How to Vacation Like a Celebrity in Barbados

So, how long has Barbados been pleasing celebrities who visit its shores?

For the first positive "review" of the destination by a famous tourist, you would have to go all the way back to America's first president.

"Barbados has long been the playground for the rich and famous - way back to when the Concorde was flying there as the only leisure destination," said Petra Roach, director of the U.S. for the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI). "Even before then, we of course welcomed George Washington, who remarked that the Barbadian hospitality was as such that he'd never experienced before."

And in a more up-to-date celebrity endorsement, Grammy Award-winning singer Rihanna, who was born in Barbados, was appointed "Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary" in 2018, continuing to provide significant exposure for the island in the U.S. and globally.

A tourism ambassador for BTMI since 2008, Rihanna stepped into her new role with expanded responsibilities as an official diplomat for her home country.

"Her responsibilities have expanded to include promoting education, tourism and investment for the island," said Roach. "It's very evident that Rihanna has a deep love for Barbados, and she has done an outstanding job at raising the island's profile and giving back to our community through her many philanthropic ventures."

The singer, actress, and head of the Fenty brand, also makes regular high-profile visits to the country annually, particularly for Crop Over. In fact, her childhood home in Bridgetown draws tourists from all over the world looking for a great Instagram pic.

"Everyone is keen to know where Rihanna is and her likes and passions, so whenever she touches down in Barbados, the world turns their attention to Barbados," said Roach. "She's obviously a fashion icon as well, so from fashion to music, Rihanna speaks to a variety of audiences who follow her every move and this has allowed Barbados to resonate more strongly amongst this audience. As a result, we've seen an increase in American's interest in the island."

Other celebrities whose ancestry is tied to the island include actress Gwyneth Paltrow, whose great grandmother was Barbadian, and actors, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and LL Cool J, who both have Barbadian grandfathers.

But even famous people with no heritage in Barbados have become frequent visitors, such as reality TV star Simon Cowell, who has thrown New Year's parties at the famous Sandy Lane hotel. Sandy Lane is also where famous golfer Tiger Woods was married back in 2004. Also, rapper Jay-Z proposed to Beyoncé on the resort's beach.

So, how can you feel like a celebrity when visiting this luxurious Caribbean island?

TravelPulse spoke with Roach and several Caribbean travel specialists who visited Barbados last December for travAlliancemedia's inaugural Millennial Travel Forum about how clients can vacation to Barbados in the shoes of their celebrity idols.

Here's what they had to say.

Throw an Epic Party

Everyone gets treated like a VIP at the chic, sexy beach club, Nikki Beach Barbados, which opened at the end of 2017 and has since garnered a reputation for upscale fashion shows, fancy cocktails, pool parties, live music by popular DJs and one fine spot of beach.

But to take your vacation - and legacy - to the next level, throw a once-in-a-lifetime, private party here.

Nikki Beach Barbados offers private parties and corporate events for those looking to make a splash on the island. Clients can rent the space out for birthday parties, wedding ceremonies and receptions, and other private gatherings of up to 200 people. Music from an in-house saxophonist, percussionist and violinist is included.

Nikki Beach Barbados sits on 1.4 acres of beachfront and includes docking for private yachts. Some over-the-top offerings for a party at Nikki Beach include dropping confetti from a helicopter and candlelit pathways along palm tree-lined pools.

"Our day stop at Nikki Beach took the energy to an even higher level," Stephen Scott, owner of Travel Hub 365 and an advisor with Protravel International in Chicago, recalls from his visit to Barbados last year. "It had everything we needed from multiple bars to a pool on the ocean, great food, plenty of places to hang and the DJ had us falling in love with Barbados all over again. It was really good to let loose and Nikki Beach knew exactly how to please everyone."

Own a Boat…for a while at least

Want to know what it's like to your own catamaran?

Go all out and book a private charter through Seaduced Luxury Charters. Among its most popular private offerings is its Private Luxury Day Sail and the "Life's a Beach" option.

The Private Luxury Day Sail uses either luxury catamarans or power boats. Clients choose what time they would you like to sail, where they would like to anchor for lunch, and whether they would like to try out some water sports, or just chill and catch some sun on the boat's deck.

The "Life's a Beach" option is a private day charter with a twist. Guest can enjoy a five-hour escape aboard a luxury catamaran and enjoy lunch served picnic style on the beach. Clients spend their day in the water trying an array of water activities or can choose a shady spot to relax. Guest can also tailor the bar and menu to suit their preferences.

"There is no better way to appreciate the magic of the Caribbean than from the water," said Daniela Harrison, a travel specialist with Avenues of the World Travel in Flagstaff, Arizona. "Seaduced is a great way to get off the beaten path.

"Charter the entire catamaran for your family or group of friends, enjoy a relaxed scenic cruise, services of a private chef on board, celebrate your own dance party and explore secluded lagoons to go snorkeling. The possibilities are endless. This is a great way to create some family time or romantic alone time, and get away from the crowds."

Dine at The Cliff

While Seaduced is a great option for a feast on the sea, for a land-based dining experience that has the chances of a celebrity spotting or two, Roach said look no further than The Cliff.

Since first opening its doors in 1995, The Cliff has been widely regarded as one of the finest and most popular restaurants in the Caribbean. Some popular dishes here include the roast duck breast, the fillet of dolphin (Mahi Mahi) and the seven-ounce fillet of prime beef tenderloin.

All the tables are candlelit and every one of them has a wonderful view of the sea. To create a unique atmosphere, The Cliff regularly commissions interior design features, including black coral candelabras that have become something of a Cliff trademark. The restaurant even has its own onsite workshop and permanent metal welder, who creates handcrafted mirrors and other metalwork designs.

The cost to dine here per person is roughly $140, which includes the value-added tax (VAT) for a two-course meal (starter/main or main/dessert) and roughly $160, including the VAT, for a three-course meal.

Golf Like a Master

Sandy Lane is widely considered Barbados' best luxury hotel and celebrities have agreed for years. It's Green Monkey golf course just might be the most demanded amenity of the hotel.

Sandy Lane's Green Monkey caught the attention of golf-loving celebrities across the globe back in 2004 when recent winner of golf's The Master's Tournament, Tiger Woods, married Swedish model Elin Nordegren at Sandy Lane in very lavish style. In fact, the L.A. Times reported at the time that the ceremony cost about $1.5 million. A hotel source also told the newspaper at the time that Woods rented out the entire hotel, which has about 200 rooms ranging in price from about $700 to $8,000 a night.

Although the marriage didn't last, the Green Monkey's allure has only gotten stronger.

Designed by Tom Fazio, it's an exclusive 72 par, 7,343-yard golf course. Carved from an old limestone quarry, the exposed rock faces form dramatic contrasts to the rolling greens of the fairways and offers tremendous changes in elevation. Only hotel guests can play the course, which costs $390 a round, per person.

Takeover The House

Travelers looking for privacy at no expense should consider renting out all 34 junior and one-bedroom suites at The House, located on Barbados' Platinum Coast on a stretch of white sand beach.

A favorite of celebrities and sophisticated travelers, the everyday experience is filled with luxurious indulgences at The House. For example, each guest is greeted with a complimentary 30-minute jet-lag massage. During the stay, guests are privy to a wealth of edible delights, from complimentary champagne breakfast to afternoon tea and evening canapés.

For the travel period from June 1, 2019, to October 27, 2020, the rates for a buyout range from $430 to $510 per room, per night, based on single or double occupancy.

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