Barbuda Belle Luxury Beach Hotel

Barbuda Belle is pure magic! The setting, right on the water and completely on its own, is spectacular. The pictures are accurate - it really is that beautiful. Our bungalow was spacious and beautifully furnished and designed. The outdoor deck is essentially another seaside room. There are many thoughtful touches, like an outdoor shower at the base of stairs (so no need to track in half the beach) to sliding doors in front of the bed that open to reveal the beach and the water. Each bungalow has its own beach chairs, umbrella, and float, so I would imagine that even if every bungalow were occupied, there is plenty of privacy. You won't be fighting off other guests for your spot on the beach here!. The main building and restaurant is equally beautiful. The whole set-up has a remarkable sense of place.||The staff here go above and beyond and are warm and friendly. We'd have to name everyone if we wanted to name someone who was a standout. Anything you want or need, they'll get. We kayaked twice, had a fascinating trip to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, and went out snorkeling (which was fun, but the highlight of the trip was the fishing success of our guides!) For us, this was a dream -- so peaceful and serene and stunning. We just couldn't believe our good fortune to be there. If, however, you're looking for a pool, tennis, yoga classes, etc. -- this isn't your place. Bring a good companion and some good books. The sea in front of the resort is quite shallow quite far out, and there's a bit of seagrass in places, so you might want want water shoes. ||The food was delicious. Note that this isn't all inclusive, but for all practical purposes, you'll be eating most of your meals here. No suffering on that front! Every meal was delicious. We enjoyed the fire on the beach each night before dinner, where we could enjoy the clear night sky with a cocktail and a nibble. It was the perfect transition from a lazy, perfect day to a relaxing, perfect night. And then, we did it all over again!||We would go back in a heartbeat.

My partner and I had the most wonderful stay at the Barbuda Belle. It is probably one of the most beautiful, serene and unique places that we have ever had the pleasure of visiting. From start to finish, the experience was idyllic and extraordinary. It is well worth the effort taken to get there; indeed, we will never forget our experience at this very special hotel. If you are on the fence about whether to book your trip here, then I would heartily encourage you to go for it. ||The hotel is situated in a remote part of Barbuda. It really feels like you are close to nature and far away from anywhere else in the world. It is a perfect retreat for those looking to get away from the more flashy or touristic locations in Antigua and Barbuda. The Barbuda Belle is luxurious but understated and tasteful, not to mention very quiet and peaceful. ||The hotel is stylish and blends in with the landscape. The owners have crafted a small number of beautiful wooden cabins, including a large central cabin for the reception, bar and dining area. Our room was immaculately clean and also had a pleasant air-conditioned bed. The main window looks out over the beach and the Caribbean Sea. It was a spectacular view to wake up to every morning, complete with the pink sands for which Barbuda is famous. ||Overall, the Barbuda Belle provides a perfect combination of natural architecture and a luxury experience. It feels similar to a high-end, luxury safari lodge or a private beach club. ||At night time, it was particularly magical - the warm lighting of the central cabin provided an enchanting and romantic setting. And because there was so little light pollution, at night we could also see a sky full of stars.||The food was simply fantastic: it was fresh, rich in local ingredients, and delicious. As you would expect, they have a marvellous array of fresh seafood options, but also cater for those who want other types of cuisine. For example, the Caesar salad was simply to die for. On the other hand, I tried conch for the first time, and was glad that I did. The breakfast, lunch and dinner service were all first class.||We thoroughly enjoyed our excursions to the local bird sanctuary. There is a dedicated team at the hotel who take guests on boat trips. You can request pretty much anything that takes your fancy (weather permitting), whether it be fishing, snorkelling, or a ride over to Barbuda’s famous caves. In horse racing season, the hotel staff can also take guests over for a fun day out at a nearby racing track. ||It was a privilege to be shown around those parts of the island that we had time to see during our brief trip. Barbuda was hit very badly by Hurricane Irma in 2017, and the recovery is an ongoing process. Alongside the natural beauty of the island, there are still very clear signs of the damage that the hurricane inflicted on houses, infrastructure and the landscape. We thank our hosts for sharing the tragic story of Hurricane Irma with us, while also making us feel very welcome as visitors. ||Indeed, what really makes this hotel special is the people who work there. Alexander, the hotel’s barman, was so kind to us and shared stories from his travels around the world - from the nearby Caribbean to faraway Japan. We were particularly touched when he came to say goodbye to us as we were leaving, which was a lovely gesture. ||Alexander is also an excellent mixologist. One word of advice: treat the Barbuda Belle Punch with respect! ||Anne-Marie was also a fantastic host, providing us with excellent advice on the menu every day without fail. ||The hotel’s manager, Claudette, was a consummate host. Upon our arrival, she picked us up from the ferry and took us on the stunning route by car and by boat to the location of the hotel. She was always there to make sure that we were enjoying our stay, and she helped us to organise our excursion to see the bird sanctuary, which is nearby the hotel. ||Claudette really was so good to us. We can’t thank her enough for her kindness and professionalism. She went above and beyond on our last day, when we sadly had to leave a day earlier than planned and go back to Antigua. Not only did she help us to get onto the ferry at the last minute, but, when we were short of cash, she even lent us $100 to pay for our tickets. We are truly in her debt and we will be back soon to repay her! ||We cannot wait to return to this breathtakingly beautiful and special place. We would heartily recommend it to anyone visiting Barbuda. It is a true gem, and off the beaten track. You won’t be disappointed.

My wife and I have travelled to many Caribean islands over the past 36 years. We have learned to avoid groups of people and only seek serenity and nature when planning our annual winter getaway. We do not enjoy large resorts no matter how up scale they are and if you are a couple who want to feel like you’re on an adventure and completely cut off from the masses, Barbuda Belle could be for you. Once arriving on the Island of Barbuda after a short puddle jumper about 20 mins from Antigua, we were greeted by warm and friendly Claudette (she runs the place). She took us for a welcoming slightly bumpy car ride to the dock where a small but efficient boat brought us through cavernous mangroves to arrive at this magical sight. As we strolled up the steps of the main lodge tired and hungry, we were looking around in bewilderment, and greeted with a cold towel and a glass of homemade lemonade. There was an immediate collective feeling that we just might have made the right choice after all. Claudette and her staff, led by Alexander and Ann Marie made sure we were all that mattered for eight days. We were completely taken care of by the nicest Barbudan locals, consisting of a personal chef, professional servers and boaters and fisherman who only wanted to please us. Our walks on the most pristine pink and white beach went on for hours without seeing a soul. Sometimes we were pleasantly interrupted by our week long friends, the most beautiful majestic pelicans diving for their meal or perhaps the sight of the most gorgeous national bird of Antigua, the incredible Frigate, which we had never heard of before but now appreciate so much. We headed out in the boat for a trip through the mangroves again |where thousands of Frigates live and mate. It was a|life changing experience for sure and we highly recommend it. The boat guys were always ready to take us out. We went fishing about 300 yards off shore and were told to drop in a line. Never having fished in such waters, it didn’t matter, as I broke the hotel record pulling in a 26 pound Barracuda. Then within minutes another 9 pounder! We then requested a fish that we could actually eat for dinner and Big J and his teammate little J were like |magicians, at our command, and they quickly hauled in two snappers ready for the chef.|Golf carts were available to take anytime- we would grab one as sunset was approaching, so that we could go down to our own favorite private beach, bring a cocktail and enjoy “the show” all alone. One day they took us across the island for a day on the most beautiful Princess Diana beach. Lunching at Nobu was a scene and fun but we couldn’t wait to run back to our peaceful serene home at Belle. We don't want too many people to find this place but we feel an obligation to let someone else know who might really appreciate such a unique and amazing spot in the world.||We can’t wait to go back.

As close to paradise as you can get. When this hotel gets it right, which it nearly always does, it gets it as close to perfection as possible.||Firstly the location - Incredible, beautiful beach, so so quiet, pristine clean white/pink sand and turquoise ocean. The pictures can’t do it justice. The best beach in the Caribbean without a doubt.||The staff - amazing service with a smile and a “no problem, of course’ to any and every request. Within hours we knew them all by name and they us, very friendly but always super professional. They were all very proud of the hotel and the service they provided. A real tribute to the owners and management. Many thanks to Claudette, Alexander, Big Jay and Anne-Marie in particular for making our stay so spectacular.||The rooms - Beautifully stylish, a mash-up of Balinese bungalow and Barbuda. Lovely bathrooms with exceptional products, fluffy towels and great plumbing. Wonderful four poster bed with mosquito net and air-conditioned! Great super private out-door area with, of course, fabulous views over the ocean. You also have your own sun loungers, chairs and parasols erected for you every morning on the beach which is about 30 feet away from the bungalow.||The bar and restaurant- Again beautifully stylish. Luxurious cane and wicker furniture in a lovely spacious open plan hall with high ceilings and the island breeze flowing through. Gave us a sense of being on safari.||Other highlights - The cool golf/sand buggy that comes with the room that enabled us to explore the property that stretches up the coast to an even more beautiful bright pink beach which you enjoy by yourself and the few birds that wander on the soft sand. Perfection. ||- The fishing trip I took with Big Jay where over the course of a couple of hours we caught snapper, Barracuda and Jack fish. Which, of course, the chef prepared and served to us over lunch and supper. Incredible.||- The James Bond style speed-boat transfer through the mangroves from the airport directly to the beach in front of the hotel. Cool.||If you want the usual super-smooth all-inclusive polished 5 star Caribbean this is not the place for you. But if you want incredible personal service, a hint of adventure and the closest thing to paradise then Barbuda Belle is the place to go.

Have you ever stayed somewhere so perfect, you didn't know what to talk about first? We have and it's called Barbuda Belle!||From the moment we were picked up at the airport and whisked by boat to the Barbuda Belle by Scott, to landing on the white powdery beach 15 minutes later with the charming Alexander waiting with cold scented towels and delightful beverages, to being warmly and enthusiastically greeted by the lovely manager, Claudette, we knew this was someplace truly special.||The location is breathtakingly beautiful - white powdery beaches that go on for miles, water so warm you just don't want to leave, and simple, beautiful architecture that doesn't get in the way of the landscape. Our individual "home" was simply, yet tastefully decorated with the most amazing type of air conditioning which enveloped you in your mosquito-netted bed. Reading lights were thoughtfully placed on the headboard so you could read at night without straining your eyes.||Every morning cheery Anne Marie would take our breakfast order and deliver hot cappuccino and croissants from St. Martin to begin our day.||Their CIA-trained Chef Aldis, prepared the most gourmet dishes imaginable-and if it wasn't on the menu he was more than happy to oblige if possible. Everything was fresh and delicately seasoned and prepared. One afternoon we did venture off property with our kind-hearted driver Raylton giving us a tour of the island on the way to have lunch at the highly acclaimed Nobu. However, as nice as the restaurant was, we both decided that we much preferred Chef Aldis's cuisine and our stunning beach with protected bay!||Every evening at sunset, a beautiful bonfire was lit, which was enjoyed during cocktails and dinner.||We booked for five nights and had three of them and the entirety of the Barbuda Belle to ourselves. It was a magical experience that we will never forget and made possible by the wonderful staff who all went truly above and beyond to give us a memorable stay. Thank you all!

Thank you Claudette and team for a magical stay. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our time with you in your unforgettable corner of paradise. We hope to be able to come back soon and stay longer next time. We loved our boat trip to see the puffed up frigates, chilling on your truly pink sand beach and all the delicacies served up by your kitchen. We look forward to the next time!

Barbuda Belle is a gem of a place. Located on probably the best beach in the world. It goes on for 11 miles and we didn’t see one other soul during our walks on it. Privately owned by a family and run almost like their own home. Seven rooms beautifully designed and appointed. Absolutely breath-taking location. The best service, nothing is too much trouble. The answer is ‘yes, no problem’ to any request and they are magicians at making dreams come true. Delicious food, prepared with love and attention. I can’t recommend it more highly.

We went to Barbuda Belle as an extended family of 15 adults, including an 88 year old grandmother and three babies under 2, over Christmas & New year for 10 nights. Booking for that many people meant taking over almost the entire resort. I must say - booking made me nervous. What if we don't like the place? What if the reviews are fake? What if there is nothing to do? What if the pictures on the website are photoshopped which unfortunately is common these days? The concerns were endless. ||Caroline in reservations (who turned out to be the daughter of the owners) acted as the travel agent, setting aside all my concerns, but at the same time, making sure that we were fully prepared. ||The journey went like clockwork despite needing the plane from Antigua to Barbuda to go back and forth twice as it only has 8 seats. When we landed in Barbuda, we were met at the airstrip by the delightful Claudette. The trip from the airport is like arriving in paradise. The resort boat takes you across the mangroves with not a building in site - just endless beauty. You then arrive at Barbuda Belle...It must be the only resort in the Caribbean which stands alone, without any other building in site. The nearest civilisation would be a 3.5 hour walk and even then - you would have to swim part of the way.||The main building is Balinese. A beautiful wooden structure designed by the owners (who had no prior hotel experience). The rooms are beautifully decorated and the bed is wonderfully comfortable. There is a panoramic view onto the sea and a lovely bathroom and private terrace. The sand is like white talcum powder - there is no need to photoshop. (ignore the guest pictures, as they need a lesson or two in photography!) . The sea is flat as a pancake as it's protected by a reef. Getting into the water is easy which is ideal for the elderly and young alike.||I had been worried about staying for 10 night but it turned out that 10 nights wasn't enough. It would be a mistake to stay for any less than 5 nights. Who would ever want to stay in Antigua compared to the remote beauty of Barbuda? If you like fishing, this is paradise. You are guaranteed to catch a fish in less than 10 minutes. We always came back with enough fish to feed lunch for everyone, plus four or five lobsters expertly plucked from under the reefs. From sea to table within the hour ! Every single staff member was a delight. By the end of the stay, they were all like family. There are plenty of interesting trips to make. I would recommend you go to both sets of caves and don't miss the frigate birds (they are impossible to miss anyway). We had a birthday lunch at Nobu which is located on a beautiful beach, but I would suggest only going for a drink and a snack as the prices are exorbitant. ||New year at Barbuda Belle was wonderful. The owners were there and prepared a feast for us as if we had been family friends. We were the only guests, but the staff and their children who had been invited for the evening joined in and we danced away to a steel band until the early hours. What fun!||Thank-you for giving us such a wonderful time. We will be back. In the mean-time, the Barbudan smiles will be etched into our memories for ever. We love you!