Bougainvillea Barbados

The friendly, mid-range Bougainvillea has enough amenities to qualify as a big resort, but it never feels too crowded or overbearing. The circular entrance is located off a side street and leads to the open-air, Mediterranean-style lobby (marble floors, white columns, stone walls with arched windows), where those checking in are greeted by the staff and given a welcome drink card. Bellboys whisk away the luggage leaving guests free to walk down the stone path through gardens -- little placards identify many of the flowers and trees -- toward the small but lively pool bar for a rum punch (redeemable with drink card). Past the pool area is the pristine beach, where jade-blue waves lap white sand and where steel drum music is often playing. The property is easy to navigate, and there are plenty of photo ops, especially on the lawn where weddings often take place. Overall, this is an immensely likeable resort that appeals to families and wedding groups.

Bougainvillea takes up a quarter-mile expanse of beautiful beach -- great for weddings -- on the south coast, and is easy driving distance to St. Lawrence Gap or “The Gap” -- a one-mile-long area of restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Oistins Fish Fry, a popular Friday night experience, is a short drive in the other direction. The resort is also walking distance to a few restaurants and a convenience store -- though for the full grocery store (to stock the kitchens), you'll need a car.

• Four-minute drive or 17-minute walk to “The Gap”
• Five-minute drive to Oistins Fish Fry
• 15-minute drive to Grantley Adams International Airport
• 17-minute drive to Bridgetown
• 26-minute drive to Holetown
• 27-minute drive to Flower Forest Botanical Gardens
• 28-minute drive to Harrison’s Cave
• 30-minute drive to Royal Westmoreland Golf Course
• 33-minute drive to Soup Bowl surfing area

Accommodation options here include studios and one- and two-bedroom suites; all feature vibrant beachy decor (bright green and yellow walls, turquoise couches, wicker chairs, white-painted furniture, and blue throw rugs over beige tile floors). Suites feature living rooms with pullout sofas and full kitchens with stoves, refrigerators, microwaves, and utensils (studios come with kitchenettes). All rooms feature patios or balconies that overlook the garden, pool, or ocean. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads and wall-mounted dispensers for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Every unit has both air-conditioning and a ceiling fan, plus free Wi-Fi (though it can be intermittent). Note that there are no elevators here.

Bougainvillea sits on Maxwell Beach -- a beautiful, remarkably clean stretch of white sand. Here are loungers, palapas, boogie boards, snorkeling equipment, and kayaks, all free to use (other water sports are available for rent). The teal water is generally calm (Maxwell Beach is sheltered by two breakwaters), and the resort uses a flag system to indicate changing sea conditions. If the water is too choppy for swimming, there are three pools (and one poolside bar) that should distract quite nicely: an adult-only pool with a swim-up bar, a lap pool, and a lagoon-style pool with waterfalls. There are also a decent-sized fitness center, an outdoor tennis court, and a game room with pool table, air-hockey, and table tennis. An indoor kids' club (dubbed Adventureland) and a playground with a trampoline and swings provide further amusement for children. 

The on-site spa offers manicures/pedicures, beauty treatments, salon services, and a variety of massage treatments (including in-room couples’ massages). A boutique in the lobby sells clothing, swimsuits, souvenirs, beach reads, and straw hats. The nearby Barbados Gold Club is an 18-hole course with preferential tee times and partner discounts. Free-to-use computers (free Wi-Fi is available throughout, but the signal can be weak) and token-operated laundry machines are available for guest use. 

Kitchens or kitchenettes are provided in each room, but guests have access to two great restaurants: Calabash Café, the signature restaurant, serving Caribbean cuisine with international flair, and Siam Bar & Restaurant. Note that hours vary depending on demand. The poolside bar is a popular place to grab a drink and chat with other guests. For a more intimate experience, guests can arrange to have a chef prepare a meal in the privacy of their own suite (for a fee, of course). All-inclusives rates are available: these include buffet breakfasts, lunch, three-course dinners at Calabash Café and two-course dinners at Siam Bar & Restaurant, plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.