The best family hotels in Barbados, from all-inclusive resorts to private aparthotels

Beach View is a strong contender as one of the best family resorts in Barbados, with reasonably-priced accommodation, good facilities and a welcoming, informal restaurant. The fresh-looking but unflashy aparthotel has smart and spacious apartments in two- and three-storey modern blocks spread over five acres of attractive, neatly-maintained grounds. A major selling point of Beach View is the three appealing swimming pools spread over the property – the original one is vast, with separate adult and children’s pools. There’s also a good-looking little spa and a gym, plus Paynes Bay, one of the island’s best beaches, is a stroll away across the coastal road.

Lots of independent-minded families stay at Little Good Harbour. The personally-run, small-scale, relaxed property offers spacious, cottage-like suites (the larger suites are ideal for families) equipped with full kitchens and, if you’re staying in one of the six three-bedroom Vineyard Suites, lovely large terraces perfect for outdoor dining. Cheapest options are split-level, cottage-like, one- and two-bedroom Garden Suites. The Fish Pot, a casual-chic beachfront restaurant, is one of the most appealing places to eat on the island (it also has a children’s menu), and there are two attractive swimming pools plus kayaks and snorkelling sets available to borrow free of charge.

A setting on a gorgeous arc of golden sand sets the tone at what is arguably the Caribbean’s most famous hotel. The 112 plantation-style bedrooms range from vast to palatial, with high-tech gadgetry and expansive, furnished terraces. Most notable among the plethora of facilities are the three golf courses; a colossal, multi-layered swimming pool with underwater speakers; and nine floodlit tennis courts. The Treehouse Club is the best hotel children’s club in Barbados, with lots of creative and exciting on-and-off-site activities. Teenagers have a well-equipped Den that includes a jukebox, table football, table tennis and so forth. Dinner is included for children up to 12 from mid-April to October.

This vast, gated property above a gorgeous beach in the out-of-the-way south-east corner of Barbados claims to be the oldest continuously-operating hotel in the Caribbean, however, most of what you see is modern. Spread over its 40 acres are 252 luxurious apartment-like rooms (ideal for families); a fabulous, giant, landscaped swimming pool complex with various pools (and an area for children); a separate adults-only pool dramatically sited on the cliff above Crane Beach; tennis courts; and a pretty faux village with restaurants, cafés, shops and bars, means you should want for very little. There’s a jolly-looking, complimentary kids’ club (for ages four to 12) in the Crane village and dining options include the family-friendly Italian restaurant.

The best looking of the seven Elegant Hotels properties on Barbados is a civilised and unflashy property in a prime spot on the upmarket west coast. The low-rise property spreads over lovely tropical grounds – think soaring palms and mahogany trees – set around four curvaceous swimming pools, some with waterfalls, one with a swim-up bar. The free watersports and safe swimming are particularly good for families. In school holidays there’s a kids’ club and family-orientated activities, such as movie nights and trips to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. Suites can accommodate a family of four comfortably, and children’s menus are available in the large, open-air restaurant and beach deck.

This good-value four-star hotel, at one end of white-sand Maxwell Beach, is smart without being overly fancy, with pretty swimming pools, cascading bougainvillea everywhere, and palm-dotted lawns. At the heart of the property two of the free-form swimming pools have waterfalls and a swim-up bar. A third, rectangular pool lies in a quieter area. Rooms look seawards and are spacious with good-quality bathrooms and a well-equipped full kitchen or kitchenette. A few have their own little plunge pools nestling in tropical greenery. Many rooms can accommodate families, and children under 16 stay free. There’s a well-equipped games room (table tennis, pool table etc), where a supervised kids’ club operates, and a children’s playground.

This upmarket aparthotel backs onto a 200-yard stretch of quiet and attractive beach just south of the delightful seaside town of Speightstown. The luxurious and very spacious apartments are ideal for families, who make up much of the clientele. Facilities include an inviting lagoon-style swimming pool surrounded by thickly-padded sun loungers, a full range of watersports, and snorkelling trips with turtles. Guests can also use the facilities at Port Ferdinand; the daytime water taxi service between the properties is free. There’s a children’s club for guests aged four to 12 and daily supervised activities. In the autumn months families may be lucky enough to observe baby turtles hatching on the beach.

Turtle Beach is one of the largest, liveliest and most family oriented of Elegant Hotels’ seven properties on Barbados. It’s directly behind a good beach on the south coast (note that the sea can sometimes be too rough for safe swimming), and is within easy walking distance of St Lawrence Gap. By Barbados standards, it’s a fairly large all-inclusive, with masses of families in school holiday periods; the two swimming pools are a decent size, but can get very busy. A supervised kids’ club for children aged three to 12 runs from 9am-9pm daily, and offers lots of on-site activities, including movies after supper. There’s also a games area with table tennis, table football and a pool table.

White Sands Beach Condos is a smart-looking, four-storey, salmon-and-white block, its pillars giving it something of a Mediterranean style. The atmosphere is very low key, and the only communal area is a patio right behind the beach, with a few tables and sunbeds and an outdoor but covered pool. There are eight one-bedroom apartments and 12 two-bedroom apartments, with lots of room, including a semi open-plan kitchen/dining/living area, two bathrooms (with a choice of bath or walk-in shower), and outdoor terraces. The two-bedroom Beachfront Condos have the best terraces, directly facing the sea; most of the other apartments have partial ocean views. There are also two snazzy three-bedroom penthouses, with acres of marble-floored space and plunge pools.

Whether you’re staying as a couple or family, the contemporary-styled Tamarind is one of the best bets for a smart but informal west-coast stay. The hotel backs on to a lovely long stretch of shaded golden sand towards the southern end of Paynes Bay and there’s good snorkelling directly offshore. As well as the fantastic beach, there’s a children’s club offering activities for three to 12-year-olds, an appealing games room (table tennis, table football, air hockey etc), and children’s menus. The cheapest accommodation are the rooms overlooking the gardens, while most expensive are oceanfront suites right behind the beach. Dining options are more flexible and varied than at most Barbados hotels, and theme nights are held on set days of the week.