by Paul Heney
Last updated: 6:00 AM ET, Sat April 28, 2018
The Elegant Hotels brand has be
en growing over the last couple of years, with several acquisitions and refurbishments. The Caribbean chain now has nine distinct beach resorts, one each on St. Lucia and Antigua, with the remaining seven sprinkled along the western shore of Barbados.
A majority (approaching 70%) of the visitors to Elegant's Barbados properties come from the U.K., with the remainder roughly split between U.S. and Canada. With a variety of options, including adults-only to all-inclusive and high-end luxury to family-friendly, travelers can choose the vibe they're most comfortable with. Property sizes range from a couple dozen rooms to more than 100.
On a recent trip, I was able to sample several of the resorts in a couple of days, thanks to the chain's complimentary water taxi. This covered boat runs from 9:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and stops at four of the resorts (two more are within easy walking distance of one of the stops).
What I like about this setup is that, if you're booking a week or two at a very small resort, you have the opportunity to branch out and eat or lounge beachside (or poolside) at other resorts, mixing things up a little.
Here are thoughts on five of the resorts we toured.
Treasure Beach
The newest gem in the chain, Treasure Beach opened in December, after being purchased by Elegant and completely renovated. This property, described as an inspirational destination, has a huge focus on art. And while you'll find lovely art on the walls of your suite, in the common areas, and even some very creative chandeliers, the vibe goes deeper here.
Feeling artistic yourself? Staff will set up an easel and watercolors near your room or on the beach. Local artisans are featured daily for a meet and greet. Sign up for the free Art Crawl, a fantastic island tour that stops at museums, galleries, and two pottery makers. You can even get artsy with your food with complimentary "Art of Food Styling" and "Perfecting Pastry" classes with resort chefs.
Tamarind
This resort, with 104 guest rooms and suites, is a breakfast-inclusive choice for guests, with a modern look to it. There are 3 swimming pools, including one adults-only pool. There is plenty of grass next to the beach for families to play a game of catch or just relax, but you'll find most of the guests in the Caribbean itself, where a bevy of complimentary water sports are available.
Tamarind, situated between Treasure Beach and The House, is one of the water taxi stops, making it a bit of a hub here for Elegant Hotels. We were pleasantly surprised by the number and variety of fish that we saw with the provided snorkeling equipment-right off the beach.
The House
If Treasure Beach is the chain's inspirational property, The House is the aspirational one. This luxury property, a just a short walk to the south, is adults-only in nature and features an included breakfast each morning. The look is a bit South Beach, and on our visit, it was fairly quiet. People were sunning themselves by the pool or at the beach, where there are included water sports activities.
Daphne's restaurant was a delight, with excellent service and a lovely open-air design that looks out onto the beach, the waves only a couple dozen feet away. The House was redesigned in late 2017 and features a mere 34 junior and one-bedroom suites. Guests receive a complimentary 30-minute jet lag massage on arrival.
Crystal Cove
All we kept hearing about this all-inclusive property was that the swim up bar had to be seen to be fully appreciated. And the bar is plenty of fun. This iconic resort feature is nestled into a large manmade cave, which guests can enter either through a side entrance on the pool deck (staying dry), or in the pool-by swimming through a waterfall that fronts the cave.
Crystal Cove, which features 88 rooms and suites, also has a nice children's program that runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Kids from 1 to 16, are welcome in the complimentary program. Guests can visit two restaurants, two bars, and a coffee/wine bar.
Waves Hotel & Spa
Further south on Barbados' sunny west side, Waves is the chain's healthy option, with a focus on both the mind and body. 70 rooms and suites are green minded, with sustainable materials and high-end finishes. A separate, adults-only pool and the spa itself are located across the street, a quiet, lush location that feels a world away from the nearby bustle of the beach.
The resort, which features yoga and complimentary fitness center and fitness classes, is also all-inclusive. There are 2 restaurants and bars, and guests can choose between Mediterranean and Asian fusion options. Guests receive up to 4 complimentary spa treatments.
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