ITTN’s Julia Labedz is in Barbados on a FAM trip hosted by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Travel Trade Representation (TTR) and Aer Lingus. The week-long visit, which includes both Irish and UK agents, is designed to give travel agents a deeper understanding of the island’s tourism offering, ranging from luxury resorts to family-friendly beachfront properties. Following a full day exploring the west coast, day two shifted focus to Barbados’ lively south coast.
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 departed early from the Wyndham Grand Barbados, Sam Lord’s Castle Resort & Spa, which has been home for the first half of the trip. This was the second night the group spent at the hotel, and by this point, the comfort of the resort was fully appreciated. Mornings felt absolutely fabulous with the open, breezy lobby and delicious buffet breakfast serving up some Bajan classics like fish fingers. The Wyndham worked perfectly as the base for the trip, giving agents exactly what they needed between busy days of hotel inspections.
Right after a hearty breakfast with a generous helping of prosecco for some, it was time to visit the first hotel on Tuesday’s agenda – the Hilton Barbados Resort, introduced by Marc McCollin. Situated on the Needham’s Point peninsula near Bridgetown, the hotel stands out for its large, conference-ready layout, beach access on two sides, and stunning sea views.
The property features 342 rooms, many offering exceptional views. The group viewed both a spacious King Bay View Room as well as an Ocean View Room, both modern in design and with private balconies that the hotel is known for.
The Hilton’s facilities are extensive, supported by its position as the second-largest conference space on the island, making it a strong option for meetings, incentives, and corporate groups. Alongside leisure travellers, the property confidently caters to large events without losing its resort feel.
The dining offering is particularly strong. Hilton Barbados features multiple restaurants, including its signature fine-dining venue, The Grill, notably the only restaurant on property requiring reservations. The resort also makes its own pasta onsite, which is pretty enticing for the foodies. Guests have access to a pool bar and beach bar, both with poolside service, and there is also a lobby coffee shop for grab-and-go convenience. Rum tastings are available as well, and who could say no to that?
For families, while the hotel does not have a formal kids’ club, it does offer a range of kids’ activities, making it suitable for families. The historic Charles Fort, located onsite, adds further interest, giving guests direct access to one of the island’s key heritage points.
The combination of location, scale, facilities, and thoughtful amenities positions Hilton Barbados as a solid option for both corporate and leisure markets, with strong appeal for guests looking for convenience, beachfront access, and a full-service experience on the south coast.
Next on the schedule was Savannah Beach Hotel, where the group was greeted by Shakeira Best. This beachfront, all-inclusive resort is located within a restored 19th-century plantation house. The architecture mixes colonial and Caribbean styles, with original details like shuttered windows and wraparound verandas.
Architecture throughout the property mixes colonial styling with tropical elements, and while the room designs lean firmly into this traditional aesthetic, it is precisely what makes them so appealing. The rooms feel characterful and authentic, complementing the resort’s historic roots rather than competing with them.
Families are particularly well catered for, with a kids’ club operating from 10am to 6pm. Outdoor spaces are a major highlight, including a stunning lazy river, water features throughout the resort, and a beautiful beachfront that provides plenty of space to relax or unwind by the sea.
At the heart of the property sits a lagoon-style pool surrounded by palm trees and sun loungers, creating a great gathering point that the group were very tempted to make full use of. With its character, Savannah Beach Hotel is especially appealing for travellers looking for something a little different from the standard resort experience.
At Coconut Court Beach Hotel, the group was welcomed by Laurence Lampkin for a tour of this well-established, family-owned property. Operated by the Blades family for several generations, the hotel has earned a strong reputation for its welcoming service.
The hotel is particularly well suited to families and solo travellers, with 24/7 security and on-hand assistance offering peace of mind, as well as a friendly, community-style atmosphere that makes guests feel at home. Accommodation is spread across three room categories, with all rooms facing the ocean: Partial Ocean View, Superior Rooms, and Deluxe Rooms, each with balconies and some sea-facing outlooks.
A thoughtful guest-focused touch is the provision of a complimentary checkout room, allowing guests with later departures to freshen up, shower, and store luggage after officially checking out – a small but highly appreciated detail, especially for long-haul travellers.
Evenings at Coconut Court are when the resort comes to life, with themed nights held on the pool deck, featuring live music and local craft markets. The hotel also hosts movies on the beach.
Its location, just a short walk from the UNESCO-listed Garrison Historic Area and the South Coast Boardwalk, means guests have easy access to cultural landmarks, shops, and dining. Coconut Court stands out as a value-driven option that delivers an authentic Bajan experience!
From there, the group moved on to Sugar Bay Barbados, where they were hosted by Tracy Harris for both a property tour and lunch. This independently owned, four-star all-inclusive resort feels very fresh thanks to the bright and colourful interiors, accented by local artwork and stylish Caribbean touches.
During the tour, the group viewed a range of accommodation types, including an Ocean Front Family Suite and a Penthouse, both offering generous space and excellent ocean views, ideal for families or guests looking for a higher-end room option. The public areas also impressed, particularly the resort’s standout lagoon-style pool, which meanders through the centre of the property and is surrounded by tropical gardens and sun loungers.
Sugar Bay has a strong lifestyle and dining mix, with four restaurants and five bars, giving guests plenty of choice throughout their stay. The resort is particularly family-friendly, offering nursery care from as young as four months old at no additional charge, along with a game room that caters to both teens and adults.
Located directly on a quieter stretch of beach, Sugar Bay is conveniently close to Bridgetown and the South Coast Boardwalk. Guests can also enjoy complimentary kayaking and paddle boarding.
The resort places a strong emphasis on service, which was evident throughout the visit. Lunch was at the buffet-style Reef restaurant, and gave the group a chance to experience the food firsthand. Julia enjoyed fresh spaghetti with mussels with a fabulous sea view. It was a refreshing midday stop and a clear reminder of how well Sugar Bay delivers comfort, style, and value all in one!
In the afternoon, the group visited The Sands Barbados, where they were met by Nikolai for a tour of this all-inclusive resort. Located directly on Worthing Beach, The Sands is a minimalist resort that contrasts with some of the island’s more traditional properties. The aesthetic is very bright and uncluttered, with white accents and pops of colour throughout the guest rooms and public areas. The location is a major plus, right in the centre of the south coast, within walking distance of local shops, bars, and restaurants, and just a short drive from Bridgetown.
The resort operates on an all-inclusive basis, with two restaurants and bars available to guests throughout their stay. Highlights include Restaurant Noir, which offers a particularly gorgeous beachfront view, making it a standout spot for dining, especially in the evenings.
During the tour, the group viewed a selection of accommodation options, including three-bedroom suites and two-bedroom family ocean-view suites, both offering excellent space for families and small groups. Rooms are notably bright, well designed, and well maintained, with strong air conditioning throughout, an important consideration in the Caribbean climate. All suites are equipped with kitchens, adding flexibility for longer stays or guests who appreciate additional self-catering options.
Entertainment plays an active role at The Sands, with nightly activities ranging from volleyball to cricket. Combined with direct beach access, fabulous accommodation, and a convenient location, The Sands Barbados is well suited to couples, families, and groups looking for an easygoing, stylish stay on the south coast.
The final stop of the day brought the group to Bougainvillea Barbados, with Sabrina leading the tour.
Located on a quieter stretch of the south coast, the resort immediately stood out thanks to its very tropical grounds alongside plunge pools and waterfalls cascading down from the lobby into the pool area by the sea.
True to its name, bougainvillea blooms framed the walkways and added tons of colour throughout the property. The group viewed several accommodation categories, like the ground-floor rooms that feature private plunge pools with waterfall features. A Junior Suite with kitchenette was also viewed, which is a flexible option for couples or longer stays. For guests looking for more space and independence, the Deluxe One-Bedroom Suites come with a fully equipped kitchen.
Even though we visited during high season, the resort had a wonderful feel about it – full-service without ever feeling crowded, making it a strong choice for families or couples who like a little more space and flexibility.
After a short break back at the hotel to recharge, the group headed out for dinner at Champers Restaurant. Located on a cliffside with views over the south coast, Champers is one of Barbados’ most well-regarded dining spots, known for its Caribbean-influenced cuisine.
The menu showcased fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with beautifully plated dishes and great service throughout. Julia enjoyed vegetable spring rolls to start and pan-seared chicken linguine as a main. It was the perfect way to wrap up the second day on the island, great food with great company!
With such a wide range of properties visited, the day gave agents a fantastic overview of the south coast’s appeal. ITTN’s Julia Labedz extends warm thanks to BTMI, TTR and Aer Lingus for another expertly organised day of discovery in Barbados!
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