Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels

What to Expect

Upscale resort experience on a prime location along Barbados’ Dover Beach area, all-inclusive perks and loads of on-site services like beach concierge and a kids club.

Resort Details

Located in Barbados’s popular and touristy St. Lawrence Gap, the private beach is beautiful, with a large, fun pool scene for kids and adults. The crowd varies from families to couples across most age groups, with a low-key vibe that still has a lot of the perks to be expected at upper-end all-inclusive resorts. There are great activities for children including a splash pool. The rooms are all spacious suites and with either a patio or balcony. There are plenty of modern accents like iPod docks, WiFi and flat-screen TVs. Well-stocked minibars and room safes are also standard. The décor is plain but functional, although it could stand an update.

Three separate restaurants are found on the premises; you’ll enjoy a daily breakfast buffet and international cuisine throughout the day at Chelonia, an authentic Italian experience at Asiago’s and majestic ocean views from Sand Trap Restaurant. For more laid-back snacking options, try out the coffee house or the ice cream parlor. A small spa is available as is a full-service salon and the ample fitness facility keeps you in shape, while outdoor tennis courts make sure you get your sets in. There are also surfing lessons on the beach if you’re ready to go tubular. If you want something more mellow, check out the game room.

Nearby Attractions

Situated in the St. Lawrence Gap, there are plenty of restaurants, clubs and shopping options within walking distance of the resort. Fish markets are particularly popular, serving up the local catch of the day (but there are all sorts of regional and world cuisines to be explored as well). The Chattel House Shopping Village has a multitude of shops selling colorful local crafts. Plenty of music venues afford dancing and drinking opportunities for those looking for nightlife.

Bridgetown is just a short distance away by car, the capital and commercial center of the island. Those interested in history will find many buildings from the colonial era, some stretching back as far as the 17th century. Independence Square is a lovely spot to relax and peruse the local vendors’ wares. The nightlife in Bridgetown is more amped up than the more tame St. Lawrence Gap scene, as are the dining choices. Walking tours can help give visitors the lay of the land while taking in the sights and enjoying a lovely tropical stroll.

Ocean activities are, of course, easily arranged. Surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling are popular, with any number of tour groups on-hand to hire. There are also romantic cruises and deep-sea fishing excursions. Because Barbados is so small—just 21 by 14 miles in area—nothing is ever far away. Harrison’s Cave makes for an unforgettable subterranean ecotour. Hunt’s Gardens are the site of an old plantation, now offering wonderful flora settings for meditation and serenity. And there are plenty of beaches to explore all around the island, each with their own characteristics.