Let’s talk about the spa! This spa is regarded as the best on the island of Barbados. As you walk through their doors, you are immediately greeted with the smells of fresh lemongrass and ginger. The Thermal Spa Garden is the centerpiece. The tranquility of the lush greens with the peaceful waterfall transport your mind and body to immediate relaxation. The spa also includes a hydro pool, steam room, showers and relaxation area. All treatment rooms have their own private garden terrace as well. This is a perfect place to escape the stress and reset your mind and body!
There is no shortage of activities at this wonderful property. There are two large swimming pools, two tennis courts (complimentary tennis coaching with tennis pro from 4-6pm daily), fully equipped gym, salon & boutique, lush tropical gardens, and a large range of water activities!
There is definitely something for everyone!
Like many resorts on this beautiful island, Coral Reef Club is welcoming and relaxing. But the staff at this property takes it to a different level and appears to enjoy every moment along the way. We attribute that to many things including the generational nature of this family-run property. And for that we tip our hat to them!
** Natalie Heintz is Social Media Director and a staff writer for TravelAnne.com. She is a former college athlete who is transitioning from a career in health care to a role in the travel industry. More importantly, Natalie writes like her Dad and gets her love of travel from her Mom.
