Coral Reef Club

Our waiter said you know Hakuna Matata? It means No Worries. I put on my bathing suit and flip-flops and forgot about the upcoming income tax deadline and my grown children asking dad for money. When the 5-day forecast says overcast and rain, don't worry. That might happen overnight but you'll get a double rainbow out over the Caribbean Sea when you show up for breakfast and hot sun and blue skies every day. And speaking of breakfast (included in your hotel stay), get the optional meal plan for a spectacular supper every night on site. No worries if you choose Beef Tenderloin 3 nights and fill in the other meals with fresh Amber Jack fish fillets, all the prawns you can eat, Mahi Mahi and King Fish. Take as much smoked salmon as you can dream of at each breakfast buffet, tastes so good with their fresh warm buttery croissants. But fab food is only half of how Coral Reef excels. The other half is the mix of live music by talented local artists on trumpet, on sax, steel drums, guitars and all vocalists...plus the guided garden tour--name that palm, smell this flower, wrap your arms around this century-old mahogany tree, and maybe spot a monkey or a mongoose--all under the friendly and knowledgeable guidance of Alphonzo who has been the head gardener for 30 years. Mornings begin by phoning in to room service the same order of cappuccinos served on the private porch of our own little villa. I didn't hear any rules that prohibit sprinkling raw can sugar on the railing where the tropical birds swoop in to entertain us. Hummingbirds and green "parrots" are added to the wildlife list as well as chameleons which you see, and the rhythmic nighttime chorus of peeping tree frogs which you never see. It must have driven the earliest native inhabitants, the Carebs, crazy trying to find those little gods who chirp at them from the bushes! Speaking of island history you should "hire a car" for a day of self-guided follow your instincts exploring all over the island nation. Ruins and remnants of early windmills and smoke stacks where sugar cane was cut and refined or crushed and fermented into rum. My favourite discovery was the East Point aka Ragged Point Lighthouse where local partiers and picnickers were gathered on May 1, the national holiday for labourers, May Day. Bathsheba Beach is equally spectacular a bit farther north, then swing westward and upward into the jungle, the realm of the wild monkeys. I was lucky to find them at Welchman's Gully swinging through the trees. Back at the securely-gated and guarded resort, the first, second and third generations of the Coral Reef Club owners, the O'Hara family, welcome us to their exquisite home for drinks and socializing. After a day exploring the authentic side of Barbados, it's fun to feel a part of the British high society. The O'Haras are well respected by their employees and us guests who return year after year for the South Seas sun and the friendly community they have created. I want to acknowledge the truly delightful servers and housekeepers and the head chef who made our stay so enjoyable--Jonathan and David and Stephen and Kyle and Chef Hance and Joan!

Although I have been visiting Barbados since January 1979 this has been my first ever stay at Coral Reef Club. It might not be a club in the true sense of the word however if one of the great traditional gentleman's clubs (ladies usually allowed these days) were to open a Caribbean outpost, this would be it. While certainly not shabby it is all very traditional and certainly reminds me very much of my own club in London which was founded early in the 19th century. I love tradition and also the fact that so many of the ladies and gentlemen of the hotel have worked here for so long...which speaks volumes. The co-founder, a lady now in her 90s deserves an OBE for her life's work. Not only is there no hotel anything like this in Barbados (I stayed at quite a few before settling on Sandy Lane for 15 years), I would be hard pushed to think of anywhere remotely similar, elsewhere in the Caribbean. There are some great hotels around such as the Rosewood in Saint Barths (which I'm looking forward to visiting later in the year)... but if what is on offer at Coral Reef is something you might appreciate, I can almost guarantee you will become a returning guest. This is an oasis of calm with a high standard of guests... looked after by warm, friendly, attentive and professional staff. My family and I spent around 15 years staying regularly at Sandy Lane ...because our children loved it. So many of their school friends used to go there. During this period, our friends, John and Rain Chandler (they used to own an operate Barbados's legendary Fisherpond Great House and now provide their world beating Sunday lunches at Lancaster Great House) recommended Coral Reef to my wife many years ago but we were committed to Sandy Lane in those days. What I like particularly about this hotel is that you are highly unlikely to encounter guests playing music out loud on their iPhones at breakfast with their feet up on the table and making a lot of noise, to say nothing of their other habits. Fortunately certain premiership footballers prefer flashier hotels, to see and be seen. This hotel excels at hospitality. There is a unique feel created by considerate guests, caring staff and excellent owners. While I am writing this on my last day from their Warleigh suite, I have had a good look around and I'm in no doubt that all of the accommodation is delightful. This hotel offers extremely good value and provides one of the most relaxing atmospheres that I have encountered for quite some time. None of the other guests have been annoying, I feel quite at home and I'm writing this only a few hours before my departure. Excellent housekeeping and wonderful freshly made carrot juice. It is hardly surprising that most of the guests are regulars. The owners are excellent hosts who excel in making new guests feel a part of the club. It is adults only in February and although we are now into late March there is only one other child in residence but I should imagine this is a terrific hotel for children during school holidays. I particularly rate the bar ...and when I mentioned a cocktail called a penicillin... (although I have yet to try one) when I last passed by the bar, the head barman greeted me and described all the ingredients and exactly how he would make it as this cocktail was new to him. As my wife unfortunately had to return to England early we didn't get around to using the spa or the tennis facilities although they have particularly impressive visiting tennis professionals for coaching. The mature grounds are a delight and guests are invited for a full tour once weekly. I can wholeheartedly recommend this hotel and I look forward to returning.

My wife and I chose to spend an extra couple of days in Barbados on the back of the business trip and based on friend’s recommendation chose Coral Reef. We arrived early and reception was great in getting us situated at the beach while our room was getting ready. As hotel was only partially full. by 1:30 we were in the lovely Junior suit. It was on the first floor next to the ocean and done in such a way that we did not see other rooms. The rooms have a back door and room service uses connections at the back so you never see support stuff around the resort. Great design. Beach is very nice. Service at the beach is prompt. Basically it is a high quality small resort with prices to match. Is it worth the money? For us it was However, the stay was ruined by the staff at the restaurant. We went there for breakfast . The restaurant is right on the beach without any wall. While dinner is more formal ( pants and shirt) breakfast is informal buffet with shorts and t-shirts being a norm. As we were checking-in I was told that I need to take my hat before I can sit down. That was somewhat strange given that there were people working at the restaurant in the hats, some kids were running around in the beach hats and there were no sign regarding head covering. But each establishment can set up their own rules. So not a big deal. I explained that I cover my head for religious purposes. I thought that it was sufficient. However as we were finishing our breakfast the manager of the restaurant (or at least I assume he is one) approached our table and loudly requested that I take off my hat. At that time I chose to leave the restaurant. Later that day the manager who was informed by my wife of the reason for the hat came and told me that I can wear the hat. No apology was offered. I will give the manager benefit of the doubt and assume that he did not talk to the lady I have already explained the reason to (especially since the hat was more of the informal look). However, the fact that manager chose to give me a loud directions to remove the hat rather than have a discreet conversation is unacceptable. Simple: “ Sir, can I enquire if your hat is for medical or religious purposes” would have avoided the issue. It is sad that action of one individual can ruin hard work of the entire stuff

For the second year in succession we happily returned to Coral reef to a different plantation suite , the codrington , all these suites are similiar in design With its large open terrace large lounge and bedroom and very large bathroom , truly a special base from which to enjoy the hotel and Barbados . As I have said you can walk quite a way to the right and left of the hotel along the beach ,easily to their sister hotel , the Sandpiper . Once again we were impressed by the beautiful lounge and bar area by the restaurant which is unlike any other Barbados hotel , the food again was really good both at lunch where we dined casually on a table near the sea And of course on the enjoyable evenings with good entertainment from various entertainers , both service and food is better than most Barbados hotels . After the meal you can relax after the meal with a drink in the lovely lounge We always commenced our meal with a glass of champagne in the small outdoor space just off the lounge , a habit we look forward to continuing in the future. There really is almost no need to go out of the hotel to the many restaurants Other than just for a change , but when we did we were always pleased to return to Coral . The staff are very friendly and humorous making the holiday particularly enjoyable , I was amused by one trip critic who said older people returned to the hotel year after staying in the same rooms as though doing so is somehow annoying , of course they do ! As a couple enjoying many of the top hotels in the world we rate this one very highly and will return next year , with confidence .

The location is superb although the Coral reef is long gone. The hotel was 80% full of older guests who book year after year. All the best sunbeds are booked somehow as are the restaurant tables. Staff are amazing and even say never book this time of year. The returning guests always book the same rooms . We had a terribly dark, old and tired room, despite asking to be moved. It’s a shame because the hotel needs to move on from these old guests as that is not the future the philosophy of ‘it’s not broke don’t fix it’ can only last for so long.