Looking for a unique Barbados stay away from the hustle and bustle? This bohemian property is surrounded by tall palms and has ocean facing rooms with white-washed walls and hammocks. Welcome to Outsite Barbados, a beautiful and sustainable coliving space designed for remote workers and creatives.
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We look at what makes this place one to add to your eco accommodation list and highlight our experience in the tropical abode.
Table of Contents
What is Outsite Barbados?
Located on the rugged east coast of Barbados, tucked into a palm-tree filled valley is the whitewashed buildings of Outsite Barbados.
Outsite is a global network that provides coliving spaces, community, and services designed for remote professionals in 24 locations around the world. Outsite Barbados, which opened its doors at the popular Eco Lifestyle Lodge, is designed to provide digital nomads and remote workers with a sense of tropical tranquility.
Think open-air, beach-chic, whitewood walls meet crocheted hammocks and trickling plunge pools.
With Barbados opening its doors to the 12 month Welcome Stamp, there is a shift with the new Outsite management to grow the property as a co-working space for digital nomads, which has become popular since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The property has set up a few working areas with palm trees and ocean backdrops, as well as lounging areas for pool relaxing and sunset drinks.
Where is Outsite Barbados?
Outsite is located in Bathsheba, a popular surfing destination that also attracts an international crowd. The Grantley Adams airport is about a 35-minute drive away.
There are a few small shops and restaurants in the area, but it is generally very quiet. Unlike the calm, white sand beaches of the west coast, Bathsheba has wild waves and rocky outcrops.
You can, however, swim in some small protected ocean pools.
The Rooms at Outsite Barbados
The rooms at Outsite Barbados are bright and bohemian. Designed more as a serviced apartments rather than a hotel, the rooms most have kitchenettes and small dining areas for a homely, long-stay feel.
The property has two accommodation buildings, The Main House and the Eco Cottage.
The Main House overlooks the pool area and lounging areas (with all rooms looking out to the seaview).
- Main House Studios
- Carib Suite
- High Rock Suite
- Parlor Room
The second building is a smaller cottage separated into three rooms.
Eco Cottage
- Maycock Suite
- Tropicana Studio
- Batts Rock Apartment
The Batts Rock Apartment
We stayed in the Batts Rock Apartment which is one of the rooms with a full-sized kitchen. It felt remote (a short walk from the main pool area) yet secure, with plenty of space to spread out for a few days.
A unique rock feature in the center of the apartment gave it a feeling of earthly comfort. We were able to complete some computer work on the solid concrete desktop and some light reading on the circular cane chair.
The private front deck and hammock made for a great morning coffee spot with birds making their way down to visit.
About Your Stay at Outsite Barbados/Eco Lifestyle Lodge
Here is a recap of our stay and what you can expect from your stay at Outsite Barbados.
Note that during our stay Covid-19 protocols were in place.
Arriving
The drive down to Bathsheba is impressive. Winding down a rocky cliff road you can see the dramatic and rugged coastline.
The seaside town is home to the local fishing community, as well as a few rum shops and restaurants. Large rock formations are scattered along the coastline, one of which has a weathered pink ruin upon it.
Once you arrive a the Outsite property you can see the whitewashed wood tucked between the tropical vines and palm trees, it feels like an oasis.
The Welcome
Check-in at the small office that doubles as a gift shop and bar. They have some great local products from food to soaps and artwork. Make your way to your room and drop your things because the first thing you are going to want to do is to walk around the palm tree-filled property and check out the view from the main deck.
The Staff
Tiffany, the Outsite community manager, was kind and helpful, providing fantastic hiking route ideas and local information. It should be noted that the venue is not a hotel, but rather a serviced apartment, so you will just need to walk the short distance to the office if you require anything.
The kitchen staff are very talented and passionate. They will gladly answer any questions you may have about their unique menu.
The Eco Lifestyle Lodge Restaurant
The restaurant at Outsite Barbados is run by the Eco Lifestyle Lodge and the food is seriously incredible. Even if you are staying on the west coast of Barbados it is worth driving across the island to have a meal.
Not only is it incredibly fresh, creative, and tasty, it is vegetarian and vegan friendly (they also offer a fish dish for those who want it).
For those who are not vegan, trust us, you won’t be missing out. The recipes in this restaurant will satisfy. For example, the plant-based ‘calamari’ which is actually coconut jelly strips that have been flavored and battered, served with a special green dipping sauce is one dish that we ordered several times.
Things to do at Outsite Barbados
The property itself is well laid out to explore and relax in different areas. However, here are a few other activities that you can do:
Lounge by the Pool
The sound of trickling water from the three, dark saltwater plunge pools is enticing. The pool’s deck area is a perfect spot to kick back, drink a cocktail, or do a little work in…maybe.
Get a massage on the deck
The property has a masseuse that can come for treatment either in your room or on the sun deck overlooking the ocean.
Go for a surf (if you’re confident)
The surf break ‘soup bowl’ is just a short walk from the Outside Barbados property. Note that depending on conditions it can be difficult and a little dangerous to paddle out between the rocky outcrops.
If you are going to surf it is best to get the ins and outs from a local first.
Take a walk along the coastline
There is a great walking trail down from the property heading both north and south.
Heading north just a 10-minute walk takes you to the main beach of Bathsheba. Here you can see the iconic pink ruin, tidal pools, and if you continue on you can reach Cattlewash Beach.
Heading south takes you past the Atlantis Hotel and along a very nice walking trail. Walk by a palm-lined coast to some remote, pebble coves perfect for an isolated hangout or dip.
Jump into the sauna
Though it is the tropics, a late afternoon swim by the windy beach can get chilly. There is a clay sauna at the bottom of the property that offers guests a quick warmup/sweat.
Do some yoga
While classes were interrupted with the Covid-19 protocols in place, they normally have yoga classes on the deck (which is one impressive place to work out).
Check out the local crafts in the main office gift section
There are some truly talented craftsmen and women in Barbados. The gift section of the office has a small but eclectic collection of particulars.
Outsite Barbados Sustainable Practices
When you search for eco-accommodation in Barbados, there are not a whole lot of options that come up.
Some attributes that make an eco establishment ‘eco’ include:
- Using local building materials
- Employing local staff
- Reducing waste
- Being energy efficient
- Using natural, sustainable products
- Providing direct financial support for local business and education
It is always great to support businesses and especially accommodations that not only care for their local environment but give back either directly to the community or natural surroundings.
Sustainability at Outsite Barbados
Being based at the eco lifestyle lodge, here are some of the ways in which Outsite Barbados are doing their part to encourage more sustainable stays in Barbados.
- A recycling program on site for plastic, glass and paper. They do have a designated bin at the front of the property for recyling waste.
- The restaurant organic waste goes into their gardening soil and also gets used to feed local pigs
- They have stated that the property has eliminated 90% of single-use plastic which is fantastic. Apart from rubbish bin liners we did not really notice any other single use plastic items
- Drinking glassed made from up-cycled wine bottles which are a nice touch
- They have solar lighting and solar water heating which is great. Be sure to take a shower while it is light if you want to get the hot water.
- There are some great use of upsycled materials for furniture around the propety, especially in the shared work spaces.
- The shop area also stocks some great eco friendly products like reef-friendly sunblock and surf waxes, stainless steel water bottles and straws, and reusable tote bags.
- They also support the pack for a purpose program that encourages guests to bring school and educational supplies for local children
Pros and Cons of Outsite Barbados
A quick reference to some pros and cons of this establishment.
Pros:
- It is a very relaxing vibe in a beautiful setting
- A natural feel with the salt pool and palm trees around the property
- Amazing food with unique menu items. Some of the best plant-based food that we have experienced.
- Nice bohemian style with artistic touches
- Wifi around the property if you do want to work
Cons:
- It is very remote. If you want to stay long term and explore the island (especially the west coast), there will be a lot of driving
What to Pack
It is pretty casual here so you will not need to bring much as the weather is generally present all year round.
If you are planing to move between the room, the pool, the beach, and the deck you will just need something long and light to cover up at sunset to avoid mosquitoes (which were not too bad).
There are plenty of places to charge electrical equipment in the room so you don’t need to worry about adapters.
We would highly recommend eating at the restaurant as much as possible. It truly is spectacular food. However, there is a kitchenette/kitchen in most of the rooms. If you do want to make your own food, it is quite a distance to the closest store so best to grab some things on the way.
Why you Should Stay at Outsite Barbados
This is a great place to stay on the east coast of Barbados because of its well-styled rooms and beautiful plunge pools. But, more than that it is great to support businesses that incorporate a sense of sustainability into their practices.
The east coast of Barbados is much different from the calm, western side with its beautiful beachfront villas. But, if you like rugged (and mostly untouched) natural beauty, it is definitely worth staying on this side of the island for a while.
From this property, you can easily walk to the main beach and surf spots, also to some amazing, remote, pebble beaches.
Be sure to sample as much as you can from the restaurant as the food is incredible with a fantastic range of vegan/vegetarian options.
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Disclaimer: Our 4 night stay at this venue was comped for a photography exchange.
