Michael Edwards enjoys sublime service at Sea Breeze Beach House in Barbados
Very few all-inclusive Caribbean hotels, if any, offer better service than Sea Breeze Beach House. Immediately, on arrival, a cool drink, chilled towel, and warm welcome set the tone for the hospitality.
From the moment you arrive at this 121 room and suite 4.5* hotel, on Barbados’ south coast, the staff are looking out for you. After a tough day on the beach, as I’m looking out dreamily across the gentle ripples of the Caribbean, the waiter delivers another glass of champagne on the terrace of the Aqua Terra restaurant: a prime spot for watching the sun sink into a tangerine and rose-tinted ocean. “I thought you were ready for it,” he explains.
For most guests, sunset champagne becomes part of the Sea Breeze Beach House routine.
It had been tough to leave the beach, 1,000 feet of soft, white sand gently shelving into a Caribbean of ever-changing shades of aquamarine, azure, cobalt and turquoise. One of Barbados’ finest beaches.
The on-the-beach Tipsy Bar, a sand-between-your-toes venue, had captured the paradise beach vibe for our lunch. With fish and breadfruit kebabs on the lunchtime menu, it’s Robinson Crusoe fare gone casually gourmet. Though Crusoe and Friday never had such a choice of cocktails.
As cheerful waiters and waitresses deliver chilled towels, drinks and ice-creams to those around the pools, they serve up Bajan wit and hospitality too. Our poolside waitress is an aspiring mixologist, “You guys like your gin and rum and whisky but I’ll make your favourites with a little tropical twist.”
Another nice service touch is giving guests the number of a Hotel Ambassador to quickly sort out any housekeeping or maintenance issues.
Stretching out spaciously over three acres, Sea Breeze Beach House, one of three locally owned Ocean Hotels, has room for both families and couples. Far from the family pool, a serene adult only pool, with decadently plush sun-loungers, is an oasis of tranquillity.
Then there is a lap pool which is also the venue for vigorous aqua aerobics. Adjacent to the adults-only pool is the Drift Spa for a range of massages, facials and pedicures. Next door is a small gym to keep the body beach toned.
For couples, one of the 44 luxury ocean front suites is the place to book. Floor-to-ceiling windows give Caribbean views that dominate the spacious suites. Decor is inspired by the Tradewinds that gently rustle the palms. Subtle interior design brings coastal colours of aquamarine, ocean blue, sea grass, teal and turquoise into the suite.
Driftwood textures, for the headboard and flooring, develop the tropical maritime theme. A large colourful portrait of a turtle reminds guests that the beach below is a favourite nesting spot for turtles.
Out on the balcony there are two chairs with a table for drinks from the minibar: soft drinks and beers are refreshed daily. Or you can enjoy your drinks on a two-seater sofa and armchair from within the suite, cooled by air-con and ceiling fan. If it’s too early in the day for gin or rum, there is a Keurig coffeemaker and a supply of Colombian coffee.
Part of the ocean’s daily show is provided by the all-inclusive equipment and tuition provided by the Water sports Team: body boarding, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkelling and maybe a trip on the Hobie Cat. If that’s not enough entertainment, the suite has a 60-inch flatscreen television.
Descending from the Ocean Suites, the elevator emerges in the Mahogany restaurant for buffet breakfast with egg and pancake stations. The Mahogany’s buffet is just one option for lunch. Waiter service at The Flying Fish Bar and Grill delivers a light menu of fish cakes, roti, salads, and wraps. Then there is also the aforementioned Tipsy Bar.
For dinner, Mahogany offers an informal buffet, whilst Aqua Terra provides elegant dining overlooking the ocean. Sophisticated Cerulean is Sea Breeze Beach House’s fine dining option.
Of course, some guests never leave Sea Breeze’s three acres, such is the tempting array of bars and restaurants. Though it is worth calling in on the concierge to organise some excursions.
Regular visitors to Barbados will see a new name amongst the attractions of island safaris, catamaran voyages and scuba dives. Recently, St Nicholas Abbey and its railway have been restored to literally give visitors a taste of life on a sugar plantation and rum distillery. An 18-minute home movie of plantation life, remarkably surviving from 1935, gives an insight into a long-gone way of life.
Though the laid-back luxury of Sea Breeze Beach House is always, calling guests back irresistibly to the beach, to the spa, to the sunset champagne. As we reluctantly check out, the receptionist says, “See you soon,” rather than “Goodbye.”
Tell Me More About Sea Breeze Beach House
Sea Breeze Beach House Maxwell Coast Road, Christ Church, Barbados BB 15031
E: stay@sea-breeze.com T: 020 3868 9916
Sea Breeze is £4,896 (all-inclusive) for 7 nights in a Classic Ocean View Room.
