Living between the UK and Barbados, I am fortunate to really understand, and regularly experience, the beauty, warmth and character of this incredible island.
I’ve stayed in most of the island’s hotels and I know that it takes something genuinely new and special to stand out. I can honestly say my visit to Royalton Vessence Barbados has done just that.
Running Barbados Inspired means I spend much of my working life sharing this island with my UK clientele, so when I was named one of the winners of Royalton’s September Barbados campaign, I jumped at the chance to spend a few days on property with Royalton market manager Paulina Grzelka.
Royalton Vessence’s opening has been huge for Barbados and being given the chance to see the resort firsthand was important to me and my business – I wanted to discover who the resort is really for, and exactly how I should be selling it.
Location, location, location…
Part of the draw of this property is its location.
Royalton Vessence sits right in the centre of Holetown on the west coast of the island, around 30 minutes from the airport – a super easy transfer for clients arriving from the UK after a long flight.
And that’s not the only bonus to its Holetown location.
Plenty of all-inclusive guests never leave the resort, but Holetown’s colonial-style streets, coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques and local art galleries are a short stroll from the lobby.
Clients get the ease, and elevated service in the case of Vessence, of an all-inclusive resort without feeling cut off from Barbados and its authenticity.
For any of my clients that have hesitated over an all-inclusive stay for exactly that reason, I can now confidently position Royalton Vessence as offering the best of both worlds.
First impressions of the resort
The Royalton guest welcome set the tone for the entire trip: a smile, a hand over the heart and a cocktail, followed by a check-in that was so quick, I was settled in my Junior Suite within minutes.
It’s a small thing, but after a long-haul flight, it’s the kind of detail clients tend to remember.
A site inspection that first afternoon took us through the room categories, restaurants and facilities.
Throughout, the resort is spacious and immaculately kept, with a modern, stylish design that still feels rooted in its Caribbean setting.
I was delighted to be staying in the Junior Luxury Suite category, which included the resort’s butler service, and the team were kind enough to welcome me with a bottle of champagne, a beach bag and a miniature of local rum.
The suite was large and thoughtfully designed, and the butler service made everything effortless – after long days of meetings, exploring Holetown and creating content, I could simply come back and switch off.
Royalton has recently changed the room categories at Vessence, with the Diamond Club option no longer existing in its traditional form.
Instead, the butler service concept has been incorporated into each room category.
Clients can still book a Junior Luxury Suite without butler service if they prefer, but for most of the Royalton Vessence room categories, it is now included as part of the standard package.
For honeymooners and milestone celebrations, this is a great selling point. Butler service as standard really does make the stay feel special.
The real showstopper, though, is the Chairman Suite. With direct ocean views, two master bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a large living and dining area and a huge terrace with its own jacuzzi.
This space can sleep up to six adults and feels more like a private villa than a hotel room. For groups of friends or a big celebration, it offers villa-style private space alongside all the facilities that come with a resort accessible around it.
Variety is one of Vessence’s strengths, which makes it a comfortable sell for longer stays.
Our welcome dinner at Hunter, hosted by commercial manager Selina, was a highlight – excellent steaks and salads, served by a team with obvious pride in what they do.
The French restaurant, Moi Aussi, is a destination in its own right, with a setting that turns dinner into an occasion – it’s most definitely the dining option I’d point couples to for a special night out.
Kai, the Asian restaurant, brings a lighter, more relaxed feel and a completely different menu.
Royalton Vessence has a total of 13 eateries and four bars, so guests staying for a week or more will never feel like they’re eating or enjoying a cocktail in the same place on repeat.
More than sun, sea, and sun loungers…
What surprised me most was how much there is to actually do at the resort.
The experiences programme – yoga, Pilates, stretching, Tai Chi, cooking classes, canvas painting and rum tastings – is part of the All-In Luxury offering, so clients can try something new without reaching for their wallet.
I fell into a routine I’d happily repeat daily: a 6am gym session, a Tai Chi or stretching class, then a well-earned espresso from the Royalton Coffee Lounge. In the evenings I used the Royalton TV app in my room to play guided meditation music before sleep – a small touch, but one that made the stay feel genuinely restorative.
In between all of this, the rooftop pool became my favourite spot.
Its panoramic views are stunning, and it was honestly a spot I seemed to lose time in; it was just so peaceful. And the sunset view from up there is a moment I’ll be describing to clients for years.
The Vessence wellbeing focus provides a great selling angle for clients that want something beyond the beach. Movement in the morning, a creative or cultural experience after breakfast, the pool in the afternoon, a great dinner and a quiet night in – Vessence is built to look after body, mind and, of course, appetite.
