Fairmont-Pavilion-2022-Beach-View-003-106242-Hybris

Holidaying with Jane McDonald: The Caribbean – Barbados Blog

Have you watched Holidaying with Jane McDonald: The Caribbean on Channel 5? Well, Sovereign Luxury Travel were thrilled to be involved in this series and our Marketing Executive Ellie Harding was with Jane throughout the filming, island-hopping across the Caribbean with her. Join us as we take you behind the scenes of Jane’s trip of a lifetime and highlight the special experiences you too can enjoy as our guest!

The first stop on Jane’s luxurious Caribbean island-hopping holiday was Barbados. This island is a fabulous introduction into the Caribbean, with its happy and welcoming spirit.

Speaking of spirit, one of the absolute musts of your Barbados holiday is to embrace the rum culture, so visiting a plantation house and rum distillery steeped in history was an obvious starting place for Jane, and it’s in the 350-year-old St. Nicolas Abbey where Jane enjoyed her rum tasting experience.

“We all took the heritage steam railway up to Cherry Tree Hill, which not only has amazing views across Barbados, but also had some charming stalls to explore at the summit. I highly recommend you cool off with a fresh coconut to drink!”

With the waves of the Caribbean Sea lapping up onto this island nation, it’s no surprise that many of the activities here involved water. Jane took a trip on a catamaran where she was able to go snorkelling with sea turtles and had the chance to visit an old shipwreck.

Jane took a 4x4 jeep ride excursion to visit the Animal Flower Cave, which despite its unusual name is a large waterside cave that can be accessed by steps leading to a coral floor, where you’ll find natural rock plunge pools. Jane, like most of our guests, took the opportunity to go swimming here among brightly coloured sea anemones.

“Tiffany, who is incidentally The Fairmont Pavillion’s yoga instructor, invited Jane to a yoga class with a difference: yoga on a paddleboard!” reveals Ellie. “Jane did an excellent job balancing on the boards, but I stuck to Tiffany's on land sessions!”

One night Jane dropped into Harbour Lights, an open-air club in Carlisle Bay, where she enjoyed one of their renowned Caribbean Dinner Shows. The entertainment here is always soul-stirring, with live music, stilt walkers, fire eaters and limbo dancers, plus there’s free-flowing drinks and a traditional Bajan style BBQ dinner to tuck into. The perfect place for all the family to party under the stars? You be the judge!

For a quieter night, Jane experienced a sunset dinner at Lone Star, which is a known island hotspot for its celebrity clientele. “I really loved this place with its laidback island chic. The beachfront setting offers some of the best sunsets on the island" says Ellie.

Our top recommendation? A holiday in Barbados is incomplete without a visit to the institution that is Tides Restaurant. It’s a charming post-WW2 home with impeccable sea views, local coral stone and mahogany decor, not to mention a mouth-watering menu, from Caribbean grilled lobster to jerk-spiced cauliflower. While you’re there, you can also feast your eyes on the colourful artwork from talented Caribbean artists at Tides Art Gallery.

Where To Stay

Jane stayed in the Beachfront Junior Suite at the five star The Fairmont Pavilion, in Holetown, St. James. Set within 11 acres the hotel boasts guaranteed sea views from every room. Like Jane, it’s well worth sipping a sundowner cocktail here. Surround yourself with tropical palm trees and relish the direct access to soft white sands where you can enjoy complimentary non-motorised water sports in turquoise waters or enjoy a yoga session overlooking the Caribbean Sea. In the suite category, you can tuck into a complimentary Afternoon Tea in classic Bajan style.

The Fairmont Royal Pavilion

Follow in Jane’s footsteps and book a stay at the flourishing Fairmont Royal Pavilion. This hotel is the only luxury hotel on the beachfront and is surrounded by swaying palms and fauna. Fill your days with complimentary water sports, dishes of the day at the panoramic sea view restaurant and lounging by the pool.

Explore this hotel

Barbados

Barbados is the suntrap of the Caribbean. The island is lucky enough to see 340 days of sunshine a year, they even call the rain liquid sunshine here. The tropical plants and wildlife are vibrant and vivid, showcasing the island’s natural beauty at every turn.

Discover more

For more information, call our Personal Travel Planners on:

01293 762400 Or Request Your Quote

Holidaying with Jane McDonald: The Caribbean – Barbados Blog

Where To Stay

The Fairmont Royal Pavilion

Barbados

What our guests think