ITTN’s Julia Labedz is in Barbados on a FAM trip with Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Travel Trade Representation (TTR) and Aer Lingus, accompanying a group of Irish & UK travel agents on a destination showcase aimed at promoting the island and supporting Aer Lingus’ direct service from Manchester to Barbados.
Joining the trip from Ireland are Roisin Carbery (Tropical Sky), Deepak Jadoun (Click&GO), Sarah Kelly (Best4Travel), and Suzanne Reynolds (Cassidy Travel). From the UK, Julia is accompanied by Caroline Cousins (Oasis Travel), Linda Devlin (Glen Travel), Olivia King (Humming Bird), Rachel Howes (Prestbury Travel) and Erin Docherty (If Only Holidays). The group are led by the wonderful Cedric Lynch from Visit Barbados.
The group arrived late Sunday night and checked in at the all-inclusive Wyndham Grand Barbados, Sam Lord’s Castle Resort & Spa, before heading for a buffet-style welcome dinner. They enjoyed a variety of items from the buffet, including loaded jacket potatoes, sushi & pasta (though not all mixed together…). Desserts were absolutely standout here with a very warm apple crumble complete with some fresh fruit. This was an absolutely delightful meal especially after such a long day of travel.
As for the host hotel itself, the Wyndham Grand Barbados is located right along the island’s southeastern coast, and from the moment the group arrived, it was clear why it was chosen as the groups’ base for this half of the trip.
The Wyndham is the largest hotel on the island, with a spacious layout made up of multiple accommodation blocks, each with its own swimming pool. Despite its size, the resort feels bright and open with a design that allows wind and light to travel naturally throughout.
Opened in 2023, the property has a new and contemporary feel, something that’s clear to see in both the architecture and interiors. The entrance to the hotel really shapes the arrival – a huge, bright and open space with a tall ceiling that looks out in the direction of the sea. This side of Barbados is quite windy, which means this space cleverly turns into something like a wind tunnel, channelling a warm sea breeze straight through the lobby, which was quite a refreshing welcome after the long journey. Check-in was handled efficiently and with genuine warmth, with staff quickly getting the group settled into their rooms.
Julia got placed in a Deluxe King Room on the second floor, which immediately impressed her with its generous proportions. The room is exceptionally spacious, featuring a large, comfortable king-sized bed with a good selection of pillows. A balcony looks out over the hotel pool and towards the sea, providing a relaxing spot to unwind. Behind the bed, a subtle separation creates a functional area with a mini bar and a dedicated work desk, adding a practical touch.
The bathroom is equally impressive in scale, with both a full-sized bath and a rainfall shower, along with excellent sink and vanity space, particularly good for guests who like to overpack (guilty!). The room is fully equipped with all expected amenities, including a kettle, hairdryer and iron.
The accommodation is immaculately clean, quiet and very comfortable, with great air conditioning helping the group get a restful night’s sleep. As the groups’ host property, Wyndham Grand Barbados delivers a strong first impression, with the group collectively looking forward to getting to know the resort over the next few nights.
Site Inspections
The first full day of the FAM began with an early departure for the island’s Platinum (West) Coast. First on the agenda was a site inspection of Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels, where the group was welcomed by Ryan Rayside. This oceanfront boutique property made an immediate impression with its strong wellness-led identity and design.
Wellness is firmly at the core of the Waves experience. Guests can take part in complimentary Pilates and yoga sessions, with yoga mats provided in every room, allowing guests to continue their practice in private. The spa offering is thoughtfully integrated into the stay, with guests booking five nights or more in an Ocean View category receiving three complimentary spa vouchers per adult, while standard room bookings include two spa vouchers per adult.
Accommodation highlights include the Ocean View Junior Suites, which combine open-plan living with sea views, as well as Spa Pool View Rooms, located near the spa facilities. The spa and a secondary pool are situated across the street from the main hotel, creating a quieter, more secluded wellness zone.
While wellness is a key focus, the property is also family-friendly, accommodating children and teenagers under 17 years of age, making it suitable for family stays. Sustainability is also placed on focus all throughout the resort, with recyclable artwork and natural wood accents. Waves Hotel & Spa is a fantastic option on Barbados’ Platinum Coast, particularly well suited to guests looking for a mix of wellness, luxury and comfort.
Next was All Seasons Resort, presented by Soni Kessuram. Located in the centre of Holetown on the west coast, this is a laid-back property which caters well to both independent travellers and families looking for flexibility and value.
The resort has spacious one-bedroom suites with kitchenettes, making it ideal for self-catering holidays. The resort itself is surrounded by gardens, and has a large swimming pool, an on-site bar and restaurant as well as easy access to nearby beaches, shops, and local dining. It’s a practical choice for budget-conscious visitors who still want to be close to the island’s key attractions.
At Mango Bay Hotel, the group met with Michelle Gibson for a guided tour of this compact, beachfront all-inclusive property also located in the centre of Holetown. With just 76 rooms, the hotel means guests can enjoy an intimate and friendly stay, emphasising personalised service and attention to detail. This hotel is in a really prime location which allows guests to step directly onto the beach or walk to nearby shops, bars, and restaurants along the west coast.
The property’s gym facilities stood out as particularly strong – the room was well-equipped and perfect for guests looking to maintain their fitness routines while on holiday. While spa treatments are not included, spa services are available on the property.
The property also includes a beachfront restaurant, swimming pool, spa services, and water sports activities (it’s worth noting that 15 minutes of water skiing is provided complimentary by the hotel per guest, per stay), which makes it a convenient option for those who are looking for a stress-free stay with everything on hand.
Due to high occupancy, guest rooms were unavailable to view during the visit – an objectively good complaint. Overall, Mango Bay is a reliable, family-friendly option on the Platinum Coast, especially well-suited for couples, small groups, and those looking to mix and mash relaxation with easy access to local culture and shopping.
The fourth stop was the Fairmont Royal Pavilion, where the group was welcomed by Tonisha Niles. This long-established luxury property stood out for many – it had a fabulous beachfront and unique classic colonial style. As an added plus, every room faces the ocean, so guests can enjoy uninterrupted sea views.
This is a truly luxurious resort, set on what is arguably one of the most beautiful stretches of sandy beach seen during the visit. The beachfront itself is the defining feature – pristine, and exceptionally picturesque, delivering the classic tropical postcard scene that anyone visiting Barbados wants.
The overall atmosphere of the property is lush and tropical, with excellent landscaping and design. Although the hotel was operating at full occupancy, meaning guest rooms were unavailable to view, it was clear from shared spaces and public areas that the accommodation is of an exceptionally high standard.
The resort itself is surrounded by tropical gardens, making for a very quiet and exclusive space with excellent dining options, friendly service and plenty of space to unwind. It’s particularly well-suited for couples or those looking for a more private, high-end stay on the island’s Platinum Coast.
Next up was a stop for food – lunch was hosted at the Sea Shed Restaurant, a beachfront venue on the west coast that has become a favourite for both locals and visitors. Sea Shed focuses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a strong emphasis on seafood.
Julia went for a delicious meal of crispy calamari followed by a chicken sandwich. The group enjoyed fuelling up for the rest of the day and everyone left the table satisfied – not only with the food, but also with the fabulous view of the sea just steps away.
The afternoon resumed with a site visit to The Crane Resort, where the group was hosted by Karen Oliver. Located on a cliffside on Barbados’ southeast coast, The Crane is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in the Caribbean, dating back to 1887. The property has kept much of its history while expanding into a modern resort village, complete with spacious residential-style suites and gardens.
Thanks to its cliffside position, the resort overlooks Crane Beach, often cited as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
The group toured a variety of accommodations here, from suites with private pools to classic rooms featuring original architectural details. Among the standout rooms was the 3 bedroom suite with a private pool located within a tower on the balcony alongside an upper floor with an outside bathtub overlooking the sea.
Onsite amenities include multiple restaurants, a spa, fitness centre, retail village, and several pools, making The Crane a self-contained destination ideal for longer stays, families, and couples.
After a short break allowing the agents to refresh, it was time for dinner which was hosted at Zen Restaurant, located within The Crane Resort and known for its authentic Japanese and Thai cuisine. The restaurant is absolutely stunning with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, and the group was lucky enough to be able to dine in a private, Japanese-style room.
The food was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious – a real highlight of the day. The group enjoyed a selection of dishes including Tom Kha soup and a very rich green curry – all packed with flavour.
Karen Oliver also rejoined the group for the evening, sharing more about the resort’s history and answering questions over dinner. It was a lovely way to wrap up a busy and informative first day.
ITTN’s Julia Labedz would like to thank BTMI, TTR and Aer Lingus for organising such a rewarding start to the week! Stay tuned for more on Barbados on ittn.ie and through our social media channels.
