Barbados: Where to Stay: Villas to Rent: Royal Westmoreland

Royal Westmoreland

The Royal Westmoreland retains an English country-club feel largely because it is a gated residential club (or “villa community”). The white coral stone villas and town houses, many of which were designed by renowned Caribbean architects Ian Morrison and Larry Warren, are sprawled out on a huge Robert Trent Jones Jr.–designed golf course. The smaller homes have a more central location near the main clubhouse (where there is an elegant-casual dress code), while most of the larger, more lavish ones—the most grand have seven bedrooms—are situated around the perimeter of the course. Thirty of the 125 houses are currently available for rent. Keep in mind that though all were designed in a subdued, contemporary Caribbean style, with lots of whites, creams and the occasional pastel, these are privately owned vacation homes, so interiors can vary. Housekeeping services are included in the price, and private chefs can be arranged for an additional cost. And while the Royal Westmoreland is not on the coast, it does have a shuttle bus service to the resort’s Beach Club area (with lounge chairs, a sundeck, etc.). Rates upon request.

WHO SHOULD GO: Avid golfers and those looking for complete privacy.

WHO SHOULDN’T GO: Anyone hoping to simply hop from the bed to the beach.