Best All-inclusive Resorts in Barbados

Laura Fisher

November 13, 2019 at 7:00 AM

Barbados is one of the most well-developed and popular islands in the Caribbean, home to both a rich cultural history as well as beautiful pink sand beaches and turquoise bays. Even George Washington deemed the Caribbean island worthy of his one and only trip off the North American mainland. Like we always say, if it’s good enough for George, it’s good enough for us.

One thing that has changed in Barbados since the time of Washington is the number of hotels and all-inclusive resorts on the island. Barbados is home to the highest number of luxury properties per square mile in all the Caribbean, giving travelers a dizzying amount of options. There are a host of other fantastic hotels on the island, such as the Hilton and the Colony Club, but if you’re looking to check in and not worry about anything other than when to re-apply your sunscreen, an all-inclusive resort can’t be beat.

The most extravagant of the properties listed below is Sandy Lane — which sends a chauffeured Bentley for your airport pickup — but there are plenty of more budget-friendly all-inclusive resorts on the island. Barbados resorts such as Sandals and Sugar Bay Barbados offer a more affordable, yet still luxurious, Barbados vacation experience. Read on for the best all-inclusive resorts in Barbados for your next island getaway.

Sandals Barbados

The Sandals resorts are known for providing luxurious and romantic all-inclusive resort packages around the Caribbean. Sandals Barbados, which just opened in January 2016, is no exception. A unique offering of Sandals Barbados is access to the brand’s other Barbados property, Sandals Royal Barbados, located right next door in the St. Lawrence Gap. Guests of either resort can go back and forth to use amenities at both locations, gaining access to six pools, 18 restaurants, 12 bars, and a wide stretch of secluded beachfront. Two Barbados all-inclusive resorts for the price of one? Sign us up.

Sugar Bay Barbados

Sugar Bay Barbados is a newly-renovated, all-inclusive resort located in the central and historic Garrison district, a UNESCO World Heritage site and prime location for shops and lively restaurants. (That is, if you ever make it off the property.) Sugar Bay sits on the south shore of the island, right along a gorgeous aqua lagoon with a protected beach and calm waters ideal for swimming. Many of the bright and spacious 138 rooms feature beach views, and even those that don’t face the ocean have spacious patios. For couples or families looking for a casual, all-inclusive resort with a tropical and contemporary feel, Sugar Bay can offer the ideal Barbados experience.

Sugar Cane Hotel and Spa

Whether you’re childless or taking a trip to get away from your own little ones, you might be drawn to the adults-only Sugar Cane Hotel and Spa. Located on Barbados’ West Coast, Sugar Cane offers a more casual and relaxed atmosphere than some of the bigger resorts, and it has options for all-inclusive or room-only rates. Even at this smaller resort (44 rooms total), you will still enjoy a stellar full-service spa with outdoor treatment areas, two outdoor pools, and a tranquil, relaxing atmosphere with a reasonable price tag. One thing to note is that the child-free policy tends to attract a slightly older crowd who come more for R&R than socializing, so if you’re looking for a lively bar scene or hordes of young adults, this might not be the Barbados vacation for you.

Bougainvillea Barbados

Alex Jackson/Courtesy of Bougainvillea Resort

For travelers looking for a less expensive all-inclusive resort in Barbados, the Bougainvillea Resort is a solid choice — in fact, it’s rated the number 1 all-inclusive resort in Barbados by travelers on TripAdvisor. The sister property to Sugar Bay Barbados, Bougainvillea boasts 100 spacious rooms and is known for personal touches and exceptional service. Edged on either side by pristine white beaches and filled throughout with its namesake Bougainvillea flowers and colorful gardens, the resort is beautifully kept and has a lush, tropical vibe. Bougainvillea Barbados is a green hotel, certified platinum by EarthCheck, so you can rest easy that your leisurely Barbados vacation is also easy on the planet.

Sandy Lane Barbados

Last on our list but most certainly not least, Sandy Lane Barbados is known for being the most exclusive and luxurious resort on the island. This iconic Barbados retreat pulls out all the stops, starting with airport pickup by one of the property’s Bentleys, chilled towels and cold beverages upon arrival, and 112 rooms decked out with elegant chandeliers, spacious bathrooms, and fine mahogany furniture. Sandy Lane is extremely family friendly, with the Treehouse Club offering organized activities for children ages 3-12, and the Den serving as a lounge for older children and teenagers. While the kids are off having their own adventures, you can luxuriate in the top-notch spa or play on one of three — yes, three — spectacular golf courses. You may even catch a celebrity sighting, as the famous resort has hosted guests in the past such as Oprah, Barbados-native Rihanna, and Tiger Woods. You definitely pay for the luxury you experience at Sandy Lane, but the experience lives up to its reputation at this extraordinary Barbados resort.

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