Best Barbados Hotels

Twenty-one miles long and fourteen miles wide, Barbados is an oasis of a paradise with the tranquil, turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea to the west and where the shore is charged by the white-tipped rollers of the Atlantic to the east. Barbados is an island of contrast with buildings of old-fashioned charm nestling comfortably in among the glass and marble of the business districts. Whatever the draw for the visitor to the island a stay in one of the best Barbados hotels will ensure it's a trip to remember. Barbados is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean with its stunning scenery, miles of fine sandy beaches, exciting nightlife and the friendliness of the people.

Originally Portuguese, the British claimed the island for King James 1 in 1625 and although the colony became independent in 1966, a certain 'British-ness' is still said to characterize everyday life, from the convention of driving on the left to the custom of taking afternoon high tea. The island is often affectionately referred to as "Little England."

A stay at one of the best Barbados hotels allows the guest to take full advantage of the island's long sun-swept beaches, enjoying the calm clear water of the Caribbean or thrilling to the rush of the tide and surf in the Atlantic.

Set amid lush tropical gardens crowned with the hot colors of bougainvillea and many with sea views, guests can take a refreshing dip in the pool at the best Barbados hotels or have a go at some of the many water sports on offer, take off for an afternoon's sightseeing, or merely relax and take it easy.

The island is divided into eleven parishes and each has its own distinct character with Bridgetown being the largest city on the island and the country's capital. The many shopping districts are popular with visitors and the Saint Lawrence Gap is particularly famed for its thriving nightlife scene. The island abounds with wildlife reserves and vacation activities on offer including scuba diving, golf, helicopter trips and the chance to do some cave exploration.

Barbados' history is very much bound up with the story of the island's sugar, tobacco and cotton industries and the slave trade. British planters bought up plantations where slaves were brought to work from West Africa, from Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Cameroon. Many of the old plantation estates are now open to the public and the Barbados Museum has over a quarter of a million artifacts, documents and records charting the story of slavery on the island.

In the 1700s Barbados was one of the world's largest sugar producers and the islanders still hold the Crop Over Celebration, which dates from that time to mark the end of a successful harvest. An exuberant and colorful five-week summer festival, many visitors book vacations specifically to be able to attend. The festival includes a ceremonial delivery of the last canes and the crowning of the King and Queen of the Festival. The streets are alive with the sound of calypso, brimming with the smells of market cooking and lined with stalls selling local arts and crafts and one of the highlights is the Cohobblopot, a carnival showcasing performers dressed in flamboyant and elaborate, eye-catching costumes.

No description of Barbados would be complete without the mention of rum and in particular Mount Gay Rum which has been made by the island's Mount Gay Distilleries Ltd since 1703 and which is one of, if not the oldest, rum companies in the world.

The official language in Barbados is English, mainly using although not exclusively, British English vocabulary, pronunciation, spelling and grammar conventions. Bajan is what most Barbadians use in everyday life however and although a variant of the Barbados English, it actually sounds very different to the official language.

With its dazzling sunshine, magnificent scenery and spectacular bathing, Barbados is a top destination for visitors on vacation, on honeymoon, for people looking for a quiet get-away-from-it-all excursion to those wanting a busy, exciting, activity filled trip. The best Barbados hotels offer every style of base for the perfect visit, from the cozy garden cottage to sumptuous suite.

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