When you think of the perfect beach holiday you imagine turquoise water, clear blue skies and relaxing on a comfy sun lounger, with the only sound the crashing of waves on near white sand beach.
You picture a waiter handing you a refreshing cocktail, before gently dozing off in the sunshine - followed by an afternoon dip in the warm sea.
Well, the luxury five-star Cobblers Cove on the west coast of Barbados has all of this, and a lot more.
This beautiful and chic boutique hotel, with its 40 colonial-style suites, is the perfect place for a romantic and relaxing getaway in the Caribbean.
Perched on one of the most beautiful spots on the island - a palm-lined beach overlooking a beautiful bay - guests are gifted with stunning ocean views and splendid sunsets each night.
With eloquently decorated rooms, amazing food, and plenty of things to do and water sports to try at the hotel, it is a place worth booking for the ultimate luxury beach escape.
What are the rooms like?
The family-owned hotel, a former 1940s mansion which has recently undergone a five-year refurbishment, is painted in distinctive pink and white.
This theme is featured throughout the property and suites with everything from the sun towels, parasols and even the staff’s trousers embellished with colourful pastel stripes.
The rooms themselves are spread among several blocks, which nestle among the hotel’s green and lush tropical gardens.
Standard suites contain a large lounge and kitchen area and separate, but equally spacious, bedroom and adjoining dressing area and marble finished bathroom with ‘his and hers’ sinks and a huge walk-in shower.
The rooms are decorated with charming vintage wicker furniture such as fern-inspired console tables, fine Egyptian cotton linens and either a king-size or twin beds.
Each suite has its own private veranda or balcony, which overlooks either the gardens or beautiful blue Caribbean Sea.
Those looking for more room can upgrade to a two-bedroom suite or one of the two even more luxurious ‘Great House’ rooms - one of which has a private pool on its terrace.
What can you do at the hotel?
Standing on the west coast of the island means the hotel is blessed with calmer waters compared to the more rugged and wilder eastern and southern beaches.
And this stretch of tranquil, warm and crystal clear sea is the perfect antidote after a night indulging in one, two or five rum punches the night before.
A floating pontoon, which is brought in close to shore each morning, is a great place to swim to and sunbathe on, as the waves gently bob you up and down.
Being the Caribbean there is also some great snorkeling to be had - and there is no shortage of interesting sea life to enjoy nearby.
A small rocky reef, which lies in the water just in front of the property, attracts a wide array of colourful reef fish including parrotfish, snapper and trumpetfish.
If you are lucky you may also spot a Hawksbill turtle which are often found swimming in the bay beside the hotel.
As well as snorkeling, Cobblers Cove offers a range of complimentary water sports for guests including paddle boarding, wind surfing, kayaking and even water skiing (one free go per guest).
Away from the seafront, it has its own tennis courts, with rackets and balls available to borrow free of charge, and a well-equipped and modern gym.
However if all this sounds a little too active, there are dozens of thick mattress-lined sun loungers to choose from around the refreshing swimming pool, or overlooking the ocean.
There's also a spa and salon where you can book massages, scrubs, manicures and pedicures.
What’s the food and drink like?
Food at the hotel is served at Camelot Restaurant and Bar which is run by Bajan chef Jason Joseph.
The restaurant is popular with locals and guests alike, and regarded as one of the finest places to eat on the island.
Overlooking the beach, there’s something rather special about enjoying your breakfast in the morning sunshine as the waves gently crash onto the sand just a few feet away.
Breakfast includes a comprehensive buffet bar - which is made up of pastries, fresh duir, cereal, meats and cheeses.
You can also order healthy options including avocado with poached eggs and harissa, local delicacies such as smoked flying fish or lump crab eggs benedict - as well as a traditional full English if you fancy some home comfort.
The lunch menu consists of light bites such as chicken club sandwich, seared tuna and fresh salads.
On a Sunday guests can enjoy a relaxed BBQ serving up grilled lobster, swordfish and steak.
The dinner a la carte menu, which regularly changes depending on what’s fresh and in season, includes blackened or grilled catch of the day such as flying fish, maple glazed duck breast and poached shrimp and scallop.
Island night on a Friday serves up traditional Bajan cuisine such as cou cou and flying fish, jerk chicken and lobster curry - accompanied by a live soca, calypso and swing band.
If you fancy a rum, or two, the cocktail menu which features Caribbean punches, daiquiris, rum sours and the interesting looking Cobblers Cooler.
This potent drink, which contains a healthy several shots of rum, grenadine, fresh banana, orange and pineapple, is certain to give you a buzz - or send you to sleep at the very least.
What’s happening nearby?
Cobblers Cove is a 15 minute stroll down the sand from Speightstown - the second largest town on Barbados.
Full of beautiful beach side cafes, bars and restaurants, it’s the perfect for a place to enjoy evening drinks while watching the sun set over the ocean.
The view from One Eleven East Beach Bar in particular is stunning - as is its refreshing and extremely drinkable rum punch.
If you fancy a change of scenery there are plenty of other bars and restaurants reachable by taxi or foot.
The chilled out beach side Sea Shed restaurant is a further 10-minute walk, or two minute drive, down the coast.
It serves beautiful fresh and tasty fish and seafood including tangy grilled octopus with a sweet potato dressing, or succulent meaty tiger prawns grilled on the BBQ.
It’s detailed cocktail menu will also keep you going into the night.
If you fancy a day away out, for a charge, the hotel will whisk you off by boat to a secluded beach with a picnic, where you can spent the hours lazing away on your very own stretch of deserted paradise.
How to get there
Flying to Barbados is simple enough, with direct flights from both Manchester Airport and the London airports.
Transfer to Cobblers Cove from Grantley Adams Airport is 30km and takes around 45 minutes.
It can be arranged by the hotel, or you can get a taxi at the airport.
The facts
Rates for Cobblers Cove start from $420 (currently approx. £320) per night based on two people sharing a Garden Suite including breakfast www.cobblerscove.com
