Luxury living and breathtaking views in stunning Barbados

“Honey I’m home,” I announce in grand style as I sashay into my luxury pool villa at the Royal Westmoreland Resort in Barbados.

I am feeling both giddy and embarrassed that this 3,000 plus square foot property with its own infinity pool is all mine for the next two days. 

Suddenly I see a smiling woman coming down the stairs looking at me curiously.  The housecleaner was still in the villa.

“Sorry I thought I was alone,” I say as my face reddens.

In my defense, you could have ten people in the villa and not know. Owned by Welsh boxing champ Joe Calzahie, it’s a place definitely made for entertaining.

After a swim, I head to my trusty golf cart – included with the villa - and drive off to the clubhouse for a delicious lunch.

I have to remind myself several times to stay on the proper side of the road. Well I would call it the wrong side but who is to argue with anyone on this beautiful island.

The Royal Westmoreland championship golf course is a social hub for residents of the resort who meet up for “nine and dine” Fridays as well as other golf functions.

Caledon, Ontario residents and villa owners Ken Teslia and his wife Valerie play several times a week when staying here and not only enjoy the community feel of the resort but the fact that the many sports amenities fit in with their active lifestyle.

They hired a landscape architect to create the perfect outdoor space for their villa that would take advantage of the fabulous year round weather. 

“As I sit every morning on the terrace, having my coffee reviewing newswires and answering emails I still pinch myself to make sure it’s real – and that’s after five years here,” he says.

Located in St. James, Barbados,  Royal Westmoreland is a short drive to Holetown which features high-end retail outlets and great dining.

The Lime Bar is a good starting point for the night which ended with a wonderful meal at the Mews Restaurant thanks to an invite from fellow Canadian Michelle Jamieson who I met at the resort earlier that day. Yes everyone is that friendly.

After two days at the Royal Westmoreland, I was off to the southeast coast of the island for the serene yet beautiful and historic Crane Resort.

It is the oldest continuously operating hotel in the Caribbean and marries old world charm with modern amenities. My one bedroom ocean view luxury condo includes a plunge pool on the balcony, mahogany furnishings, a full kitchen and a whirlpool tub. I am starting to feel spoiled again. I am also feeling hungry. 

Fortunately, there are several restaurants right on site, my personal favorite being the Asian-inspired Zen which offers traditional Tatami rooms, a sushi bar and booths for private dining. 

In the afternoon, I breathe in the fresh air and relax on the world famous Crane beach while listening to the roaring waves. 

Feeling the need to explore the area beyond the resort, I eventually take a walk to a deli across the street called Cutters where they feature live music on Sundays courtesy of local entertainer Jerry Roberts.

Shortly after I arrive, people begin to show up, most coming from the Crane and all with stories to tell.

Fifteen years ago Geoff Munn gave his new bride Karen a unique wedding gift – a one-week ownership at the Crane.

They are back each year and this time excited about the plans they have made for the week. 

“We love Barbados and the Crane so much we are renewing our vows here,” beams Karen Munn.

Whether it was the rum punch or the excitement of the moment, she insisted I come to the ceremony. Sadly I would be on a plane by then.

The words “time share” have always made me grimace as I envision high-pressure sales people buzzing around but as I soon learned there are many options and new approaches that changed my thinking.

Irene and Robert Linder of Wales who were also enjoying a Sunday afternoon beverage at Cutters say they were drawn to Barbados because of the warmth of the locals. But it was the sales approach of the Crane that sealed the deal.

“There was no pressure – it was the easiest transaction we ever made. They just let us make our decision.”

More importantly, they add, is that the cost was so reasonable they saw it as a “no brainer”. 

It’s hard to think of the Crane without thinking of the resort owner and developer Paul Doyle.

His hands on approach, passion and vision are hard to ignore. He doesn’t believe the resort needs an aggressive sales and marketing team chasing buyers. Instead, he prefers potential guests to walk in the door and see for themselves.

“We always give a fixed price, invite comparison shopping and never haggle,” he added.

He is building on his success with a new development about 10 minutes from the Crane. Right now, there is one model home but I was ready to move in. The Beach House is definitely remote but the kind of place you can imagine celebrities seeking out with its stunning views, floor to ceiling glass windows, contemporary architecture and ultra-privacy.

Most significantly, Doyle says you don’t have to be a celebrity to afford an ownership at the Crane or the Beach House.

Kim Goddard, head of sales at Royal Westmoreland says that there has been success in battling the “time share’ stigma as more and more people see the benefits of what she calls fractional ownership. In the case of the Royal Westmoreland, which is a gated community, the focus is more on time and safety.

 "We often find that potential purchasers might have the means to buy full ownership but are constrained by the amount of holiday time they have to take advantage of their home at this point in time. “

She says their owners are “not looking to be surprised or disappointed – they are looking for fabulous and for a stepping stone into full ownership.”  

The fractional ownership program allows for purchasers to own just the time they intend to stay at the resort. The property is held freehold/deeded in a third party trust in the Isle of Man, governed under UK commonwealth property law, and ownership shares in the villas are fully transferable, sellable and willable.

In the case of both the Royal Westmoreland www.royalwestmoreland.com  and the Crane www.craneresorts.com there are many other perks to the fractional ownership including exchange programs. 

Barbados is a small island (21 by 14 miles) with stunning beaches, warm waters, lush hills, and offers a host of activities from sailing to cricket tournaments. Regardless of your fabulous accommodations it’s well worth getting out and exploring.

 Just watch out for the rum punch. It’s good but called punch for a reason.