The best way to go island hopping in the Caribbean

Coral Reef Club

It was hard to think of a better place to be than in a luxury suite at Coral Reef Club in Barbados, with a rum punch in my hand. But not impossible, because the answer changed the moment I walked through the hotel's botanical gardens (also with a cocktail). And then when I sat on the beach and again at the restaurant… You get the picture.

Coral Reef Club is an iconic, family-run beachfront hotel in Holetown, on the west coast of Barbados. Just 45 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from the island's capital, Bridgetown, the hotel oozes old-world charm and personality, decorated in classic white wicker and rattan with artwork from local artists dotted throughout the property. It knows who it is, and how could it not? Its firm sense of identity comes largely from the fact that it's been in the hands of the same family since the 1950s and continues to be run by them.

The O'Hara family set up a glamorous oasis on the Bajan coast two generations ago, and it has continued to preserve its identity as well as its loyal client base – many of the guests are on a first-name basis with the staff, because they have made it their winter home for years.

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It's no surprise the O'Haras have managed to cultivate such a recurring clientele, given that their hospitality extends beyond the walls of the hotel.

Every week, the family hosts a cocktail party at their residence on the property – a sweet, personal touch that has largely been lost as hotels become bigger and more impersonal.

Yet the Coral Reef Club has also made sure to make relevant updates to the property, including the building of a stunning spa as well as tennis and padel courts. I can't recommend a visit to the spa enough – modern interiors, lush greenery and a peaceful, private pool are on offer, making it the perfect place to lounge after you've treated yourself to one of its treatments. You'll find classic massages, couples' treatments, facials and body wraps.

In the evenings, trade the peace of the spa, the sun and the sand for a delicious meal at the Coral Reef restaurant. The menu changes constantly, but you can be sure to find fresh fish – think sumptuous lobster and shrimp – as well as a juicy steak, well-seasoned chicken and traditional Bajan dishes.

The menu also offers indulgent appetisers and desserts alongside an expertly curated wine list, all of which is to be enjoyed while overlooking the sea.

The Sandpiper

The Coral Reef Club's sister hotel, The Sandpiper, is just down the road and it is also well worth a visit. The hotel's restaurant offers fine dining in a beautiful, intimate and serene setting, widely regarded as one of the best on the island. If you're after something a bit more casual, you can head to Harold's Beach Bar, which is a charming and relaxed spot for alfresco dinner or drinks.

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Soho Beach House Canouan

You've made it all the way to the Caribbean, so you might be thinking about doing some island hopping. Thanks to Coral Reef Club's new partnership with Soho Beach House Canouan, you can. The Caribbean hotels have teamed up to launch a “twincentre package”, giving guests the opportunity to spend five nights at Coral Reef Club or its sister hotel, The Sandpiper, followed by a five-night stay at Soho Beach House Canouan, located in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Guests are flown to Canouan with SVG Air.

Canouan is a tiny and secluded island in the Grenadines. It regularly hosts celebrities and millionaires from all around the world – it's a bit of an if-you-know-you-know holiday destination, and trust me, you want to know.

Soho House, the chain of members' clubs, was established in the mid-1990s, but it has since become a global brand. It has multiple locations in London alone. Soho Beach House Canouan is its first location in the Caribbean, having opened in 2022 and establishing itself as the perfect laid-back escape. Just a short flight from Barbados, the property is easily accessible, yet it feels a million miles away from the bigger, busier island.

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While you need a membership to access most of the Soho House clubs, Soho Beach House Canouan is open to non-members. Don't let the membership aspect put you off, though – the beach location is luxurious, but unpretentious. The staff are kind, attentive and quick to help with anything you might need.

At only 40 rooms, all of them overlooking a postcardlike scene of the Caribbean Sea, the hotel is intimate, yet well-equipped, with a spa, restaurant, bar and gym.

Personally, the main bar was my favourite place to lounge. The open-sided thatched structure makes for the perfect spot to relax with a book and a drink, while listening to the gentle waves lapping at the platinum-coloured sand. The hotel also boasts an on-site Cowshed spa, housed in a picturesque building, a two-storey gym and yoga and Pilates studios. On site, you can also take part in coconut husking on the beach. There's something very primal and rewarding about smashing open a coconut (the member of staff teaching me was far more graceful than I, but luckily our results were the same) and then using the coconut water to make a cocktail.

Guests of the island also get access to the Canouan Estate's “invisible key”, which gives you access to three world-renowned resorts – Soho Beach House, the Mandarin Oriental Canouan and the Canouan Estate Resort and Villas. All three come with their own different senses of styling and restaurants, curated in a way that means there is something for everyone. So, a day out to each one is highly recommended.

And it isn't the case that one resort is necessarily better or more beautiful than the others. Each, in their own way, provides a different experience and landscape.

Indeed, while Soho Beach House makes for a perfect base on Canouan, you'd be remiss not to venture out and explore the island.

The morning hike up Mount Royal is tough in the humidity, but it is certainly worth the effort. You are rewarded with views not just of the entire island, but also the surrounding ones – Mustique, Mayreau and even the peaks of Grenada. The staff are also able to help you organise boat hire. I would strongly advise booking a catamaran and heading out for a day of exploring the nearby islands. The Tobago Cays are a sanctuary for fish, rays and turtles, all of which are so used to the presence of people that they swim peacefully around you as you snorkel.

Nicole was a guest of Coral Reef Club and Soho Beach House Canouan. The twin-centre package includes a five-night stay on each island, international flights from London, island airport transfers and inter-island flights. Prices for a ten-night trip start from £5,795 per person, based on two guests, visit caribtours.co.uk.

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