Visit the island of Antigua, exploring its landscape and historic sites before heading to the soft white sands of Barbados’ west coast for a week of relaxation.
What's Included:
3 nights Antigua, 7 nights Tamarind by Elegant Hotels, including breakfast.
12 days from £3,790pp
who's been there
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On the beach - 8 days
Tamarind by Elegant Hotels
Set on an unusually long beachfront on Barbados' sought-after west coast, Tamarind is a good value hotel with a convenient location and a huge range of complimentary activities.
The hotel overlooks one of the island's best swimming beaches, its calm seas and white sands perfect for a relaxing afternoon in the sun. You'll be treated to cold scented towels and refreshing drinks or sorbet as part of the hotel's complimentary 'Beach & Pool Ambassador' service. Inside, the hotel is crisp and contemporary and caters to both families and couples with a lively kids' club and dedicated adults-only pool. There's a choice of restaurants on site, you can wander next door to Daphne's — one of the island's best dining spots — or try a selection of bars and restaurants nearby. Guests can also enjoy a wide range of activities with a choice of water sports, a fitness centre and spa, three pools, weekly Pilates and aqua aerobics classes and plenty of beach games. The hotel also provides live entertainment several nights a week with local steel bands and musicians playing a variety of music.
There are 104 spacious rooms and suites with contemporary decor featuring splashes of Caribbean colour. All have a balcony or terrace with views of the pool, garden or ocean.
Before the beach - 4 days
Antigua
Antigua is renowned for its beautiful coastline and gorgeous beaches. Sailing has always been important for the island and today you will still see gleaming yachts moored at harbour or scattered across the sea while many international races take place there. Discover the 18th century Georgian dockyard at Nelson’s Dockyard and explore the island’s secluded coves, historic sugar mills and peaceful villages.
South Point’s spacious and contemporary accommodation is located in the heart of Antigua’s English Harbour with enviable views across the marina. Historic Nelson’s Dockyard is within walking distance and the hotel’s restaurant and suites overlook the visiting yachts moored in the marina. The 23 condo-style apartments are smart and spacious with fully-equipped, modern kitchens.
Tamarind by Elegant Hotels
104 rooms, 2 restaurants, 2 pools
Description
Barbados’ sought-after west coast is known as the ‘platinum coast’, a nickname earned after the shade of the sand — or the credit cards owned by the rich and famous that live in the gated villas along the shoreline. Tamarind sits in the midst of the action, on Paynes Bay Beach.
This contemporary resort is a bit of an all-rounder, suitable for both families and couples. It’s the little touches here which will add to your stay, like the beach and pool Ambassador service, providing scented cold towels, refreshments throughout the day, homemade sorbets and other surprise treats. As part of the Elegant Hotels Group, guests can make use of the facilities at the sister properties Colony and Crystal Cove, which can also be reached by complimentary daytime water taxi.
For families
The Tamarind has a real family focus with plenty of places for children to play — and adult’s only space for those wanting a little more relaxation.
The Flying Fish Kids’ Club caters for children aged 3-12 years, whilst Club Tamarind Family Lounge is available for older children and adults and features a large screen TV, Wii games and a range of activities on and off the resort.
The family friendly restaurants provide healthy kids’ menus, and there are also nannies available to babysit smaller children.
Location
The west coast of Barbados is a popular destination with a wide range of resorts lining the coast. Tamarind is set on a stretch of white sand beach, known for turtle sightings just offshore.
There are several bars and restaurants within easy reach, while Holetown is only a few minutes away in a local bus or taxi and here you’ll find shops, bars, restaurants and the Limegrove Lifestyle Centre.
Our opinion
This all-round resort is especially good for those who like to walk out to local bars and restaurants, or for those who enjoy being active, as Tamarind has a great range of complimentary activities. It’s a good value option in one of Barbados’ flashiest areas.
Rooms
The resort has 104 contemporary rooms and suites set in two or three-storey buildings arranged round one of the three pools. Decorated with bright fabrics and rattan furniture the rooms have a typically Caribbean flair. Each has air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, iPod docking station, complimentary Wi-Fi, mini fridge and a balcony or terrace with views of the pool, gardens or ocean.
Junior Suite Ocean View
These are open-plan suites that are larger than the guest rooms with a comfortable sitting area and a view right over the ocean.
Junior Suite Pool/Garden View
The open plan, junior suites are larger than the guest rooms and include a sitting area with sofa bed. Views are over the pool and gardens.
Ocean Front Room
These rooms are great for couples with a king bed, views of the sea and bright, Caribbean decor.
One Bedroom Suite Ocean Front
These comfortable and spacious suites have a bedroom and separate living room and have views out over the ocean.
One Bedroom Suite Pool/Garden View
These suites have one bedroom with a separate living room providing ample space and comfort and offer pool or garden views.
Pool/Garden View Room
These rooms have a bright, Caribbean décor and pool or garden views.
Pictures of the rooms
Activities, diving & excursions
There are three swimming pools (including one at the spa for adults only), a fitness centre and a wide range of complimentary motorised and non-motorised water sports including waterskiing, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding and banana boats.
Tamarind also offers weekly Pilates and aqua aerobics classes, as well as beach games including cricket and volleyball.
For golfers, preferred tee times can be arranged through Tamarind for the nearby Apes Hill Club, an 18-hole championship golf course. Tennis courts are available at one of the nearby sister properties.
Barbados has a number of dive sites including many wreck dives, hard and soft coral and plenty of marine life.
Although there is no dive shop on site, the Tamarind team will be happy to arrange a scuba diving trip or lesson suitable for your skill level with a nearby operator.
Food & drink
The hotel offers one dining option, The Restaurant, open seasonally from 15 November — 15 May. Set on an overwater deck perfect for watching the yachts sail by, it's open for breakfast as well as à la carte lunch and dinner where dishes are a fusion of local ingredients and international techniques.
Please note this hotel is only available as all-inclusive.
Spa Facilities
Tamarind spa and adults-only pool is set in a peaceful area in the middle of the hotel, offering the perfect place to relax. The Tamarind Spa offers a full menu of spa services using organic and ethically sourced ingredients. Massages are also offered in the comfort of your own room.
Antigua
Location: Antigua
Antigua is said to have 365 beaches, one for every day of the year, but the island also boasts an impressive historical pedigree. No less a sailor than Admiral Nelson based his fleet here, and the easygoing Caribbean ambience of the island is complemented by a tangible British influence. The historic Nelson’s Dockyard is testament to this colonial history, though the luxury yachts bobbing in the water hint at a more glamorous side to modern day Antigua.
The people are incredibly friendly, and the island comes together to party every Sunday night as the sun sets at Shirley Heights, an old naval garrison overlooking the majestic English Harbour. The brightly coloured buildings and duty-free shopping of the capital, St John’s, make for an interesting half day excursion, while the southwest of the island is home to a picturesque landscape of rainforest, ruined forts and old sugar mills.
The beaches range from bustling stretches lined with lively bars to little visited bays and secluded coves. Escape the crowds by taking a trip over to sister island Barbuda, blessed with miles of unspoilt pink sands, or tread the road less travelled and explore Antigua’s rugged east coast, where conditions are ideal for a whole host of water sports. The more tranquil waters of the Caribbean Sea, meanwhile, offer ample opportunities for diving and snorkelling.
South Point
Accommodation: South Point
Next door to the Antigua Yacht club, and a short walk from the restaurant-lined Dockyard Drive, South Point is perfect for exploring English Harbour. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nelson’s Dockyard is also within walking distance. After a busy day, the views across Falmouth Harbour can be enjoyed from the hotel bar. There is a very small strip of sand in front of the hotel, but the hotel can also arrange transfers to nearby Pigeon beach.
The 23 suites are smart, condo-style apartments with views right across to Falmouth Marina. Each apartment hosts an array of modern facilities including iPod dock, fully equipped, modern kitchen and air conditioning. With an outdoor dining table, interior lounge and loungers on the private patio, there’s plenty of space to enjoy the views.
The hotel offers one dining option, The Restaurant, which is set on an over-water deck perfect for watching the yachts sail by. It's open for breakfast as well as à la carte lunch and dinner where dishes are a fusion of local ingredients and international techniques.
Located above the restaurant, the hotel’s bar, The Lounge, serves creative cocktails as well as a well-stocked array of wine.
Itinerary
Day by day
Day 1
Board your flight to Antigua where you will be met by our representative and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel.
Day 2
Set in the heart of English Harbour, South Point is ideally placed for exploring the harbour and the historic areas of Nelson's Dockyard.
Day 3
Another day free to explore the island at your leisure. You may like to take a drive through the interior of the island along Fig Tree Drive, passing farmland, historic sugar mills, small villages and churches. Or perhaps head up to Shirley Heights for great views down to the harbour and out to sea.
Day 4
Today you will be transferred back to the airport for the short flight to Barbados
On arrival you will be met and fast tracked through security before a 30 minute private road transfer to your hotel. Set along the beautiful white sand beach of Barbados' west coast, the Tamarind by Elegant Hotels has an excellent beachfront position. Settle in and relax with a stroll along the beach.
Day 5
Today is your first day at leisure at Tamarind. If you're not simply looking to relax on the beach, the resort has a great range of water sports including kayaking, windsurfing, sailing and waterskiing. Fitness classes and games of volleyball, cricket and football on the beach can also be arranged.
Day 6
Why not explore the east coast? Much quieter and less developed it shows a very different side to Barbados. Have lunch in the charming village of Bathsheba, visit the Andromeda Botanic Gardens and stroll along the rugged and surf-swept Atlantic beaches.
Day 7
Perhaps you might like to hire a car, or car and driver, to explore more of the island, visiting historic plantations and local art workshops. Alternatively, head out on a catamaran trip.
Day 8
Why not explore historic Bridgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Kensington Oval, Barbados' oldest cricket ground?
Day 9
If you are in Barbados on a Friday, Oistins Fishing Village hosts the famous Fish Fry, which is worth visiting for local music and excellent fresh fish.
Day 10
Why not spend your last day taking advantage of Tamarind's excellent beachfront location to relax on the golden sands on Barbados' west coast?
Day 11
Most of your day is at leisure to explore or relax before a private transfer back to the airport for your flight home.
Day 12
Arrive home.
Start planning your trip with Audley
Tailoring your trip
This itinerary is designed to give you a flavour of what is possible.
We can tailor this trip to suit your specific requirements
Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered, from excursions to accommodation
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