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Recently listed in Travel + Leisure's "World's Best" Top 25 Hotels for Caribbean, Bermuda, and Bahamas, secluded setting and tranquil ambience of Cobblers Cove, an English country house-style boutique hotel, is perfect tropical hideaway for lovers. Cobblers Cove features 40 luxury suites housed within 10 two-story cottages of four suites each. The main Great House features a sweeping "Gone With The Wind" staircase that leads to two Specialty Suites — Colleton and Camelot, ultimate in luxury, surrounded by lush gardens and well-manicured grounds. Cobblers Cove, one of only five Caribbean members of prestigious Relais & Chateaux, prides itself on assuring their guests an intimate ambience that speaks language of love. Fine dining, seclusion and quiet are priorities maintained to provide ultimate haven for lovers and honeymooners or those seeking a peaceful respite.

Cobblers Cove, located 18 miles from Grantley Adams Airport on Gold Coast in Parish of St. Peter, received its name from black sea urchin, which is called a "Cobbler" in Barbados. The property was built in 1943 by Haynes family, one of first families to settle in Barbados in 1647, and one of island's original sugar barons. In 1968, Cobblers Cove was sold to another prominent sugar family, The Colletons, who were original founders of South Carolina and instrumental in helping to shape destiny of Barbados. A mural in Colleton Suite commemorates family history in Barbados.

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Stumbling upon Diamond Head Inn in 2003 was like unexpectedly finding a precious jewel; a diamond in rough. My husband and I chose this particular hotel for its affordable price and perfect location, accessible to everything that San Diego has to offer, and only a few feet from wide, velvet sands of Ocean Beach.

Like opening a treasure chest and finding gold doubloons, we were awed to find that Diamond Head Inn's hotel room wasn't just a bedroom and a bathroom, but more like an apartment, or a timeshare! Each suite has an eat-in kitchen complete with dishes, utensils, and cookware. In case you don't want to use stove, a microwave is also provided. (And in case you don't want to cook at all, there are many restaurants nearby.) With a very spacious living room and two ample closets, square footage was definitely not lacking.

A diamond in rough, indeed! All it needed was some polishing to make it really shine. But outdated carpet, older furniture, faded paint, and such was worth overlooking when location and roomy space were so perfect. The Diamond Head Inn also provided character and history amidst new tall hotels that lacked individuality. In age of chains and franchises, history and culture is a rare find.

"You're not going to believe what they've done to this hotel! You won't recognize it!", I yelled into my husband's ear over phone on my second trip to Diamond Head. I was so excited that he had to ask me to stop yelling several times.

Manager Jim Silver, an easygoing kind of guy, has same love for San Diego and his life's work as many of locals I've met, and he spoke of hotel with pride. Jim has been managing The Diamond Head Inn for five years and is type of person who keeps on top of things but has a carefree air about him. Business is always taken care of, maintenance is being done (even palm trees got a trimming while I was there), and housekeeping is impeccable — there seemed to be no stress. You could walk into office, plop yourself down in a chair, and Jim would have all time in world for you. I'd visit with him usually during my food stashing raids from complimentary Continental Breakfast that was provided each morning. Jim was used to my stashing muffins and pastries for those "you never know when moments", so he'd often offer extras for us to put in our backpacks.

Jim told me that hotel was originally an apartment building, which explains spaciousness and complete kitchens. Major renovations started exactly about time of my very first visit in September, 2003. The plan was to update hotel but keep quaint feel and not alienate its history. The owners and management, together with an interior decorator, accomplished that goal.

Like discovering that lost jewel in a treasure chest for first time, I went on a hunt for more gems. Opening doors and drawers, scoping out floors and ceilings, everywhere I turned I found more and more refurbishments. Beautiful stone tiled replace linoleum on floor. Shiny, new appliances, granite countertops, and imported furniture adds charm.