The reimagined Fairmont Royal Pavilion, on the beach, with its 72 bedrooms and suites, draws inspiration from its timeless surroundings and colour palette on the Platinum Coast of Barbados. Soothing and peaceful hues borrowed from the breathtaking seascape mingle naturally with handcrafted woodwork and subtle local artwork. A tranquil ambience, blushing with an uncompromised view of the ocean from every room and suite, allows you to lose yourself and reconnect.

Taboras restaurant will tempt you with the delights of the not-to-be-missed English Afternoon Tea and canapés, while local Executive Chef Timothy Palmer invokes shades of regional cuisine. Alternatively, savour a magnificent dinner at the signature fine-dining Palm Terrace Restaurant, built along the beach, taking in a panoramic view of the sea alongside dazzling epicurean fare.

Elegantly perched beachside, enjoy a crisp glass of rosé on a warm afternoon, a smooth rum punch, or a frozen cocktail with light bites during the day at the Beach Club. Conveniently located next to the water sports area, watch the waves crash while relishing lunch fare including fish tacos, coconut-crusted Caribbean shrimp, and traditional chicken roti.

Awards and Amenities

Fairmont Royal Pavilion is an award-winning hotel on 11 spectacular acres with a half-mile stretch of beachfront and remarkable personalised service. Notable past accolades include the TripAdvisor Award for Excellence 2017 and AAA Four Diamond Award 2017.

Conveniently located five minutes from the nearest golf course and shopping centre, it offers complimentary WiFi, water sports, swimming with turtles, a jacuzzi, pool, and a 24-hour fitness centre—everything needed to enjoy this little piece of paradise.

The History

The Fairmont Royal Pavilion was formerly The Miramar Hotel, built in the 1940s as the first hotel on the West Coast of Barbados, comprising just twelve rooms.

The resort was originally built adjacent to the winter estate of Sir Edward Cunard, a scion of the Cunard family, owners and operators of the renowned Cunard Steamship Company and originally The White Star Line of Liverpool, England.

In 1987, Lynne and Mike Pemberton, the ‘power couple’ from UK society, bought The Miramar. Featured across Europe in society and lifestyle magazines, they launched the Barbados chapter of the Variety Club International in 1995 by hosting a garden tea party auction at Glitter Bay. Guests included Joan Collins and Lord Banfield, with watercolours by Prince Charles sold to raise in excess of $40,000. In 1985, Queen Elizabeth visited the hotel, travelling with Concorde from the UK.

In 1987, Mike Pemberton decided to redevelop The Miramar into the luxurious Royal Pavilion. Following a miraculously short renovation, the doors opened in December 1987—just in time for Christmas.

The hotel was acquired by Princess Hotels in February 1996, then became a Canadian Pacific hotel following the merger of these two brands in 1998. In October 1999, following acquisition by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, the property was renamed The Fairmont Royal Pavilion.

Situated on one of the most appealing Caribbean shorelines—the famous West Coast of Barbados—the site was discovered and named at the turn of the century by prominent Barbados businessman George Manning.

Located beachfront on an 11-acre estate in the parish of St. James, the resort overlooks the Caribbean. Described as understated sophistication on the beach, this world-premiere resort has built an enviable reputation for service and luxury.

The pale pink façaded structure has an intimate European style, set amidst exquisitely landscaped gardens with tropical flowers, water features, and fountains.

The hotel is situated 32 km (20 miles) from the airport, 12.8 km (8 miles) from the capital city Bridgetown, and half a mile from the nearest shopping centre in Holetown.

The Gardens

The island of Barbados is known for its British traditions, tropical scenery, and beautiful gardens. Situated on the island’s serene west coast, Fairmont Royal Pavilion reflects these traits in service, landscape design, and elaborate, colourful gardens.

Renowned landscape architect Fernando Tabora designed the gardens. Born and raised in South America, Tabora was also involved in designing Parque Del Este in Caracas, Venezuela, and Aterro Do Flamengo Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1968, Tabora and his partner John Stoddart received the National Venezuelan Award for Landscape Architecture. Tabora is still consulted on landscape design at Fairmont Royal Pavilion.

Tabora landscaped the properties by blending natural tropical beauty with Mediterranean-style architecture. Much of the greenery and tropical buds offer shading, creating privacy among intimate courtyards, water features, and larger public areas, many overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Fairmont Royal Pavilion features open-air atriums and pathways covered in Petrea Volubilis, a vine bearing purple and white flowers. Leading off the open pathways are ocean-facing guestrooms on one side and secluded gardens on the other, where guests can escape, enjoying tropical breezes and the scent of flowers. The property features several picturesque ponds where a variety of lilies float, including white and red water lilies, the latter blooming only at night.

The estate’s entire flora is native to the region. Among the diverse greenery are more than 100 coconut trees; over 50 palm trees including Golden, McArthur, and Sago; mango, breadfruit, cherry, and banana trees; multi-coloured Frangipani trees; and numerous flowering plants.

Many trees and flowers are rare specimens with interesting tales. When Portuguese explorer Pedro a Campos charted the island in the 17th century, it was uninhabited. Spotting fig trees with clumps of bushy roots resembling beards hanging from branches, he named it Barbados, meaning “the bearded ones” in Portuguese.

Another intriguing tree is the Traveller Palm, whose leaves hold water for thirsty adventurers. The Bird Claw, a Bajan native vine, wraps around tree trunks, creeping to the top and flowering once a year in June with profuse yellow blooms covering the vine and trunk.

For guests eager to learn more, botanical tours are conducted every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. by a nursery supervisor.

Contact:
W: Fairmont Royal Pavilion Barbados
A: Fairmont Royal Pavilion, St. James BB24051, Barbados
T: +1 246 422 5555
E: Reservations

Photo credit: Fairmont Royal Pavilion