Barbados: Where to Stay: Hip: The House

The House

In the land of conservative, understated hotels, this seven-year-old St. James property evokes a bit of South Beach sexiness. The thirty-four suites have a minimalist navy-and-white design scheme, and the open-air living area, complete with a twenty-four-hour bar, has the vibe of a chic, laid-back urban lounge. Arrivals are meant to be slightly dramatic: the property is separated from the road by an arched stone gate, and cars must pass over a little wooden bridge to reach the entrance (at nighttime the walkway is also lit by torches). All rooms surround a central garden area, though the nicest, priciest ones are in the back (they also overlook the Caribbean). No children under eighteen are permitted, and the crowd tends to be on the younger side (the guests’ average age ranges from the late twenties to the early forties) and less British than those at other, similarly priced hotels. Despite the departure from the traditional Anglo model, there is still a daily (and complimentary) tea service from four to five, and each guest has two personal butlers, or “ambassadors”—they wear trendy, pajama-like uniforms, though, rather than standard butler garb. Water sports are available at the nearby Tamarind Cove hotel, and there’s a daily, complimentary Champagne breakfast. Rooms from $668.

WHO SHOULD GO: Scenesters, Girlfriends on Getaways

WHO SHOULDN’T GO: Those looking for the same sort of old-school charm found at Sandy Lane, the Coral Reef Club and Cobblers Cove.