We thought we had been everywhere worthwhile in the Caribbean. But then we randomly did a drop into Sandy Lane and realized there’s more to explore. And sometimes we could be surprised by a hotel that’s been around since the 1960s.
Atmosphere
As I’m making my way to all 195 countries in the world, I had not been in more than the airport of Barbados. With a direct flight from NYC, the opportunity finally came to take a much-needed reset. What was attractive to me about Barbados, besides not having been there before, was that it’s not a FOMO kind of place. There isn’t the shopping of Gustavia in St. Barths, or the parties every night on Mustique. Instead, it’s both a high-brow island but yet one that is Caribbean chill.
I wasn’t looking for a big scene, but rather a place to play some tennis, sit on the beach and work from Barbados. I got exactly that at Sandy Lane. Sandy Lane reminds me in some ways of a place like Round Hill in Jamaica, that clearly leans into the classic British Colonial. There’s of course daily high tea, flawless service yet a down-to-earth Caribbean welcome. That’s the vibe of Sandy Lane, and in my opinion is the best place to stay, unless you’re going to blow it out at One Sandy Lane next door. One Sandy Lane is something like $100k/night and where Rihanna, Simon Cowell and Taylor Swift have stayed. While I have no doubt I’ll make it there some day, I loved what Sandy Lane was shipping, for an easy Caribbean weekend away.
Rooms
I normally love modern, minimalist design. From the Sandy Lane website I didn’t think I was going to be into the traditional Caribbean decor, but I actually loved it. The pictures don’t do the rooms justice. Nothing in my mind compares to Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, but Sandy Lane has that same classic aesthetic that it just owns. The housekeeping was tops. You can tell every single surface of marble and wood has been overseen with the utmost care. I was so comfortable in my room, that was a far cry from Aman but yet luxurious in its own way. I would stay here again in a heartbeat.
Food + Beverage
It’s not my first rodeo with hotel breakfasts, where I have my routine down to a science. You can fill up on breakfasts with unnecessary pastries and heavy dishes that don’t add much culinary value at most resorts. Sandy Lane is not one of those; for my time at the hotel, I let loose on the breakfast buffet. In my opinion, it’s one of the best breakfast buffets in any of the 1000+ hotels where I’ve stayed. They have the healthy – pure fresh juices like celery that you can custom make. Everyday I had a celery juice and a custom shot of ginger, turmeric and apple. Then there was the bar of Moringa and Ayurvedic alchemy that I mixed in with my Greek yogurt and fruit. From there though, you could go off the rails with dishes suited for dinner like scalloped potatoes, which I highly recommend. The overall point of Sandy Lane’s breakfast though is that everything was of the highest quality. Normally pastries in the Caribbean are nothing to write home about, but Sandy Lane’s is worth every croissant and donut bite.
If you’re staying at Sandy Lane, you’ll have at least two dinners on property as you go into a deep relaxation mode. I was lucky that one evening was the most lavish seafood buffet I’ve seen, with lobsters, crabs, sushi, sashimi and anything you can think of. I haven’t seen a seafood buffet this good since the Peninsula Chicago’s Christmas brunch. It was a special evening though, but otherwise the food for dinner is like the breakfast. High-quality, diverse and well-executed.
The on-property fine dining Bajan Blue represents the high-end Barbadian hospitality at its best. The food is very good, but what I remember most is the service. I wouldn’t bring the kids here but if you want a nice grown-up dinner one evening, this is your spot. Post-dinner, I made my way to Monkey Bar most evenings for drinks and conversation with the other guests.
Activities
This is one of the reasons to come to Sandy Lane, if you are into the high brow sports of golf or tennis. First on the golf course, even if you don’t golf, it’s just pretty. I’m not a golfer, but even I can appreciate the long fairways framed by the Caribbean. For those who are golfers, the course is a 72-par 7300+ yard course designed by Tom Fazio. There are three courses actually, and a famed course called the Green Monkey. Apparently this is what separates those who belong on the course and those who should drink beers in the cart. For the record I’m the latter but I still appreciated how beautiful it was to be out there for an afternoon of golf.
What I do however is attempt to play tennis, at an advanced beginner level. Sandy Lane has an entire complex of ten courts for tennis and panel. I had my butt run around by a 21-year old and it was humbling, but fun. If you’re looking to up your tennis game, you could come to Sandy Lane just for that.
Otherwise Sandy Lane has its own stretch of white sand beach that pretty much patched me up and put me back on the ice. I worked for afternoons on the beach and it was just enough scene but not too much like St. Barths. The water is as turquoise as can be, and only second to Turks in my book.
Overall: 8/10
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FAQs
Q: Where is Sandy Lane located?
A: Sandy Lane is located at Sandy Lane St. James, Barbados, West Indies, BB24024. The hotel is located right on its own stretch of white sand beach.
Tel: +1 (246) 444-2000
Q: What restaurants does Sandy Lane have on property?
A: Sandy Lane has technically seven bars and restaurants on property. However, for distinct dining concepts, the main restaurants are The Country Club, Bajan Blue, the fine dining option and the Lower Terrace. There’s a beach bar as well as main hotel bar called Monkey Bar.
Q: What activities does Sandy Lane have on property?
A: Sandy Lane has a top golf course and tennis and padel facility on property. There is also a spa and watersports on their stretch of beach.
