The idyllic Caribbean island of Barbados has become synonymous with luxury travel, fabulous white beaches and total relaxation. Last week, music mogul Simon Cowell was spotted partying on the island at one of his favourite luxury resorts, Sandy Lane.
Located on the western coast of the island, known as the Platinum Coast, the Sandy Lane resort sits on 1,000 feet of white, coral-sand beach beside the warm, sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea. Set in an ancient mahogany grove, the high end resort boasts 112 luxury rooms and suites and one exquisite five-bedroom villa with its own secluded grounds and butler service.
Due to its sheer opulence, first-class reputation and absolute discretion, Sandy Lane regularly attracts celebrities and VIPS including the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Claudia Schiffer, David and Victoria Beckham, Hugh Grant and local islander Rihanna.
The solid marble flooring, decadent interior designs and endless space leave you feeling like you'll never want to leave. And with sunshine and hot weather pretty much guaranteed all year round, you can understand why the A-listers come back time and again.
The visitor experience is impeccable, with superb customer service from the extremely warm, friendly and helpful staff, who will ensure that your stay is an absolute pleasure from start to finish. As you would expect from a seven-star resort, Sandy Lane offers everything you can think of, and more.
Just some of the fabulous features of Sandy Lane include private verandas with every room, touch-screen controls at your bedside - to adjust air conditioning, the TV and even the curtains without having to leave your bed - and unlimited use of the tennis courts and access to windsurfing, kayaking and snorkelling.
The signature pink furnishings of Sandy Lane are unique to the resort, and the blush pink theme runs throughout the restaurants, sun loungers and flower arrangements. Every finer detail has been thought of and even the kids are catered for to keep them entertained the entire time. The Treehouse Club is a fully equipped children's club catering for all young ones ranging from 3-12 years of age, offering a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities.
For those looking for the ultimate in rest and relaxation, The Spa at Sandy Lane is second to none. Blending traditional cultural therapies from around the world, from the Caribbean and North America to the Far East and Europe, the 47,000-square-foot spa offers the latest state-of-the-art facilities.
There are 14 personalised VIP suites, relaxation and meditation rooms, a panoramic sauna and a hydrotherapy pool, as well as a 2,500-square-foot gym and a 7,500-square-foot free-form swimming pool to enjoy. Sandy Lane is also famous for its three golf courses, two of which are open to the public for use but the Green Monkey course is exclusively for use by guests of the resort. In keeping with the golfing reputation, top international golfer Tiger Woods wed Elin Nordegren, a Swedish model, at the resort in October 2004.
The luxury of the Sandy Lane resort is reflected in the prices, with the least expensive rooms starting at approximately $1,010 per night and ranging up to $25,000 per night for the 5-bedroom villa during the Christmas period.