Discover Barbados with Amy: Island Adventures and Luxury at Sandals Royal Barbados
Beautiful beaches, friendly locals, incredible food and luxury all-inclusive living — discover why Barbados stole Amy’s heart!
Amy is back from an unforgettable seven-night trip to Barbados, and she’s returned with plenty of sunshine-filled memories, stories to share and even more reasons to recommend Sandals Resorts to her customers.
Although seven nights felt far too short, Amy made it her mission to explore as much of this beautiful Caribbean island as possible. From swimming with turtles and discovering hidden gems to enjoying the luxury of Sandals Royal Barbados, this trip was the perfect combination of adventure, relaxation and indulgence.
Exploring the beautiful island of Barbados
Barbados may be just 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, but there is so much to discover beyond its famous white-sand beaches.
Amy and her travelling companion explored the island from north to south and east to west, experiencing the local culture, meeting the friendly Bajan people and discovering some of Barbados’ most memorable attractions.
Here are just a few of the highlights from their adventure.
Wildlife, sightseeing and local culture
One of Amy’s favourite experiences was feeding the famous Barbados green monkeys! These cheeky little characters can be spotted around the island and certainly make for a memorable encounter.
They also visited Rihanna Drive, where they saw the house where global superstar Rihanna grew up, before taking a drive past her much newer home! While there, they stopped for a drink at a little bar opposite her childhood home, where the owner made the visit even more entertaining.
Other highlights included watching locals playing cricket, visiting the famous horse racing track and exploring Bridgetown, the island’s vibrant capital.
For some truly spectacular scenery, Cherry Tree Hill was another must-see stop, offering gorgeous views across the island.
Discover the incredible Animal Flower Cave
A visit to the beautiful Animal Flower Cave was another highlight of Amy’s trip. Located on the island’s northern coast, it offers a different perspective of Barbados, with dramatic coastal scenery and a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the island’s natural beauty.
It’s a fantastic reminder that Barbados has so much more to offer than simply relaxing beside a swimming pool or on the beach.
Swimming with turtles at Carlisle Bay
For anyone who loves the ocean, Carlisle Bay is a must-visit.
Amy spent time exploring three shipwrecks, swimming with turtles and spotting tropical fish and barracudas in the clear Caribbean waters.
She loved it so much that she returned for a second day! This time, she enjoyed some relaxation at Savvy on the Bay beach club before hiring jet skis for a little extra adventure.
It sounds like the perfect way to spend a day in paradise!
Experience the famous Oistins Fish Fry
No visit to Barbados would be complete without experiencing the famous Friday night Oistins Fish Fry.
Imagine a lively outdoor food market filled with freshly prepared Bajan dishes, music, dancing and a wonderful atmosphere, with plenty of rum punch to enjoy along the way.
It’s an opportunity to experience the island’s culture, sample local food and enjoy an evening out alongside the locals.
For Amy, it was another example of why getting out and exploring a destination can make a holiday so much more memorable.
Staying at Sandals Royal Barbados
After days spent exploring the island, Amy returned to the luxury of Sandals Royal Barbados.
One of the great benefits of staying here is that the resort is connected to Sandals Barbados, allowing guests to enjoy the facilities of both resorts.
Together, they offer an incredible choice of dining, drinks and relaxation, including:
21 restaurants offering a variety of cuisines and dining experiences.
14 bars serving a wide selection of drinks and cocktails.
11 swimming pools where guests can relax and soak up the sunshine.
6 whirlpools for an extra touch of relaxation.
With so much choice available, there is always something new to try, whether you fancy a leisurely breakfast, a special evening meal or a refreshing cocktail beside the pool.
But what makes Sandals so special to Amy? It’s not simply the beautiful surroundings or the five-star luxury.
It’s the overall experience.
Why Amy loves Sandals Resorts
Amy has stayed at some incredible hotels around the world, so what makes her such a big fan of Sandals?
For her, it comes down to the attention to detail, the service, the food, the activities and the feeling that so much has been taken care of before you even arrive.
1. A holiday where tipping isn't expected
One of the things Amy particularly appreciates about Sandals is its no-tipping policy, with exceptions for butlers and spa therapists.
In destinations where tipping is commonplace, it can sometimes feel as though you need to carry cash everywhere or constantly consider whether to leave a tip.
At Sandals, guests can relax and enjoy their holiday without that added concern.
Amy also loves how welcoming and friendly the staff are, always ready with a greeting and a smile and keen to make each guest’s stay special.
2. Dining that goes beyond the usual all-inclusive buffet
Food is a big part of any holiday for Amy, and Sandals certainly delivers on choice.
Guests can enjoy buffet breakfasts or opt for table service, alongside a wide selection of restaurants offering different cuisines and dining styles.
Fancy a steak dinner? Perhaps Indian food? Or a relaxed evening in an English pub-style setting?
There is plenty of variety to explore throughout your stay.
Amy particularly loves that the restaurants offer their own individual atmosphere, rather than simply feeling like different versions of the same hotel buffet.
And, of course, with the all-inclusive dining experience, guests can enjoy their meals without worrying about additional charges for ordering from the included menu.
3. Premium drinks and freshly made cocktails
For those who enjoy a cocktail in the sunshine, Sandals offers a fantastic selection of drinks, including premium branded spirits and cocktails freshly prepared by the bar staff.
Amy was especially impressed by the fresh ingredients and generous-sized drinks served around the pool.
It’s those little details that help make a luxury all-inclusive holiday feel like a real treat.
4. Activities included in your stay
Another reason Amy believes Sandals offers fantastic value is the range of activities available.
Depending on the resort, guests can enjoy a selection of included activities and experiences, such as:
Paddleboarding and kayaking.
Hobie Cat sailing.
Snorkelling and glass-bottom boat trips.
Scuba diving for certified divers.
Tennis and pickleball.
Volleyball and bowling.
Cocktail-making and mixology classes.
Sip-and-paint parties.
There is plenty to keep you entertained, whether you prefer getting active, discovering the underwater world or trying something completely different.
Activities and watersports vary between resorts and may be subject to availability, weather and sea conditions. Scuba diving is also subject to applicable requirements.
5. It's the little touches that make a difference
Sometimes, luxury isn't just about how a hotel looks. It's about how you feel while you're there.
Amy loves the thoughtful touches that come with a stay at Sandals, from having fresh towels and drinks replenished to returning to a beautifully prepared room.
After a relaxing afternoon nap and an evening spent enjoying dinner and entertainment, imagine returning to your room to find your bed made once again, ready for a comfortable night's sleep.
It's these little details that help make the experience feel extra special.
Is Sandals worth the investment?
When comparing holidays, it's easy to focus on the initial price of the hotel. However, Amy believes it's important to look at the complete experience and everything included in your stay.
With dining, drinks, activities and entertainment all forming part of the all-inclusive offering, Sandals provides the opportunity to enjoy a luxury Caribbean holiday without constantly thinking about additional spending on the things you want to do.
Sandals has a collection of resorts across the Caribbean, each offering its own atmosphere and facilities, but with a shared focus on luxury, service and the all-inclusive experience.
For Amy, having experienced the brand across different resorts, it's that consistency that makes Sandals a brand she genuinely believes in and loves recommending to her customers.
Why you should explore beyond your resort
Although Amy loved every minute of her stay at Sandals Royal Barbados, she is equally passionate about encouraging customers to discover the destination they are visiting.
Barbados has so much to offer beyond its beautiful beaches and luxury resorts. From its friendly people and fascinating local culture to its wildlife, food, history and spectacular scenery, there is something for so many different types of traveller.
Whether you want to spend your days relaxing beside the pool, exploring the island, swimming with turtles or enjoying a lively evening at Oistins Fish Fry, Barbados offers a wonderful mix of experiences.
Amy's advice? Make time to get out and explore. A holiday should be about making memories, and sometimes the most memorable moments happen when you venture beyond the hotel gates.
Let Amy help you plan your perfect Caribbean escape
Amy's trip to Barbados was a wonderful reminder of why first-hand travel experience is so valuable when choosing your next holiday.
At All About Travel, our travel consultants don't simply want to find you a holiday and send you on your way. They want to help you discover your destination, understand what's available, explore what you can see and do, and find the right holiday for you.
Amy is passionate about sharing her own experiences so that her customers can make informed choices and feel confident about their travel plans.
If Barbados has caught your attention, you're dreaming of a luxury Sandals escape, or you'd love to combine both, Amy would be delighted to help.
Get in touch with Amy at All About Travel to start planning your own Caribbean adventure.
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