I was going to call this article the “Best Five Hotels in Barbados” but then decided that “best” is subjective, and there are many great hotels in Barbados. So I settled on “Five Great Barbados Hotels”.

Each hotel is unique and if you stay in one of them you will surely be more than satisfied.

1 Crane Beach Hotel

After landing at Grantley Adams Airport, take the road less traveled and drive east, you will come to a place that could be paradise. At the end of a long drive, and on the famous Crane Beach, a beach that Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous recognizes as one of the top ten beaches in the world, is the first hotel I stayed at in Barbados.

The Crane Beach Hotel is a grand coral mansion, with the main villa dating from 1790 and the resort itself, the oldest continuously operating resort in the Caribbean, dating from 1887.

Luxurious yet relaxed, Crane’s rooms and suites feature four-poster mahogany beds, marble bathrooms, coral walls, and balconies overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. If you can tear yourself away from the luxury of your room, just a few steps away you will find L’Azure. White tablecloths, candlelight and a soft guitar complement the culinary delights prepared by your Michelin-starred chef.

If you prefer something a little more exotic, head to Zen, where Thai and Japanese chefs serve up sushi while you sit in front of a glass wall and watch the sea lapping against the rocks 50 feet below. Or, if you simply can’t get out of your room, you can have breakfast served on your own private balcony.

If you never want to leave, and you certainly won’t be the first, you can now take possession of the newly developed residences. Own for a week, a month, or outright and with less than seven residences per acre and over a half mile of beautiful oceanfront, you may never leave this tropical oasis again.

2 The Bougainvillea beach resort

The Bougainvillea Beach Resort is the second Barbados hotel I have stayed at. It is a luxurious oceanfront all-suite resort with 138 spacious suites, including studios, deluxe one- and two-bedroom suites, and penthouse apartments. It is in a stunning location on one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, surrounded by lagoon-style pools, waterfalls and lush gardens.

3 Fairmont Royal Pavilion

The Fairmont Royal Pavilion is one of my favorite hotels in Barbados. Fairmont always manages to create stylish yet friendly hotels. The hotel is primarily a couples resort during peak season (November 1 to April 30). Children are welcome from May 1 to October 31. Each of the 72 oceanfront rooms is decorated in a relaxed Caribbean style, with private patios or terraces. There is also a three-bedroom villa tucked away in the lush gardens.

Located on a beautiful beach, the hotel feels like a luxurious country house, blending old world charm with modern conveniences, you won’t be disappointed when you stay here.

4 The Hilton Barbados

A five star resort with 350 ocean view rooms. All rooms have private balconies, walk-in showers, high-speed Internet access, and cable television. The hotel is built on the Needham’s Point peninsula and has two large beaches. A large complex of pools and jacuzzis, a gym, three tennis courts and a paradise ‘Kidz’ club make this a great place for families. The resort has a number of restaurants and bars, ranging from a beach bar to a gourmet restaurant.

I stayed in the old hotel, which has been demolished. The old hotel left a lot to be desired but the beaches were spectacular. The beaches remain the same, and now the hotel is as impressive as the beaches.

5 small bows

I can’t think of a better place for a romantic getaway than Little Arches. This privately owned, ten-room boutique hotel is an adults-only hideaway just steps from Miami Beach. King-size beds and air-conditioning come standard, and oceanfront suites feature oversized private Jacuzzis and terracotta terraces.

Meals are served in-room, poolside, or al fresco at the rooftop restaurant. The hotel’s Cafe Luna is Zagat’s top-rated pick for Best Hotel Dining Experience, #1 Rated Mediterranean Food, and #3 Pick for Best Overall Food in Barbados for 2006/7.