The Sandpiper on Barbados is the sister hotel to Coral Beach Club. It is smaller and somewhat more private. This property is the perfect combination of clean lines and understated elegance.
By: Natalie Heintz
Editors Note:
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The Sandpiper is owned and operated by the same family that owns the Coral Reef Club. There are similarities in the décor and family atmosphere but there are differences as well. The Sandpiper, being smaller in size, has a more intimate and personal feel. The duty manager that did my site inspection, named Henderson, greeted each guest by their first name as we walked around the property. This tells me right away how personal the service is and what type of experience you will receive as a guest.
I could easily see The Sandpiper giving guests the feeling of a home away from home! I’m a huge fan and smiling as I write about this property!
The Sandpiper was built 50 years ago by Budge and Cynthia O'Hara. Their story is priceless. They came to Barbados on a cargo ship from England in the 1950’s. It was actually their honeymoon! They operated, and later purchased, The Coral Reef Club. In 1970, the O'Hara's built The Sandpiper just down the beach. Budge passed away in 1995 but the family legacy continues. Both properties are now operated by the families of their three children Patrick, Mark and Karen.
The Sandpiper has 6 different options for accommodations ranging from garden rooms to luxury beach front suites. The way the rooms are placed on the property is very accommodating to families. They place a regular garden room next to a suite with the option of connectivity. Even the balconies have screens that can be taken away if a family is using both rooms to create a more open outdoor space. I also toured a Beach House Suite which has incredible beachfront views. It has a spacious balcony with wet bar, large living room, bedroom with king size bed, large closet space with a vanity and lastly an updated bathroom with double sinks and separate shower and bath.
The restaurant at the Sandpiper has a wonderful ambience. It sits beside one of their two pools and has a small koi pond that provides the tranquil sound of trickling water. The executive chef, Christophe Poupardin, and his team offer eclectic food with a Caribbean flair. They use the finest local and imported ingredients and employ a fusion of European and Asian techniques to create wonderful dishes.
The Sandpiper offers a wide range of water sport activities. Guests can enjoy complimentary non-motorized sports such as Hobie Cat and Laser sailing, Kayaking, Paddle boarding and Snorkeling. Because it is a sister property to Coral Reef Club, Sandpiper guests can utilize the latter for things such as tennis and their wonderful spa.
If you are traveling from the US, UK or Canada you can do your quarantine here. Refer to my article on the 12 Month Barbados Welcome Stamp for Barbados safety protocols and requirements. You can also have your second COVID test done on property at the cost of $175 or go to a public testing facility for free.
In my opinion, of the hotels that I saw, the Sandpiper provides the best spaces for those in quarantine. The hotel has two pools on property, one solely designated for those in quarantine. They also have specific areas where guests could dine as well. But the best part were the spaces where guests could lounge in the sun. Barbados is known for their amazing beaches. Unfortunately guests cannot experience the golden sand until after their quarantine is over as all beaches on the island are considered public.
Can't go to the beach yet? The Sandpiper has great deck areas that are as close to being on the beach as you can get and still qualify as quarantine "friendly."
The Sandpiper is a wonderful boutique hotel, located on the beautiful West Coast of Barbados. It has so much to offer and would make for a lovely family vacation!
** Natalie Heintz is Social Media Director and a staff writer for TravelAnne.com. She is a former college athlete who is transitioning from a career in health care to a role in the travel industry. More importantly, Natalie writes like her Dad and gets her love of travel from her Mom.
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