We first started vacationing in Barbados in 1977 at Sam Lord’s Castle operated by Marriott. The property was located on the Atlantic coast, southeast of the island’s capital city of Bridgetown. We thought the resort was quite plush and comfortable until we discovered the Sandy Lane Resort on the west coast of Barbados. The difference between the two coasts is extreme as well. Rough waves and rocky beaches are on the east coast. Sandy beaches and calm surf are on the west coast. At that time, Sandy Lane hosted the weekly Rotary Club International luncheons. We did not miss one meeting while visiting the island. Many years later, after children, we started vacationing at Sandy Lane.
Location
Sandy Lane is perched on a pretty coral sand beach shaded by stately mahogany trees on the western coast of Barbados. This coast is referred to as the ‘platinum coast’ for the beauty of its beaches and sparkling waters. Barbados is the easternmost of the West Indies. The Sandy Lane buildings remind us of the timeless and classic elegance of the grand country houses built in England during the late 1600’s.
Barbados, after all, has been a very popular vacation spot for the Brits for a long time. The resort has 113 guest rooms and suites, plus a stunning private villa.The island has a tropical climate, hot and humid all year round with December thru April being a little more comfortable for us Northerners. Gentle Caribbean breezes temper the the tropical heat. Hurricane Elsa came ashore on Barbados this past week and became the first hurricane in more than 60 years to touch down on the island. Barbados is just south and west of the principal Atlantic hurricane belt. We hope Sandy Lane and its staff came through unscathed.
Great Golfing
Sandy Lane has 3 award winning golf courses to chose from, The Old Nine, The Country Club and the Green Monkey Course. The Country Club Course is a carved-out former quarry. Not being golfers, my wife and I can only pass on the raves we heard about the well manicured greens and fairways.
Incredible Food
The food, of course, is incredible. It is pricey at the L’Acajou Restaurant and considerably more reasonable at the Bajan Blue Restaurant. Wherever you dine, you will enjoy the food, the ambiance and the drinks. The breakfasts are overwhelmingly good with a very diverse offering that will satisfy tastes from anywhere in the world. The resort also has a full service ice cream bar that is open throughout each day. We were last at Sandy Lane during Thanksgiving (US) and were pleasantly surprised at how traditional the food and decorations were. As with everything else, Sandy Lane excels at making their guests feel at home, an exceptional level of warm Barbadian hospitality.
No Private Beaches
It is unfortunate that beach beggars, supposedly licensed by the Barbadian government, are allowed to hassle the Sandy Lane Resort’s guests into buying a range of products and activities, such as clothing, jewelry, hair braiding, handicraft, motorized water sports, arts and crafts, souvenirs and wire craft.
It’s the law in Barbados: NO beaches are private. These beggars marred an otherwise upscale experience where one would have expected the ability to enjoy a leisurely beach afternoon.
