Best all-inclusive hotels in Barbados

Barbados is an ideal spot for an all-inclusive escape — and it’s handy to know in advance exactly what your budget’s going to be. What’s not to love about white sandy beaches and temperatures in the high 20s year-round? Add in the mix of welcoming Bajans, the option to be as laid-back or active as you want and a range of activities for all the family on a compact island, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a fantastic holiday. If a daily dip is important to you, bear in mind that the west coast of Barbados generally has the calmest swimming conditions, while the south can be a bit livelier at times. 

Main photo: Soco

1. O2 Beach Club, St Lawrence Gap

This all-inclusive hotel on the south coast in St Lawrence Gap is perfect for beach lovers, while its three pools are welcomed by those who don’t want to get sandy all the time. The kids’ club caters to children aged from 4 to 11, with activities that range from arts and crafts workshops to kite flying, while teenagers get their own lounge kitted out with computers, video games, table tennis and art supplies.  Snorkelling gear, kayaks, boogie boards and windsurfers are available, as well as lessons in everything from playing steel drums to Caribbean cooking. 

Number of restaurants 5
Pool Y
Price £

2. Island Inn, Bridgetown

This Bridgetown property has 24 bedrooms and is situated close to the Garrison Savannah, the home of horse racing in Barbados since 1845. The hotel was originally built in the 19th century to store rum and there are five different categories of bedroom — all on the ground floor, spread across low-rise cottages. The nearest beach is a two-minute walk away. If you want a more wallet-friendly all-inclusive, this could be one to consider.

Number of restaurants 1
Pool Y
Price £

3. Tamarind, Paynes Bay

This west-coast hotel has just over a hundred rooms and opens onto the beach at Paynes Bay if you want a dip in the Caribbean before breakfast. Many guests tend to fly and flop and the hotel has a relatively quiet atmosphere; there are three pools to choose from. That said, if families want activity they can enjoy waterskiing, banana-boat rides, sailing and kayaking, and there’s a “Flying Fish” kids’ club for younger ones. A spa and fitness centre will appeal to parents looking to counter all the rum punches. 

Number of restaurants 2, but guests can “dine around” at other Elegant Resort properties
Pool Y
Price ££

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4. Sugar Bay, Christ Church

This low-rise all-inclusive, in Christ Church, south of the capital Bridgetown, opens onto a beach and lagoon backed by a row of coconut trees. There are two pools, five different spots at which to eat, including a steakhouse and an Asian-themed restaurant, and five bars for guests in the 138 rooms, some of which sleep up to six. For younger ones, there’s a crèche that’s available for babies from four months old, a babysitting service (at additional cost), a kids’ club for the over-fours and a teen clubhouse too. If you fancy winning the cost of your holiday back, you’re just a short walk from the Garrison Savannah, the island’s only horse racing track.

Number of restaurants 3
Pool Y
Price ££

5. Sandals Royal Barbados, St Lawrence Gap

This all-suite property at St Lawrence Gap has 272 rooms, with the same extensive range of rooms as its sister hotel, including butler service and swim-up access for some rooms. Activities on site include numerous pools, a bowling alley, fitness centre and a range of options on land and sea from yoga to diving and paddleboarding. There are nine restaurants here, including French cuisine and a steak house, here as well as four bars, and you can dine next door at the sister property’s 11 outlets. 

Number of restaurants 9, and guests can also dine at Sandals Barbados too
Pool Y
Price ££

6. Sea Breeze Beach House, Maxwell Beach

This south-coast all-inclusive opens out onto an expansive stretch of fine white sand at Maxwell Beach. There are 122 rooms with views to the sea, pools — there are three of them — or gardens. They’re split into “Classic” or “Luxury” categories, the latter all with ocean view, private balcony and upgraded amenities. Some have three or four bedrooms with up 1,500 sq ft of space, so they’re a good bet for larger families. There are four restaurants, a kids’ club with supervised activities, a teens-only den, motorised and non-motorised watersports, and organised events from painting classes to keep-fit sessions on the beach.

Number of restaurants 6
Pool Y
Price ££

7. Turtle Beach, Dover Beach

A 15-minute airport transfer brings you to this south-coast hotel at Dover Beach. There’s a long stretch of powdery sand here, but also two pools and another children’s splash pool for those who prefer lounging beside them instead. A kids’ club has activities for 4-12 year olds, and separately, families could take watersports lessons too. There are 161 rooms with pool, garden or sea views, and some sleep up to five or eight occupants, through a combination of doubles and sofa beds. And yes, at some times of the year, turtles do come to the beach.

Number of restaurants 4, plus an ice cream parlour. Additionally, guests can “dine around” at other Elegant Resort properties
Pool Y
Price ££

8. The House, Bridgetown

This intimate, adults-only west-coast property is a few miles north of Bridgetown, fronting on to a calm stretch of white-sand beach. All the 34 rooms face either the sea or gardens, and activities include a jetlag-busting massage on arrival, a range of watersports, yoga and workshops from Italian cookery to flower arranging. A complimentary water taxi can take you to other properties in the same group. A champagne breakfast and afternoon tea are served daily.

Number of restaurants 1 but guests can “dine around” at other Elegant Resort properties
Pool Y
Price £££

9. Crystal Cove, Durants

Crystal Cove is on the island’s west coast, and has rooms with pool, garden or ocean views. It’s right on the beach, but there are three pools as well. As it’s all-inclusive, families can try try motorised and non-motorised watersports with free lessons every day, from stand-up paddleboarding to snorkelling and waterskiing. 

Number of restaurants 2
Pool Y
Price ££

10. Waves Hotel, Prospect Beach

This west-coast property at Prospect Beach has 70 rooms, some with sofabeds for children. There’s no kids’ club but there is a family pool (as well as an adults-only one), and watersports are included with complimentary lessons for kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, snorkelling and kayaking. Dine at the hotel in one of its two restaurants, or take the hotel’s water taxi to one of Waves’ sister properties if you fancy a bit of variety. There is a fitness centre and spa, and some treatments are included.

Number of restaurants 2, plus a coffee shop. Guests can “dine around” at other Elegant Resort properties
Pool Y
Price ££

11. Bougainvillea Beach Resort, Oistins

Although not strictly an “all-inclusive”, you can add on a full board package here if you want to know what your spending is going to be in advance. This hotel is located on the south coast, near Oistins, which is well known on the island for its good-value Friday night fish fry. It’s on a lovely stretch of beach, but there are also several large pools on site, one of which is adults-only and has a swim-up bar. There’s a kids’ club for those aged 3-11 with supervised activities six days a week, as well as a games room with table football, pool, table tennis and Playstations. 

Number of restaurants 1
Pool Y
Price ££

12. Sandals Barbados, St Lawrence Gap

There are 280 suites at this property, which is located next to its sister property at St Lawrence Gap on the south coast; choose between garden, ocean and swim-up rooms, where you can enter the pool directly from your patio. Some also come with outdoor soaking tub and butler service. A range of activities are included such as scuba diving, lots of watersports options, spa, fitness centre and games from cricket to volleyball. There are seven bars and 11 restaurants from Indian to Italian, seafood and Caribbean. 

Number of restaurants 11 plus you can dine at Sandals Royal Barbados too
Pool Y
Price ££

13. Soco, Hastings

There are just 24 rooms here, with a modern, fresh feel and all with sea views. It’s a good choice for those who want a more intimate stay where the plan is to chill out and do very little. The adults-only hotel is situated south of Bridgetown in Hastings and has a small pool and access to the beach right in front of the property. The restaurant is open all day including for afternoon tea, while the bar hosts rum tastings if you want to discover your perfect Caribbean cocktail. 

Number of restaurants 1
Pool Y
Price ££

14. The Sands, Worthing

This south-coast property is close to St Lawrence Gap. If you need a choice of swimming options, the pool is just steps away from the palm tree-lined beach. There are 87 rooms, with some handy two bedroom duplexes and three bed units for families. There’s also a spa and gym, with various watersports included, and the restaurant serves a daily afternoon tea if all that doing nothing makes you a bit peckish.

Number of restaurants 2
Pool Y
Price ££

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