After a multi-million dollar renovation completed at the end of 2017, the refreshed 72-room Fairmont Royal Pavilion reaffirmed its status as one of the very best and most upscale beach resorts in Barbados. It caters well to both couples and families now (it was formerly an adults-only hotel during the peak season) with contemporary guest rooms, excellent ocean views (it’s closer to the ocean than building codes now allow), and outstanding overall service. The room rates and restaurants can be expensive, there’s no swim-up bar, and on-site activities are fairly limited for a resort of this caliber; but the property offers an uncrowded and long (albeit narrow in parts) beach area with palm trees and calm water for swimming, three oceanfront al fresco restaurants, complimentary afternoon tea (once per stay), impeccably manicured grounds, in-room dining, in-room spa treatments, tennis courts lit for night play, and a free daily buffet-style breakfast for two. Rooms come with ocean views (all are beachfront), handcrafted woodwork, colorful local artwork, large flat-screen TVs, comfortably furnished terraces or balconies with clear glass railings, chic bar sets, modern ceiling fans, and comfortable beds; some have butler service, and interconnecting rooms are available upon request. Activities include yoga classes (twice weekly), swimming with sea turtles, on-site snorkeling, kayaking, Hobie Cat sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, catamaran cruises, and weekly managers’ cocktail parties.
All travelers to Barbados are required to present proof of a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at a an accredited or recognized laboratory within three days prior to arrival. It is also necessary to complete your on-line immigration and customs form by going to www.travelform.gov.bb. The form should be completed 24 hours prior to arrival, and preferably include the upload of your negative COVID-19 PCR test result. Travelers will be required to retest with a COVID-19 PCR test 5 days (120 hours) after their arrival in the country. If the result of that second PCR test is negative, that traveler can now enjoy unrestricted movement to public spaces (including the beach). Guests from High and Medium Category countries (which currently includes the UK, the US and Canada) must quarantine in their rooms until the second test is negative.