Take vintage pink with a splash of tropical blue, add in a welcoming smile and an eclectic sense of luxury. This is Cobblers Cove Barbados.
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The boutique hotel offers guests a unique Caribbean experience with a vibe that’s reminiscent of a Hollywood classic film. In this post, we cover our experience and what you can expect at this iconic property. We look at what attracted us to the hotel and specifically their efforts to improve sustainable practices.
Table of Contents
About Cobblers Cove Barbados
Cobblers Cove Barbados is a 40 suite hotel built around the “Great House” which originated in the 1940s. The property has an exclusive yet homely feel with most of the rooms opening up into a central garden area, decorated with tropical flowers and fruit trees.
While the iconic, pink-colored walls command attention, it is the myriad of details that make this place truly remarkable. The colonial/classic tropical theme is present from the moment you enter the lobby and quickly transports you into a world of wonder.
Named after the Frigate birds (also known as Cobbler Birds – which are visible out at sea), the hotel is a collection of interesting and beautiful particulars.
Where is Cobblers Cove Barbados?
Located on the north-west coast of Barbados, Cobblers Cove is approximately 45 minutes from the Grantley Adams Airport.
This area of coastline in Barbados is famous for its calm, clear ocean with white sandy beaches and stunning beachfront villas. There are also a few of the island’s favorite beachfront restaurants and bars nearby if you do want to leave to property.
It is approximately 15 minutes by car to Holetown which is a popular shopping and dining area.
The Rooms at Cobblers Cove Barbados
There are a few different room types within the hotel grounds. However, they all have a similarly styled interior. The difference being their size and proximity to the ocean.
- Garden Suites
- Ocean View Suites
- Ocean Front Suites
- Two Bedroom Suites
Our Room
We stayed in the Ocean Front Suite. And, as the name suggests, ocean front we were.
The bright, open feel of the space was certainly inviting, especially the balcony with its comfy cushioned chairs and views. With a separate bedroom/bathroom, living area, and minibar it has some serious floor space to spread out.
The classic design feel is enhanced with the purposeful lack of a television screen on the wall (which we really like). Once you walk into the room it’s as if the space is telling you to ‘”switch off and just relax. Why not read a book?”.
Matching his and hers robes await in the bathroom with a great range of locally produced bathroom products.
Overall, the feel of the room is a classic beauty, rather than a super-modern luxury, which is a reflection of the hotel as a whole.
Rooms in the Great House
There are two additional (special) rooms in the Great House itself. These rooms include additional features such as a private rooftop patio and pool for those who really want to live it up.
- Camelot (The Great House)
- Colleton (The Great House)
About Your Stay at Cobblers Cove Barbados
Boutique hotels are attractive not only for their unique and sometimes quirky attributes, but it’s often the hospitality aspect that creates the most distinctive memories.
Here is a brief overview of what kind of experience you can expect when staying at Cobblers Cove Barbados.
The Welcome
Arriving at the cute, pink security cabin, the guard signs us in with temperature checks. You can tell that under his pink-stripped mask he is smiling and excited to see us.
Happy to accommodate our early arrival the lobby staff introduced us to the very welcoming general manager who directed us through the lush garden to the pool bar. At this point, we were a little overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the place. The pinks, the bluest blue ocean, and the swaying palm trees were all a lot to process. The (strong) rum punch ‘welcome drink’ helped to quickly get us in the mood and before we knew it we were in ‘holiday mode’.
With a welcome like this, you know that you’re staying somewhere that cares. It sets the mood for the rest of the visit.
The Staff
The hotel was particularly quiet due to the times (Covid-19), however, you could see that the staff were well equipped to handle a crowd.
Apart from their on-brand uniforms (white and pink), the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about the hotel itself, the food, the drinks, etc. It makes a huge difference in service when you can crack a joke and get a genuine reaction.
The bartenders even went out to get a bottle of specific liquor that one of the guests had requested while we were there. So, the service definitely went above and beyond.
The Restaurant
Unaware of the restaurant’s claim to fame in its own right, we were blown away by the quality of food. You can tell from the menu that there is a focus on the use of local and locally available ingredients. Each day there is a printed menu describing the meals.
While the food is on the high end of price, it is very memorable and worth dining in (even if you are not staying at the hotel).
Things To Do At Cobblers Cove Barbados
Apart from walking around the property grounds and admiring the colors, flowers, and occasional monkeys, there are few other points of interest that can be enjoyed during your stay. These include:
Lounging by the Pool
The pool area is one of the hotel’s main attractions and for good reason. The pink and white frilled umbrellas, the palm trees, and even a floating flamingo lounger make it a kind of surreal/dreamlike experience. With the friendly bartenders on hand and one of the nicest (hand-painted) cocktail menus we’ve seen, it is the perfect spot to spend the day.
Play Tennis or hit the Gym
Across from the hotel’s main entrance (the other side of the road) is an additional area of land dedicated to the tennis court and gym.
Go for a surf, swim, or SUP out the front
The beach in front of Cobblers Cove Barbados is generally very calm and clear. You can access the beach from the pool area’s staircase and swim or take out the hotel’s Stand Up Paddle boards (SUP).
If you’re lucky (lucky for us), you might get a surf-able wave right out the front of the hotel. The conditions were perfect for someone with beginner-level skills on one day and advanced levels skills on another day.
When there is no swell and the water is calmer you can actually swim with turtles in the area too.
Walk to Speightstown
For those who like to explore the local area, Speightstown is a short (15 minute) walk from the hotel. Here you can see a quaint local town in action. With a few general stores and local restaurants, it is a great, slow-paced environment to interact with a local crowd.
Browse the Hotel Gift Shop
Forgot your pink swim shorts, hat or earrings? The gift shop at Cobblers Cove Barbados has you covered. With a great range of local souvenirs and linen clothes to match the pink pallet, it’s a great way to get the ‘Cobblers look’.
Hit the Onsite Day Spa
They have an onsite spa “Sea Moon Spa” which does treatments such as massages, scrubs, facials, manicures, and pedicures. They offer two natural treatment ranges:
- Tata Harper, a New England farm plant-based range, free from artificial additives.
- St. Lucy Botanists, crafted locally in Barbados from natural foraged botanicals and free from synthetic ingredients.
Play checkers or piano in the sitting room
The few guests that were staying on the property during our time managed to congregate around the piano in the evening for a drink which gave the place a real inclusive feel.
Cobblers Cove Barbados Sustainable Practices
We were initially attracted to the look of Cobblers Cove hotel and on some investigation found that they were making changes to improve their sustainability.
Is it an eco resort? Not necessarily, but they also don’t claim to be. They are however, making improvements and contributing towards eco principles.
What makes an eco resort “eco”? It is a series of principles set by the International Eco-Tourism Society (which are usually agreed upon around the world by other green organisations).
Principles include things like:
- Using local building materials
- Employing local staff
- Being energy efficient
- Providing direct financial support for local business/industry & education
Sustainability at Cobblers Cove
An interesting fact about the Great House is that it was built in the 1940s using “the steel of the old island railway for its structure and solid coral stone for cladding”. Which is a use of local materials.
Some other notable, sustainable efforts on the Cobblers Cove website include:
Reducing the amount of plastics
We did notice some great touches in the hotel when it came to plastic reduction. Paper straws were served in the cocktails (pink and white obviously). There was also no plastic wrap on food that was served for room service, it came with a handwoven cane basket cover, additionally, there were no plastic tubs for side dishes or sauces. We did see plastic bags in the room’s rubbish bins (as the bins themselves are woven baskets), these could potentially be replaced with a washable, solid bin liner that can be reused.
Reduce quantity of imported food stuffs
As mentioned, the menu does focus on local ingredients with fruit and locally caught fish served. All of which is a very high quality of preparation. They offer Wyndham’s coffee, a local roast in the rooms.
Supporting Local
Cobblers Cove works with local craftsmen, carpenters, artists, metalworkers, basket makers, and farmers. It is evident that there are some highly skilled craftsmen and women in Barbados. With beautiful pieces of art throughout the room and hotel grounds, it can be duly noted that this is a group of artisans that are highlighted well. They also support a local school, the Roland Edwards Primary School.
Range of toiletries made on the island by St Lucy Botanists
These 100% natural and cruelty-free products are made in Barbados and are a perfect example of the island’s quality potential.
Tropical gardens
The grounds are beautifully maintained with many varieties of palms, ferns, and orchids. If you are lucky, you will spot the occasional bajan green monkey stopping by for a few mangos and bananas from the trees, and hummingbirds frequent the gardens sourcing nectar from the abundant flowers. During the night there is a beautiful scent from the Ylang Ylang tree that towers above.
Hotel Awards and Certifications
If you’re not convinced already, here are a few more reasons to think seriously about booking this hotel.
- Homes & Gardens rate Cobblers Cove Barbados among the 20 most beautiful hotels in the world
- World Travel Awards voted Cobblers Cove as the “best hotel in Barbados” for the 3rd year
- They received a 2018 Agricultural Linkage Award for sustainable agricultural and farm to table program
Pros and Cons of Cobblers Cove Barbados
A quick reference to some pros and cons of this establishment.
Pros:
- Beautiful property with photogenic opportunities in every direction
- Great staff who were welcoming and knowledgeable
- Food was fresh and high quality
- Boutique style with thoughtful touches
Cons:
- A few more vegetarian/vegan options on the menu would be good
- Food prices are high (but we felt was worth it)
What to Pack
Think classic, tropical chic.
While its is a very relaxed vibe, there is an element of elegance. The restaurant has a dress code for dinner (long pants for men), though you can wear shorts and sit at the outdoor terrace.
Casual elegance is the term used and that’s certainly reflected in the feel of the place.
We spent most of the time by the pool in swimwear or on our balcony in the robes provided. However, dressed appropriately for dinner times.
There are some beautiful items in the gift shop if you want to get ‘the look’ or something a little more pink.
Otherwise, be sure to pack sunscreen and make sure it’s reef safe (do it for the turtles!).
Why you Should Stay at Cobblers Cove Barbados
If you like beautiful, tropical hotels, this place has to be on your list. Apart from the property’s photogenic qualities and quaint feel, there really is a sense of wonder about the place.
It’s as if entering the lobby takes you back in time. Perhaps to a simpler time. When all that really matters is the ocean view, the rustling of palm leaves, and the feeling of a cold drink in your hand.
The amazing staff are bonus, the great food is a bonus and the pink details are definetly a bonus.
Overall, it is more of an experience than a destination. One that made our time in Barbados truly memorable. We’d recommend a stay at Cobblers Cove Barbados for anyone who wants to experience paradise in pink.
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Disclaimer: Our stay at this venue was considered a press trip. With digital content created in exchange for a 3-night stay.
