Sandy Lane is by far the most opulent hotel in Barbados (with prices to match), overlooking one of the West Coast’s most gorgeous bays. Most visitors to the island experience no more than a tantalising glimpse of the place through the grand entrance gates on the main road.

History

Built in 1961 on the site of a former plantation of the same name, the hotel was the brainchild of former British politician and friend of Winston Churchill, Ronald Tree, who envisaged building a luxury winter retreat for the British elite. Initially, Sandy Lane comprised 52 rooms and a nine-hole golf course. After its sale to a consortium of Irish businessmen in 1998, the resort was demolished, then rebuilt ‘bigger and better’ in 2001 but in the same elegant style as the original.

Today

Sandy Lane now has 122 rooms/suites, a vast private villa, several restaurants, a spa and three golf courses. Over the years, the guest list has been a Who’s Who of the rich and famous, from Queen Elizabeth II to Pavarotti, Mick Jagger to Michael Caine, Beyoncé to Frank Sinatra. Tiger Woods booked the whole place out for his wedding in 2004. The hotel also sponsors the most prestigious horse race in Barbados, the Sandy Lane Gold Cup.