May 15, 2023
Barbados is an up-and-coming destination for all-inclusive travelers – with some great options for families.
Barbados is a gem of the Caribbean and known for its sparkling azure waters, beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. For parents looking for an unforgettable vacation on a cheaper budget, Barbados might be worth considering for your next family getaway.
While the most luxurious Barbados resorts are adults-only, we've found six of the best all-inclusive resorts for families that this wonderful island has to offer. Each has been chosen for its family-friendly amenities, varying dining options, and activities that cater to both children and adults.
So whether you're dreaming of deals or ready to hop on a flight tomorrow, keep reading to discover the perfect resort for your family's Barbadian adventure.
Nestled on 1,000 feet of beachfront on Maxwell Beach lies the award-winning Sea Breeze Beach House. This luxurious oasis is an intimate escape, set on several acres of lush gardens connected to your dream location: the Caribbean shore. Sea Breeze Beach House was been recently renovated, adding upgraded luxury suites with full ocean views and a plethora of enhanced amenities. With the ability to section off these suites, families can book a private group of rooms in the hotel, creating a haven (of convenience!). There are enough food options to keep everyone happy as well, with six onsite restaurants serving a variety of flavors.
At Sea Breeze Beach House, the focus on family-friendly amenities is a huge help for parents with kids. With a dedicated Lil Dippers Kids' Club and a Shore Break Teen Lounge, kids and teens have their own special places to hang out, make new friends, and enjoy a variety of activities tailored just for them. These air-conditioned spaces (thank you Jesus) are equipped with games, toys, computers, and movies when a break from the sun is needed. Parents can relax knowing that their little ones are under the watchful eyes of the professional kids' club team, happily engaged in a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.
Sea Breeze Beach House takes family entertainment to another level with its array of water sports, beach table tennis, and pool activity sessions. Whether it's snorkeling in a secluded bay, swimming in one of the three pools, or enjoying beach activities, there are plenty of options to release the energy. And when the school holidays roll around, the resort extends its hours to provide movie nights and fun treats for the kids. With babysitting services available at a nominal cost, adults can enjoy some uninterrupted evening fun too.
Sea Breeze has proven its focus on exceptional vacations by winning TripAdvisor's 2022 Travelers’ Choice Awards and British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award, which is based only on customer feedback. But the fun doesn't stop at Sea Breeze Beach House. Guests also get exclusive access to the resort's sister property, O2 Beach Club & Spa. Scroll down further to hear more about O2!
Also set right on Barbados' sun-kissed shores, Sugar Bay Barbados invites families to experience the ultimate all-inclusive island retreat. This 4-star gem combines convenience and comfort with a generous dash of Barbadian charm. With a plethora of amenities, from invigorating water activities to soothing spa treatments, Sugar Bay has become a beloved destination for family vacations.
Family-friendly stays start with great accommodations. The Family Suites—with options offering stunning oceanfront views—are designed with the modern family in mind. Each suite comfortably sleeps up to five people including children (or 4 total adults) and offers a private bedroom with a plush king-size bed. The large, separate living room is equipped with a sofa bed and can comfortably accommodate an additional roll-away bed if needed. The suites also feature a sleek modern bathroom with a shower and a furnished balcony overlooking the garden or the pool.
The resort's dedication to families extends beyond its rooms. From the moment you check in, your little ones are welcomed with open arms by staff members who remember their names! The Crèche (nursery), open daily for babies and toddlers aged 4 months to 3 years, offers a safe and nurturing environment where experienced nannies provide attentive care. Many resorts only offer paid babysitting at best, so this is super convenient.
For the older children, the Kids Club is a treasure trove of fun and adventure. Open Monday to Friday, it offers a range of activities, from scavenger hunts and shirt painting to kite flying and beach picnics. The club even hosts cooking classes and art contests, ensuring your children have an enriching and entertaining stay.
Sugar Bay also offers the Teen Clubhouse, which provides a safe space for teens to unwind and make friends. They can enjoy movie nights, play video games, or hit the arcade room for a round of pool. For teens ready to be outside, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and kayaking are also available – and shockingly more entertaining than video games. 😉
Sugar Bay Barbados has a shallow pool, so it's easy to take the kids for a swim. For the youngest guests, a separate splash pool provides endless hours of enjoyment. And if you're in need of some adult time, you can book a babysitting service through the Front Desk, ensuring your children are in safe hands while you enjoy the resort's offerings.
Crystal Cove by Elegant Hotels offers a captivating blend of adventure and charm with its three lagoon-style pools and village-esque feel. The resort offers activities snorkeling, sailing, and kayaking, along with motorized water sports like waterskiing and banana boats. For all of you land dwellers, there are two tennis courts, a full fitness center (with personal trainers), and a variety of classes. Crystal Cove is also only 15 minutes from the capital of Bridgetown, making it an ideal base for parents to explore the local rum distillery and other unique Barbadian attractions.
Rooms at Crystal Cove are fairly simple, but also vibrant, clean and comfortable. Options include pool garden view and ocean view rooms and suites, all including air-conditioning (obviously) and either a balcony or patio with outdoor seating. There is also a luxurious spa onsite, offering an array of treatments and salon services when you need to escape the kiddos.
There are some great options for children at this resort! The Flying Fish Kids Club welcomes children aged 3 to 12, providing a wide range of both land and water sports, beach activities, ping pong, and even movie nights. The club is overseen by fully trained staff, ensuring a safe and fun environment. For kids under the age of three, participation in kids club activities doess require an adult to accompany them. You can always book private babysitting and nanny services through the resort too if you need a morning off.
The standout for children at Crystal Cove is the Honorary Bajan Adventurer Program. This unique initiative introduces children to the rich culture of Barbados through a series of fun, island-inspired activities. From stilt walking and beach cricket to calypso dancing and shaking a virgin piña colada, children can earn their badge of honor (similar to Boy/Girl Scouts) as they learn and explore. Kids are celebrated as Elegant Hotels Honorary Bajan Adventurers, a memento of their unforgettable Barbados vacation. Interactive pool and beach games, a playground, and more offer additional fun for the family.
For adults, Crystal Cove's oceanside/poolside restaurants and bars have plenty of local cocktails and snacks. The Cave Bar might be the coolest thing here too – and definitely Instagram-worthy. This is a unique swim-up cave bar under a cascading waterfall, recently named one of the top ten swim up bars in the world.
Food options have also been thought out for children, with kids menus available at all dining venues. Guests can also try the Dine Around program, giving them access to sister properties for more dining options.
Sitting on a gorgeous 1,500-foot stretch of white sandy beach, Turtle Beach Barbados is an all-inclusive, all-suite resort geared toward families. Just a stone's throw away from the lively St. Lawrence Gap, Holetown, and the renowned Oistins fish market, the resort is ideally positioned for families to explore Barbadian culture, cuisine, and commerce.
The resort sits on the island's south coast and gets its name from the sea turtles that return to this beach each year to lay their eggs. This is quite the magical experience to add to your family getaway. We recommend googling turtle's laying seasons before you book!
A central highlight of the resort is its family-friendly approach, evident in the thoughtful accommodations and array of fun-filled activities. The Junior Suites, designed with vibrant Caribbean décor and modern touches, provide a separate seating area with a sofa bed, comfortably accommodating two adults and two children. For families seeking additional space, the One Bedroom Suites offer a separate living room and stunning views of either the pool or the ocean.
To lighten parents' packing load, the resort can organize a welcome pack for babies or toddlers, equipped with essentials like formula, diapers, and wipes, making the holiday experience as seamless as possible.
Catering to all family members, there are three restaurant options (all offering kid menus), a café/deli, and an ice-cream parlor. Whether it's enjoying the lively open-air buffet at Chelonia, indulging in a candlelit dinner at the beachside Sandtrap Restaurant, or treating the kids to a fun cooking class, the resort ensures a diverse and delectable dining experience.
The Flying Fish Kids Club is where your kids aged 3 to 12 will have the most fun, with tons of activities running 9am to 9pm daily. There are endless supervised indoor activities (nice and cool), while outdoor fun includes a splash pool, water sports, boogie boarding, and beach cricket. Older kids and teens can also go kayaking along the coast and play football games. These are great environments for them to make new friends, learn new things, and be safe/supervised the entire time.
Mango Bay Hotel is located in historic Holetown, a town settled in 1625. Holetown offers prime beachfront location in the St. James parish on the well-known west coast. Combining the convenience of a beach vacation with the personalized service of a boutique resort, Mango Bay takes pride in its plethora of diverse offerings. From sand castles on a beach paradise, opulent spa pampering, to adrenaline-fueled waterskiing, there is plenty to keep parents and kids busy. To top it all off, every guest is gifted with a complimentary pass for a picturesque two-hour catamaran cruise along the West Coast, offering a unique glimpse of Barbados' luxurious coastal real estate. You can't beat that.
Although Mango Bay does not offer a specific children's program, the variety of water sports, including kayaking and snorkeling, the expansive pool, and resort-wide Wi-Fi ensure that children are never bored. Snorkeling is a particular highlight, with the chance to get up close and personal with friendly turtles. For land-based fun, the resort has a grassy area for soccer and frisbee games, offering a great space for children to let loose and enjoy themselves.
The resort's room arrangements are designed with families in mind. Featuring plenty of configurations for space and comfort, Mango Bay has solid room options for families of all sizes. Children under 13 are welcomed in all guest rooms except the penthouse suites. Rooms are equipped with standard amenities like an in-room safes and coffee/tea. For families needing more sleeping options, cribs or rollaway beds can be added at no additional charge. For entertainment, families can check out a DVD player (yes, DVDs are still a thing) from the front desk to enjoy a movie night after full days of activities.
The dining experience at Mango Bay is focused on their in-house restaurant, Julian's Restaurant, which offers a breakfast buffet and a la carte options for lunch/dinner. The flavors are a fusion of Caribbean and international cuisines, giving parents a taste of local cuisine. Kids menus are also available, with high chairs for the youngest diners. To add a touch of tradition, afternoon tea is served daily, a nod to the many British visitors who frequent Barbados.
When parents need some alone time, Mango Bay's location in Holetown provides easy access to a selection of restaurants and nightclubs. It's just a short walk from the resort to popular spots like Nishi's, an Asian fusion restaurant with an extensive cocktail and sake menu. Red Door Lounge is a popular and casual night club worth exploring as well.
To wrap up our list, the O2 Beach Club & Spa is our final all-inclusive resort recommendation. This resort's modern, tropical design screams vacation and is complemented by its unparalleled location on a stunning white sandy beach.
The resort's spacious family suites provide a relaxing environment for the whole family. Each suite is thoughtfully designed with a separate area for children.
The O2 Beach Club & Spa places a strong emphasis on family fun and child-friendly offerings. Children are warmly welcomed in their very own Kids Club, featuring an array of engaging activities designed to ignite their imagination and keep them entertained throughout the day. From arts and crafts to storytelling sessions, resort staff make sure your kids are having as much fun as you are. The Kids Club also caters to different age groups, making it an ideal place for kids of all ages to make new friends and enjoy their holiday. The resort also has a separate family pool, providing a safe and fun environment for children to splash around under the warm Barbadian sun.
O2 also have five dining experiences, At meal times, families can choose from a variety of dining options, with kid-friendly menus available starting with a breakfast buffet at Elements that runs from 7-10am. There are multiple lunch options as well, like Bluefin, where homemade burgers, salads, pizzas and more are served on the resort terrace. Tea time is offered in the afternoon as well as "tipsy teas" and a full coffee bar at Oasis. For dinner, there are tapas at Brisa and a range of casual to fine dining options.
For families seeking a balance between relaxation and adventure, the resort's water sports center is a major highlight. Offering complimentary non-motorized water sports, families can bond over activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, and snorkeling. Professional instructors are on hand to ensure safety and provide guidance, making these activities suitable even for beginners.
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