It’s not exactly difficult to see why Barbados is awash with celebrity holidaymakers… Whether you’d prefer to jet ski in the crystal clear waters a la Simon Cowell, soak up the sunshine on the beach as Coleen Rooney does, or party with rum punches just how Bajan star Rihanna opts for – you know you’d be in paradise.
But you don’t need to have Mariah Carey’s yacht (which is often moored in the Caribbean) or her bank balance to taste the full flavours of the island for yourself. We’ve discovered the more affordable options that will still allow you to feel like you’re indulging in the A-list lifestyle.
While Simon prefers to holiday there over Christmas, Coleen opts for the school holidays, leaving the Made In Chelsea stars to visit at the start of the year. These are the more expensive times to stay in Barbados, but May and June, and September through to November offer more bargains.
WHERE TO STAY
The West side of the island isn’t dubbed the ‘Platinum Coast’ for nothing – this part of paradise is painted with white sand beaches and unsurprisingly luxury hotels where the rich and famous frequent. But you can still set up temporary residence on this side at a fraction of the cost.
BATTALEYS MEWS VILLAS
Pretend you’ve your own palatial pad for your trip by renting a villa that could fit for Simon and his entire harem. The properties at Battaleys Mews are in a gated and guarded complex with a pool and tennis courts for guests. The villas have their own private garden with a mini pool perfect for dipping your feet into and waste away the day tanning. You can comfortably – and chicly – sleep six people across the three rooms and the open plan, lounge, diner and kitchen are the perfect setting to have relaxed dinners and spend a chilled evening. The self-catering property has regular cleaning service and you can order a food delivery in advance so you have everything ready on arrival - although this is a more expensive option. As an added bonus the property is under a 10 minute walk to the famous Mullins Beach – whose legendary Sunday sessions start in the afternoon and keep the rum punches flowing. While there you can hang out with Rihanna’s old school chums as almost everyone you meet there will have a story relating to the star.
Battaleys Mews offers a one-week stay from £2,200 per villa on a self- catering basis, with full service available on request. battaleysmews.com/rentals/
WAVES HOTEL AND SPA
If you want to treat yourself for a couple of nights luxury, why not book into the all-inclusive Waves Hotel? Also situated on the West Coast – the hotel is just a year old – and has insane views across the sea with a private beach where staff bring your drinks to you, as if you have your own private butler. As you drink in the rays, staff serve you to ice cream, drinks and frozen grapes (Victoria Beckham’s snack of choice). You can wake up to free yoga and pilates classes on the outdoor terrace overlooking the beach – just as any yoga-loving celeb would! All drinks and meals are included and with the restaurant offering a variety of options from sushi to spaghetti you won’t go hungry. There are also two pools and guests are treated to one spa treatment included in the price. What else could make you feel more like a celeb?
Prices at Waves Hotel and Spa begin from £346 per night based on two adults sharing a standard guest room on an all-inclusive basis. eleganthotels.com/waves-hotel-spa
GEMINI HOUSE B&B
For bling on a budget you can always stay towards the Southern Part of Barbados at Gemini House – an intimate B&B near Long Beach. It’s set in a more relaxed environment but you can avoid expensive meals out but preparing food in the shared kitchen and barbeque. The staff will help you arrange for a hire care or any trips you’ like to go on but if you’re a fan of trying water sports and surfing - just as Cameron Diaz likes to do - long beach is the perfect setting and you can also book a lesson. And if you did want to add some luxe to your stay you could always take a taxi to visit the west coast.
Rooms star from £40 bed and breakfast based on two people sharing, see geminihouse.com
**TRANSPORT **
Walking around Barbados and its narrow pavements is achievable but not always advisable when dark as cars will whizz past you. There are plenty of taxis but the cost can mount up over a week – but the buses are affordable and reliable and you can tour around the south and west coasts easily.
At around £1 per trip it’s a bargain although as the night comes and on Sundays it can be more unreliable. When on water you can of course jet ski like Simon does on his annual Christmas celebration on the island but if you’d like to bounce around on a beach buggy just as the LA celeb set like to, you can hire a Mini Moke and explore the more rugged east coast. Fat Jack's charge around £50 per day. See fatjacksrentals.com
**WHERE TO EAT **
Oistins is the only place to be on Friday nights for the Fish Fry on the south coast where you’ll learn what a real Bajan street party is all about. You’ll be serenaded to a soundtrack of reggae and calypso as you pick which fresh fish you fancy as it’s cooked in front of you. From swordfish to salt cod fritters you’ll be in for a meal to remember.
For a traditional West Indian feast the family-run hotel Atlantis offers a buffet lunch like no other on Wednesdays and Sundays. With amazing authentic Bajan cuisine you can keep piling up your plate with local favourites macaroni pie and flying fish. And the best bit is the restaurant looks out onto the sea and there’s also a children’s menu. See atlantishotelbarbados.com
WHAT TO DO
Bajans love to live life and laugh (who doesn’t?) but they do it their own way – boat trips are aplenty offering snorkelling to marvel at the island’s marine life, you can also visit Harrison’s cave, although be prepared for the freak tide that can cancel any turtle-viewing dreams. Locals say the freak high tide can come around as often as every three weeks. On dry land the most iconic landmark is St. Nicholas Abbey – one of the oldest plantation houses in the Caribbean, there’s also a rum museum.
If you want to party into the early hours Harbour Lights – where Olly Murs has been – offers nights with a set fee and all of your drinks are included , making it perfect for budgeting.
Barbados’ most luxurious eater is The Cliff and its sister, more relaxed restaurant The Beach Club. Anyone who is an A-lister would have dined here - and the list is long… Mark Walberg, Simon Cowell, James Corden, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Mariah Carey and Justin Bieber. Of course Rihanna has been there too and staff revealed she likes to do shots with the chef. While the setting is breathetaking, the prices can be too, if it’s too much of an extravagance to dine like a yacht-owning celeb, head to the Beach Club’s bar for sunset and have a cocktail – you’ll get every bit of luxury and grill the bar staff for celebrity gossip. Don’t be intimidated by the entrance, you can be causal and relaxed at this venue/ See thecliffbeachclub.com