Fairmont Royal Pavilion
Sure we love Sandy Lane on Barbados but it’s not for everyone. Sandy Lane is luxury London on the beach and Fairmont Royal Pavilion is traditional Bajan hospitality on the beach. They don’t compete with each other. While there is no doubt you’re at a luxury hotel when at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion, you won’t feel as though it was necessary to come with a whole new beach wardrobe either. In other words it’s a bit more relaxed but still a very special place. It’s still one of the most sophisticated full-service resorts on the island. It’s also an “adult-oriented” resort and doesn’t allow children from November to April. The architecture is refined on its 11 well-landscaped acres.
A corridor of Royal Palms reaching 100 feet into the sky leads guests to the open air reception, where a fountain with spouting fish sculptures opens to an al fresco lobby with a chandelier hanging above the wicker sofas and easy chairs atop a terracotta tile floor, all wrapped up in a pink and oyster color scheme. Fresh fabrics and furniture are in all public areas, the lighting is flattering to the room and you. The grounds make you feel as though you’re in a botanical garden.
The gourmet dinner-only Palm Terrace restaurant marked by its pink Moorish arches framing the sunset, serves a Caribbean International fusion menu in impeccable surrounding, with a well-employed baby grand piano, plump seating, Portuguese marble floors and soaring ceilings that complement the azure views.
The poolside Cafe Taboras with an open kitchen serves all meals as well as afternoon tea. It adjoins the pool bar, whose open areas host the more flamboyant forms of entertainment. This is where buffet breakfasts are laid out, as well as themed dinner buffets.
Guests relax beside a rectangular pool set back from the beach. There are no ocean views so most guests prefer the beach. It’s a fine stretch of sand that slopes down to calm water. Turtles frequent the coral straight off the beach, and there is a floating dock for resting on. There’s no real spa but in suite massages can be organized. However there is gym that open 24/7 with good cardio equipment and free wights.
The guest rooms are in a three-story building served by elevators. These accommodations are fairly large (500 sq ft) and oceanfront as well, with balconies or terraces delivering unhindered views of aquamarine seas. However, the new beachfront junior suites feature giant balconies with direct access to the ocean. Decor here is plantation style, with hardwood floors and more traditional furnishings.
Guests booking a junior suite receive a personal escort through immigration and customs, separate check-in and butler services. Beach butlers provide guests with refreshments and towels and reservations for spa treatments, dinner or golf. The butlers also can arrange private picnics on the island's east coast. Roomy, green marble baths have good lighting, hair dryers and familiar Fairmont toiletries. Beds are either firm doubles or kings, and closets store irons and ironing boards. CD players are in all rooms, and DVD players are in suites. Other amenities include 27-inch flat-screen TVs, phones with data ports, free high-speed Internet access, coffeemakers, minibars and safes. Turndown and 24-hour room service are expected perks, as is complimentary laptop use and a DVD library.
The smiling professional staff, the dining and the great beach out front are what most guests will remember. For guests who want the kind of service and standards that the Fairmont chain promises won't be deceived by this classic, old-fashioned Caribbean resort, a hallmark on Barbados.
Fairmont Royal Pavilion is a member of exclusive Virtuoso travel network. Book online or contact our Virtuoso Travel Advisor [email protected] for more details.
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