By Donna Richardson
For the traveller looking for a one-of-a-kind getaway, a twin-centre holiday ticks all the boxes. Martin Roberts, from the popular TV show Homes Under The Hammer, and his family explored Saint Lucia, Barbados and Dominica during an island-hopping trip – visiting Saint Lucia and Dominica and later adding on a trip to Barbados, a destination that boasts excellent flight links with Saint Lucia.
These three Caribbean jewels showcase distinct charm and attractions. From Dominica’s lush rainforests to Saint Lucia’s pristine beaches and Barbados’ food scene. This multi-destination experience, as Martin discovered, offers adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable memories.
The best way to explore these three breathtaking destinations in one amazing trip would be to fly into Saint Lucia first. The international flight will land at Hewanorra Airport (UVF) in the South. Visiting during the traditionally low season for the Caribbean, Martin and his family started their journey at the four-star Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa in Rodney Bay Village.
Martin says: “Prices of rooms and suites in stunning hotels are a fraction of the cost of the peak season. So as UK and European hotels up their prices over the summer, you can be staying in rock star locations that might cost £2000 per night in February for a third of that. Yes, there’s slightly more chance of occasional rain, but the year-round heat and sunshine are always closely following.”
The Bay Gardens Beach Resort, with its prime beachfront location in the heart of Rodney Bay Village, is a fabulous option for clients looking for a good base to explore the island. Situated directly on the world-famous Reduit Beach with views out to Pigeon Island, your clients have the best of both worlds. They can explore the island or sit back with a cocktail and relax on the beach.
Bay Gardens Hotel is also undergoing an exciting transformation with new rooms coming soon – stay tuned for updates on the progress and be among the first to experience the fresh and modern accommodation on offer. Martin was impressed by the green scenery, the homeliness of this local resort and the absence of corporate branding. The resort is also home to Splash Island Water Park, a large inflatable park for all the family to enjoy. The resort offers an all-inclusive option and they put money back into the economy with their dine-around programme, where you get the chance to dine in local restaurants using a voucher provided by the hotel.
According to Martin, “You can’t go wrong if you are looking for a great family holiday on the beach. The rooms are huge with a balcony looking out over the gardens, pool or beach.”
He said: “Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Spa is a great family choice on Rodney Bay – a majestic stretch of fine sand on the North West coast of the island.
“I loved the hotel’s shabby chic authentic Caribbean vibe, as far removed from the homogenised predictability of large multinational hotels as it’s possible to get,” said Martin.
“The all-suite rooms have a kitchen, so you can self-cater if you like, but the restaurant and bar front the beach, and an all-inclusive option gives unlimited access to more Pina Coladas and Rum Punches than you can shake a coconut at.”
Martin said that, unlike some hospitality operations, this family-run property sets the benchmark for sustainability and economic support for local businesses. One simple yet hugely inspiring example of this is their ‘Dine Around’ programme, which allows you to eat in selected local restaurants rather than on-property. Thus sharing the tourist pound out in a much fairer way. That said, you could very happily spend a week here without venturing too far. An inflatable water park alongside the usual beach sports and activities will keep kids young and old amused for hours.
A tour by sea to the South is also a must, combining snorkelling with a trip to the hot springs and the awe-inspiring and iconic twin peaks of the Pitons. Martin got involved in many activities on his visit, from bamboo river rafting to meeting locals selling handicrafts. Saint Lucia is famous for its diving, so Martin also got under the waves and explored the island’s underwater beauty with a Discover Scuba course. Find out more in episode one of a docuseries about his adventures.
Martin advises to get into the sea for some scuba diving. Qualification takes five days so is perfectly doable on a 10-day trip here. However, there’s also a three-hour ‘Discover Scuba’ experience for around US$100, and as long as you’re reasonably fit and healthy you can take part.”
You have to take advantage of the island hopping opportunities. From Castries to Roseau the ferry crossing operates weekly with a scheduled sailing duration of about four hours. It’s a slow way to travel, but you don’t have the transfer time in Dominica, as you arrive right by the Fort Young Hotel. Martin then took this affordable route, passing through Martinique and stayed at Fort Young Dive resort which offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, whether you’re seeking underwater exploration, hiking through lush rainforests, or simply soaking up the sun by the pool. Built on the site of an old fort, which is perfect for history enthusiasts.
Martin said: “It’s a great base for exploring the island, and especially strolling into lively Roseau with its early morning markets and working Caribbean island vibe. There’s a beautiful terrace and restaurant for enjoying sunsets and the rooms are modern and tastefully appointed, with a well-equipped kitchen for in-room dining.”
The Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort in Dominica has undergone major renovations, introducing 60 new rooms and renovated Oceanview Suites. New amenities include a Rum and Wine Cellar, Compass Fitness Centre, Marquis Bar, Work & Play Hub,
Museum Café, and Old Oven Art Gallery. The hotel has also transformed its dive operations, added two new dive boats, and now offers sperm whale watching. The hotel is close to the market and the city’s treasures.
He added: “One of the hotel’s other benefits is the onsite location of a PADI dive centre. You can walk out of your room in your wetsuit, grab your equipment and hop off the hotel jetty. And there’s no compromise on the quality of the undersea experience. I had one of my best dives ever, blissfully free of any bus, taxi or boat transfer to a dive site.”
But for a real taste of Dominica, you need to get out to the rainforest and Trafalgar Falls. If you visit out of season, you’ll avoid the tours and can explore the nearby hot springs. Back at the hotel, Martin also enjoyed a dive trip with the PADI dive school
and experienced the great diving available at the resort. Martin added: “Dominica feels like a Caribbean island from years gone by. It’s real. It’s authentic. It’s charming and welcoming. And it’s simply beautiful. It can’t match other islands for a bouncing nightlife, jet ski crowded, 2 for 1 cocktail kind of vibe, but long may that be the case.”
Learn about this part of Martin’s adventures in episode two.
After a trip to another resort, Martin returned to Saint Lucia and caught a plane to his next destination, Barbados. There are great flight connections between the two islands, so Martin headed back to Saint Lucia where he travelled on the final leg of his epic trip to Barbados, known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, and Divi Southwinds Beach Resort was his base. It is a fabulous lead-in option to twin both Bay Gardens Hotel with its vibrant Rodney Bay Village atmosphere comparable with this Barbados hotel. Its ideal location is within walking distance of St Lawrence Gap.
This hotel boasts all-suite accommodation, one and two bedrooms with open plan living / kitchen dining. Each room offers more space than most lead-in resorts with their all-suite accommodation, making this perfect for families and groups of friends. It also has spacious grounds with tennis, golf, beachfront and fabulous food. Watch this space as the hotel is looking to introduce a cricket academy with Franklyn Stephenson.
This beachfront resort offers a perfect getaway with its picturesque views of the gardens and serene atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to relax on the sandy shores or enjoy a walk into the lively St. Lawrence Gap, this property is the perfect
place to relax and unwind.
Barbados is gearing up to showcase its vibrant culture, colourful festivals, rich history as the home of rum, and passion for cricket. Get ready to showcase these beautiful Caribbean destinations to your clients as one perfect holiday and offer guests a truly unforgettable experience. With three swimming pools set out amongst beautiful landscaped gardens and with the award-winning Spices Restaurant your clients will feel totally at home here.
There is plenty to see and do, whatever time of year you visit. Barbados is synonymous with cricket and as hosts of the ICC World T20 in June at the Kensington Open, many of your clients may be looking to book a cricket break. May is also a good time to visit, with the Celtic festival celebrating the island’s rich Scottish roots. Those wishing to book a trip at this time will enjoy bagpipers, folk singers, dancers and fiddlers. In August, Crop Over takes over – a celebration of the days when sugar cane was king. Crop Over highlights the culture and history of Barbados with creativity and music. Then there’s the Rum Festival in October which celebrates the nation’s favourite tipple and food. There’s also a swimming festival in November and the Barbados Marathon in December. One of the highlights of Martin’s trip was visiting the Harrisons Cave Eco Adventure Park, where he ziplined across the rainforest and explored a series of caverns by train. He also took a nature
trail, which was a great experience. Martin also attended the Oistin’s Friday night fish fry and took a jeep safari to see the stunning coastline. Find out more in episode three.
All in all, Martin’s island hopping break in the Caribbean is a testament to the unique charm and attractions of these stunning destinations, and proof that adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable memories await those who choose to explore them. If you’re interested in learning more about Martin’s adventures, you can check them out online.
And if you have the bug for adventure the journey doesn’t end there. Enjoy more island hopping to Nevis, Jamaica and Turks and Caicos, which have excellent flight links. See our next blog.
Paradise Promotions is the representation agency for all of the above resorts and has a brand-new website with blogs, training, information about upcoming fam trips and newsletters. Find out more online and email
Victoria@paradise–promotions.co.uk for more information or call on +44 (0) 7956216654
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