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Set on eleven acres with a half mile of platinum beach (the area is also called
Platinum Coast), royal pink façade comforts guests in 72 oceanfront, deluxe rooms, and one three-bedroom private villa.
All Royal Pavilion accommodations come with a king-sized bed. I must say, without management provocation, that spacious dream zone came with plump body pillows and it was most comfortable night I ever had. There was an electronic mosquito zapper that I didn't need in dry season; pests were non-existant.
The room's private lanai has an overhang to keep out some of that glittering light that can be overpowering, but you won't miss Jimmy Buffet moment sunsets as golden orb peels quietly into Caribbean. The shrubs around lanai keep room private and intimate. I found padded beach loungers just a hop over a small wall. Each chair was a library of discarded European magazines, which I read with delight during lazy days, especially James Bond cartoons! Barbados is still very much British influenced, even though Fairmont is a Canadian hotel chain. A New York Times Digest was also slipped quietly under my door daily by colonists!
Even though Royal Pavilion and The Glitter Bay Fairmont serve some of best Bajan and international cuisine, twice daily maid service kept mini fridge stocked so you could get in more swimming and beach time.
The Glitter Bay Hotel is not set beach front like Royal Pavilion, and I was puzzled that my room has plush and barefoot pleasing carpets, while Glitter Bay has cool terra cotta tiles. The maid must fume when vacuuming out sand. The tropical fabrics, rattan furniture, and cool, coral painted walls gives my hideout a colonial feeling.
The 63 rooms of white stucco and Spanish-tiled Moorish/Andalusian themed Glitter Bay Fairmont was originally built on 19 acres as Cunard's private manse. There is a combination of deluxe rooms, one and two bedroom suites, two and three bedroom penthouses, and five superb oceanfront suites in Beach House.
The Great House was renovated and now houses breezy reception area and concierge. One set of tennis courts is behind mansion and another is near Royal Pavilion.
Both properties have A/C and 24 hour room service, king beds, with twins and rollaways available on request. Glitter Bay rooms have pool and garden views, so that is why I chose Royal Pavilion with beachside rooms. The outdoor pool has a separate kids' plunge, shared by all from both hotels. I come to Caribbean to swim in ocean, so again Royal Pavilion receives my vote.
The only real difference between two properties is that Glitter Bay has one bedroom suites and penthouses with stoves and refrigerators, complete with crockery and utensils. I don't cook, especially on vacation, so RP is again nominee for a choice beach hangout. Both hotels offer direct dial telephone and voice mail.
The Fairmonts share these facilities: Fitness and massage centre featuring LifeCycle and LifeStep, treadmills, free weights, aerobics, and a personal trainer, tennis pros for instruction on day or night-lighted courts. There are two tennis courts on dual properties. Only a mile away is Robert Trent Jones, Jr. championship Royal Westmoreland 18-hole golf course. There is also access to Sandy Lane Golf Course which had it's new section completed in late 2002. The Fairmont shuttle is complimentary to both golf courses. Complimentary watersports include snorkeling, windsurfing, hobie cat, and sunfish sailing.
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Kriss Hammond , Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com
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