Sir Grantley Adams International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

The airport is not in Bridgetown but further south, in the parish of Christ Church: the capital is a 15-20 minute drive away, while the real tourist strip closest to the terminal is the south coast, between Rockley and St. Lawrence Gap, with beaches and evening venues. Between the airport and Bridgetown, in the historic Garrison and Hastings area, there are hotels closer to the capital but still on the coast. Travellers after absolute calm can instead head to St. Philip, on the south-east coast, more remote but not as far from the runways as it seems.

Christ Church and the south coast (Rockley, St. Lawrence Gap)

Neighbourhood · About 15-20 minutes by car from the terminal, 10-14 km, with an airport shuttle available.

Best for: Travellers who want the strip of beaches, restaurants and evening venues closest to the terminal.

Pros

The tourist area closest to the airport, with the nightlife of St. Lawrence Gap just minutes away
Rockley Beach can be reached on foot from several hotels in the area

Cons

A coastal road that gets busy at rush hour between the airport and the area
A few historic hotels in the area could do with more recent renovations

Recommended hotels in this area

Accra Beach Hotel & Spa: 224 rooms on Rockley beach, among the south coast's shops and restaurants; three pools including one for adults, and weekly evening shows with limbo and karaoke.

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Garrison and Hastings

Neighbourhood · About 15-20 minutes by car from the terminal, 14-15 km, in the historic Garrison area just south of Bridgetown.

Best for: Travellers who want to stay closer to Bridgetown without giving up the beach, amid colonial history and Carlisle Bay.

Pros

A few steps from Carlisle Bay and the George Washington House
Closer to the centre of Bridgetown than the touristy south coast

Cons

Some properties in the area have received mixed reviews on maintenance and cleanliness
Less nightlife than St. Lawrence Gap

Recommended hotels in this area

Courtyard by Marriott Bridgetown, Barbados: In the Garrison Historic Area of Hastings, within walking distance of the area's white-sand beaches; Centro restaurant, round-the-clock gym and free parking.
Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados: On the beach at Carlisle Bay, in a protected marine area with wrecks reachable by diving; reviews do note, however, that some areas of the property need renovation.

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St. Philip and the south-east coast

Nearby town · About 15 minutes by car from the terminal, 11 km, while still staying off the main tourist circuits.

Best for: Travellers seeking a secluded, quiet holiday, far from city life but not from the terminal.

Pros

Despite the sense of isolation, the transfer from the airport is among the shortest on the island
A less developed south-east coast, with cliffs and wilder beaches

Cons

Far from Bridgetown and the south coast's nightlife: a car is needed to get around
Very few dining alternatives outside the resort itself

Recommended hotels in this area

Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord's Castle All Inclusive Resort: 422 rooms on the historic site of Sam Lord's Castle, on the south-east coast; over ten dining spots on an all-inclusive basis, about 15 minutes from the airport.

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