Sandy Lane

Once a playground for British royalty, Sandy Lane today is today the epicenter of Caribbean luxury, and caters almost exclusively to billionaire guests who are looking for utmost perfection.

• The color pink pervades at Sandy Lane, which boasts rose colored beach chairs, towels, umbrellas, upholstery and even staff uniforms.
• Sunday morning brunch at the hotel is so famous and beloved, many plan their entire weekends around it.
• Sunsets from the beach bar are some of the most spectacular on the island.

In the 1990s, an influx of cash by Irish investors Dermot Desmond and J.P. McManus Partners helped the Lane maintain its status as the island’s premier as well as its priciest address. A-list guests include princes and queens as well as celebs like Simon Cowell, Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld, Donatella Versace and Cindy Crawford.

So what makes Sandy Lane so special? For one thing, service is now so formal it’s practically over-the-top. A chauffeured Bentley is available for airport pickups, while valets are at the resort to unpack your luggage and bring you refreshments while you sunbathe. The scenery is also pretty grand. There’s a relatively uncrowded swath of beach, and well-landscaped tropical gardens surround the main coral limestone building. Guest rooms are full of dark wood, cream marble, heavy curtains and Napoleonic canopy beds with "SL" embroidered sheets, creating an atmosphere that people either find sumptuous or incongruous with the setting.

But it’s the extra facilities that really set Sandy Lane apart. The hotel boasts three golf courses: the Tom Fazio–designed Country Club, the nine-hole Old Nine and the Green Monkey, also designed by Fazio and generally considered the best on the island. L’Acajou, the most formal of Sandy Lane’s four restaurants, always lands top culinary talent. The 47,000-square-foot spa and a collection of boutiques, including the Gatsby, which carries brands like La Perla and Moschino, leave high-maintenance guests wanting for nothing.

Sandy Lane pulls off an unusual feat by being one of the most glamorous and one of the most child-friendly hotels on Barbados. An extensive Kids Club, called the Treehouse Club, is available for children ages three through twelve, and teenagers can participate in organized-sports clinics and enjoy a teen-only lounge. Note: The Luxury Dolphin Suites, Luxury Orchid Suites and Penthouse Suites are all two-bedroom accommodations and can connect to form larger three- and four-bedroom units. The 7,300+-square-foot, five-bedroom Sandy Lane Villa comes with its own chef, housekeeper and nighttime security guard.

Those who want to be in the center of the island's glamorous action and who don't mind dressing up for meals or paying hefty premiums for refreshments and activities.