Laura is our Caribbean specialist here at Purple Papaya. She recently returned from a training trip in the Caribbean, where she visited a selection of our top-selling hotels on various islands. Below she shares her experiences and impressions...

"My first stop was Barbados, one of the more developed and well-known islands of the Caribbean, beginning with a two night stay at Coral Reef Club. One of our most popular hotels on the island, Coral Reef Club was authentic, charming and very comforting-a perfect choice for my first Caribbean hotel visit. Over the next two days, I was lucky enough to sample some delicious menus and experience first-hand some of the facilities on offer in our 5 star hotels- Cobbler’s Cove, Treasure Beach to name just a couple.

"My next adventure was to take a shared charter flight across to the Grenadines. My visit was to the island of Canouan which included a stay at the luxury Raffles Resort. I was pleasantly surprised at how trouble-free the transfer with Grenadine Airways was and saw the most stunning views of the islands on the way. As expected, The Raffles Resort is a very private, luxurious paradise with an array of daily sports activities, blissful spa treatments overlooking the ocean, and choice of restaurants on offer.

"The next stage of the trip took me to Grenada which was perhaps the most welcoming and relaxed of the islands. My hotel visits included Calabash with its world famous Gary Rhodes restaurant, Spice Island (all-inclusive luxury, perfect for families), and La Source (great for couples and singles seeking a rejuvenating spa holiday).

"Following this, I headed off to see the island of St Lucia which was remarkably different to Barbados and Grenada. It is a very rugged, green island with breathtaking scenery and a host of activities for the more active clientele. One of the most original, unique hotels I visited was Jade Mountain. This hotel is a true paradise with open-air suites on top of the mountain overlooking the sea, each with private infinity pools and private butler service. This hotel is the epitome of romance and is perfect for a 5 star luxury honeymoon. Other hotel visits on St Lucia included The Bodyholiday at LeSport, The Jalousie Plantation and Cotton Bay Village.

"A short stop over on the quaint island of Nevis to see the family run Nisbet Plantation was followed by a stay in my final destination, Antigua. Antigua boasts some beautiful beaches, colourful Caribbean culture in the capital, St. John’s and a large choice of world-class luxury hotels. Some of my favourites included Carlisle Bay (quality like no other in its chic furnishings, exquisite restaurants and idyllic beachfront layout) and Hermitage Bay (St. Tropez-style luxury yet simple and uncomplicated).

"After what seemed like a whirlwind tour of some of the most beautiful islands in the world, all I can say is what a wonderful choice of destinations and luxury hotels the Caribbean has to offer-there truly is something to suit everyone and the warm-hearted Caribbean people will make any guest’s stay unforgettable."

Discover St Lucia’s wildlife at Anse Chastenet with the hotel's new bird watching programme. The specialist programme will be hosted by Caribbean based ornithologist and bird book author, Martyn Kenefick. It will include one full day and two half day island excursions to bird watching sites off the resort property and one half day whale watching trip, as well as tours around the estate and daily talks. This is the ideal opportunity for you to encounter St Lucia’s unique wildlife with the guidance of an expert.
The programme can be added to any reservation of 7 nights or more at Anse Chastanet between 1 and 15 October this year. It will run from Monday to Friday. The full event package is offered at US$450.

7 nights from Anse Chastenet from about £1520 per person. Click here for more details.

The doors to Le Touessrok’s exciting new restaurant, La Chaumière Masala, opened recently to offer guests the best of contemporary Indian cuisine in a unique and idyllic setting. Ile aux Cerfs is a private tropical island with bars and restaurants exclusively for the use of Le Touessrok’s guests. A five minute boat trip takes you to La Chaumière Masala on Ile aux Cerfs. Stepping from the boat onto a soft white beach, you are met with a line of traditional thatched huts, running across volcanic rocks and nestled amongst lush jungle foliage. Each of these wooden huts is a private pod in which you can enjoy a tropical buffet of local specialities and seafood – an array of classic Indian cuisine, enhanced with local ingredients.

Barbados is the perfect destination for Caribbean first-timers with its breathtaking coastline and array of sight seeing activities and places to visit around the island. With extensive experience travelling around the Caribbean, our director gives some handy suggestions, highlighting some of Barbados’ best luxury hotels that are also great value for money.

Well-respected travel guru, Andrew Harper has named the Six Senses Hideaway Samui in Thailand as one of his Grand Award Winners in his 2010 Hideaway Report.

For more than 30 years Mr. Harper has been advising discerning travellers with candid reviews of some of the world’s finest new hotels. The 2010 Hideaway Report provides insightful reviews of some of the world’s most enchantingly tranquil resorts, including hotels across Asia, America, Europe and Africa. The report describes the service at Six Senses Samui as ‘virtually flawless’ and praises the resort’s ‘delightful’ private villas built from indigenous materials and with marvellous views of the ocean. The hotel’s two restaurants also received an excellent review, serving as they do mouthwateringly delicious cuisine from a varied menu.

Situation: Easternmost Caribbean island. Fairly flat in comparison to its island neighbours in the Windward Islands. Rolling green sugar cane fields and wide sandy beaches.
Capital: Bridgetown
Purple Papaya’s hotels: Cobblers Cove, Colony Club, Coral Reef Club, Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Little Arches, Port St Charles, Tamarind Cove, The House, The Sandpiper, Treasure Beach
Currency: Barbadian dollar (£1 = BB$3.15), US dollar widely accepted around island
Population: Just over 250,000
Weather: Generally warm and sunny all year, with cool breezes from the prevailing northeast trade winds. Wet season from June to November.
Language: English
Getting there: About 8 hours direct from London to Barbados.
Getting about: Roads are good, with the occasional potholes. Road signs can be confusing so be prepared to get lost, keep your petrol tank topped up and just keep asking the way.
Things to know: Whilst Barbados is a holiday island, formal attire is often worn – particularly at hotels and restaurants. Bathing suits are best saved for the beach and the pool. All beaches are open to the public; nude bathing and sun-bathing is not permitted since nudism is illegal. Wedding ceremonies can take place on the day of arrival providing documents are in order. 

As the only coral island with all white-sand beaches in the region and with year round sunshine and cooling breezes, it’s not surprising that Barbados is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. The rich and famous flock here year round to enjoy the beautiful weather and surroundings, staying in some of the world’s best hotels and island retreats. Calm turquoise waters gently lap the soft sandy beaches of the west coast whilst wild surf crashes dramatically on the expansive beaches of the Atlantic east coast. Some of the best beaches are at Bathsheba and Barclays Park on the East coast. Crane Beach in the South was rated as one of the ten best beaches in the world by Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. On the West coast you can walk for miles along unbroken beaches, and generally, wherever the land meets the sea in Barbados, the beaches are beautiful with pristine sand and clear waters. Inland you can find some delightful scenery with colonial-style plantation houses set amidst rolling green sugar cane fields and friendly v  illages of brightly painted Caribbean houses surrounded by lush gardens.

The island is excellent for those visiting the Caribbean for the first time with high-standards of accommodation and an array of sight seeing activities. Nicholas Abbey, Drax Hall and Francia offer interesting architectural excursions, or visit Andromeda and the Flower Forest for leisurely strolls in beautiful exotic gardens. Get away slightly from the main tourist areas by travelling into Scotland, north of Speightstown. There are also plenty of opportunities to partake in water and land sports.

Visit Barbados in August to experience the famous Cropover festival. The vibrant festival is jam-packed with lively Calypso bands, fun activities and concerts, culminating in the Grand Kadooment parade with large bands and elaborate costumes depicting various themes.  

There are many fine restaurants in Barbados, particularly along the West coast. Mullins Beach Bar, south of Speightstown, Cobblers Cove, Cliff and Carambola are some of our favourites. There are roadside fruit stalls aplenty selling pineapples, coconuts and bananas, providing juicy refreshments. Fish is a speciality on the island, including flying fish, dolphin fish and kingfish as is Mountgay rum and Banks beer.